Wide Receivers 11-20
K.J. Hamler, Penn State
With great separation comes K.J. Hamler, the Nittany Lion receiver who finished his Penn State career catching 56 passes for 904 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019 as a redshirt sophomore. Hamler possesses electric speed not only in the slot but also as a special teams returner.
Fantasy Outlook
Hamler’s yards-after-catch potential is a strength of his because of his footwork. From a fantasy standpoint, you’ll hang onto a stat like YAC because he has the ability to take a screen or a jet-sweep to the house at a moment’s notice. With Tyreek Hill-type speed, he’s no doubt a receiver you’ll want on your roster if you’re in a dynasty league.
What to Watch for
I can’t stress it enough but look for a top display of speed from Hamler, who may end up being the fastest receiver in the combine. His running skillset bodes well for him and his ability to release off the line and break away from defenders with ease. It also masks the fact that he’s certainly on the smaller side at 5’9”, 176 lbs.
Hamler is also set to be a feature on ESPN’s Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL series on April 7th, which will continue what should be a positive build towards draft day.
Potential Landing Spots
Likely falling out of the first round, Hamler should no-doubt be a Day-2 selection. A common team I see linked early on are the Colts, who have two second-rounders. They certainly need a receiver alongside T.Y. Hilton. Look at the Dolphins, Jets, and Redskins as well who could all use receiver help.
Devin Duvernay, University of Texas
Devin Duvernay was a breakout Longhorn in 2019, catching 106 passes for 1,386 yards and nine touchdowns. It was a tremendous senior year for the 6 foot, 210-pound receiver, and his speed combined with the ability to churn out RAC (run after catch) yardage plays well for him.
Fantasy Outlook
If we’re being honest, I may not be chomping at the bit for Duvernay out the gate, but he is worth a gamble. NFL teams tend to be desperate for big-play ability, and he can bring that to the table in due time.
What to Watch for
Built like a running back, look for Duvernay to display his speed and show off his hands. He has some issues route running and releasing off the line of scrimmage, but in open space, he can contest with a defender because of his size.
Potential Landing Spots
Duvernay will likely find a home in Round 4; Round 3 is a stretch but a possibility. Early readings link teams like Carolina and New England as potential landing spots. Ideally, he’d like to land somewhere where top coaching is already in place to elevate his weakness to match his strengths.
Van Jefferson, Florida
Have a Senior Bowl week Van Jefferson. The soon-to-be 24-year-old Gator was a standout at the Senior Bowl practices in January, and it played off his solid final year in Florida. Posting 657 yards on 49 receptions for six touchdowns, Jefferson is a great route runner who has pedigree on his side, though age – to no fault of his own – is a downfall, as well as his limited athleticism.
Fantasy Outlook
At 6’2”, 192 lbs, Jefferson has the size and footwork to produce, yet he’s not all that fast. It will be interesting to see where he ends up, and so from a fantasy standpoint, I’d wait until the later rounds to take a chance on him.
What to Watch for
We already know about his route running abilities. He’s an excellent gunner on punts as well should he have to carve out a special teams role. It’ll be wise to keep an eye on his athletic display and if he can improve on the area he lacks the most in.
Potential Landing Spots
Could the Jets, who have two third-round picks, go after Jefferson? After all, his father Shawn is the team’s current wideouts coach. They are certainly a team linked, as well as the Browns and Broncos in early mocks I’ve come across. He’s been graded anywhere from rounds 3-6, though the Senior Bowl performance could play to a favorable bump.
Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
The Sun Devil capped off his senior year in impressive fashion, reeling in 65 receptions for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns. Aiyuk runs well and is dynamic with the ball in his hands; YAC is a major positive to his profile. However, there is some rawness to his overall game that will need work.
Fantasy Outlook
Aiyuk is a similar player to San Francisco’s Deebo Samuel, only faster. He’s a gadget-type player who should be viewed as a project early on in his career. That being said, in a dynasty league I wouldn’t take him too early, but when/if you do, know that he’s a work in progress and a stash out the gate.
What to Watch for
The athleticism will be on display, but Aiyuk will need to use the Combine to improve on his route running and hand-catching abilities. In Arizona since 2018, often he’d guide the ball into his body and wait too long for the ball as opposed to being a “go-getter”. Watch out for his hip/groin, as the reported minor injuries kept him out of the Senior Bowl back in January.
Potential Landing Spots
A recent mock I’ve discovered – CBS’ Chris Trapasso – has Aiyuk going as early as 13th overall to the Colts. For this to happen, he’d have to knock the Combine out of the park. Another team I’ve seen linked are the Buffalo Bills, who will be looking to add another weapon to play alongside John Brown.
Michael Pittman Jr., USC
Michael Pittman Jr., son of former NFL running back Michael Pittman, had a tremendous senior year at USC. The Trojan had 101 receptions, for a total of 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns. At 6’4”, 219 lbs, he has the size with the physicality to match.
Fantasy Outlook
Pittman Jr. should for sure draw early interest in rookie/dynasty drafts. His size and athleticism alone is the selling point, though his landing spot will determine just how early you’ll want to snag him.
What to Watch for
He has the makeup of being the total package; a big body with solid hands and he can run well. However, Pittman Jr. isn’t quick off the line which he’ll need to improve on for the sake of his routes. He does lack speed as well, and so he’ll look to up his elusiveness the best he can, given his stature.
