Rankings and what to watch for out of all the Wide Receiver prospects invited to the 2020 NFL Combine.
2020 NFL Combine: Wide Receiver
Date: Thursday, February 27: Wide Receivers
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: NFL Network
From the college perspective. here are rankings and quick looks at all of the wide receivers invited to the 2020 NFL Combine.
Before getting into the top five breakdown, here’s a ranking of the best of the rest and what to look for.
2020 Pre-NFL Combine Wide Receiver Best of the Rest Rankings
Number in parentheses is the projected round drafted before the NFL Combine.
50. KJ Osborn, Miami 6-0, 206 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: Does he have the raw tools? He’s not a deep threat at the next level, and he’s more of a reliable inside target than a thriller. He’ll likely have to stick on a roster as a special teamer.
49. Chris Finke, Notre Dame 5-10, 184 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: Can he make it as a punt returner? He’s a smallish, shifty receiver who can find his way open, but he’ll need to latch on as a special teamer. His quickness will be everything in his workout.
48. Cody White, Michigan State 6-3, 215 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: The looks are there with a great size and perfect NFL look, but he’s just not fast enough – at least, he doesn’t appear to be – to grow into an NFL playmaker. That can all change with one fantastic 40 time.
47. Jeff Thomas, Miami 5-10, 174 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: He’s really fast, and he’s got the upside to be a good value late deep threat pick, but he’s inconsistent and he wasn’t nearly productive enough. With him, the interview process will mean everything, considering question marks stemming from a suspension.
46. Kendrick Rogers, Texas A&M 6-4, 204 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: While he’s got the size and he has a whole lot of playmaking upside, but he just never put it all together. He’ll time and test well enough to make scouts look harder at the tape, but he needs to play up to his size.
45. Darnell Mooney, Tulane 5-11, 175 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: While he’s not a volume catcher at the next level, he’s a deep threat who could latch on as a No. 4 outside target. There’s no physical aspect to his game – he’s all about the speed and quickness.
44. Darrell Stewart, Michigan State 6-2, 216 (6)
NFL Combine What Matters: A sturdy, dependable receiver with good size and a physical style that some will love, he’s not going to blow the doors off the combine, but he’s athletic enough to deserve a long look.
43. Binjimen Victor, Ohio State 6-4, 199 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: Get ready for him to generate a buzz. He’s got all the athleticism everyone wants, all the size, and the great catching radius, but he wasn’t productive enough. He needs to look like a guy worth developing.
42. Austin Mack, 6-1, 215 Ohio State (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: Never really healthy, he wasn’t as productive as he should’ve been. However, he could be a free agent steal with the NFL look and tools needed to be worth developing.
41. Juwan Johnson, Oregon 6-4, 231 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: The Penn State transfer has terrific size and is more than physical enough, but he’s always been banged up and he’s never quite been able to bust out on a consistent basis. He might make a roster as a tweener who could be used as a second receiving tight end.
40. Joe Reed, Virginia 6-1, 215 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: A tough reliable short-range receiver, his NFL future will likely start out as a kick returner. He needs to dominate in the quickness drills and potentially be something of a downhill target.
39. Dezmon Patmon, Washington State 6-4, 228 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: Is there any NFL quickness or speed to his game? He was a fine route-runner in the Wazzu offense, and he’s reliable when he has to battle for the ball, but he might just be a good short-range target prospect.
38. Tyrie Cleveland, Florida 6-2, 205 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: He’s got the size and the tools, but he didn’t produce nearly enough as he needed to with the Gators – catching just 25 passes for 351 yards and a score last year. He’ll look great, but something has to be otherworldly about the workout to get drafted.
37. Tony Brown, Colorado 6-1, 195 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: A nice route-runner who isn’t going to blow the doors off a defense, he’s a shifty player who might stick as a No. 3 midrange target. He has to show a draftable tool and not be just another guy.
36. Aaron Parker, Rhode Island 6-3, 208 (6)
NFL Combine What Matters: He needs to show off just enough to get drafted late as an interesting flier. A very, very good, big-guy target at the lower level, there could be something to get excited about after a little polish. A big 40 would be a game-changer.
35. John Hightower, Boise State 6-2, 172 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: A productive deep threat who can be used as a kick returner, he’s only a speed receiver at the next level. If it’s possible to show any toughness and strength, that would be a huge help.
34. Freddie Swain, Florida 6-0, 199 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: The NFL abilities are all there to get someone excited as a returner or a No. 3 target. He didn’t produce at a high level for the Gators, but he came up with seven touchdowns on his 38 catches and he’s got the next-level upside to find a job.
