2019 Wide Receiver Prospects II

By John Laub
John Laub

 

 

 

   2019 Wide Receiver Prospects II

        Rating the Receivers

 

 
7. Miles Boykin, Notre Dame
Overlooked late bloomer at Notre Dame who illustrated elite athleticism at the Combine: Finished among the top ten receiver prospects in the 40-yard dash, 3-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, vertical jump (43.5’) and broad jump (10’8”). Breakout senior season with 59 receptions for 872 yards and eight touchdowns. Scored a touchdown in six straight games, surpassed 100 yards receiving three times and recorded multiple touchdowns in two contests. 2018 Citrus Bowl MVP with three catches for 102 yards and a touchdown versus LSU. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, rare size, length and athleticism. A long strider with excellent explosion and superior agility. Strong and soft hands, loose hips and big frame. Excels running the bubble-screen and catching back-shoulder throws. Uses body to post up defenders and tremendous catch radius. Excellent leaper. Wins 50-50 encounters. Incredible body control and adjusts to the ball in the air. Makes opponents whiff in the open field. Ample runner after the catch. Only one year of production and limited route tree on resume. Not as physical as size indicates. Rapidly rising up draft rankings. A true X-receiver who excels on the perimeter. 
 

 

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 77
Yards per Reception: 15.7
Team Target Share: 24% (2018)
Breakaway Ability
40-yard Dash: 4.42
3-cone Drill: 6.77
20-yard Shuttle: 4.07
Draft Grade: Second round

 

8. Marquise Brown, Oklahoma

Super Sooner delivered spectacular home run ability. In 2018, All-American First Team, All-Big 12 First Team and Biletnikoff Award semi-finalist. Paced FBS in plays of 40-plus yards (11), 50-plus yards (7), and 60-plus yards (4) and logged over 100 yards receiving six times. In 2017, All-Big 12 Second Team. Consecutive 1,000-yard crusades on 132 catches for 2,413 yards and 17 touchdowns. In 2016, played at JUCO level and ranked among the best players in the nation before enrolling at Oklahoma. Nickname “Hollywood” and cousin of All-Pro Bowler Antonio Brown. A 5-foot-9 and 166-pound speedster with quick feet and unbelievable lateral quickness. Sudden in-and-out of breaks. Fantastic first step, burst and acceleration. Natural route runner. Effortlessly changes direction and breaks off routes. Incredible long speed. Deceptive at top of stem in order to gain separation. Difficult to tackle one-on-one. Makes defenders miss in space and accumulates yards in chunks. Great run-after-the-catch gamebreaker. A versatile playmaker who was deployed in various roles. Lacks height and length. Slight frame and struggles to win contested balls. Needs to add muscle. Early favorite to post the fastest 40-yard times at Combine before news came out that he will not run because of Lisfranc injury. At times, body catcher. Wide range of professional outcomes: Tyreek Hill or John Ross. Did not participate in Combine. 
Key Career Stats
Receptions: 132
Yards per Reception: 18.3
Team Target Share: 27% (2018)
Breakaway Ability
40-yard Dash: n/a
3-cone Drill: n/a
20-yard Shuttle: n/a
Draft Grade: Second round
 

 

9. JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford

Stupendous tenure at Stanford: In school history, finished second with 28 career receiving touchdowns, third with nine 100-yard receiving games and tenth with 16.44 yards per reception all-time. In 2018, named Team Captain and earned All-Pac-12 Second Team after accumulating 1,059 receiving yards on 62 receptions and scoring 14 touchdowns. In 2017, named All-Pac-12 honorable mention and led the club in receptions (48), receiving yards (781) and touchdowns (9). Big and thick frame at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds. Quickly gets into pocket of defensive backs: Eats cushions as an appetizer and gains separation as the main course. Nimble feet and good body control. Nuanced footwork to disguise route and fake out opponents. With large arms and good height, large catch radius. Very good leaping ability: Easily high points the pass. Regularly wins contested balls. Ventures into the middle of the defense and does not back down from contact. Underated speed after a surprising 40-yard time at Pro Day. Basketball background: Enjoys boxing out defenders like a power forward. Beats press coverage with lateral movement. Sporadically wastes time getting into routes. Does not accumulate huge YAC numbers. Projects as an X-receiver at the next level.

