2017 NFL Draft the Wide Receivers

Well, we must now pose the question, "What if Terrelle Pryor doesn't return to the Browns in 2017"?

I firmly believe that moves WR to a priority draft need.

So, here we go:

Mike Williams - Clemson, RS Junior



Height: 6'4"
Weight: 218 lbs
Arm Length: 33 3/8"
Hands: 9 3/8"
40 Time:
Bench: 15
Vertical: 32.5"
Broad: 121"

Projected Top 20

Overview

After a successful freshman season (three starts, 20 catches, 316 yards, three scores), Williams took a large step forward in 2014. He received third-team All-ACC recognition by catching 57 passes for a whopping 1,030 yards (18.1 per) and six touchdowns while freshman Deshaun Watson ran the show. Hoping to parlay that performance into an All-American junior year, Williams instead nearly saw his career end after fracturing his neck by hitting his helmet against the goal post on a touchdown catch in the season opener. He was cleared for contact before the 2016 season, however, and took advantage of his health in a big way. The second-team Walter Camp All-American and first-team All-ACC pick caught 84 passes for 1,171 yards and 10 scores, putting up highlight-reel plays on several occasions.
Analysis
Strengths Prototypical height, weight, speed prospect. Fills out the uniform as well as any receiver in college football. Sells vertical push to create an early hip turn from backpedaling cornerbacks. Uses hands to create late separation on vertical throws. Long arms and big hands can go get throws at their highest point, snatching 50/50 balls away from his in-air competitors. Ball tracking is impeccable. Able to track it inside, outside or over his shoulder. Hands catcher who plucks it away from his body. Has body control to dig out the low balls and contort to grab throws Deshaun Watson leaves behind him. Concentration ramps up when routes take him between the hashes. Works middle of the field with no reservations about what is lingering. Has been asked to work all three levels of the field at Clemson. Can make cornerbacks miss after the catch and extend his play. Needs more commitment as a run blocker but has frame and strength to make a difference as a blocker.
Weaknesses Natural pass catcher who will occasionally run into focus drops. Drops issue found him over second half of the season. Route work lacks focus and energy. Creates very little indecision from cornerbacks with his head fakes and jab steps. Ability to win with physical traits could dry up on next level. Could use better understanding of route leverage to open wider passing lanes for quarterbacks. Plant-and-go at the stem lacks crispness as does acceleration from his cuts. Average release quickness. Gets hung up by press corners with a good lead jab. Needs to play to his size. Gets muscled against sideline too often. Fumbled twice this season. Neck injury forced him to miss entire 2015 season so until he clears combine medicals, teams may have a red flag on him.
Sources Tell Us "Really pretty looking when you watch him down on the field but he's not there yet. I think he'll get there but he's not there yet. I don't think he's going to run as fast as people think. When college players get up here and find out that cornerbacks are faster and more physical, there is an adjustment period. I think it will take him some time to figure things out but I think he'll do it. He's going to be good, I just don't know if he's going to be a star." -- NFC Pro Personnel Director
NFL Comparison Plaxico Burress
Bottom Line Williams looks the part of a WR1 and has shown an ability to work all three levels of the field after coming back from his 2015 neck injury. Williams is tough enough to be a high-volume target while working the middle of the field and his size and ball skills make him a formidable foe in the end zone. He'll have to be coached up with his routes and releases, but he has the talent to become a big safety blanket for a young quarterback.
-Lance Zierlein

 

Corey Davis- Western Michigan, Senior



Height: 6'3"
Weight: 209 lbs
Arm Length: 33"
Hands: 9 1/8"
40 Time:
Bench:
Vertical: "
Broad: "

