2019 NFL Draft: BTD’s Favorites - Wide Receivers

With the 2019 NFL Draft sitting just over a week away, we decided to take a look at some of our favorite prospects in the upcoming selection process from each different position group. Starting with defensive backs and ending with quarterbacks on Wednesday (the day before the 2019 NFL Draft begins), we’ll highlight some new players each day that we think you should keep an eye on.

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The_Coach: N’Keal Harry (Arizona State)

The highlight reel of N’Keal Harry’s college career would include a bevy of improbable, one-handed grabs that are just flashes of what the 6’ 2”, 230-pound receiver can bring to an NFL roster. While Harry is best known for his natural ball-catching abilities and big-time play-making skills downfield, his ability to find holes in coverages and overpower defensive backs with his mix of size and toughness turns him into a legitimate pro prospect. The fact that Harry also posted 4.53 forty-yard dash time completes the depth of his all-around skill-set with top-level speed as well.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Andrew Provencher: DK Metcalf (Ole Miss)

DK Metcalf isn’t fair. His rare combination of size and speed is a true trump card that should have NFL GMs salivating. He stands at 6’3”, weighs 228 pounds, and benched 27 reps at the combine. That size and strength is rare on it’s own; when you add in his 4.33 40 yard dash and 40.5” vertical leap you have a truly special prospect. The best comparison for Metcalf is Josh Gordon but bigger.

Metcalf is also a player that has been and will continue to be nitpicked by many draft analysts. He’s not a perfect, polished WR prospect by any means. He had a limited route tree in college, posted terrible agility scores at the combine, and has suffered from injuries in two of the last three seasons. Most of that doesn’t matter, because NFL coaches won’t ask DK to do it all. He will be a weapon in the deep passing game, with the size and strength to get off press coverage. As a result opposing corners will have no choice but to play off of him, which will open up underneath routes. This combo will be enough to be effective in the NFL, route-running and agility be damned. He’s the vegas favorite to be the first wide receiver off the board on Thursday.

Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

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Ross Parker: Deebo Samuel (South Carolina)

Deebo Samuel is a wide receiver prospect that has seen his stock steadily climb over the draft process, and it could result in an outside shot as a first round pick. This climb is due in large part to his ability to show his skills and traits after a lackluster time at South Carolina. Samuel’s South Carolina career has been been plagued by poor quarterback play, so his time at the Senior Bowl allowed him to show what he could do with decent quarterback play. At the Senior Bowl, Samuel showed that he is a legit threat every time he touches the ball. Whether it be running fly sweeps or catching passes, South Carolina tried do get the ball into Samuel’s hands as often as possible and it shows in film.

Samuel possesses refined technique to go with his explosiveness and has extremely good film. His size and lack of top end speed are the only legit concerns for Samuel that will prevent him from being a true WR1 on an offense, but those can be easily overlooked as he can quickly develop into one of the better WR2’s in the NFL. He will fit well into any offense based on his ability to create throwing windows and break plays open. When you look for a comparison, Samuel projects favorably close to Stefon Diggs. Samuel is one of the safest wide receiver prospects in this draft and will probably see his name called early in round 2.

Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images

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John Severs: Hakeem Butler (Iowa State)

Butler’s got some things to work on; his hands need a lot of work, and his route running is simplistic. But he brings some truly unique attributes to the wide receiver position. Of course he has the speed you need to be able to make plays in college football, but he also brings a substantial amount of size and strength that you don’t usually get from a WR. He needs work, but if you want to see someone shrug off a defensive back like they were a Jansport on a third grader that just got home from school, then Butler’s your guy.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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2019 NFL Draft Preview Content

• Wednesday (4/17) - Defensive Backs
• Thursday (4/18) - Linebackers
• Friday (4/19) - Defensive Linemen
• Saturday (4/20) - Offensive Linemen
• Sunday (4/21) - Tight Ends
• Monday (4/22) - Wide Receivers
• Tuesday (4/23) - Running Backs
• Wednesday (4/24) - Quarterbacks