Rankings and quick lookaheads of all the wide receiver prospects invited to the 2019 NFL Combine.
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2019 NFL Wide Receiver Combine Workout: Saturday, March 2
Here we go with the 2019 NFL Combine, with all the breakdowns and analysis of every positive and negative for all of the top prospects. This isn’t that hard. Just simplify it – who can play football well enough to make an impact at the next level?
The bigger breakdowns will come before the NFL Draft, but for now – again, from the college perspective – here are the pre-combine rankings for all of the wide receivers invited to the big workout.
Before getting into the top five breakdown, here’s a ranking of the best of the rest.
2019 Pre-NFL Combine Wide Receiver Best of the Rest Rankings
Number in parentheses is the projected round drafted pre-NFL Combine.
49. Nyqwan Murray, Florida State 5-10, 176 (7 FA)
The speed and quickness are there to think there’s something potentially great with the right offense and quarterback. He’s way too small and he didn’t do enough at FSU, but he’ll get a tryout for someone in the slot.
48. Hunter Renfrow, Clemson 5-10, 180 (6)
The true definition of a possession receiver, he has the hands, and he runs amazing routes, but there’s no deep aspect to his game. He’ll get drafted late by someone hoping for a limited but reliable third down target.
47. Gary Jennings, West Virginia 6-1, 214 (7 FA)
Always seen as the second-fiddle next to David Sills, he still put up massive numbers with 97 catches in 2017 and 13 touchdowns last season. If he makes a team, it will be as a mid-range slot target who won’t come up with too many big plays – the NFL tools aren’t there.
46. Olabisi Johnson, Colorado State 6-0, 190 (7 FA)
A decent deep threat with good quickness, he caught 125 career passes for over 2,000 yards. However, he’s not a big-time scorer and he has to make a team as a return man.
45. DaMarkus Lodge, Ole Miss 6-2, 194 (7 FA)
The former Texas Longhorn came up with a strong 65 catch season despite being the third guy in the receiving mix on a loaded Rebel receiving corps. He’s got great size and looks the part, but he’s got average functional speed.
44. Emmanuel Butler, Northern Arizona 6-3. 216 (7 FA)
There isn’t enough speed to go along with his great size, but he’ll battle for passes and he was able to get deep on the lower level. He’s worth a flier on his body type alone.
43. Jovon Durante, Florida Atlantic 6-, 165 (7 FA)
The West Virginia transfer came up with a nice season at Florida Atlantic – 65 catches for 873 yards and five scores – but he doesn’t have the body type and he’ll be erased by physical corners. He can move, though.
42. Dillon Mitchell, Oregon 6-2, 189 (6)
The star target for Justin Herbert, he blew up with a strong 75-catch, 10-touchdown season, but does he have the NFL tools? He’s a good versatile option who can do a little of everything, but is he fast enough? Does he have anything that stands out?
41. Terry McLaurin, Ohio State 6-0, 202 (5)
He didn’t do too much among the gaggle of talented Ohio State receivers, but he’s got nice size and he’s tough enough to battle for passes his way. However, he’ll likely have to make a team as a special teamer and grow into a No. 3 target.
40. Ryan Davis, Auburn 6-0, 181 (7 FA)
A quick slot target who didn’t do enough with the ball in his hands and didn’t stretch the field, he was a solid volume catcher on short-range passes. There isn’t enough special about his game to get fired up, but he’ll be reliable.
39. Jamarius Way, South Alabama 6-3, 215 (7 FA)
A nice player over his two years at USA with 108 catches and 11 scores, he’ll have to make a roster on his size and his physical play. He’s not going to do much as a deep threat and the speed isn’t there. Even more, he needs a ton of polish.
38. Jazz Ferguson, Northwestern State 6-5, 223 (7 FA)
The size is great and the talent is there as a home run hitter for Northwestern State, but he was a former LSU Tiger thanks to academic issues and a failed drug test. He’s too good not to take with a late round draft pick.
