Top 5 wide receivers in 2022 NFL Draft

The 2022 NFL Draft is under two weeks away and there is a lot of excitement growing about the group of wide receivers available.

In recent years, we’ve seen a lot of college receivers turn into elite NFL wideouts early into their careers. The class of 2022 should be no different.

Taking an elite wide receiver in the draft seems to be more important than ever for teams. With elite receiver contract money rising, there is exceptional value in getting a top player on a cheap rookie deal instead.

Prospects from this year’s draft should deliver yet another deep collection of talented players. In fact, you could make an argument for any of the following receivers to be at the top of this list.

It’s a stacked class with plenty of depth and a haul of players expected to go early in the first round.

Here is our top five receivers in this year’s draft:

Honourable mentions: George Pickens, Christian Waston, Jahan Dotson, Skyy Moore

5. Treylon Burks, Arkansas

We start this list with Treylon Burks, an interesting prospect out of college.

It was a close call between Georgia’s George Pickens and Burks, who gets the nod as a result of the former hardly playing in 2021.

Burks is a well-sized at 6’3” and over 220 pounds, so would bring a lot of physicality on top of some serious offensive firepower as a runner.

He averaged more than nine yards after the catch last year and has an extensive amount of exciting tape, thanks to the Arkansas putting the ball in his hands as much as possible.

An underwhelming NFL Combine performance in February has seen his expected draft position fall dramatically. But Burks could still go in the first round.

That disappointing showing makes his potential look a little cloudy, yet there is no reason why he can’t go on to be a good player as a pro.

4. Chris Olave, Ohio State

Another sharp runner, Chris Olave is going to be selected earlier in Las Vegas.

Despite coming up short of 1,000 receiving yards in 2021, he enjoyed a very consistent three years at Ohio State.

Olave runs routes better than anyone in this year’s class and is extremely creative. He varies his tempo so well, making it impossible for his opponent to know exactly where he’s going to go.

He isn’t the quickest or the most physical, so we don’t expect him to be the first receiver selected.

But no question about it, Olave will be immediately productive in the NFL.

With his athleticism, versatility and experience as a special team player, Olave is well worth of being a Day 1 selection in Las Vegas.

3. Jameson Williams, Alabama

One of the freakish receivers in the class, the talented Jameson Williams has an upside as good as anyone in the upcoming draft.

An ACL injury at the end of last season has hampered his stock ahead of the draft. But his quality on tape is there for all to see.

He was one of the quickest players in college football in 2021 and will continue to torch defenders as an NFL player.

His draft position might be lower than originally expected, but this is totally undeserved. Before his injury, Williams was possibly the most sought after receiver from this group.

If he is developed correctly and he continues to train hard, the 21-year-old can be a star.

He’d be a great addition for any team in need of an elite receiver.

2. Drake London, USC

There is little to separate the top two receivers on this list, but coming in second place is the PAC-12 Offensive Player of the Year, Drake London.

At 6’4” and around 220 pounds, London is big-bodied wide receiver who is going to cause real problems for defenses in the NFL.

Some have concerns over whether he could be a good separator in the NFL due to his big frame, but these views seem to have been made unfairly premature. London has good speed to win a foot race and can be a creative route runner.

He is an excellent catcher and uses his strong hands well to secure the football in traffic.

In our first mock draft of the year, we had London as the first wideout to be selected with the Jets taking him at tenth overall.

However, a major ankle injury from last season could stop this from happening.

Despite running a variety of positional drills at his Pro Day on April 15, London didn’t run a 40-yard-dash and is still managing his recovery.

He’s unlucky not to be at the top on the list. But no doubt about it, London could very well be the first receiver taken in Las Vegas.

1. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

It’s difficult to split London and Wilson, but we’ve gone for the latter based on who we expect to be selected first.

Wilson is coming off another outstanding year for Ohio State. He finished with 70 catches for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021. In a class full of different of different styles of receivers, Wilson is probably the most complete player of the group.

The 21-year-old might not have the same potential as the likes of Ja’Marr Chase of Justin Jefferson of previous years. But there doesn’t seem to be a hugely obviously flaw in his game at the moment.

He’s lightening quick, an excellent route runner and his exceptional lateral speed and acceleration off the line will prove to be a great asset for many teams in the NFL.

After the catch is where Wilson really comes alive. He’ll be blitzing past safeties and running corners ragged when he makes the jump up as a pro.

In our first mock draft earlier in the year, we had Wilson falling down to 22nd overall. Following an impressive performance’s at the NFL Combine and Ohio State’s pro day, there is no chance he’ll be available at that position.

Wilson is a multi-faceted receiver with raw potential. He could turn into one of the league’s best playmakers for years to come.