DRAFT TRACKER 2022

Wilson's game is lacking in polish, but some scouts believe his play strength and run-after-catch ability make him a more valuable draft commodity than Ohio State teammate Chris Olave. He's a linear, inside/outside receiver with trouble eluding press cleanly and is very inefficient with routes over the first two levels. His long speed is good, but the acceleration burst is what makes him such an effective separator in space. He might not be smooth getting there, but he has eye-popping ball skills when it's time to go make a play. Wilson needs to work on his ability to consistently uncover on all three levels, but he has the traits to become a very good WR2 if he tightens up areas of concern.

Big, smooth and natural, Burks possesses the versatility to operate from wherever you want and get to wherever you need no matter the competition. He's a mismatch receiver combining size, strength and competitiveness similar to the Titans' A.J. Brown, but his speed testing at the NFL Scouting Combine did not meet expectations. Arkansas benefitted by putting the ball in his hands from a variety of alignments and there is no reason to believe NFL play-callers won't benefit from doing the same. The tape is extremely exciting with real NFL skills jumping off the screen, but his potential to become a high-volume, three-level target is a little more cloudy after a relatively disappointing showing at the combine.

Linear route-runner with electric long speed to impact a game as a home-run hitter or decoy drawing defenders away from other elements of the offense. Williams ruins man coverage but faces some limitations. He has issues getting off press cleanly and might require some scheming to help get off the mark cleanly against certain corners. Catch toughness can be inconsistent when contested or in heavily trafficked areas. He has all the juice to find consistent separation on vertical, over and post/corner routes and could see monstrous production if paired with a high-end talent at quarterback. The ACL tear could play a role in determining his ultimate draft destination, but it's unlikely to change his game.

The quiet storm of the Ohio State wide receiver corps, Olave is smooth, steady and makes things happen. His movements are fluid and easy from snap to the catch and all points between. He's fast but efficient and plays with the bend and foot agility to uncover on all three levels. Olave possesses natural, well-rounded ball skills but needs to add play strength to ward off the physical challenges that are headed his way. His play traits should allow for success beyond the scheme and talent advantages surrounding him at Ohio State. He is an inside/outside hybrid appealing to offenses looking for a field-stretcher with the ability to take on a sizable catch load.

Big, long possession receiver with the ability to play outside or from the slot. London lacks desired top-end speed and separation quickness to open clear throwing windows but plays a mature, savvy brand of ball. The game slows down for him when the ball comes out. London was a top-flight basketball player so angles to the ball, body positioning and high-pointing come very naturally to him, turning a 50-50 ball into a 70-30 advantage. While he has the size and skill to dominate the catch phase, his one-speed route-running and lack of separation burst means a career full of contested catches. London's pro career would benefit from playing with a diverse receiving corps that allows play-callers to play to London's strengths.

A receiver prospect with intriguing measurables and a strong belief in the team aspect of the game, Watson possesses an alluring combination of size and speed. He showed off improved route running and catch strength in 2021. He is much more gifted than his opposition was at NDSU and needs to prove he can elevate his game against bigger, faster players at the next level. He plays hard and fast but needs to add a few more pounds and learn to impose his frame on the coverage. He's a field-stretching option requiring a linear route tree and projects as a capable WR3/4 with more work.

Finesse wideout with good speed and great athleticism who is fully operational on all three levels of the field. Dotson's passing scheme was well-designed and allowed for clear access to space for most of the season. His route-running is smooth but features speed changes and his in-air athleticism and ball skills look effortless. His confidence and competitiveness are just average against physical coverage and he's likely to see a lot more press looks as a pro. Dotson has inside/outside starting talent but a lack of physicality could prevent him from taking over games at the same rate we saw at Penn State.

Productive three-year starter with decent athleticism and good ball skills but just average separation potential. Moore is courageous working into the teeth of the defense and tenacious to come up with contested catches from anywhere on the field. He's a one-note route-runner lacking acceleration out of break points but showed off impressive vertical speed at the NFL Scouting Combine. His ball skills and toughness create opportunities as a reliable target and capable route-runner from release to whistle. His best fit is from the slot, but long-term success will depend on his ability to keep fine-tuning his craft.