Projected Top 20


Overview

The 2016 Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year is the all-time leader in major college football in receiving yards (5,285). From Day 1, Davis was a great target for the Broncos despite being just a two-star recruit out of Illinois with a rough childhood and academic issues. He was the MAC Freshman of the Year in 2013 (67-941, six TDs), and then was named first-team all-conference for the first of three times in 2014 by leading the conference with 1,408 yards and 15 touchdowns (ranking third in the FBS). Davis was among the nation's leading receivers as a junior (90-1,436, 12 TDs) before garnering first-team All-American honors in 2016 by ranking in the top 10 in the three major receiving categories -- 97 catches (eighth), 1,500 yards (seventh), 19 touchdowns (tied-first).
Analysis
Strengths Outstanding four-year production. Alpha attitude on the field and not afraid to take on the challenge of heavy target load. Excellent competitiveness. Focuses like a laser when ball is in the air. Tracks the deep ball as well as anyone in college and understands how to stack cornerbacks and keep them on his hip. Has second gear to run under the long ball. Excels in intermediate and deep parts of the field. Route running showed improvement in 2016. Variable route speed creates indecision for defenders. Vertical routes are crisp and create tilt in off-corners and safeties that he is quick to take advantage of. Play speed features access to functional burst. Can defeat inside leverage. A quarterback's friend who works aggressively back to the ball. Dominates in red zone. High-point catcher who uses well-timed leaps and long arms to win the 50-50 throws. Increases physicality and acceleration out of routes when operating near paydirt.
Weaknesses Doesn't always sell his vertical routes aggressively enough to make cornerbacks open their hips. Drifts, at times, on in-breaking routes, allowing defenders to squeeze the route. Needs to improve quickness into and out of his breaks underneath. Elongated into breaks when working from slot. Has had some issues with focus drops on throws outside of his frame. Had 16 drops over last three years at Western. Free releases into his routes in college will turn into stern press challenges in the pros. Wasn't asked to do much meaningful blocking.
Sources Tell Us "Man, he breaks them off with those routes. It wasn't even fair the way he did those corners in that conference. A man among boys." -- AFC North regional scout
NFL Comparison Eric Decker
Bottom Line Touchdown juggernaut who was a four-year model of production and consistency in college. Davis has the route-running and ball skills to become a starter in the league, but it is his competitiveness and production in the red-zone that should make him a good one.
-Lance Zierlein

 

John Ross- Washington, RS Junior



Height: 5'11""
Weight: 209 lbs
Arm Length: 31 1/2"
Hands: 8 3/4"
40 Time: 4.22
Bench:
Vertical: 37"
Broad: 133"

Projected 1st/2nd Round


Overview

Ross was just getting started on his way to stardom in Washington when he tore his left ACL in the spring of 2015. He had become known as a kick returner (three TDs in 2013-14) and big-play receiver in limited touches (16-208, TD in 2013; 17-371, 4 TD in 2014) before having to redshirt his third year at UW. In fact, coaches liked Ross' athleticism so much he started three games at cornerback (INT, two pass breakups) in a season he gained honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors. In his return to the field in 2016, Ross became a star, garnering second-team All-American honors and first-team All-Pac-12 accolades with 81 catches for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns (tied for second in the nation).
Analysis
Strengths Has home-run gear to yank the top off of defenses. Vertical speed demands respect and creates open throws underneath. Corners open hips early to turn and sprint, leaving his curl and dig routes unchallenged. Feet are fire. On verticals from the slot, sells the corner route and stems to the post with a burst for easy separation and a comfortable throwing window for the quarterback. Hands are generally solid. Plus hand-eye coordination. Natural ball-tracker who locates the deep ball early and watches it. Dangerous show-and-go open-field ability after the catch. Able to win with slants or fades near the goal line. Eludes the first tackler and can turn a short one into a long one in a heartbeat. Has enough size to work from outside or from the slot. Saw four of his eight carries go for 15-plus yards. Has returned at least one kickoff for a touchdown in each of his three years at Washington.
Weaknesses Undersized with below-average play strength. Struggled to get into his routes cleanly and impact the game against the physical cornerbacks at Alabama. Weight will creep too far out over his toes at times. Tape shows occasional stumbles over nothing but turf in his routes and after the catch. Needs to do better job of working back to the throw. Has to learn to make contested catches. Will need to sharpen his short and intermediate routes to become a true three-level target. Has had a major injury to both knees. The long-term health of both knees will be a concern that has to be answered at the combine.
Sources Tell Us "He will get emotional on the field when he drops one or when their quarterback leaves an open deep ball short, and I've heard other scouts call it 'bad body language.' I just think he's an edgy player. He's competitive and shows it. You'll take some attitude when a guy scores as many touchdowns as he does." -- West Coast scout for NFC team
NFL Comparison Will Fuller
Bottom Line Ross is an instant-impact weapon who scored 23 touchdowns in just 112 touches. He should be able to step right in as a kick returner and a slot receiver, but teams with speed at tight end might utilize him outside to create extreme vertical stress on opposing safeties. If his knees check out as healthy, Ross is a likely first-round pick with the rare ability to become a high-volume slot receiver or a lesser-targeted, high-yield deep-ball threat.
-Lance Zierlein

