2022 NFL Draft Prospects: Wide Receiver

4/26/22: London hauled in 88 receptions for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns in his eight-game 2021 before suffering a season-ending ankle fracture. This was a devastating injury for London as he was on pace for a historic season. London did a workout without running a 40 in middle of April.

There is no doubt that London has mismatch size and is a dangerous 50-50 receiver. He is a weapon for yardage after the catch and is an asset in the red zone. NFL teams’ speed concerns around London hurt his draft grade and some pro evaluators worry that he won’t be able to separate at the next level. Others don’t share those concerns and think London could be a Mike Evans-caliber receiver in the NFL.

6/26/21: London was on a crowded depth chart in 2019 and 2020, but he still showed some intriguing ability. He is a big receiver who is a physical runner after the catch and is very difficult for defensive backs to tackle. London could be poised for a huge 2021 season if he is the No. 1 receiver for Kedon Slovis. After losing Michael Pittman Jr. and Amon-Ra St. Brown over the last two drafts, London should be the top target for the Trojans. He could explode in 2021 with his mismatch size and strength.

4/26/22: Wilson continued to show his game-breaking speed and electrifying playmaking ability in 2021. He runs smooth routes, showing suddenness in-and-out of his breaks to consistently generate separation. Along with being fast playmaker, Wilson has good body control to adjust to the ball and is phenomenal after the catch. A lot of scouts feel Wilson is smoother and more explosive than Chris Olave for the next level. In 2021, Wilson totaled 70 receptions for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns.

6/26/21: Wilson was a big-play weapon for Ohio State in 2020. The sophomore had 43 receptions for 723 yards and six touchdowns on the year. After only four games, Wilson surpassed his freshman year production (30-432-5), and he seemed to become Justin Fields’ most trusted receiver during the 2020 season. Wilson has speed, route-running, and the ability to pick up yards after the catch.

4/26/22: In 2021, Olave totaled 65 catches for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns. He showed his excellent speed, route-running and smooth athleticism. Olave became Ohio State’s all-time leader in touchdown catches in 2021. Olave helped himself with a blazing fast 40 time at the combine.

6/26/21: The Buckeyes had other good receiving talent with more experience in 2019, but Olave became their most dynamic receiver playmaker that season. He was a big-time point producer and looked like he was just getting started. Olave has quality height to him with speed to get downfield. In 2020, he was held back by some injuries, but he still played well, catching 50 passes for 729 yards and seven touchdowns.

4/26/22: The Ohio State transfer was an electric playmaker for the Crimson Tide in 2021, averaging 19.9 yards per catch for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns on 79 catches before tearing an ACL in the National Championship Game. The 6-foot-2, 189-pound Williams has quality height and explosive speed alongside suddenness and a burst that catches defensive backs by surprise. On any play, Williams is a threat to score because he is extremely fast, allowing him to take the top off of defenses and tilt coverage his direction. He could be an elite deep-threat receiver in the NFL. With his fabulous 2021 season, Williams is still a likely first-rounder even though he is coming off a torn ACL. Williams said in March that he is ahead of schedule and expects to be ready for the start of the season. That might be overly optimistic, but it still bodes well for Williams to be on the field at some point in his rookie year.

4/26/22: The Tampa, Florida native Watson was a good player for the Bison, but he set his draft stock on fire with an excellent Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-4, 211-pounder showed good speed and run-after-the catch ability to go along with mismatch size. After the Senior Bowl, Watson was superb at the combine, showing excellent speed in the 40 and explosion in the jumps. Watson could go late in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he looks safe to be a high second-round pick. Watson could easily get selected in the 20s of the first round.

In 2021, Watson caught 43 passes for 800 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown with 114 yards on 15 carries. Watson showed big-play ability in 2020 – 24.3 yards per catch – and 2019 – 21.5 yards per catch.

4/26/22: During the spring of 2022, Burks slide some after running slow 40 times. He ran a little below 4.6 at his pro day, and teams are concerned about him separating from NFL defensive backs. As a result, Burks could be a late first-rounder with an outside chance of slipping to Round 2.

Burks totaled 66 receptions for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2021. He was a phenomenal playmaker for the Razorbacks as a dangerous point producer, including a superb outing against Alabama (7-129-1). Burks is a big possessional receiver for the next level as he is tough, physical, and dangerous after the catch. On 50-50 and jump balls, Burks is phenomenal with his ability to use his strong frame to get good position and then out-jump defensive backs with excellent high-pointing skills. Burks also shows very reliable hands.

4/26/22: In 2021, Dotson recorded 91 receptions for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was excellent, producing a lot of big plays for Penn State. Dotson should be having an even bigger season, but quarterback Sean Clifford routinely missed him wide open downfield with inaccurate passes. In the Wisconsin game alone, Dotson should have had touchdowns of over 80 yards, 70 yards and 60 yards, but terrible passes by Clifford blew those opportunities. That happened in other games as well.