Lanky perimeter wideout with exciting ball skills but in desperate need of additional play strength and a clean bill of health. Resilient to make it back so quickly after an ACL tear, but needs to show quick-cutting ability for route-running. Pickens possesses borderline elite ball skills with in-air adjustments, strong hands and an enormous catch radius. However, he fails to put defenders on his hip and command the catch space to make his work less cluttered. The routes need more polish and physicality but he has the athletic ability to become a viable target on all three levels as a likely Day 2 draft pick with a little wider gap between ceiling and floor than NFL teams might like.

Silky smooth athlete who has morphed into a monster over the last two seasons. Tolbert is a high-character prospect with skill elements that are dripping with NFL potential. He gave work to everyone he faced, including SEC cover corners at Tennessee. His three-sport background offers unique perspective to pull from at his position, and his route-running gives him a leg up in camp battles early on. His traits, talent and production should push him up the board, and dialing up the competitive spirit could turn him into a top-flight WR2.

NFL slot projection with good polish but a lack of noteworthy elements in his game. Metchie has decent size but average play speed. He's proficient in more sophisticated routes but lacks explosiveness to separate and will have to prove he can become a more physical wideout to win contested catches at the pro level. He can play multiple receiver spots and has the ability to take what the scheme provides him. As long as his recovery from an ACL tear goes smoothly, Metchie has a chance to become a starting slot receiver with a relatively modest ceiling.

A coach's dream, combining competitive nature, exciting versatility and elite character on and off the field. For a short-armed player with average explosiveness, Shakir puts an emphatic stamp on games. He's more football player than prototypical slot receiver and needs to prove he can handle an increase in contested catches. He can be activated from a variety of alignments with the vision, wiggle and toughness to move the chains once the ball is in his hands. He finds a way to frequently show up on the notepad when watching tape and his will to outperform the guy across from him should not be overlooked. Shakir should become a valuable piece for a creative play-caller.

Washington's draft projection will be challenging as evaluators determine how best to utilize the ability he showed against Florida last season. In that game, Washington was pretty much unguardable, using speed, route running, cut quickness and ball skills to torment coverage. He flashes those elements in most games but his catch focus and play intensity can be a little erratic from time to time. Washington is a highly instinctive kick and punt returner, which only adds to his value. His pro day testing numbers and NFLPA Collegiate Bowl practice week failed to match what was on tape against Florida, but if he finds it as a pro, he will become a productive starting slot receiver with the chance to make his mark on special teams, as well.

Robinson will be tabbed as a slot receiver but that is underselling his potential. He's sudden and slick with an ability to make plays from a variety of alignments. He has gadget potential and can function as a dump-and-run target, acting as an extension of the running game. A lack of length and play strength could be a concern until he tightens up the route-running to prevent contested catches. He's much lighter than Deebo Samuel, but the competitiveness, acceleration and run-after-catch talent could have teams eyeing a somewhat similar usage for Robinson in the future.

Pierce was a mismatch as a deep-ball target at Cincinnati, but is more likely to be tabbed as a possession receiver with the ability to create some downfield trouble as a pro. He plays a physical brand of ball and has combat-catch toughness, which is important because he's not an elusive route runner. He can work underneath or challenge a bigger, slower cornerback deep, but the route tree is going to be limited. Some players have traits that don't show up on the field, but Pierce utilizes both his physical and athletic gifts. He has backup potential with zone-beater and red-zone value, and will likely play on special teams.

Upside talent with good length and impressive ball skills that could foreshadow more to come. Deciphering Polk's single season of production inside Mike Leach's pass-happy offense will take work. He's not a great separator underneath and is unlikely to scare anyone with his deep speed. It's easy to spot his high football IQ and impressive ball skills throughout the tape, but he needs additional play strength and razor-sharp route running to counteract his lack of explosiveness.

Productive playmaker with below-average size but above-average heart. Austin is below the acceptable size standards many teams have at wide receiver, but he is fearless, versatile and fast. He has proven he can handle the catch-and-run duties necessary in Memphis' quick game. He has the rapid-fire foot quickness and loose hips to take on a more complex route tree as an NFL slot target. His lack of size shows up in contested catch battles so he will need to fine-tune the route-running to improve his catch windows. Austin's ability to work all three levels of the field and handle punt-return duties increases his odds of becoming a Day 3 pick.

Two-year starter on the FBS level with athleticism and play speed to project a continuing ascent at the next level. Gray stepped into a top playmaking role for SMU in 2021 and showed an ability to work all three levels of the field. His long, gliding strides separate from coverage on attack-oriented routes but he has the bend and agility to become a quality target working underneath. He needs to get a little stronger and limit the focus drops, but Gray has an inside/outside skill set with intriguing upside as a future WR3 with more work.

