After putting a bow on the 2020 NFL Draft with team-by-team recaps it is now time to look to the future. The 2020 college football season “should be” getting underway in a little over two months. When (if?) the season starts, Deep Fried Draft will be right there bringing you all of the things you are accustomed to seeing from me.
Like last year, I am entering the 2021 NFL Draft season with 300 names on my watch list.
Today, we are going to look at the WRs. These players will be listed only by class and not in any sort of official ranking.
2021 Preliminary Wide Receiver List
SENIORS
| DeVonta Smith | Alabama | Sr | 6’1 | 178 |
| Corey Sutton | Appalachian State | Sr | 6’2 | 200 |
| Amari Rodgers | Clemson | Sr | 5’10 | 210 |
| K.D. Dixon | Colorado | Sr | 5’8 | 185 |
| Warren Jackson | Colorado State | Sr | 6’5 | 219 |
| Kadarius Toney | Florida | Sr | 5’11 | 194 |
| Demetris Robertson | Georgia | Sr | 6’0 | 190 |
| Rico Bussey | Hawaii | Sr | 6’1 | 190 |
| Marquez Stevenson | Houston | Sr | 6’0 | 190 |
| Whop Philyor | Indiana | Sr | 5’10 | 178 |
| Thomas Smith-Marsette | Iowa | Sr | 6’0 | 183 |
| Dez Fitzpatrick | Louisville | Sr | 6’2 | 210 |
| Damonte Coxie | Memphis | Sr | 6’3 | 200 |
| Nico Collins | Michigan | Sr | 6’3 | 215 |
| Damon Hazelton | Missouri | Sr | 6’1 | 222 |
| Dazz Newsome | North Carolina | Sr | 5’11 | 190 |
| Theo Howard | Oklahoma | Sr | 6’0 | 182 |
| Tylan Wallace | Oklahoma State | Sr | 6’0 | 185 |
| Reggie Roberson | SMU | Sr | 6’0 | 200 |
| Shi Smith | South Carolina | Sr | 5’10 | 190 |
| Tyler Vaughns | Southern Cal | Sr | 6’1 | 185 |
| Tarik Black | Texas | Sr | 6’3 | 216 |
| Tay Martin | Washington State | Sr | 6’3 | 185 |
| Danny Davis, III | Wisconsin | Sr | 6’0 | 194 |
| JD Spielman | Sr | 5’9 | 181 |
There are several intriguing names amongst the seniors. Two that stand out for me are DeVonta Smith (Alabama) and Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State). Smith has been making plays for the Crimson Tide since his freshman season. Wallace has been one of the best in the country until an ACL injury took away his 2019 season. I think two AAC receivers can make huge leaps up the draft board during the 2020 season, Memphis’ Damonte Coxie and SMU’s Reggie Roberson.
UNDERCLASSMEN
| Jaylen Waddle | Alabama | Jr | 5’10 | 182 |
| Seth Williams | Auburn | Jr | 6’3 | 212 |
| Anthony Schwartz | Auburn | Jr | 6’0 | 179 |
| Tamorrion Terry | Florida State | Jr | 6’4 | 203 |
| Tutu Atwell | Louisville | Jr | 5’9 | 156 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | LSU | Jr | 6’1 | 200 |
| Rashod Bateman | Minnesota | Jr | 6’2 | 209 |
| Chris Olave | Ohio State | Jr | 6’1 | 185 |
| Charleston Rambo | Oklahoma | Jr | 6’0 | 180 |
| Rondale Moore | Purdue | Jr | 5’9 | 181 |
| Randall St. Felix | South Florida | Jr | 6’1 | 205 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | Southern Cal | Jr | 6’1 | 195 |
| Jaylond Adams | Southern Miss | Jr | 5’10 | 180 |
| Sage Surratt | Wake Forest | Jr | 6’3 | 224 |
The junior class is led by dynamic playmakers Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) and Rondale Moore (Purdue). Both can turn any catch into six points. However, the best of the bunch may end up being Ja’Marr Chase of LSU.
Next up, we look ahead to the 2021 TE class.
