There is a growing movement in the Dynasty community toward “devy” players. The term “devy” refers to developmental players carried on the dynasty league rosters. These devy players are usually college players but can even be high school athletes. Each week, we will look at a different set of devy rankings.
A talented young wide receiver with solid routes and ball skills should see his star rise as much as the top players at any other position. Dez Bryant was as easy to determine stardom as Adrian Peterson. It is the players who are a little smaller or slower which separate the better evaluator from the lesser ones. Think of the star NFL receivers, about half fall into the latter category. Players like Antonio Brown, Steve Smith, and Julian Edelman were discovered and developed. Also, consider that players mature at different rates. This is why Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas landed at Georgia Tech. Each has improved greatly since leaving college. So, in this article, we will look for traits which should translate to the NFL.
This series of articles focuses on players who should be considered on their respective NFL prospects not college production. In this article, we will take a look at the top wide receiver prospects who will be eligible for the 2018 NFL Draft. Also, keep in mind that one or more of the receivers eligible to turn pro when eligible will actually stay in school.
5. Tyron Johnson (LSU) – The true Freshman has seen his playing time increase of late. After Travin Dural was injured in the first half on Saturday, Johnson played almost every down the remainder of the contest against Ole Miss. He was able to shake loose and make big plays, including catching a touchdown on broken coverage. Making plays after the catch is one of Johnson's strengths. The 6'1”, 190-pound youngster was a big prospect for coach Les Miles to keep in state. Some recruiting services had Johnson has high as the WR2 in the country coming out of high school. In addition, USA Today had Johnson as First Team All USA. LSU is stacked at the receiver position with Malachi Dupre, Dural, and Johnson.
4. Calvin Ridley (Florida State) – Ridley has enjoyed an impressive Freshman season. The 6'0”, 180-pound Freshman has taken over the WR1 duties for the Crimson Tide. We expect Ridley to continue to add bulk to his slight frame. He is a dangerous receiver down the field and with the ball in his hands. But, Ridley has impressed most with his ability to win contested passes. He has an impressive ability to high-point the ball and aggressively attack it. This is a trait which will translate well in the NFL. For those who track the age of the incoming rookies, Ridley is one year older than most of these receivers, and two years older than one or two (e.g., Kirk Merritt – see below). The age is a concern if looked at in the context that his ceiling might not be as high as an 18-year old incoming Freshman. He still is a great prospect nonetheless.
3. Deon Cain (Clemson) – Many people who follow and write about college recruiting had Cain as one of the top players in the entire class. The former high school quarterback has been clocked at 4.44 40-yard dash. For Clemson, Cain has emerged the past few games to fill the void of Mike Williams, who was lost for the season after suffering a broken neck. Cain is a physically impressive player (6'1”, 210 pounds), with great speed, and is learning how to become a star at the receiver position. The top-ranked Clemson Tigers will need Cain's play-making ability in the playoffs. He is the wide receiver star who is building buzz nationally.
2. DeMarkus Lodge (Mississippi) – Lodge was a superstar in high school. He has just one reception this season for the true Freshman. The youngster has great size (6'2”, 184 pounds) and is a polished receiver. Lodge is great in the air and is very athletic. He is not as fast as many would hope, but has a bright future. Ole Miss has Laquon Treadwell and Quincy Adeboyejo (Lodge's high school teammate) locked in as starters. It might be 2016 before Lodge emerges as a starter.
1. Christian Kirk (Texas A&M) – Many discounted Kirk due to his smallish frame (5'11, 190 pounds), but the true Freshman has been the best receiver for the Aggies this season. He played wide receiver, running back, kick returner, and defensive back in high school. Kirk is an elite athlete. His quickness allows Kirk to get open with ease, even against strong defenses. He will top the 1,000-yard mark this season, which is quite an accomplishment. As a high school Senior, Kirk ran for 1,700 yards and added another 1,200 more yards receiving.
Honorable Mention
Trent Irwin (Stanford) – Irwin has been slow to gain steam in college. He was highly regarded coming out of Hart (California). Rivals had Irwin as the 31st-best recruit in the nation. The 6'1”, 199-pounder was a Parade All-America First Team. Like many of the prospects below, we have to rely on the recruiting profiles since playing time has been minimal.
Kirk Merritt (Oregon) – The 5'11”, 206-pound true Freshman is small but fast. He runs the 40-yard dash in the 4.4s. Merritt played running back and receiver in high school We expect Oregon to be a perfect marriage for Merritt's open-field moves. The Ducks offense will find a way to utilize Merritt's top-notch speed as well as outstanding quickness and ability to change directions in the open field. Merritt is not tall, but is thickly built and could mature into a NFL body. His ceiling is very high due to the speed and play-making ability.
Terry Godwin (Georgia) – Godwin is a local kid from Hogansville, GA. He has a smaller frame (5'11”, 180 pounds), but was PrepStar's 14th best player nationally coming out of high school. Scout.com had Godwin as WR6 in the country. Godwin's future is bright and we expect him to burst onto the scene in 2016.
George Campbell (Florida State) – Campbell is from Florida powerhouse East Lake Clearwater, FL. and was a big-time prospect for Florida State to keep in state. Campbell is big (6'4”, 190 pounds), fast (4.36 40-yard dash) and very athletic. ESPN had this in Campbell's recruiting file, "Campbell is an ultra-versatile and athletic prospect with great speed and rare athleticism and ball skills for a player with his height and length … Projects to be a wide receiver or a back-seven defender at the college level but really could develop at a variety of positions and that might be dictated by his continued physical development." Imagine the athletic ability to be a top prospect at both receiver and cornerback. Add in strong ball skills, and it is easy to like Campbell's future. He originally signed with Michigan but decided to stay in Florida.
Ray-Ray McCloud (Clemson) – The 5'9, 180-pound dynamic player has missed action with a recent knee injury. McCloud has been able to make plays on the explosive Clemson offense. The Tigers are deep at the receiver position (even with the Mike Williams injury) which will keep McCloud under the radar for many. Do not allow McCloud's size to fool you. He was Rivals 23rd-ranked player overall, and WR2 in the class. McCloud played running back in high school and is still learning the nuances of the receiver position. Look for him to emerge next season after one year in the Clemson program.
Miles Boykin (Notre Dame) – Boykin is a big true Freshman wide receiver. He has a 6'4”, 215-pound frame. But, the big receiver was clocked at 4.51 in the 40-yard dash two summers ago at a Nike camp. That is fast for such a big receiver. Boykin was not as highly recruited as many of the receivers above but is a solid NFL prospect. There is a chance that Boykin will add bulk to his big frame and transition to the tight end position. This might give him the easiest path to stardom. Notre Dame has several very good wide receivers (e.g., Fuller, Robinson, etc) and could use a play-maker at tight end.
That will do it for the 2018 Wide Receiver Draft Class. Next week, we will look at the top overall players of the 2018 Draft Class.
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