Austin's progression in 2021 might force evaluators to tear up early season notes and pay closer attention to his second half of the season. Despite noticeable in-season improvement, he hasn't played much college football and should require a little longer developmental period for route-running, catch consistency and instincts for the position. His size, traits and ball skills on deep throws are instant checkmarks in his favor and his reputation as an elite practice player earlier in his career should carry some weight. He has middle-round value with a higher ceiling but lower floor.

Productive three-year starter with desired combination of size and foot quickness. Ezukanma has enough speed to get down the field and challenge coverage while displaying an innate sense for protecting and finishing contested catches underneath. The route tree has been limited by scheme, but he's not as polished with the routes he runs as he should be for his experience level. Size, ball skills and toughness work in his favor as a quality backup with some upside.

Long-legged and lean, Johnson is a feast-or-famine slot target with explosive top-end speed but disappointing hands. He will stress defenses with his vertical juice and has the burst to uncover over the first two levels with more route-running polish. Johnson's troubling lack of ball skills will be hard for evaluators to discount, but the playmaking talent just hits a little harder than the drops will. The ceiling is on the higher end but the floor is on the lower end as a WR4/5 with potentially more value than just being a field-stretcher.

There is a lot to like about Thornton's game, including his instincts, long speed and ability to create separation on the move. He's a vertical threat with the speed and poise to win deep and has an excellent feel for maintaining spacing when working against zone coverage. He's skinny and linear, which is a bad combination in defeating strong press-man corners on the next level. The poise and catch radius will work in his favor, but the success rate on contested catches will be lower than teams like, based upon his history and physical traits. Wideouts with his size profile have struggled mightily to succeed in the league, but Thornton's speed and talent make him worthy of a shot on Day 3.

Inside/outside target who is more smooth than sudden in uncovering over the first two levels of the field. Bell is like a crafty pitcher with a limited fastball but a variety of pitches to get hitters out. He wins with process over speed and has an ability to keep man coverage off-balance with rhythmic route-running and detailed footwork. While the tape has several elements to excite the viewer, the lack of functional explosiveness, speed and change of direction he showed at the NFL Scouting Combine simply can't be ignored. He's a willing worker in the middle of the field and has a savvy element to his game, but he'll have to prove he's better than his testing suggested as a Day 3 prospect.

Speedy outside target with field-stretching talent who has been beset by injuries in three separate seasons. Nailor is sudden but smooth with his route release and his gliding gait tends to mask his acceleration, allowing him to climb quickly past the coverage. While he can work deep, he has the agility and body control to become a more effective route specialist on all three levels. Nailor is a competitor but has some trouble winning battles against stronger, physical corners. Teams will need to weigh the playmaking speed against the injury background, but Nailor has the talent to become an NFL backup.

Special-teams specialist with good size. Despite spending six seasons in college between his time at USC and Tennessee, Jones has very modest production as a wideout, but flashed potential in that area in 2021. He's fearless with the ball in his hands after the catch and as a kick returner. He's not a very fundamentally sound route-runner but might not need to be if teams view him as a catch-and-run specialist in the quick game underneath. Jones has a chance to ride his special teams versatility into a specialist spot on a roster.

Prospect with average size, play speed and traits. While nothing stands out for Melton from a physical standpoint, he possesses good football intelligence and can be an efficient route-runner, using leverage and purposeful movement to create some separation. He doesn't appear to have the vertical burst of a downfield weapon and his hands fail to consistently stand out. His production was clearly hampered by quarterback play and he has value as a gunner on special teams, but WR5 might be his ceiling as a late-rounder.

Will check the boxes for height, weight and speed, but tightness in his lower half limits the upside. Doubs has been a productive, high-volume target with speed to separate deep but he's a linear route-runner who will struggle to elude NFL press and separate from tight man coverage over the first two levels. His toughness, ball skills and special teams potential increase his chances of earning a backup role.

Drummond's play speed can be inconsistent, so his timed speed could be an indicator of which direction his draft stock might head. He's a smooth athlete with the ability to run a more robust route tree with additional schooling but the hands and ball skills are a little disappointing and might not improve much. Drummond's run-after-catch talent is where he shines and where he brings instant value for a team. He has an intriguing ceiling but a lower floor as a Day 3 target.

