Top 5 Wide Receivers Matthew Lewis Edition
With the 2023 NFL Draft around the corner, it is time to take a look at the top prospects at different draft positions. In this report, I am going to talk about my top 5 wide receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft.
1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Ohio State
Going into this season, I had Jaxon Smith-Njigba ranked as my number-one receiver in the nation. Even though he only played 3 games in the 2022 season, he remains in the number one position. He is an elite route runner who knows how to shake defenders using his blend of speed and elusiveness. Smith-Njigba is also very quick off the snap and can quickly gain leverage on the defender by manipulating their hips. Once he shakes them, he can use his athleticism to create space and be open for an easy reception. Whoever drafts Jaxon is getting a player with uncapped potential and production.
2. Quentin Johnston – TCU
Out of every wide receiver in my top five, Johnston is the only one with above-average size. At the Combine, he officially measured at 6’3″ and weighed 208 lbs. This size allows him to use his physicality to make plays all over the field. Although he is a bigger receiver, he has the necessary speed needed to get open. When lined up against soft coverage, he displays good foot speed and agility to quickly stem his route. While doing so, he can attack the opposing DB and forcing them to flip their hips prematurely.
When the ball is thrown his way, he uses his strong hands to make the grab anywhere around his frame. Additionally, ff he is working up the middle of the field, he shows good concentration to make catches in congested areas. The only major concern that I have is that while at TCU, he had a very limited route tree.
3. Zay Flowers – Boston College
Of the top 5 receivers listed here, Flowers is the most intriguing one to me. Flowers has amazing play speed and is able to use it to his advantage all over the field. When the ball is snapped, Zay does a good job of getting off the line quickly. Against soft coverage, he is able to quickly separate from defenders on speed routes. Once he reaches the peak of his route stem, Flowers can effortlessly stop on a dime. Then, he sinks his hips and explodes off his outside foot to take off in another direction.
Although he lacks size, he has very good ball skills and is able to make plays at any level. Finally, when he has the ball in his hands, he is almost impossible to bring down because of how slippery he is. If you want to see what I am talking about, go watch his highlights from last season.
4. Jordan Addison – USC
Although I have Addison listed as my number 4 receiver, he may be the best route runner. Immediately after the snap, Addison does a good job of attacking DBs in press coverage. He does this by using his agility to fight through the contact and stem his route. At the top of his route stem, he has a good double move that allows him to shake defenders and leave them behind. When he changes direction, he shows good acceleration to gain separation in the middle of the field. Additionally, Addison is good at shedding tackles in open field due to his elusiveness and balance.
5. Josh Downs – North Carolina
I know this one may be a little shocking because other analysts don’t have Downs in their top 5 wide receivers list. When the ball is thrown his way, he shows amazing body control and grip strength to make the catch outside of his frame. Then when he has the ball in his hands, he is very good at racking up yards after the catch. According to PFF, during the 2022 season alone, Downs had 375 total yards after the catch. He is able to rack up this many yards because of his ability to change directions on a dime. Then once he changes direction, he is able to explode off his outside foot and leave defenders in the dust.
