Mel Kiper updates wide receiver rankings for 2022 NFL Draft
According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr, these are the top wide receivers heading into the 2022 NFL draft. We will take a closer look at who he thinks is the best receiver coming out.
1. Jahan Dotson, Penn State –
Dotson leads Penn State in all major receiving categories. He has 27 catches for 362 yards with four touchdowns. Dotson is also one of three receivers on the team with a reception of 50 yards or longer. And the best part of his play this year is he hasn’t dropped a single pass thus far.
2. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State –
Wilson is one of two Buckeye receivers on this list. This year he has been used more in the slot with 43 catchers. But he’s still been dynamic as he averages 17 yards per catch. Wilson has caught 23 passes for 391 with three touchdowns.
3. Drake London, USC –
London’s play is one of the only good things for USC fans this season. Although the Trojans have suffered through inconsistent quarterback play, that has not stopped him from leading the country in receiving yards with 540. London’s 39 receptions are tied for the lead in college football. And three of those catches have been for six.
4. Chris Olave, Ohio State –
Olave continues to shred defenses deep with his speed and quickness. But his average years per catch has taken a dip every year, after peaking at 17.3 in 2019. That is because the defense is trying to limit the Buckeyes’ deep threat. Right now he has18 catches for 255 and three touchdowns.
5. Treylon Burks, Arkansas –
Burks is another speedy wideout who does most of his damage from the slot receiver position. He has been the favorite target of quarterback KJ Jefferson this season. He leads the Razorbacks receiving core with 19 catches for 373 yards, three touchdowns, and averages 19.6 yards per catch. And he also has the team’s longest play from scrimmage this year, a 91-yard reception.
6. Jameson Williams, Alabama –
Williams used the transfer portal to land a spot on the Alabama roster. And he has been a dynamic playmaker out the gates. His is second on the team in receptions with 12 but Williams’ receiving yards (299), touchdowns (3), and his 24.9 yards per catch average are tops for the Crimson Tide. And as a bonus, he’s added two more scores in the return game.
7. John Metchie III, Alabama –
Metchie is the sure-handed veteran leader of the Crimson Tide receiving core. He’s is finally getting a chance to head the group that saw four former members go in the first round of the last two drafts. He has 24 catches for 240 yards and one touchdown on the season. But his 10 yards per catch is on the low end for an Alabama receiver.
8. Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama –
The 6-foot-3 junior receiver and Alabama native is helping lead South Alabama. They are off to a 3-0 thanks to his 14 catches for 317 yards. But has not caught a touchdown on the season yet.
9. Dontay Demus Jr., Maryland –
Unfortunately, as this piece was being written Demus suffered what appears to be a significant leg injury in Maryland’s game against Iowa. Coming into the game, he had 24 four catches for 446 yards and three touchdowns. Hopefully the senior can make a full recovery from this injury in time for the draft.
10a. George Pickens, Georgia –
Pickens Has yet to play this year as he is recovering from offseason ACL surgery. Last year as a sophomore he had 36 catches for 513 yards and six touchdowns. Had it not been for his injury this receiver would likely be higher on this list.
10b. Justyn Ross, Clemson –
Justyn Ross is making his way back from injury. He missed all of last season recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Clemson has been slowly bringing him back into the gameplan with every passing week. He has 22 catches for 216 yards and three touchdowns on the season.