Turner is a former high school hoops star whose basketball athleticism is manifested in his impressive ball skills. His long speed is very average, but his ability to body up, elevate and win at the high-point is a big concern for man-cover corners down the field. He has experience with a more developed route tree, but his poor testing at the NFL Scouting Combine raises questions about his ability to uncover as a pro. Turner has ball skills and put together some good tape, but he lacks the physical and athletic traits to help his draft slotting.

Ross returned from spinal surgery that kept him out for the entire 2020 season, but it's not yet clear if he can return to the same form he showed in 2018 and 2019. While he has expanded his route tree, Ross is most effective in a passing attack that features vertical throws, where his stride length and build-up speed will work in his favor. He looked smooth catching on the move and still has an up-and-over advantage on jump balls, but his ability to elude press requires further examination. He's a likely backup who can provide value at all three receiver positions.

One-speed route runner with the height, weight and speed to beat up on FCS opponents down the field. His primary function was to stretch and challenge defenses vertically, but he appears to have the physical tools to become a more nuanced route runner with more coaching. Weston will find that getting a clean release and outracing an NFL cornerback will be a much greater challenge. The downfield ball skills can be spectacular at times and his productivity would have skyrocketed with a more accurate quarterback. There is upside worthy of exploring but it might be as a late-round pick with an early home on the practice squad.

Slot receiver with limited range but above-average potential as a punt-return option. Philips has the foot quickness to elude press and uncover underneath but his effectiveness wanes over the second and third levels. He needs to improve his route efficiency to prove he can separate from nickel corners in the pros and must improve as a hands-catcher. Philips' talent to create for himself and his team as a return man gives him a shot to make a club.

To get a complete picture on Roberson, it is necessary to study his tape prior to the ACL tear he suffered in 2020. The typical recovery timetable should have Roberson back to pre-injury form by next season, so his grade is based primarily off tape from 2019 and 2020. He's a high-cut receiver with tight hips who is more speedy than athletic. When healthy, he takes the top off of defenses with high-power acceleration that can lead to long touchdowns. However, he lacks the short-area agility to beat tight man coverage with route success. Medicals will play a big role in determining his draft day value, but when healthy Roberson, will still need a more limited route tree for optimal results.

Inside/outside target with his most productive seasons coming at Montana in 2019 and Nebraska in 2021. Toure has average NFL size and speed and below-average route-running technique, but coverage tends to struggle to stay in step with him on over routes and posts. He struggles with physical coverage and contested catch opportunities. Toure might have a shot to find a back-end roster spot in an offense looking for slot speed with a scheme allowing him to catch on the move both intermediate and deep.

One-dimensional wideout with speed to burn but a history of injuries that halted any momentum during his career at Ole Miss. Sanders won't be a guy who can uncover on all three levels and his contested-catch finishing is below average. However, he has home-run potential and can draw additional safety help over the top. The injury background comes with a "buyer-beware" sticker, but speed and talent matters. Sanders will get his shot to earn a back-end roster spot as a field-stretching backup.

Inexperienced wideout with tape offering hope for future growth and success at the position. Abram's footwork and route running are below average at this time, but he displays the athleticism needed to improve with additional coaching and time. He has the size and willingness to compete for 50-50 balls but is still learning how to consistently win in space. Abram's 2021 flashes and explosive testing could give him a chance to compete for a roster spot despite just a single season of major college production.

Conner possesses explosive athletic ability but lacks NFL receiving skills. He's more project than prospect with a lack of functional ball skills. He has mismatch potential, but needs to better utilize his size and go to school as a route-runner. He has late Day 3 potential and could be a practice squad stash.

One look at Young's chiseled frame and long limbs and evaluators are likely to see a developmental prospect worthy of a late-round pick. While Young certainly looks the part, his route-running and ball skills fall short of pro expectations. He should improve in most areas with additional coaching and could see a big leap forward if he can play faster and more physically on a consistent basis. Young's traits are sure to entice, but necessary improvements could be at least a couple of years away.

Fryfogle simply didn't play with the same determination and focus in 2021 that he displayed in 2020. He blends size and speed and uses his frame effectively in tight quarters but failed to secure throws at the same success rate as his previous two seasons. A high percentage of his career targets have been contested, so he needs to play faster and with more focused routes in order to improve his separation and prove he can uncover. He has late-round value and some upside if he can call back his 2020 form.