33. Malcolm Perry, Navy 5-9, 190 (RB) (7)
NFL Combine What Matters: He might get drafted just because someone will want to take a flier on the ultra-quick Navy guy, but he has to learn how to be a wide receiver. Give him a little while to figure it out, and there’s tremendous upside considering his open-field speed and quarterback mentality. Remember, Julian Edelman was a college quarterback, too.
32. Trishton Jackson, Syracuse 6-1, 191 (6)
NFL Combine What Matters: He’s going to fly. He might not be the best all-around receiver, and he’s not going to be anything but a one-trick deep threat at the next level, but if he goes 4.4 or better and looks smooth, he could earn a draft slot.
31. Quez Watkins, Southern Miss 6-2, 190 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: The productivity was there, and he was a difference-maker when he got his shot to rise up, but does he have the quickness and next-level speed, or is he just a guy? He needs to look smooth.
30. Lawrence Cager, Georgia 6-5, 220 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: How much upside is there? He’s really big, he looks the part, and he can move, but his time in Indy is about the medical evaluation after having surgery on his ankle.
29. Marquez Callaway, Tennessee 6-2, 204 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: 40, 40, 40. He’s never going to be anyone’s No. 1 receiver, and he’s never going to be an NFL volume catcher, but he can hit the home run. If he’s not REALLY fast, he’s a flier of a return guy and No. 4 outside target.
28. Quartney Davis, Texas A&M 6-1, 200 (6)
NFL Combine What Matters: He didn’t do enough with the Aggies to be a must-have draft pick as anything more than a flier, but he’s got decent size and he’s versatile enough to play just about anywhere.
27. James Proche, SMU 5-11, 193 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: Try to blow off that he doesn’t necessarily have the NFL tools to be anything special. He’s a good football player who’ll catch everything, but can he stand out at all in the drills? He’ll be the guy in camp who becomes a brutally tough cut if he doesn’t standout on special teams.
26. Kalija Lipscomb, Vanderbilt 6-0, 201 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: His production dropped as the Vandy offense went into the tank, but he’s a sound, reliable receiver with excellent quickness. He has to show off the deep speed that wasn’t there at times in college, and he might not be physical enough for some teams.
NEXT: Top 25 Wide Receiver Prospects Before the 2020 NFL Combine
25. Omar Bayless, Arkansas State 6-3, 207 (6)
NFL Combine What Matters: A big-time volume catcher who caught 93 passes for 1,653 yards and 17 scores, he was massively productive – and vastly underrated – but he has to be fast. He can play in the league, but he has to come up with a good 40 – he needs to show off NFL raw tools.
24. Isaiah Coulter, Rhode Island 6-3, 190 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: Worth a long look, he’s a tall, athletic deep threat who can take the top off a defense. He’s not going to do everything right, but put him on the outside, throw it up there, and outrun his way to get it – he has to dominate the speed drills.
23. Collin Jefferson, Texas 6-6, 220 (4)
NFL Combine What Matters: An intriguing target with tremendous size and the athleticism to play even bigger, he’s a matchup nightmare who’ll bully his way for 50/50 passes against the toughest of corners. Can he be quick in the short drills, or is he a one-trick guy who’ll make tough grabs down the field? His hamstring has to be checked out after missing almost half the season.
22. Gabriel Davis, UCF 6-3, 212 (4)
NFL Combine What Matters: A wonderful combination of size, production, and toughness, he can play, and he can be a nice part of a puzzle, but he can’t be lumbering in the drills. How smooth is he?
21. Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan 6-2, 208 (4)
NFL Combine What Matters: He’s got all the ability for an NFL team to fall in love, but the production was never there. Big, really fast, really smart, and with good enough hands, there’s a shot he turns into a good pro after a somewhat disappointing Michigan career. However, he’s not shifty enough and he wasn’t able to turn into a special playmaker considering his potential and skills.
20. Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin 6-1, 207 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: He has a nice all-around mix of skills who produced for a team that didn’t exactly wing the ball around the yard. He’s a tough target who can block and force his way to catches. His short range quickness will be the key.
19. Isaiah Hodgins, Oregon State 6-4, 209 (3)
NFL Combine What Matters: It’s all there to be a nice value pick in the mid-to-late third round. Can he run well enough to push himself higher? He’s got the size, hands and tools to be a terrific NFL target, but he can’t be painfully slow.
