Wide Receiver Rankings 2021 NFL Draft

WIDE RECEIVER RANKING 2021 NFL DRAFT

The 2021 NFL Draft class is crowded with quality NFL wide receiver prospects and on par with recent exceptional classes, with five players worthy of first-round grades on our draft board. The main debate is at the top, where Alabama’s DeVonta Smith and LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase are battling to be the best and thus first receiver taken.

 

Smith became the first non-quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy since 2015 and helped lead Alabama to another college national championship - most consider his 2020 performance the best by any college player this season. Despite this, he is ranked #2 on our board, with the more freakish athlete Chase slightly ahead.

 

It would be a major surprise if at least three weren't taken in the first half of the draft. The group is rounded out with several other blue-chip prospects, Jaylen Waddle, Rondale Moore, and Rashod Bateman, all worthy of eventual NFL starting roles.

SHARE:
LAST UPDATED: 12/16/2024

Player Rankings - Wide Receiver

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
83

WR
Renard
Bell

5-8 165lbs 4.52
WR
Washington State   Mascot
Washington State Mascot
165lbs 5-8 4.52 179
53.0
Balanced, savvy route runner with top field awareness, setting up and selling routes beautifully. Often used on deep routes, getting...
8

WR
Tutu
Atwell

5-9 165lbs 4.42
WR
LAR   Mascot
LAR Mascot
165lbs 5-9 4.42 12 81.6
86.0
A tiny receiver (just 5'9") Tutu joins a large and talented crop of WR prospects in this year's draft. After a breakout year in 2019 he had...
1

WR
DeVonta
Smith

6-0 170lbs 4.48
WR
PHI         Mascot
PHI       Mascot
170lbs 6-0 4.48 72 211.5
93.0
102

WR
JD
Spielman

5-9 173lbs 4.45
WR
TCU   Mascot
TCU Mascot
173lbs 5-9 4.45 86 701
41.0
Often used on deep routes, getting separation down the sideline or over the middle on crossing routes by extending his arms rather than...
28

WR
Jaelon
Darden

5-9 174lbs 4.48
WR
TB   Mascot
TB Mascot
174lbs 5-9 4.48 34 206.2
65.0
Often used on deep routes, getting separation down the sideline or over the middle on crossing routes by extending his arms rather than...
64

WR
DeAngelo
Wilson

5-9 175lbs 4.58
WR
Western Kentucky   Mascot
Western Kentucky Mascot
175lbs 5-9 4.58 169
56.0
Does not have exceptional straight-line speed but takes advantage of open seams when his quarterback is on target. Balanced, savvy route...
51

WR
Savon
Scarver

5-11 175lbs 4.48
WR
Utah State   Mascot
Utah State Mascot
175lbs 5-11 4.48 117 777
60.0
Balanced, savvy route runner with top field awareness, setting up and selling routes beautifully. Often used on deep routes, getting...
15

WR
Ihmir
Smith-Marset...

6-1 179lbs 4.43
WR
MIN   Mascot
MIN Mascot
179lbs 6-1 4.43 17 111.7
77.0
Has a knack for getting open and is a quarterback's best friend - passers just need to toss the ball in his area and he'll come down...
20

WR
Anthony
Schwartz

6-0 179lbs 4.26
WR
CLE   Mascot
CLE Mascot
179lbs 6-0 4.26 22 138
70.0
Compared to 2020 first-round pick Henry Ruggs. As a high school player in 2018, Schwartz enjoyed the title of the Gatorade National Boys...
81

WR
Jaron
Woodyard

5-11 180lbs 4.48
WR
Marshall   Mascot
Marshall Mascot
180lbs 5-11 4.48 173
53.0
Balanced, savvy route runner with top field awareness, setting up and selling routes beautifully. Has a knack for getting open and is a...
32

WR
Tre
Walker

5-11 180lbs 4.46
WR
BUF   Mascot
BUF Mascot
180lbs 5-11 4.46 87 538
65.0
A savvy, natural pass-catcher with reliable hands and very good focus. Snatches the ball out of the air and shows the concentration to...
99

WR
Tre
Nixon

6-2 180lbs 4.44
WR
NE   Mascot
NE Mascot
180lbs 6-2 4.44 64 303.7
30.0
Plays fast and confident. Covers a lot of ground in the short half of the field and is slippery after the catch. Balanced, savvy route...

2021 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Wide Receiver

We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.

For a much improved viewing experience (with more players) please view on a larger screen.

2021 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Wide Receiver

We've compared players 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.