37. Felton Davis, Michigan State 6-3, 203 (6)
Reliable, big, and tough when the ball is in the air, he might not be a wow guy, but he’s the type of target quarterbacks like on third downs. However, he has to get back after an Achilles tendon injury that knocked him out midway through last year.
36. Cody Thompson, Toledo 6-1, 205 (7 FA)
A deep threat target who averaged over 18 yards per catch and was able to stretch the field well, he plays better than his tools. The medical evaluation is the key after suffering a broken leg two years ago, but he was okay last season.
35. Johnnie Dixon, Ohio State 5-11, 198 (7 FA)
A quick target with the upside to serve as a No. 3 receiver and deep threat, he’s not going to be a volume catcher, but he might be able to find a role as a field stretcher. His workouts will be terrific.
34. Ashton Dulin, Malone University 6-1, 202 (7 FA)
He’ll start out being seen as a third receiver and a kick returner, and he could turn out to be a fantasy star with a little bit of time. Explosive, he’s got all the measurables and should blow up the Combine with his tools and skills.
33. Terry Godwin, Georgia 5-11, 168 (7 FA)
A very nice all-around receiver, he’s not big enough, and his tools aren’t amazing, but he does everything right, he has nice hands, and there’s a whole lot of polish to his game. He’s versatile enough to play in a variety of roles.
32. Alex Wesley, Northern Colorado 6-0, 190 (7 FA)
Literal track star speed, he’s a sprinter who translated the wheels to the field two 1,000-yard seasons. He’s not big, and he’s purely a deep threat specialist, but he’ll be worth a long look in a camp.
31. Jaylen Smith, Louisville 6-2, 227 (5)
Blow off what happened last year when he struggled with mediocre quarterback play. The size is great and he can work anywhere, but he might get the “just a guy” tag in a deep group of targets. The pieces are there, though, to give him a flier shot in the late rounds.
30. Jamal Custis, Syracuse 6-5, 213 (7 FA)
After doing next to nothing for three seasons, he cranked up a 51-catch season averaging close to 18 yards per grab. With his massive size and deep threat ability, he’s worth a long look, even if he’s still a flier. The size and athleticism alone will get him on a roster.
29. Tyre Brady, Marshall 6-3, 206 (6)
A tough, physical receiver who’ll beat up corners for mid-range plays, but he’s not going to take the top off a defense. There’s a whole lot to work on technique-wise, and he has to be more consistent, but in this class he’s a different sort of option because of his physicality.
28. Travis Fulgham, Old Dominion 6-2, 214 (5)
No big whoop for three years, he blew up as a senior with a surprising 1,083-yard season with nine scores. He’s a tough target who battles well, but he’s missing the separation speed and next-level tools.
27. Stanley Morgan, Nebraska 6-1, 195 (6)
While he might not be all that big, he’s got the fight, the deep threat ability, and the skills to be a bit of an afterthought of a pick, and then hang around. He’s got NFL talent with all the right abilities, but there’s nothing special about his game or his tools.
26. Greg Dortch, Wake Forest 5-9, 165 (6)
A small volume catcher who’ll take a beating and keep popping up and producing. Ultra-quick as an inside receiver or a return man, he’s going to find a role somewhere and produce right away as a late-round flier. New England, he fits you perfectly.
25. Keelan Doss, UC Davis 6-3, 204 (5)
No, he’s not going to blow up the workout circuit, but he’s a rock-solid football player who’ll be an afterthought pick who slides into a camp and turns out to be an impossible cut. Put him on a team like Green Bay with a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers and he’s a deadly No. 3 guy who does everything right.
24, Penny Hart, Georgia State (Not Invited To Combine) 5-8, 180 (5)
He wasn’t invited to the Combine, but he’ll make a team as a jack-of-all-trades return man and slot receiver. Good luck covering him in open space, and for his size, he’s a tough volume receiver who roared when the quarterback play was okay.
