There isn't a clear stud wide receiver at the top of this draft, but it's a pretty deep class with some impact players. The way the college game is played nowadays, these receivers come into the league ready to produce.
Top 5 wide receivers to watch at the Combine:
1. Jordan Addison, USC, 6-0, 180
Addison is a versatile receiver who can line up outside and in the slot. A smooth and polished route runner, Addison doesn't have elite size, but he's probably the most polished and ready to make an instant impact in the NFL of any receiver in this class.
View photos of the wide receiver prospects who were invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
Southern California wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) carries the ball against Utah during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Michigan wide receiver Ronnie Bell (8) celebrates after scoring on a 16-yard run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
UCLA wide receiver Jake Bobo runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (7) is stopped by Alabama defensive back Brian Branch (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
South Carolina receiver Jalen Brooks (13) against Arkansas during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Southern Mississippi wide receiver Jason Brownlee (1) goes up for a reception as Rice defensive back George Nyakwol (20) begins the tackle during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Houston, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Maryland's Jacob Copeland returns a kickoff during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Maryland and Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in College Park, Md. Maryland won 27-13. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Fresno State wide receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper on a long run against Oregon State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Fresno, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
TCU wide receiver Derius Davis (11) during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game against Michigan, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell runs a route during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Navy and Houston, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Annapolis, Md. Houston won 38-20. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Maryland wide receiver Dontay Demus Jr., left, makes a catch against North Carolina State safety Sean Brown during the first half of the Duke's Mayo Bowl NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Liberty wide receiver Demario Douglas (3) looks for running room against Toledo during the first half of the Boca Raton Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in Boca Raton, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs (11) reacts during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game against Clemson on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Charlotte wide receiver Grant DuBose (14) is tackled from behind by South Carolina defensive back Marcellas Dial and linebacker Sherrod Greene (44) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) runs for a touchdown against Wake Forest during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
West Virginia wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton (0) plays against Pittsburgh during an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
North Carolina wide receiver Antoine Green (3) hauls in a touchdown pass against Pittsburgh defensive back A.J. Woods (25) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Arkansas wide receiver Jadon Haselwood, right, is tackled by Liberty linebacker Mike Smith Jr. (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Mississippi wide receiver Malik Heath (8) runs the ball past Kentucky defensive back Carrington Valentine (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Stanford wide receiver Elijah Higgins (6) against Arizona State during an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Iowa State wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson (8) gets set for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
American wide receiver Andrei Iosivas of Princeton (9) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Georgia wide receiver Kearis Jackson (10) stiff arms LSU safety Major Burns (28) first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Maryland wide receiver Rakim Jarrett plays against Michigan in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Louisiana Lafayette wide receiver Michael Jefferson (8) scores a touchdown against Georgia Southern defensive back Anthony Wilson (12) in the first half during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Lafayette, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU wide receiver Jaray Jenkins (10) signals a first down after a catch during an NCAA football game against New Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
East Carolina wide receiver C.J. Johnson (5) plays during an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) celebrates a touchdown against Texas with wide receiver Taye Barber (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)
Purdue wide receiver Charlie Jones runs with the ball during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Kansas State wide receiver Malik Knowles (4) is defended by West Virginia cornerback Rashad Ajayi (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Kathleen Batten)
Arkansas wide receiver Matt Landers (3) runs for a big gain against Liberty during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims (17) is tackled by Nebraska defensive back Marques Buford Jr. (12) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Mississippi wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (1) reacts after a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Alabama won 30-24. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs with the ball after a reception against Boise State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Boise, Idaho. BYU won 31-28. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Clemson wide receiver Joseph Ngata (10) celebrates a catch against Wake Forest during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Nebraska wide receiver Trey Palmer catches an 87-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Wake Forest wide receiver A.T. Perry (9) celebrates after catching a pass against Army during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed runs a route against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice looks to run after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college game against TCU on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Dallas, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott (21) in action during an NCAA college football game against Temple, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Florida wide receiver Justin Shorter (4) runs to the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown on a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Eastern Washington, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
FILE - Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba celebrates a touchdown during an NCAA college spring football game Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Smith-Njigba was selected biggest injury in the Associated Press Big Ten Midseason Awards, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022.(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Penn State wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley (5) celebrates his touchdown during the first half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) runs for yardage as he's tackled by Kentucky defensive back Tyrell Ajian (6) and others during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Cincinnati wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) lands after catching a pass in front of Central Florida defensive back Koby Perry (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Penn State wide receiver Parker Washington is tackled by Maryland defensive back Dante Trader Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
South Alabama wide receiver Jalen Wayne (0) catches a pass agains tUCLA defensive back Devin Kirkwood (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Virginia wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (3) makes a catch in front of Syracuse defensive back Duce Chestnut (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Stanford wide receiver Michael Wilson (4) stiff-arms Oregon State defensive back Kitan Oladapo (28) after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
2. Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee, 6-0, 188
Hyatt is a legit deep-ball threat with terrific speed and big-play ability. Don't be surprised if he shows off in the 40-yard dash at the Combine and ends up in the conversation for a mid to late first-round selection. He averaged 18.9 yards per reception this past season.
3. Quentin Johnston, TCU, 6-4, 215
NFL teams are going to love the size, speed and playmaking combination in Johnston. Drops were an issue at times and he can refine his route running, but he's a rare athlete at the position that could provide instant impact as a down-field playmaker.
4. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State, 6-1, 193
Smith-Njigba missed nearly all of the 2022 season due to injury, but his sophomore season of 95 receptions for 1,606 yards (16.9 average) and nine touchdowns was pretty impressive. He's a route technician with good hands and could be an early chain-mover in the league.
5. Zay Flowers, Boston College, 5-9, 182
Flowers has outstanding quickness and production as a slot-type receiver. He played 48 college games and averaged 15.3 yards per reception over his four seasons with the Eagles. He'll test really well in Indy.
Combine sleeper to watch: A.T. Perry, Wake Forest, 6-4, 200
Perry has a long frame and big catch radius. The 40-yard dash will be an important test for him. As a junior in 2021 he played in 14 games and hauled in 71 catches for 1,293 yards for an average of 18.2 yards per reception with 15 touchdowns. He backed that up with 81 catches for 1,096 yards and 11 touchdowns this past season.
Lions' need at the position: Low
The need will really depend on what the Lions decide to do in free agency, namely if they'll re-sign veteran DJ Chark, who is an unrestricted free agent. I certainly like the idea of a trio of Chark, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams with Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond also in the mix. If Chark signs elsewhere, the Lions will be in need of another outside receiver, preferably one with some length.
Either way, the Lions enter 2023 in pretty good shape at receiver with St. Brown entering super star status and excitement building about how the Lions might use Williams in offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's scheme.
Key stat: The Lions had 176 offensive possessions this season, producing points on 76 of those drives (43.2 percent). This ranked as the third best offensive scoring efficiency in the NFL this past season.
