PFF ranks college football's Top 10 wide receivers for the 2023 NFL Draft
With the 2022 college football season looming, there is plenty to get excited about. With numerous talented receivers, Pro Football Focus decided to release a list of the top 10 NFL Draft prospects at the position for 2023.
The ranking includes plenty of familiar names, as well as some who are still waiting to burst onto the scene. Below is a summary of the list of college football’s top 10 receivers with information about each prospect.
College football top 10 receivers for 2023 NFL Draft
1. Kayshon Boutte, LSU
After totaling 735 yards receiving and five touchdowns as a freshman in 2020, Boutte saw his 2021 season cut short due to an ankle injury. He still managed 509 yards and nine scores across just six games, and figures to have an even bigger year this season if he can stay healthy.
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Despite being on the same roster as first round picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave this past season, Smith-Njigba still lead the Buckeyes with 95 catches and 1,606 yards receiving. A former five-star recruit in the 2020 class, the Texas native now has the full focus of opposing defenses this year. We’ll see how he handles that pressure.
3. Quentin Johnston, TCU
Johnston has the makings of a star receiver at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds. However, his production hasn’t been particularly elite his first couple of seasons in Fort Worth due to the Horned Frogs preference for running the ball. Last year Johnston totaled 634 yards receiving and six touchdowns across just eight games. PFF also noted his skill for breaking tackles, as he has shed 26 on a career 55 receptions.
4. Jordan Addison, USC
Last year’s Biletnikoff winner, Addison made headlines this offseason with his move to Los Angeles. The 6-foot, 175-pound receiver put up 1,593 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns this past year with Kenny Pickett as his quarterback. Now he is set to team up with Caleb Williams as one of many talented Trojans targets.
After playing against the Crimson Tide in the national championship game in January, Burton decided to transfer from Georgia to Tuscaloosa. PFF points to a lingering groin injury and run-first Bulldogs offense as things that kept the former four-star recruit from surpassing 500 yards in 2021. Now he teams up with last year’s Heisman winner Bryce Young, where his production is sure to rise as a result.
6. Parker Washington, Penn State
Washington tallied 820 yards and four touchdowns on 64 catches this past season despite playing behind Jahan Dotson. Now Dotson is on to the NFL, which should open things up for Washington in 2022. PFF declares him the “best pure slot in the draft class” and notes he has dropped only five of 105 catchable targets throughout his college career.
Mostly known for his speed after the catch, Downs is coming off of a breakout season in which he posted 101 receptions for 1,335 yards and eight touchdowns. He loses starting quarterback Sam Howell, but will hope to remain just as productive in 2022. The receiver can also use his speed to go long, with six deep receptions from last year.
The first five-star receiver to play for Maryland since Stefon Diggs, Jarrett is set to headline a talented Terrapins receiving corps next year. He should be Taulia Tagovailoa‘s top target and has an ability to line up both in the slot and on the outside.
9. Jacob Cowing, Arizona
After putting up 1,354 yards and seven touchdowns at UTEP this past season, Cowing is ready to prove he belongs at the Power 5 level. At just 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, he will likely need to add more weight at the next level. PFF also notes he has dropped 12.4% of his targets across his career, so that could be another area for improvement.
10. Tyler Harrell, Alabama
The Alabama receiver room is filled with transfers, as Harrell makes his way to Tuscaloosa from Louisville. Harrell has just 561 career yards receiving, but PFF notes he averaged a crazy 29.2 yards per catch this past season. With that being the case, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him have a breakout season in the Crimson Tide offense.