23. David Sills, West Virginia 6-4, 204 (4)
A whole lot of fun to watch in the Mountaineer offense, he’s a tall target with great hands and the ability to go grab the ball anywhere it’s thrown at him. He’s smooth, knows how to get open and comes up with big plays at big moments – 33 touchdowns in the last two years – but he doesn’t have the next-level athleticism to be special.
22. Jalen Hurd, Baylor 6-4, 228 (4)
What are you going to do with him? The former Tennessee running back is a big receiver who’s more like a tweener H-Back. He’ll be used in a variety of ways by someone with a special combination of size and athleticism, but he needs time and polish.
21. Jakobi Meyers, NC State 6-2, 203 (4)
The No. 2 guy in the system next to Kelvin Harmon in terms of hype and press, the big, tough Meyers still turned into a top-target with 92 catches last season. He’s not going to be a field stretcher, but he has the upside to grow into a reliable chain-mover on a team full of smallish quick targets.
NEXT: 2019 NFL Combine Wide Receiver Best of the Rest Rankings, Top 20
2019 NFL Combine Wide Receiver Best of the Rest Rankings, Top 20
20. Diontae Johnson, Toledo 5-11, 181 (4)
With special return skills and explosive skills with the ball in his hands, he’ll find a role somewhere as a must-get pick just outside of the top 100. Ultra-quick, he should blow up the workout circuit and overcome his lack of raw bulk.
19. Darius Slayton, Auburn 6-1, 190 (4)
He might slip through the draft class and be a mid-round pick – and about the 15thish receiver taken – but he can fly, he’s a home run hitter, and he should be a lot better as a pro than he was in college. Even when he was just okay, he averaged over 20 yards per catch.
18. Miles Boykin, Notre Dame 6-4, 228 (4)
It took a few years to blossom – and a better-throwing quarterback – and then it all came together with a strong 59-catch, 872-yard, 8 TD season. He has to use his bulk a whole lot better, and he needs more polish, but he’s built to be a tough No. 2 guy.
17. KeeSean Johnson, Fresno State 6-2, 200 (4)
Fantastic over a strong four-year career, he didn’t explode for too many big plays, but he caught 275 passes for close to 3,500 yards. No, he’s no Davante Adams, but but he’s a fighter with a good frame and a No. 1 receiver attitude. The raw wheels aren’t there, but he’ll start.
16. Mecole Hardman, Georgia 5-11, 183 (3)
FAST, fast, and more fast. He might not be an elite wide receiver talent, and he had an okay college career with just 60 catches in three seasons, but he’s the epitome of the take-top-off-a-D talent. He’ll never be a No. 1 guy, but he can be a 40-catch, 20+-yard average guy.
15. Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Texas 6-4, 210 (4)
It took a bit to get there, but Humphrey turned into a terrific all-around receiver with an 86-catch season with nine scores before leaving early. He doesn’t have special speed, but he’s got the size and the No. 1 receiver all-around ability. He’ll be a mid-range target, but a good one.
14. Emanuel Hall, Missouri 6-2, 201 (3)
He’s not going to be for everyone, and he’s not going to be a No. 1 target who catches 100 passes, but put him on the outside and he’ll fly for the deep ball. The size is good enough, but it’ll be his raw speed – averaging over 23 yards per grab over the last two years – that gets him a roster spot.
13. Riley Ridley, Georgia 6-1, 199 (2)
He’s not like his brother, Calvin. He’s more physical and not quite as athletic or good at getting open. He’ll hit, and he’ll battle for everything as a strong pass catcher as well as a blocker. He’s not going to blow up with big plays, but he’ll be a nice starter who coaches will fall in love with.
12. Hakeem Butler, Iowa State 6-5, 227 (2)
Nah, he’s not going to fly through the workouts, and there’s little wiggle to his game, but he averaged 22 yards per catch last year, and he’s a big body target who creates matchup nightmares. Got as a sophomore, the team needed him to step up into a No. 1 role last season, and he more than came through.
