2016 NFL Draft Big Board: Final Wide Receiver Rankings

RS12

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1. Michael Thomas, Ohio State – 1st Round
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There’s not many aspects of the position that Thomas can’t perform at a high level, but where he separates himself is as a nuanced route runner who can get open with remarkable consistency. I think his most productive football will be ahead of him in a more pass-oriented offense.

2. Laquon Treadwell, Mississippi – 1st Round
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Not an elite athlete, but a big-bodied receiver who can win vertically and at the catch-point with strength and high-point ability. Watch out after the catch too, as Treadwell can create with elusiveness and power.

3. Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma – 1st Round
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The best route runner in the 2016 class, Shepard overcomes size concerns with exceptional quickness and the ability to separate at all levels of the field. One of my favorite players in the class.

4. Josh Doctson, TCU – 2nd Round
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Best above-the-rim receiver in this class. I worry about him against press coverage and as a complete route runner, but Doctson has the size, speed, and radius to snag high degree of difficulty catches all over the field. He’s more accurately in the late 1st/early 2nd round range for me.

5. Corey Coleman, Baylor – 2nd Round
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An athletic phenom with the wheels to burn defenses over the top, Coleman has all the tools to make this ranking look bad if he can develop more nuance to his game in a pro-style offense.

6. Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia – 2nd Round
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Mitchell has had his injury concerns, but creates separation with footwork and physicality in his routes. He’s a fiery competitor who will attack the football outside his frame and work hard after the catch.

7. Leonte Carroo, Rutgers – 3rd Round
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I’ve got no idea where to put Carroo, as his off the field issues have teams concerned, but his talent on the field is tough to argue with. He’s physical and athletic with ideal ball skills, but the character concerns slip him to round three.

8. Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh – 3rd Round
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Boyd is very similar to Keenan Allen, just not as impressive an athlete. The Pitt receiver attacks the football in the air with strong hands and runs clean routes, but his lack of short-area quickness and long speed suggest separation struggles at all levels of the field.

9. Will Fuller, Notre Dame – 3rd Round
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Fuller is a tough read in this draft class, as his exceptional deep speed allows him to hit the big play, but the rest of his game remains a work in progress. Can he become a consistent hands catcher and develop a more complete route tree? He’s a boom or bust prospect in my mind.

10. Mike Thomas, Southern Mississippi – 3rd Round
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Thomas may hail from a small school with only two years of FBS experience, but the ball skills and athleticism speak for themselves. Thomas is dangerous in the air and after the catch, and while he certainly won’t be drafted this high, I think he has the chance to be a huge steal.

11. Charone Peake, Clemson – 3rd Round
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Peake has all the tangibles (size/speed/athleticism/quickness) to outplay this ranking, but didn’t consistently produce in Clemson’s offense during his collegiate years. He’s a big receiver who plays small too often, but Peake did give Jalen Ramsey some fits, which gets me excited about his potential at the next level.

12. Braxton Miller, Ohio State – 4th Round
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I’m really high on Miller’s upside at the position, and I whole-heartedly believe in his ability to make the transition from quarterback to wide receiver in the NFL. But with just one year of experience as a pass catcher and 25 career grabs, it’s tough to put Miller much higher. He’s a great athlete with lots of nice tools, but his routes and releases are still very much a work in progress.

http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2016/04/18/2016-nfl-draft-big-board-final-wide-receiver-rankings/
 

Sydla

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If Fuller was sitting there in the 3rd round, yeah, I think I'd take him.
 

dogunwo

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Trying not to be a homer, Peake is the type of mid round receiver that Dallas targets.
 

Jake0

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I think spending one of the 4ths on Peake would be great and not be too intrusive on fixing the defense like a 2nd/3rd round WR would. Looks like a great pick to sit back for a bit but can be a good contributor pretty quickly if one of our major WRs gets hurt.
 

Verdict

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Being an OU fan, I am also a huge fan of Sheppard. He was poison to opponents in college. I am not as confident that he will be as successful in the pros. I would love for the Cowboys to get him, but I think he would be a bit of a reach in the first round. His size is a bit troublesome as well.

I won't ever root against the kid if we draft him wherever, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him be an all pro based on his prior production, but it also wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't have a great career in the pros either based on his size. I just really don't know what to think about him. I'm just trying to be objective. Nothing would please me more than to see him come here and set the world on fire.
 

DFWJC

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CowboysZone LOYAL Fan
Treadwell has the Bosa syndrome going with some analysts lately.
Over analysis where the production starts to get over-looked by the Underwear Olympics.
 
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