An injury cut Owens incredible 2017 season short and cost him more postseason attention. He’s a 3-year, consistent performer, despite drawing top coverage and being the focus of the team’s offense. 21 TDs in 31 games 59/887 6 TD in 9 games during 2017.
WR Richie James An excellent slot receiver with open-field skills of a returner. Has the occasional concentration drop but, when on, he’s all over the field and determined to get in the end zone. Has two 100+ catch seasons, 3803 scrimmage yards and 28 TDs in just 31 games.
WR Anthony Miller, Memphis Probably the closest thing to Antonio Brown you could ever see, from the chip on the shoulder to the desire to be great and the willingness to work like mad to make that happen. He’s not just a WR playing football, he’s a football player playing WR. Voted most likely to spend every day of the offseason catching 1000 footballs from a Juggs machine and working with Ochocino on footwork drills.
WR Richie James, Middle Tennessee State Has traits of a great slot receiver, with potential to work on the outside, as well. He wins by exploding out of his breaks to create separation and by never being satisfied with catching the ball and going down. Very determined runner after the catch.
WR Jonah Trinnaman, Brigham Young Call me crazy, but I see a speed freak with a history of success in Juco who was woefully underused by a BYU team whose QB personifies the “1st read and take off” school of QB play. When they did use him, showed incredible vertical speed (4.25 40 at pro day) and also ability to make a lot out of even telegraphed screens and short passes. All I know is: he was wide open (and occasionally waving his arms in the air) frequently on plays where his QB couldn’t get him the ball. Just seems like a Tyreek Hill type of weapon that will scare the pants off of a D Coordinator, because he can run right past your coverage.
WR Michael Gallup, Colorado State Does a good job of using his size and footwork to get body position and give the QB throwing windows. Has some issues with catching cleanly but he can get open and make plays.
WR Daurice Fountain, Northern Iowa Not spectacular at anything, but he really grows on you. Wins by high pointing the ball and just has the flow of an easy runner. You don’t have to use too much imagination to see him playing on Sundays
WR Tre’Quan Smith, Central Florida Prototypical NFL build and, although not the quickest out of breaks, finds room underneath and on in-breaking routes because of his ability to get behind the defense. Also great ability to adjust to deep throws and to win ball in the air. The occasional concentration drop and lack of elite quicks are the only thing keeping from from being a day 2 pick, but he’s relatively new to football and still has potential to get better.
WR Marquez Valddes-Scantling, South Florida He’s a tall, lanky receiver who has 4.37 speed to burn. A very tough cover on the deep ball, and if you allow him to get in a footrace on a short run and catch, you don’t have anybody who can catch him.
WR Troy Pellitier, Lehigh really great hands on a bigger receiver with excellent body control.
WR Jaelon Acklin, Western Illinois Acklin is a unique WR in this class. He’s very quick and runs routes that get him open, but he also makes a ton of contested catches with his ball adjustments and vertical game. The thing that really pops out on tape, though, is his toughness. He catches the ball over the middle and gets drilled… mind you, he’s a pretty slender 6012, 185lb. That kind of combined skill set gives him a great shot to succeed going forward.
WR Steven Dunbar, Houston Played bigger and faster than he is, frequently outmuscling defenders for the football. Has a little ‘dog’ in him, a la Anquan Boldin.
WR Greg Linell, Houston Great catch radius and sure hands with decent size make him an effective possession type wideout. Often was the go-to guy who had to make tough catches to move the chains and score in the red zone.
WR Malik Earl, Missouri State Another big-bodied, athletic pass-catcher with speed and elusive YAC skills. Ho-hum. College football is just churning out guys like this right now, but he deserves more attention.
WR Vincynt Smith, Limestone Special shout out to a player that went to the inaugural year of a college football program, helped build it into a very successful winner, and then had an elite pro day workout (ran 4.36 at 6’3″, 195lbs.) and is going to get himself in an NFL camp next month.