2021 NFL Draft – Wide Receiver Rankings

Complete NFL Draft Rankings – WR:

You are currently viewing the best wide receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft. Our top WR prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the most talented pass catchers in college football. Even though only about 30 will get selected in the draft, dozens more are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite. Find who is a first round talent, and who is likely nothing more than a training camp body. Find draft stars, WR sleepers, who will be a bust, and who is being undervalued.

BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2021 NFL draft wide receiver prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.

(Last Updated: April 27, 2021)

2021:  | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

The way DeVonta Smith stole the show in 2020, Chase did in 2019. Ja’Marr Chase sat out this past season following an unbelievable sophomore campaign where he was the #1 receiver over Justin Jefferson, who was an NFL All Pro as a rookie. Chase doesn’t have next level speed, but his quickness and route running ability give him incredible separation on mid and deep route. His body control, hands, and timing are next level, and he has a powerful 210 pound build to help him break tackles and fight back toward the ball. Chase is a true outside threat who can be used as a deep threat or on intermediate routes, and will be ready to dominate the league from day 1.

2019 Stats

14 games: 1780 receiving yards, 20 receiving touchdowns, 21.2 yards per catch

Did not play in 2020.

The 2020 Heisman Award winner looked unstoppable this past year, racking up almost 150 yards and 2 touchdowns per game. His first step is scary fast, and his quickness in his routes is nearly impossible to match. Smith faced a number of good corners throughout the year, who tried and failed to stop him in just about every way possible. His 170 pound frame is the biggest concern for him, but trying to fight him at the line of scrimmage did not work at all in college. Assuming he can stay healthy, he is neck and neck with Ja’Marr Chase for the distinction of top WR prospect since 2011 (AJ Green).

2020 Stats

13 games: 1859 receiving yards, 23 receiving touchdowns, 15.9 yards per catch

Jaylen Waddle is an advanced metrics darling. Ever since his freshman season, he’s been one of the most efficient players in college football. Like Smith, he has outstanding hands and will practically never drop a pass. He is an elite athlete, but capable of doing a lot more than just running deep routes. Waddle has been used all over the field including the slot, spread out wide, and in the backfield. Not to mention he’s a great teammate and return specialist. He returned in the national championship after fracturing his ankle in October, and teams will definitely take a careful look at his movement ability post-injury.

2020 Stats

6 games: 591 receiving yards, 4 receiving touchdowns, 21.1 yards per catch

Rashod Bateman reminds me a bit of Justin Jefferson from last season in terms of route running, body type, and pre-combine evaluation. Many scouting reports will use the same blanket expression “he doesn’t have great speed". They said the same about Jefferson, who ran in the low 4.4’s, and Bateman is likely also a sub 4.5 athlete. Aside from athleticism, he has good size at 6’2", incredible body control, and is an advanced route runner who puts in work in the film room. Bateman is also a willing run blocker, and has made some great catches throughout his career. His sophomore tape says more about him than his junior tape does, given he opted out, opted back in, then opted out again. In that sophomore year, he set records for the Gophers in route to winning Big Ten receiver of the year.

2020 Stats

5 games: 472 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 13.1 yards per catch

It took me a while to come around on the Elijah Moore hype train, but it finally happened. The big issue that pushed me away from Moore is how much Ole Miss forced the ball his way, which inflated his numbers. Also the fact that he is one of many smaller underneath receivers. But Moore has a diverse route tree and a lightning fast first step, along with some of the absolute best hands in all of college football. He’s a dynamic player who can break some tackles, and has the athleticism to be a matchup nightmare. While his size may inspire you to stick him solely in the slot, his route running ability allows you to move him outside with little issue. In a conference with plenty of good press corners, pressing seemed mostly uneffective against Moore, and he demanded a double team over the top at all times.

2020 Stats

8 games: 1193 receiving yards, 8 receiving touchdowns, 13.9 yards per catch

Complete 2021 WR draft rankings

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2021: | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

Last year we had one of the best wide receiver classes of all time. This year is almost as good. Ja’Marr Chase was the #1 receiver at LSU over last draft’s star Justin Jefferson, and Devonta Smith had a far more explosive receiver than Jerry Jeudy had the year before. Throw in Jaylen Waddle, and you have an insane top three. You might see a small fall-off after the top three, but there are plenty of receivers who are good enough to go in the first two days of the draft. Unlike some other positions, the depth here expands past the 7th round. At least 50 players in this group could turn out a great career if given the opportunity. One potential weakness of the WRs is that most top players are on the small side. There’s nothing wrong with a small receiver, but most teams don’t want to run out three 5’9" WRs. If they’re looking for a big bodied target, there’s not nearly as many options.