Potential Landing Spots
Pittman Jr. should no-doubt be a Round 2 selection. Possessing strong red zone potential due to his build, any team would be happy to have him. Early mocks I’ve seen have teams like the Jets – coughSamDarnoldfamiliaritycough, Giants, Dolphins, and Broncos taking him. The common theme there are teams with a young quarterback under center.
Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
Golden Gopher Tyler Johnson ended his senior year on a high note. He turned 86 receptions into 1,318 yards and 13 touchdowns. It was easily his best season in his four years in Minnesota, and he’s now poised to make a name for himself in the NFL as a slot receiver, primarily.
Fantasy Outlook
Think Mohammed Sanu in terms of player comparison. If I’m in a rookie/dynasty draft, I’m taking a chance on Johnson in the mid-rounds and hoping he can spread his game not only in the slot but on the outside as well.
What to Watch for
While he does have more than a few drops to his tape, he’s a reliable pass catcher with solid RAC ability. He’ll use the Combine to work on his route routing as well as his blocking where he does lack some strength to opposing defenders. Also to note, his release off the line can use some work.
Potential Landing Spots
Look for Johnson to be a Round 2, possibly 3rd round selection. Teams like Miami, the Jets, Pittsburgh, and even the Saints are linked.
Denzel Mims, Baylor
Denzel Mims had a solid senior year for the Bears, hauling in 66 receptions for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns. At 6’3”, 206 lbs, he has the size to be a productive X-receiver in the NFL. There are some traits that need improving; his release off the line and route running.
Fantasy Outlook
Mims is pretty rounded entering the draft and is worthy of a mid-round selection if you’re in a rookie/dynasty league. This is certainly a favorable player comp, but think Kenny Golladay potential; keyword being potential. Don’t expect similar production out the gate.
What to Watch for
He bulked up his senior year and it certainly showed. He has the physicality to match up well with similar-sized defenders, but as I mentioned earlier, working on his release would do him even better on the break of a snap.
Potential Landing Spots
Early findings have Mims linked to teams like Cleveland and Minnesota. Don’t rule out (pun intended) Matt Rhule and the Panthers, who could want to bring a familiar Baylor face into his receivers room.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan
Once valued as a five-star recruit and the No. 1 receiver coming out of high school, Donovan Peoples-Jones forewent his senior year in Michigan to enter the NFL Draft. I can’t say I blame the move, especially because his quarterback play has certainly been struggling. That being said, the former Wolverine only had 34 receptions for 438 yards and six touchdowns in 2019, all due to a lingering, undisclosed lower-body injury.
The makeup is there; he has the size (6’2”, 208 lbs), and the stellar ball skills given the quarterback play he had to endure. However, there’s room for improvement in some areas of his game.
Fantasy Outlook
Given his injury history from 2019, I’d be hesitant to spend early draft capital on him if I was in a rookie/dynasty draft. He’s worth owning, but not until the mid-round. An interesting player comp I’ve come across is former New York Giant Hakeem Nicks.
What to Watch for
I want to see him work on his short-area game. He’ll need to gain better quickness off the line and avoid a stoppage due to facing imposed press coverage.
Potential Landing Spots
I’d anticipate him to be selected somewhere either Day 2 or 3 in Vegas. Teams like the Bills and Lions have been linked.
Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
The Fighting-Irish senior showed out in 2019, with 66 receptions go for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s big-bodied at 6’4”, 229 lbs. His size is everything you want in a pass-catcher, but the question is can he excel as a receiver? The lack of production though across his four years at Notre Dame is worrisome to his overall game.
Fantasy Outlook
Claypool will be an interesting selection, and to me, more so a red zone threat due to his build. Even then, he can still stretch the field so his production potential is fairly strong. I’ve seen a player comparison of Chargers’ Mike Williams, and it does seem pretty spot on.
What to Watch for
If he wants to tone down the naysayers who believe he’d be better suited a tight end than wide receiver, he’ll need to elevate his Combine performance. His size hurts his quickness when it comes to route running, and so that will be a key factor to state his case.
Potential Landing Spots
Many teams would love to bring on Claypool and mix him into receiver and tight end sets. Teams that could truly benefit from him are the Redskins, Jets, and Giants.
K.J. Hill, Ohio State
K.J. Hill, the Buckeyes redshirt senior, turned 57 receptions into just 636 yards but did manage to score 10 times. At 6 foot, 192 lbs, Hill is a smooth and quick receiver, but also smaller in comparison to fellow draftmates. Ultimately that may hurt his potential at the next level.
Fantasy Outlook
Similar to his reality outlook, I wouldn’t want to select Hill any earlier than in a late-round. There are more receivers in this class that are worthy of an earlier selection over him. If we’re talking dynasty drafts – and it may take some time – but think Julian Edelman in terms of sheer comparison given their size.
What to Watch for
He’ll have to overly impress at the Combine in his catching and physicality on the line. He handles route running well, but because he’s more short-armed than most, his catch radius lacks quite a bit.
Potential Landing Spots
Hill should be expected to be a late(r) round draft pick. Teams like New England, San Francisco & Washington (Haskins familiarity) could be in the mix.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)