18. Jauan Jennings, Tennessee 6-3, 208 (4)
NFL Combine What Matters: An interesting call who’ll be all over the scouting board, he looks the part, he’s a tough target who’ll battle for a play, and he’s got upside as a possible No. 2 man, but can he run? He has to show off just a wee bit of deep speed.
17. Lynn Bowden, Kentucky 6-1, 199 (3)
NFL Combine What Matters: A tough, smart player who saved Kentucky’s season as a quarterback, but now he has to prove – again – that he’s really a receiver. Use him in a variety of ways, but he has to look like an NFL-caliber wideout.
16. KJ Hill, Ohio State 6-0, 195 (3)
NFL Combine What Matters: It takes something to be the all-time leading receiver at Ohio State, he can be a volume catcher who’ll always come through when needed. He might not be anyone’s No. 1 target, but he’s got the upside to be a fantastic No. 2.
15. Devin Duvernay, Texas 5-11, 202 (3)
NFL Combine What Matters: Speed, speed, speed. He’s not going to be the fastest player at the combine, but he’s won’t be far off. Throw in his toughness, his 106-catch, 1,386-yard senior season, and blow off that he doesn’t necessarily look the part of an NFL wideout.
14. Chase Claypool, Notre Dame 6-4, 229 (3)
NFL Combine What Matters: Very big and very physical, throw the ball his way and he’ll go get it. He’s a matchup nightmare who could dominate as a No. 2 target, but can he run well enough to be a top 100 pick?
13. Denzel Mims, Baylor 6-3, 206 (3)
NFL Combine What Matters: There’s a chance he could slide into the top 50 if he’s quick through the short drills and catches everything in sight in future workouts. He’s a deep ball thriller who can change games, but does he have the short-range explosiveness compared to the others in a deep class?
12. Van Jefferson, 6-2, 197, Florida (4)
NFL Combine What Matters: Try to look past his lack of elite production with the Gators. He’s a battler for the ball who became ultra-reliable, but he needs to show off a little speed. It’s a crowded field of receivers, and he needs to standout as an early Day Three get.
11. Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State 6-0, 201 (2)
NFL Combine What Matters: A good-sized speedster who averaged over 18 yards per catch last year with the ability to hit the home run and make big things happen on the move. It’s all about the 40 with him – he has to be the part of a speed receiver.
10. Tyler Johnson, Minnesota 6-2, 205 (3)
NFL Combine What Matters: Just throw it his way and he’ll go and get it. He’s a strong, determined receiver who does just about everything right, but does he have the NFL speed and tools? If he’s just okay in the drills, teams will fall in love with him as a possible top 50 selection.
9. Michael Pittman, USC 6-4, 220 (3)
NFL Combine What Matters: If you’re looking for your late Day Two value pick at receiver, here you go. He’s an NFL-caliber No. 1 target as long as he’s surrounded by great deep speed. A great – or even a good one – will move him up, but he’ll be a pro’s pro. Yes, USC changed around the offense to help the passing game, but he was dominant despite a revolving door last season at quarterback.
8. Jalen Reagor, TCU 5-11, 195 (2)
NFL Combine What Matters: Throw in his ability as a return man to go along with his playmaking ability, and he’ll be a fun toy for a coaching staff to play with. Get the ball in his hands and he’ll do something with it. He won’t be physical, and he might not be a No. 1 target, but he’s a special weapon who could crush as part of a strong offensive puzzle.
7. Bryan Edwards, South Carolina 6-3, 215 (3)
NFL Combine What Matters: He’ll be an interesting call. He looks like what you want as an NFL wide receiver, he’ll beat people up for the ball, and he can move. Do you care about his lack of elite quickness? Do you care that he only averaged 11.5 yards per catch last year? If he’s not painful in the short drills, he could move up into the second round.
6. Justin Jefferson, LSU 6-2, 192 (2)
NFL Combine What Matters: Yeah, Joe Burrow was amazing, but it helped that he could throw the ball into the area of a receiver as good as Jefferson and the play would be made. He’s just the right combination of skills to be someone’s No. 1 receiver, and best of all, he’s going to be a great value at the end of the first round or early in the second … unless he blows up his workout.
NEXT: Top 5 Wide Receiver Prospects Before the 2020 NFL Combine
5. Tee Higgins, Clemson 6-4, 215 (1)
Why He’s Here On The List: This is what an NFL wide receiver looks like. Tall with a great frame, excellent smoothness, and with the production at an elite level to go along with all the hype of a superstar recruit, he turned into a devastating force over the last two seasons. In a draft – at least in the first round – full of blazing, smallish receivers, here’s your No. 1 target with size.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Just how quick is he? His deep speed and 40 will be good enough, and the scouts all know what he can do no matter how he works out, but the more sudden he can look in the short drills, the better.
