Wide Receiver Rookies
For those of you that did not get to evaluate the NFL combine, you are in luck. FantasyData has created an NFL draft prospect page which features the top projected rookies by position. However, I wanted to go one step further, so I have compiled my top eight rookie wide receivers that you will need to know entering 2019. Make sure you keep an eye on their landing spots, as the draft commences in April.
1. N’Keal Harry – Arizona State
Measurements
- Height: 6 ft 2 in
- Weight: 228lbs
- Arms: 33”
- Age: 21
2019 NFL Combine Results
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.53
- Bench Press: 27
- Vertical Jump: 38.5
- Broad Jump: 122.0
Analysis
My number one ranked rookie wide receiver post-NFL combine, Harry’s metrics pop off the screen. His overall size adjusted speed score ranked in the 89th percentile and his two most important production metrics (college dominator and breakout age) ranked in the 88th percentile and 95th percentile respectively (via Playerprofiler.com). He’s the next potential alpha receiver to an NFL offense. Of the 2019 Draft Class, Harry ranked fifth last year in yards after catch/reception (7.1).
2. A.J. Brown – Mississippi
Measurements
- Height: 6 ft 0 in
- Weight: 226lbs
- Arms: 32 7/8”
- Age: 21
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.49
- Bench Press: 19
Analysis
All he did at the combine was the 40-yard dash and the bench press. Brown’s combine numbers did not necessarily pop off the charts, but he still finished with a size adjusted speed score in the 89th percentile. Brown is one of the higher-profiled slot receivers in this class. In 2018, he took 57% of his snaps from the slot. Via Pro Football Focus, Brown ranked second in the 2019 Draft Class in yards per route run (3.15) from the slot (minimum 250 snaps).
However, he also showed that he could play on the outside as well. After the injury to D.K. Metcalf last year at Mississippi, Brown moved to the outside the last four weeks of the season. His production did not change too much when Brown moved to the outside except his yards/reception which increased over the last four games. It was disappointing to not see Brown test in the agility drills, but his flexibility to play inside and outside offer a lot to NFL teams.
3. D.K. Metcalf – Mississippi
Measurements
- Height: 6 ft 3 in
- Weight: 228lbs
- Arms: 34 7/8”
- Age: 21
2019 NFL Combine Results
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.33
- Bench Press: 27
- Vertical Jump: 40.5
- Broad Jump: 134″
- 3 Cone Drill: 7.38
- 20 Yd Shuttle: 4.5
Analysis
If you still have not heard about D.K. Metcalf, then you really need to get out of the cave you are living in. Metcalf by far was the most polarizing wide receiver entering the 2019 NFL combine and boosted his stock in the eyes of many evaluators. Personally, his performance just confirmed what was already known about Metcalf and that he possesses elite straight-line speed (4.33 40-yard dash) and strength (27 bench press reps). Just check out his measurables in Eric Moody’s latest article on major takeaways from the NFL Combine. However, Metcalf struggles to move laterally which is shown in his shuttle and cone drills. He ran these slower than Tom Brady…yikes!
By far Metcalf possesses the highest upside of any wide receiver in this class, but a bottoming-out floor exists. His college production just never summed up to something great either. In 2017, Metcalf’s only fully healthy season in the NCAA, he ranked 22nd in yards/reception (16.6), 70th in yards after catch/reception (5.5) and his yards/route run was 1.47 ranked 146th. Minimum 70 targets. In 2018, in the NCAA, Metcalf ranked sixth in yards/reception (21.9), seventh in yards after catch/reception (9.7), and 30th in yards/route run (2.83). Minimum of 42 targets.
4. Kelvin Harmon – North Carolina State
Measurements
- Height: 6 ft 2 in
- Weight: 221lbs
- Arms: 32 1/2″
- Age: 22
2019 NFL Combine Results
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.60
- Bench Press: 18
- Vertical Jump: 32.5
- Broad Jump: 117″
- 3 Cone Drill: 7.15
- 20 Yd Shuttle: 4.32
Analysis
Harmon’s workout metrics from the combine did not exactly help his draft capital, but he did have 1,000-yard seasons in both his sophomore and junior seasons at North Carolina State. Putting up high-end production as an underclassman is always a nice indicator of future success at the wide receiver position. However, he is an older prospect even after foregoing his senior season. He is going to turn 23 years old this season.
An interesting factoid for Harmon as well is he is a consistent catcher of the ball. Harmon had the fifth-lowest drop rate for receivers in the 2019 Draft Class that garnered at least 100 targets. Via Matt Hicks from Gridiron Experts, during his “sophomore and junior seasons with the Wolfpack, he caught at least 5 catches in 16 of his 25 games. Harmon had at least 8 catches in 8 of those game and broke double-digit receptions 3 times.”