11. Deebo Samuel, South Carolina 5-11, 214 (2)
A superfun player who balls out hard for every play, he’s a dangerous playmaker no matter how he gets the ball in his hands. He can be used as a kick returner, a runner, and in just about any receiver position even though he’s built like a running back.
10. Anthony Johnson, Buffalo 6-2, 209 (3)
A nicely kept secret in the MAC world over the last two seasons, he caught 133 passes for 2,367 yards and 25 scores as one of college football’s top all-around playmakers. He got the all-around skills and tools, but he’s missing the elite speed. Everything else is there.
9. Kelvin Harmon, NC State 6-2, 221 (2)
Purely a good receiver who’s better than his speed and athleticism, he’s got the hands, he knows how to get open, and he’s fantastic a finding his way to the ball. He might be limited by his lack of raw speed, but he’s going to be as reliable and steady as they come.
8. JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford 6-2, 225 (2)
Not quite as big as he seemed or played – measuring in at just 6-2 – but he beats up everyone for the deep ball and he can jump out of the stadium when he has to go up and get it. He’ll figure out all the little nuances and not just be a deep guy, and he’ll be deadly around the goal line.
7. Andy Isabella, UMass 5-9, 188 (4)
He’s too small, he didn’t play at a Power Five school, and he’ll have problems with the tougher corners, but he’s a big-time speedster who catches lots and LOTS of passes, making 229 grabs for 3,519 yards and 30 scores over the last three years. He’ll slide because of his size, but he’ll be in the league for a long, long time as a slot receiver.
6. Antoine Wesley, Texas Tech 6-4, 206 (5)
He rose up and grabbed the No. 1 receiver role in the Red Raider offense, catching 88 passes in his junior year. The size and hands are terrific, with the ability to grab anything that comes within a mile of him. The speed isn’t there, but everything else is.
NEXT: Top 5 Wide Receiver Prospects at the NFL Combine
5. N’Keal Harry, Arizona State 6-2, 228 (2)
Career Statistics: 213 catches, 2,889 yards (13.6 ypc), 22 TDs, 23 carries for 144 yards, 3 TD
Why N’Keal Harry Is Here On The List: One of the tougher receivers in the draft, he doesn’t quite have the right body type, and he’s not going to rock anyone with his speed, but he’s as good a pure receiver as there is this draft.
He’s never afraid to blast away as a blocker, he’ll beat up corners for a play, and he’s nasty to bring down once he gets the ball in his hands. He might not have No. 1 receiver tools, but he has the main man mentality and he’ll be a volume catcher who always comes up the big grab when needed and will keep the chains moving.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Does he have any quickness? How lumbering is he? He’ll never get open on a regular basis, and faster, more athletic corners will stick to him like glue, but if he can show a little bit with his feet, that will be enough to make him a sure-thing top 50 pick.
Bottom Line: Did you like Anquan Boldin? Here you go. Tough, built, nasty, slow, and very, very, very productive, that’s what Boldin was in a terrific career, and that’s what Harry will be as the type of receiver you want on your side. A quarterback is going to fall in love with him.
NEXT: No. 4 NFL Combine Wide Receiver
4. Parris Campbell, Ohio State 6-0, 205 (2)
Career Statistics: 143 catches, 1,768 yards (12.4 ypc), 15 TDs, 23 carries for 210 yards and 2 TDs
Why Parris Campbell Is Here On The List: If he’s not the fastest receiver in the draft, he’ll be close enough to matter. Built well and blazing fast, he’s a do-it-all playmaker who just needs to get the ball in his hands and he’ll make something terrific happen.
There weren’t enough big plays averaging just over 12 yards per play, but he had his share of highlights to blow up in big moments. His 90 catches for 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns last season showed off his volume-catching ability as he finally blew up as a senior, and now the sky is the limit.
With his speed, there’s a good chance he turns into better, stronger, more dangerous receiver at the next level – and he wasn’t all that bad as a collegian, either.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Just how sharp is he on the routes? It’s sort of silly to make a sweeping judgment on one Combine workout, but if he’s ultra-quick compared to the rest of the receiver in the drills, and if he comes up with the sub-4.4 everyone thinks he’ll have in the 40, the first round is a possibility.