 

JuJu Smith-Schuster- USC, Junior



Height: 6'1"
Weight: 215 lbs
Arm Length: 32 7/8"
Hands: 10 1/2"
40 Time: 4.54
Bench: 15
Vertical: 32.5"
Broad: 120"

Projected 2nd/3rd Round


Overview

John "JuJu" Smith-Schuster (he officially changed his last name to honor his stepfather) took the mantle of the next great Trojan receiver immediately upon arriving on campus. A 12-game starter and second-team All-Pac-12 all-purpose selection, Smith-Schuster caught 54 passes for 724 yards and five scores, and also returned kicks for USC as a true freshman. He and quarterback Cody Kessler (2016 third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns) continued their partnership in his sophomore year, helping him attain first-team all-conference and second-team Associated Press All-American honors (89-1,454-10). Smith-Schuster has fought through injuries throughout the past few years, missing time in his senior year of high school, breaking his hand in 2015 (though he didn't miss action), and injuring his back during his junior year. That injury lowered his numbers (70-914, 10 scores), though he still received second-team all-conference recognition from league coaches.
Analysis
Strengths Outstanding size and a very available target. Shows no concern working over the middle. Known for his competitive spirit and alpha demeanor. Hyper-aware of defenders around him in space. Works back to the ball as aggressively as he needs to when defenders are attempting to ball-hawk. Searches and sinks into the optimal openings against zone coverage. Plays to his size and has plus route strength. Shows effective uses of frame to shield cornerbacks from contested catches. Plucks it way out front of his body with strong, confident hands. Tremendous ball tracker with ability to search, find and follow the pass in over his shoulder. Has body control to twist and contort in mid-air to pull the throw in. Plays with sideline awareness and consistently drops feet in-bounds on boundary catches. Rugged, aggressive runner after the catch with a stiff-arm to hurt feelings.. Has field vision after catch for maximum YAC yardage. Reliable blocker who can help spring a big run. Able to sustain blocks with power. Outstanding size and a very available target. Shows no concern working over the middle. Known for his competitive spirit and alpha demeanor. Hyper-aware of defenders around him in space. Works back to the ball as aggressively as he needs to when defenders are attempting to ball-hawk. Searches and sinks into the optimal openings against zone coverage. Plays to his size and has plus route strength. Shows effective uses of frame to shield cornerbacks from contested catches. Plucks it way out front of his body with strong, confident hands. Tremendous ball tracker with ability to search, find and follow the pass in over his shoulder. Has body control to twist and contort in mid-air to pull the throw in. Plays with sideline awareness and consistently drops feet in-bounds on boundary catches. Rugged, aggressive runner after the catch with a stiff-arm to hurt feelings. Has field vision after catch for maximum YAC yardage. Reliable blocker who can help spring a big run. Able to sustain blocks with power.
Weaknesses Needs to get better at freeing himself at the break point of his routes. Doesn't seem to get cornerbacks tilting with his routes. Missing the sudden acceleration out of his cuts to generate separation and an easy throwing window. Contested catches will have to be a big part of his future. Rarely shows a second gear to run under the deep throws. Will coast when turning to find deep ball rather than maintaining play speed. Off-man corners may squat on underneath routes if they don't fear his vertical speed. Can be slow to release against press coverage. Plays with a delayed open to the quarterback on his comeback routes. Will need to pay better attention to his angles as a blocker. Eight of his ten touchdowns this season came in three games.
Sources Tell Us "He has a mom and stepdad who keep him grounded. His passion and enthusiasm are second to none and he absolutely loves football. He came in as a safety and probably could have gone pro as a safety as well if he had stayed there." - Former USC assistant coach
NFL Comparison Anquan Boldin
Bottom Line Smith-Schuster will get dinged for his lack of speed and separation but he reminds me of Anquan Boldin with his strong hands, physical approach and ability to win the combat catches. JuJu is missing some of the speed traits teams want from their WR1, but he could become a high-volume, possession target with the size tto win some 50/50 throws down the field. Teams who have a speed merchant at one spot would be wise to take a look at Smith-Schuster as a physical counterpart.
-Lance Zierlein

 

[twitter=https://twitter.com/josephperson/status/842376614847631361][/twitter]

That should keep him in the Top 10 picks.