Bottom Line: He averaged almost 20 yards per catch last season, led the team with 1,167 yards, and he’ll be ready to go from Day One. So what’s missing? Can he handle being beaten up a bit? He’s not the most physical of targets, but that’s nitpicking. He’s a first rounder, but an amazing workout pushes him into the top 20.
NEXT: No. 4 Pre-NFL Combine Wide Receiver
4. Laviska Shenault, Colorado 6-2, 220 (1)
Why He’s Here On The List: A dangerous playmaker of a receiver who was the best player in college football for the first half of the 2018 season before getting hurt, he’s a fascinating prospect. He doesn’t necessarily fit a set NFL wide receiver type, and he’s not necessarily a deep threat, but he’s a baller who’s one of the few prospects who could turn into a target who becomes the guy.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Does he have the raw wheels? He’s a good deep threat, but he only averaged 13.6 yards per catch last year and he’s more of a powerful tough target than a flashy speed guy. His medical evaluation will be a factor, too, after being banged up over the last two years.
Bottom Line: He’s the best combination of physical skills, quickness, and No. 1 target attitude – in a good way. If he can stay in one piece, and if he can show off a decent 40 time, he’s going to work his way into the late first round. He might not be for everyone considering where he’ll need to be drafted, but there’s a chance he becomes the best receiver in the draft.
NEXT: No. 3 Pre-NFL Combine Wide Receiver
3. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma 6-2, 189 (1)
Why He’s Here On The List: He’s not as explosive or as dangerous as Hollywood Brown – a first round pick for the Ravens last year – but he’s bigger and has more in the overall receiving toolbox. He’s not going to battle or beat people up for a pass, but get him in open spaces and he’s electric. Watch out for him to be smooth as glass in every drill.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Let’s just see that 40 time. It’ll be great, but this class has some devastating speedsters. There’s no questioning what Lamb can do, and his football speed is more than good enough, but a blistering 40 time might make him the first receiver off the board.
Bottom Line: Go ahead and fall in love with him as your No. 1 target. He’s got the hands others in the penthouse of this class are missing, and he’s got the craftiness and creativity to make big things happen whenever the ball is in his hands. He might not be as exciting as Hollywood Brown, but he’s a better prospect.
NEXT: No. 2 Pre-NFL Combine Wide Receiver
2. Henry Ruggs, Alabama 6-0, 190 (1)
Why He’s Here On The List: Be incredibly disappointed if he’s not the fastest player in Indianapolis. Be incredibly disappointed, too, if he doesn’t flirt with the 4.22 all-time 40 time. He’s got good hands and he’s not just a speed guy, but teams will want him to go for the one big home run swing per game. As a kick returner, runner, and a receiver, just get him the ball and let him go.
What The NFL Types Want To See: As strange as this might sound, how quick and fluid is he? He’s going to blaze away in the low 4.3s in the 40 – if not better – but does he have the elite quickness in the short drills, too?
Bottom Line: No, he might not be a true No. 1 alpha-target in an offense, but receives with his talent to go along with his ridiculous wheels will make him a devastating part of an already good part of a puzzle. Think a bigger Tyreek Hill and a more productive Will Fuller – he’s going to be an offensive coordinator’s Christmas morning.
NEXT: No. 1 Pre-NFL Combine Wide Receiver
1. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama 6-1, 192 (Top ten overall)
Why He’s Here On The List: If it’s possible to standout among all the NFL receiver talent Alabama was able to amass, Jeudy did it. He wasn’t quite as explosive last season as he was in 2018 when he won the Biletnikoff Award, but that’s partly because everyone was getting a turn. Talent-wise, he’s as slippery and elusive as any receiver to come out in years, he can come up with the deep ball, and he’s always, always open.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Catch everything. There were just enough drops here and there to be annoying. There isn’t anything he’ll do in the Indianapolis workout that will drop his stock, if he sucks in every pass that comes his way, he’ll cement himself as a sure-thing top ten pick, possibly top five.
Bottom Line: He’ll never be the most physical of receivers and he’ll have to produce when he’s getting pushed around a bit, but if he can be improve his hands a bit, he’s a superstar No. 1 receiver to revolve a passing game around. Get him the ball on the move and let him go.
