The 2018 NFL Draft is over and teams are getting comfortable with their new draft picks. The next class of players is getting prepared now for another year of college football. Each position will be analyzed in the coming days. Here are the best 2019 NFL Draft prospects: Wide receivers.
A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
Brown was a super sophomore last year for Ole Miss, which has helped him be in the running for a high draft pick in 2019. The junior stands 6’1″ and 225 pounds, which is a solid size, but he also has the speed to match.
Last season Brown had 1,252 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 11 games played. He has had to play at Ole Miss through an NCAA investigation, a coaching change and a carousel at the quarterback position. He had She Patterson and Jordan Ta’amu throwing passes to him last year and will have to play better with Ta’amu this year.
He will have to step it up against good competition this season as he had double-digit receiving yard games against Alabama, LSU, Arkansas, Kentucky and Texas A&M. If he can play better against good competition, Brown can be the first wide receiver off of the board in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown made a name for himself when he had a big game against Oklahoma State and play-by-play man Gus Johnson hyped him up. He is a smaller receiver at 5’11” and 162 pounds, and to make it in the NFL he will need to add some play strength.
In his sophomore season, he had 1,095 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He was one of Baker Mayfield’s favorite targets, helping him win the Heisman trophy and helping his team make the College Football Playoff.
He too was inconsistent last season and will need to prove to NFL teams that he can be more consistent. His size may limit how high he can be drafted, but he has the play-making speed that most NFL teams desire and is a dangerous player once he has the football in his hands. He looks like a day two prospect as of now.
Parris Campbell, Ohio State
Although he could’ve gone pro after last season, Campbell decided to return to Ohio State for another season. The 6’1″ and 208-pound product has been a part of some good Ohio State teams but has yet to take over or play to his potential in the last two seasons.
He is a highly thought of prospect but Campbell hasn’t always produced. In two seasons of significant playing time, Campbell has posted only 705 receiving yards and five total touchdowns. He has the speed and agility but didn’t have the best passer at quarterback in J.T. Barrett.
It would help his stock if he proves that he can produce but that will be hard to do with a new starting quarterback behind center. Right now Campbell is a prospect that has a lot of good traits, without the production to match it, and NFL teams will have to see that in him and find ways to get the most out of him in the NFL.
Collin Johnson, Texas
Johnson is a unique target in this draft class, in that he has the size to be a matchup nightmare. He is 6’6″ and 220 pounds, which helps to give him a huge catch radius. He hasn’t played on good Texas teams yet but Tom Herman is now in his second season at the helm, which should give some hope for this season.
With Texas’ tough seasons they have had to bounce back and forth between quarterbacks. Both Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger have taken snaps due to injuries and under-producing. Johnson has fared decently with 1,080 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
The production needs to go higher for Johnson but the main thing that could help make his stock better is proving he has great play-speed and running a good 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine. With bigger receivers, all scouts will be watching to make sure their speed isn’t in the range of tight ends. Johnson is a wild card who could go at any point in the 2019 NFL Draft based on how he plays and tests.
Ahmmon Richards, Miami
He could only play in seven games after having a knee injury, but Richards is effective when healthy. He helped Miami to their best season in years, although they faded down the stretch. He is an average build at 6’1″ and 190 pounds.
Richards played with a solid quarterback in Brad Kaaya his freshman year but as a sophomore, Malik Rosier was under center, who is not the best thrower. He still has posted 1,373 receiving yards and six touchdowns in his 20 career games and will be looking to get back to form after his injury.
Without having played the end of last season it is hard to figure where Richards could go in the 2019 NFL Draft. He’s a wildcard that could be the first receiver selected or go in the third or fourth round.
Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Samuel is another receiver that was injured last year and will need to have a healthy 2018 season to help his draft stock. He stands 6’0″ and 225 pounds, which is a decent size for the NFL.
The senior has only played in 18 games in his career and has been aided by the development of Jake Bentley. In his career, he has 1,194 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. He has done damage on the ground with seven rushing touchdowns.
Yet another receiver that hasn’t stayed healthy, Samuel will want to have a big 2018 season to really improve his draft stock. He will likely be a day two pick if he can stay on the field.
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