 

All-in with Cody Kessler.

Reunite him with JuJu Smith-Schuster, who looked like a first rounder with Kessler throwing to him in 2015 (89 receptions, 1,454 yards, 16.3 YPC, 10 TDs) and let him learn from Britt (75% of his total hit is absorbed by Year 2)?

Higgins, Payton, and Louis gave us 285 yard and 0 TDs last season. Could always stand to upgrade.

People love Smith-Schuster's passion and aggressiveness. Might be the kind of attitude we want to have in the locker room building around.

 

Not sure if this is a quip, but I actually love this kid. I wish they would give him a roster spot if he's there at #65..I don't think he will last that long though. Depending on who's there, I might consider him at #52.

 

No quip at all... I genuinely like him and would absolutely take him at #65. At #52... I think there might be other needs.

 

I think these two could come off the board around the same time. Realizing they are completetly different type receivers, who would you rather have on your roster: Juju or Curtis Samuel?

I know which one I'd want, but it'll make me a homer...Lewis and Higgins are built like Juju. We don't have a Curtis...Not sure anybody has a weapon like him.

Samuel gets lots of love from the talking heads, but not so much here...His game may need a little more polish than Juju's, but who has the higher ceiling? I'd take my chances with the more explosive player if given the option....The number of ways that Samuel can attack a defense are endless. He has gifts that can't be coached.. In Columbus, I truly believe Samuel barely scratched the surface of what he can do on the football field....Can't wait to see where he ends up...

 

I think this is an interesting prospect. He's got some off the field stuff (2014/assault), so we didn't see him at the combine, but does have that long prototypical build. Kind of reminds me of Kenny Britt coming out of college, with appearance and baggage...If he can show he's matured, we might be able to steal him late...Graduating was a step in the right direction. He is intelligent..At 6'2"/220, he might be worth a look...I know Hue loves those big targets.



Damore'aa Stringfellow, WR - Ole Miss

 

[notify]top dawg[/notify]... That's a tough one for me. I think Samuel can be special, but I think it has to be in the right situation. He's more of a receiver at the next level, so in that respect, I'd take Smith-Schuster.

We see utility players that go places where they're under-utilized or improperly utilized and never really reach that potential (Percy Harvin, Cordarelle Patterson, etc.).

Browns' offense definitely seems to be trying to find its stride and sticking in a piece like Samuel could be counter-productive. This is a team that still doesn't seem to have figured out how to use Duke Johnson Jr.

 

Yeah, that seems to be the main concern. How would you implement Samuel into the offense? All I can say is, if Hue isn't qualified, who is? With this group of receivers coming in in 2017, I rate Curtis Samuel right under the big 3 of Williams, Davis and Ross...

To pull a line from our coach, "I just want guys that can score the football"....Samuel creates mismatches everywhere. Nothing against Juju, I like him too, but I don't think he brings that level of athleticism to the table...Very few can.

 

Here's nnother guy that get's no love, and may fall to day three, but I'm not sure why....He racks up the YAC like nobody's business. Excellent with the ball in his hands...With a little more proficiency from Jalen Hurts, who know's what kind of numbers he would have put up? So much talent in the Bama offense, sometimes players like this don't get the run they deserve...One of the drafts true underrated gems:



Ardarius Stewart, WR - Alabama
from: SB NATION
The pedigree surrounding Stewart may not be as top notch as some of the previously listed players, but there is something about him when he plays that screams he can produce in the NFL, particularly in the slot.

He has pretty good speed that may translate to the next level, but his strong hands will be his true money makers. He often is able to make contested catches, even when blanketed by defenders. Add in the fact that he is absolutely vicious with the ball in hands, and an ideal slot receiver comes to mind when you think of Stewart.

Fueled by a constantly pissed off attitude that has earned him the nickname ?ax-bearer.? That isn't just some cliched made-up-from-thin-air moniker either; Stewart literally walked around Alabama sidelines with an ax while missing time due to injury to remind the rest of his teammates that they are assassins on the field.