Key Career Stats
Receptions: 135
Yards per Reception: 16.4
Team Target Share: 24% (2018)
Breakaway Ability
40-yard Dash: 4.49 (Pro Day)
3-cone Drill: n/a
20-yard Shuttle: n/a
Draft Grade: Third round

 

10. Andy Isabella, Massachusetts

Small in stature but prolific on the gridiron. 2018 Biletnikoff Award Finalist and FBS Consensus All-American First Team. Led nation in receiving yards (1,698) and yards per game (141.5). Ended campaign second in receptions (102) and fifth in touchdown catches (13). In past two seasons, recorded over 1,000-yards twice, snatched 167 passes and scored 23 touchdowns. Only player in FBS history with over 300 yards (vs. Liberty) on fewer than 10 receptions. Carved up Georgia in final collegiate game with 15 catches for 219 yards and two touchdowns. In Senior Bowl, named the North’s Most Outstanding Player: Seven receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown. At 5-foot-8 and 188 pounds, quick twitch athlete. Versatile playmaker who is a shifty and deceptive route runner. Advanced route tree on resume. Lightning fast footwork and elite swiftness. Elusive in the open field and thrives in space. Great jab step leaves corners in the dust. To gain separation, employs head fakes and choregraphed stop-and-go double moves. Understands leverage. Former track and field star with very good long speed and beats corners vertically. Produces explosive plays. Graduated in December. Very durable: Never missed a game at UMass. Body catcher who double clutches throws at times. Must learn to handle press coverage at the next level: Physical defenders could be problematic. Classic slot receiver at the NFL level. Quickly moving up Draft boards.
Key Career Stats
Receptions: 231
Yards per Reception: 15.3
Team Target Share: 38% (2018)
Breakaway Ability
40-yard Dash: 4.31
3-cone Drill: 6.95
20-yard Shuttle: 4.15
Draft Grade: Third round

 

11. Kelvin Harmon, North Carolina State

Physical playmaker tormented opponents. 2018 All-ACC First Team and 2017 All-ACC Second Team. Recorded consecutive 1,000-yard crusades (1,186 and 1,017). In 2018, led ACC in receiving yards. Finished third in receiving yards (2,665) and fourth in receptions (177) in school history. Physical competitor at 6-foot-3 and 221 pounds. Excellent combination of size, physicality, ball skills, technique and hand-eye coordination. Maximum effort player. Fluid at snap of the ball and accelerates well for a bigger receiver. Alpha athlete who relishes challenge of being the main weapon in passing game. Fights, and wins, contested balls in tight coverage. Uses frame to triumph at catch point. Exceptional body control and balance: Contorts frame to make catch. Tracks and adjusts to ball in flight. Good burst and football speed. Intelligent route runner and very good red zone target. Makes back shoulder catches on deep balls. Stays focused when engaged with a defensive back. Gains separation with explosion, decisive cuts, excellent footwork, subtle hand movement and superior technique. Beats press coverage with effective jab steps. Disguises play speed with tempo while running routes. Despite lack of elite speed, underrated vertical playmaker. Natural hands catcher: Plucks ball effortlessly with strong mitts at the apex of pass. Good run blocker: Leverages hips and packs a wallop. Lack of elite speed and poor Combine scores hurt draft stock. Only 21-years of age on Draft day and will be a bargain if available in the third round. 

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 177

Yards per Reception: 15.1

Team Target Share: 25% (2018)

Breakaway Ability

40-yard Dash: 4.60

3-cone Drill: 7.15

20-yard Shuttle: 4.32

Draft Grade: Third round

 

12. Emanuel Hall, Missouri

Prodigious home run hitter over the past two seasons: Averaged 23.5 yards per catch, scored 14 touchdowns and surpassed 100 yards receiving in a game eight times. In 2017, tallied six touchdowns over 50 yards and finished second in the nation at 24.8 yards per catch. In 2018, opened the campaign (UT Martin and Wyoming) with 171-yards receiving in consecutive games and snatched 14 passes and three touchdowns. Suffered a groin injury in September and missed five games. In high school, track-and-field athlete: In 2011, captured two AAU Junior Olympic gold medals, finishing first nationally in both the pentathlon and high jump. Stupendous athlete at 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds. A long strider who releases well off the line of scrimmage and glides down the field. Very good short area quickness. Sharp breaks in-and-out of cuts. Threatens secondary deep every snap and wins vertically. Manipulates defenders by varying strides. Excels on “Go” routes. Adjusts to ball over shoulder. Illustrated explosive athletic abilities at Combine: Finished first in broad jump (141’) and second in vertical jump (43.5’). Slight frame and can be pushed around versus press coverage. Drops too many passes and lacks focus at times. Limited route tree on resume. Is he a one-trick playmaker? Patience required to allow the speedster to develop and blossom.

Key Career Stats
Receptions: 97
Yards per Reception: 20.8
Team Target Share: 13% (2018)
Breakaway Ability
40-yard Dash: 4.39
3-cone Drill: n/a
20-yard Shuttle: n/a
Draft Grade: Third round