Team sources told WalterFootball.com they compare Dotson to Elijah Moore as a late first-round or early second-round talent. “I see Jahan similar to Elijah Moore,” said an AFC director of college scouting. “He’s not quite as short-area explosive or as long-speed fast as Jaylen Waddle, but Jahan is a good player.”

6/26/21: Dotson had an impressive 2020 season, hauling in 52 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns over nine games. Even though he does not have special size, he can provide some big plays to his offense with his game-breaking speed and skill at getting vertical. In 2019, he had 27 catches for 488 yards and five touchdowns.

4/26/22: After suffering a torn ACL in the spring, Pickens didn’t play until late in the 2021 season, making four receptions for 55 yards over three games. Team sources are really high on his skill set of size, speed and athleticism. He helped himself with an impressive combine, showing off his speed and explosion. However, Pickens has been terrible in the interviews, and he has a lot of character concerns for a variety of reasons. Some team sources said their teams were close to dropping Pickens off their board because of the character issues.

6/26/21: In 2020, Pickens made 36 receptions for 513 yards and six touchdowns. Georgia had inconsistent quarterback play with a changing cast of trigger men, but Pickens flashed despite the lack of continuity in the passing attack. He also played well as a freshman for Georgia, catching 49 passes for 727 yards and eight touchdowns. Pickens has the upside to be better as he gains experience.

4/26/22: Robinson was phenomenal for Kentucky in 2021, catching 104 passes for 1,334 yards and seven touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder transferred from Nebraska and took the SEC by storm. Some team sources feel Robinson is a better version of Brandin Cooks. Like Cooks, Robinson is an outside speed receiver who is a threat to burn defenses vertically. Robinson is similar to Tyreek Hill, but not as fast as Hill. Some sources think Robinson will be a better version of Cooks in the NFL. Robinson is a phenomenal route-runner with speed and is sudden out of breaks. He is a real asset to uncover quickly for his quarterback.

4/26/22: Pierce had his best season in 2021 with 52 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. Wide receivers with the senior’s skill set of being big, fast, and productive don’t last long in the NFL drafts, and Pierce has special ability for the next level. After a fast first-step, Pierce has a second gear to accelerate down the field and stretch defenses over the top. Pierce shows good technique as a receiver as well and uses his size to win. With his size/speed mismatch ability, he could be a late first-round or second-round steal in the 2022 NFL Draft. Some team sources compare him to Jordy Nelson coming out of Kansas State. Pierce had a mixed week of practice at the Senior Bowl, but he rebounded with an excellent combine performance that illustrated serious speed and leaping ability.

6/26/21: Pierce flashed some big-play ability for the Bearcats over the past two seasons, averageing 19 and 18 yards per catch. With an improving and experienced quarterback in Desmond Ridder, Pierce could be primed for a big 2021 season. He has other quality receivers around him as well. Pierce has a good combination of size and quickness. Showing the ability to separate from good corners could cause him to rise.

4/26/22: Austin is extremely undersized for the NFL, but he was a productive receiver for Memphis. In 2021, he had 74 catches for 1,149 yards and eight touchdowns. He recorded 63 receptions for 1,053 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2020.

Austin received an invitation to the Senior Bowl and had a good week of practice in Mobile. While he is very undersized, Austin is extremely shifty with game-breaking speed and consistently generates separation. He could be a contributing slot receiver in the NFL and is a threat to score any time he touches the ball. Austin illustrated that he is extremely fast with his electric 40 time at the combine.

4/26/22: Moore is a smaller speed receiver who is a shifty route runner with the ability to pick up yards after the catch. In 2021, Moore hauled in 95 passes for 1,292 yards with 10 touchdowns. He helped himself at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine by putting up a 4.41-second time in the 40-yard dash. In the NFL, Moore could be a dangerous slot receiver who lines up somewhat on the outside as well.

4/26/22: Metchie was solid in 2021, but not as impressive as he was in 2020 when DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle were commanding the attention of defenses. Kaiir Elam and the Florida secondary held Metchie in check, and Metchie looks more like a No. 2 or 3 receiver for the NFL. While Metchie is not undersized or slow, he does not have mismatch size or game-breaking speed. Team sources have said they were grading Metchie as a mid-rounder for the 2022 NFL Draft before his late-season ACL tear. Some team sources said Metchie is in the running for their third-round pick.

6/26/21: Metchie was very good in 2020, producing some huge plays for the Alabama offense. He averaged 18 yards per reception with 782 yards on 44 catches with six touchdowns. Metchie (6-0, 195) could produce a massive 2021 season if he’s the No. 1 receiver for the Crimson Tide. With DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle moving on to the NFL, Metchie could be their featured wideout.

4/26/22: In 2021, Doubs recorded 80 receptions for 1,109 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was a solid receiver for Carson Strong. Doubs had respectable week of practice at the Senior Bowl that showcased his quality size alongside some quickness and natural feel as a receiver.