5. Andy Isabella – Massachusetts
Measurements
- Height: 5 ft 9 in
- Weight: 188lbs
- Arms: 29 3/4″
- Age: 22
2019 NFL Combine Results
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.31
- Bench Press: 15
- Vertical Jump: 36.5
- Broad Jump: 121″
- 3 Cone Drill: 6.95
- 20 Yd Shuttle: 4.15
Analysis
You can call him Mr. Pro Football Focus with speed as they graded Isabella the highest at the wide receiver position in 2018 in both overall offensive grade and at wide receiver. In the 2019 Draft Class, Isabella ranked sixth in yards/reception (16.8), fourth in total yards after the catch (776), first in first downs (68), second in yards/route run (4.15), and the fourth highest quarterback rating when targeted (129.3) with a minimum of 90 targets. In 2018, Isabella actually had 146 total targets; one of six players in the 2019 Draft Class to achieve that feat. 97th percentile college dominator rating. Then you throw in the fact that the guy ran a 4.31, he has to be a guy to keep tabs on. This player can move and can score fantasy points! Isabella scored the most fantasy points in PPR at the wide receiver position last year in the NCAA.
6. Parris Campbell – Ohio State
Measurements
- Height: 6 ft 0 in
- Weight: 205lbs
- Arms: 32 1/4″
- Age: 20
2019 NFL Combine Results
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.31
- Bench Press: 11
- Vertical Jump: 40
- Broad Jump: 135″
- 3 Cone Drill: N/A
- 20 Yd Shuttle: 4.03
- 60 Yd Shuttle: N/A
Analysis
Outside of being one of the fastest wide receivers in the 2019 Draft Class, Campbell might be the best slot receiver in the class. Via Pro Football Focus Campbell ranked first in the 2019 Draft Class in yards per route run (3.44) from the slot (minimum 250 snaps). He also ranked number one in reception percentage, third in touchdowns, fifth in total receiving yards, third in receptions, and first in target percentage. Keep in mind though that Campbell though a burner did not play the deep threat role at Ohio State. He averaged 11.8 yards/reception. He is much more of a run and
7.J.J. Arcega-Whiteside – Stanford
Measurements
- Height: 6 ft 2 in
- Weight: 225lbs
- Arms: 33 1/4″
- Age: 22
Analysis
Whiteside does not have much buzz leaving the 2019 NFL to combine well because he did not participate outside of weighing in. However, his college production at Standford will generate his draft capital for sure. He was third in the nation in touchdown receptions. We will get more speed measurements at Standford’s pro day. Looking at Whiteside across the 2019 Draft Class, Pro Football Focus graded him as the third wide receiver overall in the class with a minimum of 90 targets. With those targets, Whiteside had the second highest quarterback rating when targeted (135.6), and sixth highest yards/reception (17.2) all well generating an 86th percentile college dominator rating and 74th percentile breakout age via PlayerProfiler.com.
8. Emanuel Hall – Missouri
Measurements
- Height: 6 ft 2 in
- Weight: 201lbs
- Arms: 33 1/4″
- Age: 22
2019 NFL Combine Results
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.39
- Bench Press: 15
- Vertical Jump: 43.5
- Broad Jump: 141″
- 3 Cone Drill: N/A
- 20 Yd Shuttle: N/A
- 60 Yd Shuttle: N/A
Analysis
Before the NFL combine, I had no idea who Hall was. But the wide receiver from Missouri stood out a ton for me, so I knew I needed to take another look. He performed very well in the 40-yard dash (4.39), the vertical jump (43.5), and the broad jump (141”). He was first in the vertical jump and first in the broad jump. Through these drills, he showed great traits of explosiveness. This matches his college production where via PlayerProfiler.com he ranked in the 97th percentile in yards/catch (22.4). That mark also ranks second in the draft class. Via Pro Football Focus Hall, ranked third in yards/route run last year in the NCAA (minimum 50 targets). Hall’s yards/route run was higher than other speedy 2019 Draft Prospects that include Parris Campbell from Ohio State and Marquise Brown from Oklahoma. Additionally, when quarterback Drew Lock targeted Hall last season, he created a 141.8 quarterback rating. That was the second highest of any receiver targeted in the 2019 Draft Class behind Gary Jennings Jr. from West Virginia.
Honorable Mentions:
Miles Boykin – Notre Dame, Deebo Samuel – South Carolina, Riley Ridley – Georgia, Hakeem Butler – Iowa State, Mecole Hardman – Georgia, Marquise Brown – Oklahoma, Greg Dortch – Wake Forest, Preston Williams – Colorado State, Jalen Hurd – Baylor
