The 2022 draft class has plenty of top-end talent and depth at wide receiver.
As the NFL continues to become more and more of a passing league, young pass catchers are more and more valuable to teams. We could see a half dozen or more receivers taken in the first round this year, and teams will also find value in Day 2 and 3 of the draft at the position.
Top 5 wide receivers to watch at the Combine:
1. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State, 6-0, 188
A polished route runner with good run-after-the-catch ability, Wilson caught 70 passes for 1,058 yards (15.1 average) and 12 touchdowns in 11 games for the Buckeyes this past season. NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared Wilson to Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs, which is pretty high praise.
2. Drake London, USC, 6-5, 210
London has a big frame and a large catch radius with experience playing both outside and in the slot. He might be the best 50-50 ball receiver in the draft with his size, ball skills and toughness. He might not be a true burner, but he uses his body to shield defenders and make plays. He caught 88 passes for 1,084 yards and seven scores in eight games for USC in 2021.
View photos of the wide receiver prospects who were invited to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.
Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) runs a route against Minnesota in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Minneapolis. Ohio State won 45-31. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
American Team wide receiver Calvin Austin III, of Memphis, returns the opening kickoff in the first half of the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team wide receiver Bo Melton of Rutgers (18) runs the ball after a catch during the third quarter of an NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Velus Jones, Jr. of Tennessee (1) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Dai' Jean Dixon runs after a catch against the National Team during the first half of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl college football game Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
National Team wide receiver Braylon Sanders of Ole Miss (5) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
East wide receiver Charleston Rambo, of Miami (FL), (11) in action against the West during the East West Shrine Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
National Team wide receiver Christian Watson of North Dakota State (1) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
East wide receiver Josh Johnson, of Tulsa, (84) runs the ball up the field against the West during the East West Shrine Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
American Team wide receiver Dontario Drummond of Mississippi runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs a route during the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Cincinnati, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. Alabama won, 27-6. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Baylor wide receiver Tyquan Thornton advances the ball after a catch during the first half of the Big 12 Championship NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Slade Bolden (18) runs the ball during the NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Oregon Ducks wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) runs after the catch during the an NCAA college football game against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2021 in Pasadena, Calif. Oregon won, 34-31. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks (16) against Mississippi State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Nevada Wolf Pack wide receiver Romeo Doubs (7) runs a route during the NCAA college football game against the San Deigo State Aztecs, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Carson, Calif. (Ric Tapia via AP)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (2) runs on a punt return during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon wide receiver Devon Williams (2) runs with the ball after a catch as Washington State defensive back George Hicks III (18) comes in to try and make a tackle in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Indiana wide receiver Ty Fryfogle (3) in action during an NCAA college football game between Minnesota and Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Northern Iowa wide receiver Isaiah Weston (80) runs up field during an NCAA college football game against Southern Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Purdue receiver David Bell plays against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Virginia Tech's Tre Turner (11) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Atlanta. Turner caught seven passes for a 187 yards and one score to lead Virginia Tech to a 26-17 win (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) looks to make a cut against Villanova during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Sept.25, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Michigan State's Jalen Nailor (8) runs against Michigan during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
SMU wide receiver Reggie Roberson Jr. runs a route against Navy during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Mississippi State wide receiver Makai Polk (10) catches a pass of 13 yards for a first down against Texas A&M defensive back Jaylon Jones (17) during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Cincinnati wide receiver Alec Pierce runs a route against Navy during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. Cincinnati won 27-20. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
SMU wide receiver Danny Gray runs a route against Navy during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. SMU won 31-24. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Texas Tech's Erik Ezukanma (13) during an NCAA college football game against Florida International, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson)
Pittsburgh defensive back Erick Hallett (31) dives after Western Michigan wide receiver Skyy Moore (24) after he made a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Ohio State receiver Chris Olave plays against Oregon during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III (8) runs after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
USC Trojans wide receiver Drake London (15) runs a route during the an NCAA college football game against the San Jose State University Spartans on Saturday, Sep. 4, 2021 in Los Angeles. USC won, 30-7. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Kentucky wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) catches a pass during an NCAA college football game against Missouri in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) during the second half of an NCAA football game against Florida State on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
South Alabama Jaguars wide receiver Jalen Tolbert plays against Southern Miss Golden Eagles at an NCAA football on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Dan Anderson)
Georgia wide receiver George Pickens (1) makes a touchdown catch against Cincinnati during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) runs with the ball in the first half against Utah State in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 42-13. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross catches a pass for a first down in the second half of the NCAA Cotton Bowl semi-final playoff football game against Notre Dame on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Oklahoma wide receiver Michael Woods II (8) runs for a first down against Tulane during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Norman, Oklahoma. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
3. Jameson Williams, Alabama, 6-2, 189
The Ohio State transfer hauled in an Alabama single-season record four touchdowns of 70-plus yards, leading all Division I receivers. He also totaled 11 touchdowns of 30-plus yards or more to lead the nation. Williams is a true deep threat, finishing third on Alabama's single-season receiving yardage list with 1,572 yards, averaging 19.5 yards per reception. He is recovering from an ACL tear suffered in the national title game.
4. Treylon Burks, Arkansas, 6-3, 225
Burks was a player Arkansas used in a variety of ways to try and get the ball in his hands. He averaged better than 16.0 yards per reception in all three of his seasons with the Razorbacks, finishing his junior season in 2021 with 1,104 receiving yards with 11 touchdowns in 12 games. He caught eight passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns vs. Alabama. He's a physical receiver and tough runner after the catch. He might be the best pure athlete of this year's group of pass catchers.
5. Chris Olave, Ohio State, 6-1, 189
Olave is a very smooth and precise route runner with terrific speed that allows him to gain separation at the top of his route. Olave knows how to find the end zone, notching 35 touchdowns in 38 career games at Ohio State. He can play both inside and outside, which speaks to his versatility as a pass catcher. His lean frame might concern some teams.
Combine sleeper to watch: Romeo Doubs, Nevada, 6-2, 200
Doubs was Carson Strong's top target for the Wolf Pack the past two seasons and went over 1,000 yards in both 2020 and 2021, with 20 combined touchdowns. He stood out at the Senior Bowl last month, and has a nice blend of size, speed and ball skills.
Lions need at the position: High
Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle-El said at the Senior Bowl last month he'd love to see the competition in his room amp up this offseason by the team signing one receiver in free agency and drafting two more.
The Lions need a true No. 1 receiver on the outside to complement Amon-Ra St. Brown in the slot. They need a playmaker who can get down the field and can draw coverage on the backside.
Both Kalif Raymond and Josh Reynolds are unrestricted free agents, which leaves just four receivers currently on the roster under contract for next season. It's a terrific free-agent class of receivers this year, and this draft class is deep. Expect the Lions to be players both in free agency and the draft when it comes to filling their biggest need on offense this offseason.
Key stat: Of the Lions' 3,884 receiving yards this season, 2,111 came after the catch (54.4 percent), which was the third highest percentage in the NFL.