6/26/21: Doubs turned in decent contributions in 2018 and 2019, but he broke out in 2020, improving to 17 yards per reception and finding the end zone nine times. Doubs could continued to rise if he builds off his 2020 season.

4/26/22: Bell was a solid possessional receiver for the Boilermakers in 2021, catching 93 passes for 1,286 yards and six touchdowns. He also played well in 2019, notching 86 receptions for 1,035 yards and seven touchdowns. Bell is a solid receiver with quality route-running, hands, and a gritty style of play. Running fast times in the leadup to the 2022 NFL Draft would have helped Bell’s draft grade, but he ran very slowly at the combine and followed it up with another very slow time at his pro day. Those times were a big blow to Bell’s hopes of going in the early rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he could easily slip to Day 3.

4/26/22: Tolbert recorded 82 receptions for 1,474 yards and eight touchdowns in 2021. He dominated his level of competition. Tolbert put together a quality week at the Senior Bowl.

6/26/21: According to team sources, advance scouts gave Tolbert a high preseason grade. He has shown some serious big-play ability over the past seasons, averaging of 17 yards and 19.3 yards per reception. Tolbert has a nice buzz and could be a riser with a strong season. It would also help him to impress at the Senior Bowl against a higher caliber of competition.

4/26/22: As the No. 1 receiver for Matt Corral in Lane Kiffin’s pass-happy offense, Drummond had a quality 2021 for the Rebels as the replacement for Elijah Moore. On the year, Drummond had 76 catches for 1,028 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2020, he caught 25 passes for 417 yards and seven touchdowns. Durmmond hurt himself with a slow 40 at the combine.

4/26/22: Jones was an effective contributor for Tennessee in 2021, totaling 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. It was a big jump over his 2020 production (22-280-3). Jones’ solid play in 2021 landed him a Senior Bowl invitation, and he showed off his dangerous deep speed in Mobile. He dropped a lot of passes, however, and he really struggled in the wet conditions.

4/26/22: Ross was a bit rusty to start 2021, and that is understandable after missing the 2020 season. He started to look better, but Clemson’s passing-game funk hurt Ross’ opportunities. Ross has a good skill set, and some team sources say he is Tee Higgins 2.0. NFL teams, however, worry about Ross’ medical issues, and that was given additional weight with his concussion in 2021 and then a foot injury that required surgery and cut his season short. He totaled 46 receptions for 514 yards and three touchdowns in 2021.

6/26/21: Ross was out for the 2020 season due to a spinal condition that required surgery, but Clemson was optimistic that Ross would return in 2021. The surgery was said to be over a congenital neck issue, and there was speculation that it could be career-ending.

Ross played well for Clemson in 2019, although the offense spread the ball around to a variety of playmakers. He totaled 66 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019. Ross broke out in 2018, showing off a freakish skill set alongside size and speed. While Clemson spread the ball out as well that season, Ross made the most of his receptions, totaling 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns on 46 receptions for an average of 21.7 yards per catch. Ross is brimming with upside and looks like he has high first-round potential.

4/26/22: Gray was effective for SMU in 2021, although he was limited by a leg injury late in the regular season. Gray has slot potential for the next level, and he helped himself by running fast at the combine.

6/26/21: Even though he didn’t produce a huge year, Gray impressed advance scouts in the 2020 season enough to land on their 2021 preseason watch list. He has slot receiver potential for the next level and could riser in 2021.

4/26/22: Thornton was a star of the combine with an ultra-fast 40 time, but he never played up to his timed speed in college, and multiple area scouts have third-day grades on Thornton. Thornton had his best season at Baylor in 2021, recording 62 catches for 948 yards and 10 touchdowns. In 2020 (16-158-1), 2019 (45-782-5) and 2018 (20-354-3), his production was underwhelming.

4/26/22: Johnson recorded 83 catches for 1,114 yards and six touchdowns in 2021. He is an undersized slot receiver candidate for the next level.

6/26/21: Johnson is smaller slot receiver candidate for the NFL with some serious speed to challenge defenses downfield. Given the good talent around him, Johnson could produce more in the 2021 season and be a sleeper to keep an eye on.

4/26/22: Shakir recorded 77 catches for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021. He looks like a backup quality player.

6/26/21: Shakir has speed and quality height to be a sleeper receiver who could rise in 2021. He produced well for the Broncos the past two seasons and was a steady source of big plays. He has upside to rise.

4/26/22: Rambo was solid, but unspectacular, for Miami in 2021. He had a slow time at the combine, and that hurt him considering he is already underweight and thin for the NFL.

6/26/21: Rambo played at Oklahoma for four seasons before transferring to the Hurricanes for the 2021 season. As a Sooner, Rambo flashed in a rotation with a lot of talented receivers, but in Miami, he could be the No. 1 receiver for D’Eriq King in 2021. Rambo has some speed and height but could stand to fill out his frame for the NFL.