His blue collar playing style and competitive nature could warrant comparisons that Ravens fans will love, such as Steve Smith Sr. or Anquan Boldin. But in my mind, Stewart most closely resembles another former SEC receiver who has carved up NFL defenses from the slot position since 2014.

That would be Jarvis ?Juice? Landry who was selected in the second round by the Miami Dolphins in the historic 2014 draft class for the wide receiver position. While Stewart may never reach the heights that Landry has to this point, the comparison seems valid due their similar playing styles and incredibly fiery demeanors.

While Landry may be the most ideal comparison for Stewart in terms of attitude, you may also see some of Green Bay?s Ty Montgomery in his game as well due to his penchant for making plays when getting the ball at or behind the line of scrimmage.

 

"Score the football"-
Samuel-7 receiving TDs in 2016
Smith-Schuster-10 receiving TDs in 2016

And yes, I realize Samuel also had 8 rushing TDs, but we already have Duke to play that role.

What we need, and I hope Britt can be him, is a possession receiver. Smith-Schuster fits that role to a T. That's the reason I prefer him over Samuel.

 

I hear ya Irish. I like Smith-Schuster too...Your point is certainly valid. I just think Samuel is so intriguing, I'd go with him...

What you are describing from Juju , sounds a lot like what they were saying Higgins was going to bring us...IMO there are a number of potential possession WR's in this draft, including a couple I listed here today.... There's nobody like Curtis Samuel. We can probably agree on that...At the end of the day, does it really matter if our guy finishes the drive with a receiving score or a rushing score?

Believe me. I understand why you and SAS would prefer Juju, in our situation. It makes perfect sense..But the potential to be a gamebreaker that Samuel brings, would be worth the risk for me...Anywhere after pick #40, Samuel becomes too valuable for me to pass up. I doubt he falls that far...

 

I agree he's intriguing, but I don't see him taking rushing snaps from Duke Johnson if that's what you are eluding to, also the only reason I disagree with your take. If we didn't have Duke, then I would be in the same boat as you are..

Now if you are talking about replacing Duke Johnson, I can get on board...what are you getting in return for trading Duke? If you can garner a 3rd for Duke, then yes, I would be ok with trading for essentially a bigger, faster version of Duke Johnson.

 

Well we don't have to agree, but Duke is a RB, and I don't think of Samuel as a RB at all......He may get three or four carries a game, but he is a new kind of weapon. He is way more elusive than Duke Johnson IMO. I don't see them as being that comparable.....Plus, Duke gets hit harder than any back I've ever seen...He's like the RB version of RG3 sometimes.

I'd put Samuel in the slot...I'd have him running reverses...Occassionally taking pitches wide out of the backfield...but for the most part, he's a WR in the NFL....If Crow goes down, they wouldn't be counting on Samuel to pick up the rushing slack like they would Duke...

All in all, there are not many players I rate higher than Samuel based on potential...I can see him carving up NFL defenses. There's not a LB or safety in the league that can stay with him...

 

I just want to put this down here for some discussion later -

Zay Jones is my #1 prospect at WR in this draft class.

 

I noticed that in the first draft Tim. I was somewhat surprised that I took on more heat for taking Ross to the Bucs a couple picks later..lol!

Nothing against Zay...I think he's a great prospect, but IMO you stickin your neck out a little bit on that one...But hey, I'll be the last one that ever argue's your prowess on WR evals. Last year you were all over Michael Thomas as #1 WR...Props for that one. Right under my little scarlet and gray nose....lol! Hell, I had Braxton rated higher, which shows you what I know...

I still think Zay is crazy over Ross or Davis though...If proven wrong again, I will own it, you can trust me on that...

 

I'm not as bold as Tim on my WR projections, though I think ZAY is definately for real..., but if I'm gonna go out on a limb for a receiver in this draft, it's Samuel, and ya'll already know my reasons...I guess we can argue whether or not he's a true receiver, but he's my guy...Not a homer pick. His freakish abilities are real. He's gonna be special.

Dark horse WR that nobody has mentioned yet on this thread;

Malachi Dupre, WR - LSU
who knows where this guy would rank if he had a QB last year?