10. Jayden Reed: Deep Threat- Michigan State
Reed is ranked at the 11 right now in the wide receiver prospects but he cracks the top 10 because I just don’t think Zay Flowers is going to be anything in the league. Reed is the same height as Flowers but went to a more competitive football school, is faster, and seems to just have a better chance at better ratings. I may also be a little biased because even though I hate Michigan State, I’ve seen him make a ton of impressive plays in real life this year even though that doesn’t impact this obviously.
9. Cedric Tillman: Playmaker- Tennessee
Tillman is ranked at 7 but honestly looks to have nothing going for him. Coming from a good school helps but c’mon man, awful ratings is what it looks like mixed with bad physical traits besides his good height. However, Tillman could find success in PML if he qualifies to be turned into a tight end as that would turn him from an unathletic wide receiver to an athletic tight end. Even if he doesn’t, he could find time on a running team getting subbed in to run block.
8. A.T. Perry: Physical- Wake Forest
Perry is ranked at 9 in Madden but he’s 6 foot 5 with not terrible speed and seemingly solid ratings. Wake Forest isn’t anything special to be coming out of but I could see this dude dominating some small defensive backs, especially in preseason. His height, jumping, and deep route running should be enough to make a roster and make some plays. Maybe he gets lucky and gets a good dev and he could be Michael Pittman Jr 2.0.
7. Xavier Hutchinson: Physical- Iowa State
Hutchinson also doesn’t come from a great football school but at his height with his ratings and natural abilities he can be good. He’s ranked at 6 but that may be just a bit too high. Like Tillman, he could qualify for a position change that would launch him from below average or average to top talent at tight end. He’s seemingly a beast with the ball who can break tackles and stiff arm any defender and even if he turns out worse than he looks, a running team would benefit from using him to help run the ball.
6. Josh Downs: Deep Threat- North Carolina
The best receiver outside the clear top 5, Downs is ranked at 10 in madden for the wideout prospects but he seems like he could be special in PML despite not being drafted too high. His size isn’t amazing but he’s only 21 with good speed and great acceleration. He’ll be a threat as he learns an offense. North Carolina football isn’t anything special as opposed to their basketball program but Downs seems to be a Darnell Mooney type receiver who can make impact plays for a team who needs a true deep threat.
5. Marvin Mims: Deep Threat- Oklahoma
We already know Mims has pro capabilities thanks to his brother, but he seems on a whole other level of potential. Oklahoma can definitely produce star players and Mims can follow that trend on the right team. He’s 21 and not that big plus he isn’t a blazing runner but he seems to be solid all around. He’s ranked at 3 in Madden but I’m confident he is 5 or worse despite seeming good. He has the ratings to be fine, but he’ll have to get some big boosts or a dev to truly be an elite talent.
4. Quentin Johnson: Physical- TCU
Johnson could be great, but he also could be a bust. He’s 21 but TCU is a solid school to come out of. He’s the 5th ranked guy right now and at 6 foot 4 he could wreak havoc on PML defensive backs. He doesn’t have awful speed and can get to all the high point jump balls. The best part is that his ratings suggest he’ll come down with those a good amount of times. His route running attributes don’t look terrible but it’ll be scary to see what he can do when played with in a smart way.
3. Jordan Addison: Playmaker- USC
USC has produced plenty of quality wide receivers and Addison seems to just be next up. He’s 21 and his size isn’t anything crazy, but he’s certainly not small. He’s ranked as the 2nd best wide receiver but his physical attributes are just nothing special and leave a lot to be desired, especially for a playmaker archetype. He seems like he could really flourish in a slot role with attributes that favor the short game and run after the catch. Regardless of my opinion, he’s near the top for a reason and can be a game changing player for an offense.
2. Jaxson Smith-Njigba: Slot- Ohio State
The real reason Addison came in at 3 is because of Smith-Njigba. No school has produced wide receivers quite like Ohio State and this guy looks to be one of the best to do it. He’s a good height, 21 years old, with physicals that aren’t crazy, but definitely not bad at all. The biggest part of why I’ve boosted him from Madden ranking him at 4 to my list at 2 is the most important part, his attributes look great. He can seemingly do it all and that makes him perfect top fit into any offense, then with a little bit of guidance he’ll turn into that superstar if he isn’t blessed with it from the get-go. THE REAL DEAL RIGHT HERE
1. Kayshon Boutte: Playmaker- LSU
There’s a reason he’s 1 on the prospects list and here, Boutte is HIM. 21 years old out of LSU which produced Jamarr Chase and Justin Jefferson, the two best young receivers in the league and Boutte looks to be no different. He’ll take PML by storm with his good size, good all around physicals, and his overall high level of play. He can run routes with the best of them, he can make plays after the catch like no other. The sky’s the limit with Boutte and his attributes show that. He only has one potential downside, it seems like he can’t be trusted with contested catches, but that’s a fine flaw because not only is it easy to fix but he also just seems good enough where you’ll never have to throw it up to him. A top 7 pick in the draft for sure, could even crack the top 3 if things get crazy.