Bottom Line: Even if he’s just a deep threat, he’ll be a brilliant one. It seems like he’s just scratching the surface on what he can become, with the fight and want-to to improve, the talent to go from great to special, and the unteachable speed that should make him special with a little bit more time and seasoning.
NEXT: No. 3 NFL Combine Wide Receiver
3. A.J. Brown, Ole Miss 6-0, 226 (1)
Career Statistics: 189 catches, 2,984 yards (15.8 ypc), 19 TDs
Why A.J. Brown Is Here On The List: The talent is there, but the body type isn’t quite what some might like.
He measured at a smallish 6-0, but he uses his 226 pounds well with a physical style that give corners a nightmare of a time, and with just enough speed to come up with big plays with the ball in his hands.
Expect him to be more of a reliable mid-range receiver than a deep ball home-run hitter, but he’ll catch passes in bunches and he’ll always work his way to get open. He’s a craftsman who looks and plays the part on the field – there’s very little work to do and there’s little wasted motion to his game.
What The NFL Types Want To See: The 40 time matters. His style isn’t about speed, so it’s not a killer if he’s in the 4.7ish range, but anything truly awful knocks him down several spots. Expect him to be around 4.5 to go along with his bulk and power style – that will be enough.
Bottom Line: All of the traits of being a franchise receiver are there, and he might just be the first one off the board going somewhere in the top 15. He’s got the right combination of reliability and potential time-to-time home run-hitting skills. There’s little bust potential for him with perennial Pro Bowl talent.
NEXT: No. 2 NFL Combine Wide Receiver
2. Marquise Brown, Oklahoma 5-9, 166 (1)
Career Statistics: 132 catches, 2,413 yards (18.3 ypc), 17 TDs
Why Marquise Brown Is Here On The List: Way too small, and way too wispy, he has earned the Hollywood nickname with flash-of-lightning quickness and playmaking ability in the open field.
He’s got the deep speed, he’ll rip apart everyone on the move, and he’ll scare the hell out of every secondary and every defensive coordinator. Don’t expect him to block, and he’ll be erased whenever anyone lays a hand on him, but he’s a big-time competitor with the fire and attitude to match the game.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Really, how quick is he? He’s a first rounder without question, but with his size he might end up going around the late 20s. If he’s just that fast and looks the part of being that much more athletic and quick than everyone else, hey might grow into a top 15 pick.
Bottom Line: You know what you’re getting. He’s among the most exciting players in the draft, he’ll be a devastating No. 2 guy, and he’ll instantly energize a fan base, an offense, and make a quarterback very, very happy. He’s not going to be a franchise target, but for those fantasy types who care about long touchdown passes and yards per catch, he’ll be a must-have.
NEXT: No. 1 NFL Combine Wide Receiver
1. D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss 6-3, 228 (1)
Career Statistics: 67 catches, 1,228 yards (18.3 ypc), 14 TDs
Why D.K. Metcalf Is Here On The List: If he can somehow stay healthy, look … out.
That’s a big, giant if, though, that might knock him down late in the first round after he missed part of last year with a neck injury and with a foot problem early on in his Ole Miss career. If he’s right and if he can stay in one piece, the superstar tools are there to be a devastating franchise No. 1 guy.
You want size? He’s built out of central casting with serious toughness and power – he’s a matchup problem. The speed is there to go along with the size, with the potential to blow up the workout circuit with a terrific 40 time. He needs a whole lot of polish, coaching, and tweaking, but he’s just too special an all-around prospect.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Does he have the sharpness and route-running ability to go along with the size and the straight line speed? How is his neck and is he going to be a problem with his health conditions from the past three years?
Bottom Line: It’s a little scary to put him ahead of guys who were far better and far more productive in college, but players with his upside are rare. If it all comes together and he can progress a little more – and if he can be a sharper route runner – he has the upside to be too unstoppable to ignore.
