Top 5 wide receivers in 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is under three 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. While the 2023 class is generally considered a slight down year to 2022, it should not be much 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. So as always, we are expecting a haul of players to go in the first round.

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

Honourable mentions: Rashee Rice, Jalin Hyatt, Cedric Tillman

5. Josh Downs, North Carolina

Josh Downs is an impressive slot receiver who can turn into a reliable weapon in the right system. With 195 catches for 2,364 yards and 19 scores across the past two years, he’s certainly had the production in college and can build on this in the NFL.

The only problem is that he’s probably never going to be much more than a slot at his size (5-foot-10, 175 pounds), with only 81 routes on the outside in his career. But regardless, expect Downs to be one of the first receivers taken in 2023.

4. Jordan Addison, USC

The Biletnikoff Award winner while at Pittsburgh in 2021 before transferring to USC, Jordan Addison is a speed merchant a bendy athlete with impressive body control who could operate as a solid intermediate or deep threat target.

A good route-runner, yet Addison has struggled with drops and can get pushed around at the catch point with his slender frame. His length isn’t on the level of someone like DeVonta Smith, and the lack of over-arching physicality will be a concern for many

But Addison is coachable, and in the right team he can build himself into a very good player in the league if he stays fit.

3. Zay Flowers, Boston College

Don’t sleep on Zay Flowers being a first-round selection in this year’s draft. His athleticism and movement skills are on another level, and he will prove to be a valuable, explosive asset in the NFL.

There are still a few question marks preventing him from being the 2023 WR1, like his lack of size and handling issues from last season in college. But Flowers is the best separator in this draft class, and will be a nightmare for any defensive back marking him over the next few years.

2. Quentin Johnston, TCU

At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Quentin Johnston has the perfect measurables to transform into dominant force as a pro. During his college career, Johnston averaged 18.8 yards per reception and showed just how effective he can be with ball in hand.

Johnston is the possibly the best athlete available at wide receiver. He wasn’t as productive as he probably should have been despite his insane talent, but we are backing him to be a quarterbacks dream at the next level.

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

It may have been an off-year in college due to injury, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba has already proved in his short career just how much of an electric player he can be in the NFL. In 2021, he caught 95 passes for 1,595 yards and nine scores and showed in full just how impressive his route-running ability and ball skills are.

Ohio State WR’s coach Brian Hartline ranked Smith-Njigba second when listing his best Buckeyes receivers from the past few years, ahead of the likes of Garrett Wilson, Terry McLaurin and Chris Olave. That says a lot about the man available to draft in 2023, and good reason why he is the most sought after prospect in the position.