Two-year starter whose NFL-caliber athletic testing doesn't always show up with projectable tape. Roberson has build-up speed but can struggle to get off press and avoid route redirection. He's a leggy route-runner whose lack of suddenness in and out of breaks forces him into a high percentage of contested catches. He uses his height, length and catch radius to win over the heads of nickel cornerbacks both deep and near the goal line. Roberson's explosive testing might fit the league, but he lacks a well-rounded package of positional skills.

Sterns is a squatty, compact slot target who mitigates his lack of size and speed with an extreme level of toughness. The productivity is impressive, but his play strength, hands and willingness to work into the teeth of the defense will really stand out to evaluators. He's not sudden enough to create consistent separation out of breaks and might be forced into a lot of contested catches because of it. Sterns profiles as a late-round pick or undrafted free agent but the right team/scheme could give him an outside shot.

Covey's size and age will work against him, but he plays bigger than he measures. He's a talented punt returner who can make plays as a receiver after the catch, as well. He's a choppy route-runner and fails to generate above-average separation but he was more consistent and productive as the 2021 season wore on. His scrappiness and talent as a return man could give him an outside shot to compete for a roster spot.

Undersized slot with punt-return value but a bad case of the drops. Pimpleton's instant acceleration propels him into the second and third levels as the leader in the foot race, but he's missing the catch radius and ball skills needed to take full advantage of his play speed. With his lack of size, the other aforementioned areas of concern take on additional weight and hurt his chances to stick on a roster.

Long, perimeter wideout whose career never materialized as expected after coming into LSU as a four-star recruit. He's a big but linear receiver and will need to prove he can beat an NFL press and uncover against tight man coverage over the first two levels. He plays with excellent catch focus and has the ball skills to become a nuisance in the red zone. Given his traits and upside, he will likely get a shot to prove his worth on a practice squad.

Slender wideout lacking explosiveness but making up for it with competitive physicality inside the route. Rambo runs routes with good tempo and crispness. His hands were better this year, but easy drops still plague him at times. He has a feel for how to compete with coverage near him, but the Alabama game was concerning as he appeared to lack the strength to deal with a firm press-man. Rambo has late-Day 3 potential and should give a good fight for a late roster spot or a place on a practice squad.

Receiver who plays bigger than his listed size. Dixon is a natural pass-catcher who plays with good poise and toughness. He's not that sudden and doesn't have NFL speed to win over the top but is fearless working between the numbers and can finish contested catches with help from his length and hand strength. He's tight-hipped and will need an open-field route tree to avoid having to get in and out of sharp breaks. Dixon has Day 3 draft value and backup potential as a possession receiver working outside or as a big slot.

Big receiver who lacks production and consistency for a confident pro projection. Williams lacks urgency and consistent competitiveness, and he fails to impose his size on cornerbacks often enough. His ball skills become more impressive as the tape continues to roll, but getting to the catch point isn't easy, as his press release and route running are not his strength. He needs a scheme incorporating turns and stems over standard stutter breaks in order to keep his feet moving. The traits are intriguing, but he's raw and has no special teams background.

Wide receiver with good size and impressive talent for tracking and creating positioning on deep throws. His ball skills and toughness before and after the catch will not be doubted, but he lacks juice and the route running can be uninspiring. Emezie is likely to see a consistent level of contested catches on all three levels when matched against tight man coverage. The size, ball skills and catch instincts give him a fighting chance but improved route running will be critical.

Height, weight, speed prospect with impressive top-end speed and testing numbers. At this time, Virgil is a better athlete than wide receiver. He's a below-average route-runner with a lack of consistent ball skills, which can make it hard to project future success down the field. While the hands might never get there for him, he can be a real handful when he's in run-and-catch mode or returning kicks. If he fails to impress enough as a receiver, teams could give him a look at running back based upon his play traits and size.

A compact catch-and-run wideout with enough wiggle to create yardage for his quarterback, Ezzard frequently lined up outside, which forced him into more contested catches than he was able to handle. He won't out-battle cornerbacks for contested catches, but does have the footwork and athleticism to become a competent route runner from the slot. The hands and ball skills are slightly below average on tape but could improve with more work and aggression. Ezzard's punt return ability and talent with the ball in his hands should give him a fighting chance in camp.