10. Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech
2016 receiving stats: 79 catches, 1,094 yards, 13.8 avg., 7 touchdowns
Despite not averaging big yards per catch numbers at Virginia Tech, Ford has the looks of a guy that can become a really good vertical threat as a pro with his jump ball potential. He needs to put more weight on his six-foot-two frame for the next level, but Ford has a good chance of being just as productive as he was in college.
Where we’d take him: mid third round
9. Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington
2016 receiving stats: 117 catches, 1,700 yards, 14.5 avg., 17 touchdowns
Many people have probably never heard of Kupp, but he’s literally the most accomplished wide receiver in FCS history. Kupp’s four seasons produced lines of 93/1,691/21, 104/1,431/16, 114/1,642/19, and 117/1,700/17, which is insane for any level of football. He did most of his damage in the slot, but that just proves he is tough and competitive. Kupp should be able to play outside with his size.
Where we’d take him: early-to-mid third round
8. Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
2016 receiving stats: 74 catches, 865 yards, 11.7 avg., 7 touchdowns
2016 rushing stats: 97 attempts, 771 yards, 7.9 avg., 8 touchdowns
Samuel did it all at Ohio State, combining for 1,600 yards from scrimmage in 2016. The Buckeyes used him as a wide receiver, running back, returner, and more, so NFL teams will simply try to get the ball in his hands. He’s a lot different than Tyreek Hill, but using him in a similar way that Andy Reid used his rookie could allow him to make a huge impact.
Where we’d take him: late second round
7. Chad Hansen, California
2016 receiving stats: 92 catches, 1,249 yards, 13.6 avg., 11 touchdowns
One of the draft’s pre-combine risers, Hansen had a breakout season after catching just 19 passes in his first season at Cal. He may have benefitted from Cal’s spread offense to put up big numbers, but Hansen did miss two games in 2016 and still had a great year.
Where we’d take him: mid-to-late second round
6. JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC
2016 receiving stats: 70 catches, 914 yards, 13.1 avg., 10 touchdowns
After a monster 2015 season with 89 receptions for 1,454 yards and ten touchdowns, JuJu took a step back in his final college season. Smith-Schuster had some huge games this season, but also had some duds (including the opening game in a blowout loss to Alabama). He’s a big-bodied receiver that is still able to run good intermediate-deep routes. If he works on his route running on shorter-to-intermediate routes, Smith-Schuster could be a steal in the second or third round.
Where we’d take him: mid second round
5. Chris Godwin, Penn State
2016 receiving stats: 59 catches, 982 yards, 16.6 avg., 11 touchdowns
Godwin’s draft stock jumped in a big way after his 187 yards and two touchdowns in the Rose Bowl, but he’s still outside of most analysts’ top-ten receivers. The Penn State product always shined on the biggest stage, with at least 133 yards in all three bowl games he played in, and he would really shine as the “Robin” to an elite receiver (“Batman”) in the NFL.
Where we’d take him: mid-to-late second round
4. Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma
2016 receiving stats: 80 catches, 1,524 yards, 19.1 avg., 17 touchdowns
A 2016 Heisman finalist, Dede Westbrook was basically unstoppable with Baker Mayfield throwing it to him. After being held to a combined 154 yards and zero touchdowns as the Sooners stated 1-2, Westbrook responded by averaging 145 yards per game and scoring 17 touchdowns in the next nine games, including at least one score in every game. He’s a little older than teams would like (24 in November), but Westbrook has game-breaker potential.
Where we’d take him: early-to-mid second round
3. Corey Davis, Western Michigan
2016 receiving stats: 97 catches, 1,500 yards, 15.5 avg., 19 touchdowns
Davis is the #1 receiver for a lot of people because of his route running, ball skills, and run-after-catch ability, but it’s unclear whether he can immediately step in as the top guy on an offense. Davis was able to bully guys at Western Michigan.
Where we’d take him: late first to early second round
2. John Ross, Washington
2016 receiving stats: 81 catches, 1,150 yards, 14.2 avg., 17 touchdowns
Jake Browning’s number one target in 2016 has amazing speed and athleticism to go along with nice hands. Ross is a very good deep threat, but he’s not limited to just running deep. He can probably come right in and be a big help to a team as a rookie.
Where we’d take him: mid-to-late first round
1. Mike Williams, Clemson
2016 receiving stats: 98 catches, 1,361 yards, 13.9 avg., 11 touchdowns
Coming back from a neck injury that kept him out for nearly his entire sophomore season, Williams returned and lived up to expectations. Deshaun Watson’s 6’3” number one target came out with a huge game against Auburn to open the season (nine receptions, 174 yards) then had a slight decrease in production before really picking it up at the end of the season and being a huge reason that Clemson won the national championship, as he was their go-to guy on critical fourth quarter drives. Williams is reminiscent of Dez Bryant, and he should have no trouble transitioning to the NFL.
Where we’d take him: top ten