NFL Draft Sleeper Wide Receivers

Every year when the NFL Draft rolls around, many of us try to identify fantasy football sleepers. With so much information out there now with player profiles, rookie mock drafts, and NFL mock drafts to name a few, our fake game is just that much more fun. 

With this year’s rookies coming in, many of us are high on wideouts like Garrett Wilson, Jameson Williams, and George Pickens, to name a few who could hear their names on Day 1 of the NFL Draft, and rightfully so. Players like Jahan Dotson, Sky Moore, and John Metchie III should hear their names on Day 2. Here, I like to look at the “true sleepers” who fall on Day 3. 

We’re always trying to find that next sleeper at the next level. Last season, we saw Amon-Ra St. Brown go in the 4th round of the 2021 NFL Draft at pick 112 to the Detroit Lions. In 2020, It was Buffalo Bills’ late-season and playoff sensation Gabriel Davis (4th round, pick 128) and the new WR1 in Chicago in Darnell Mooney (5th round, pick 173). But we have to remember that there are many more misses than there are hits with these late-round prospects. From Dez Fitzpatrick, Antonio Gandy-Golden, and Hakeem Butler, there are more misses than hits when it comes to Day 3 picks.

We as a community will ask what the hell are these teams doing when player X drops. With our Rookie Rankings and our Rookie ADP, a few wide receivers could be fantasy producers sometime during the 2022 season, that project to be day three selections. Thanks to our friends at Loaded Box Fantasy for their 5-Round Rookie Draft to help me piece this together.

Alec Pierce – Cincinnati

Full Combine Results

If you’re a fan of Desmond Ridder, you have to love Alec Pierce. If not, you definitely should be a fan of him. The hefty 6’3, 213-pound wide receiver, has the speed (4.41 40-yard dash), burst, and speed (113), which puts him in the 90th, 94th, and 95th percentiles for wide receivers according to playerprofiler. These stats show that Pierce could be ready for the NFL. 

Pierce broke out his Senior year, but Ridder had a good year and helped the Cincinnati Bearcats get into the college football playoffs. Pierce led the Bearcats in receptions with 52 and yards with 884 and reminded me of Jordy Nelson. His ball tracking skills and ability to catch it at its highest point made me like him.

Don’t be surprised if you hear his name early Day 3, if not as soon as late Day 2. Pierce is my favorite sleeper in this year’s draft. 

Khalil Shakir – Boise State

Full Combine Results

The fourth-year receiver out of Boise State has been nothing but electric over the last three years. His Senior year proved to be his best season, catching 77 balls for 1,117 yards, seven touchdowns, and 21 rush attempts for another 130 yards. Per playerprofiler, Shakir had a 40.8% dominator rating (83rd percentile) and a 32.2% target share (94th percentile). 

Looking more into him, what reflected these numbers is his burst off the line. He can hit and go, uses his 4.43 speed, and takes contact without hesitation. 

He played all over the field at Boise State, but looking at him from an NFL perspective, I could see him being a slot receiver. You have my attention comparing favorably to Golden Tate, and I see the catchability and speed, just like Tate had. Shakir could be the steal of the draft.

Velus Jones Jr. – Tennessee

Full Combine Results

Kickoff and return specialist Venus Jones Jr. is a player who won’t start as a wide receiver in the league but could hear his name earlier than expected. The sixth-year senior out of Tennessee has the explosiveness and great 4.31 40-yard dash and a speed score of 116.6 (97th percentile); Jones has impressive power and strength. 

With a late breakout age (24.3) the soon to be 25 years old on May 11th, he has a decent amount of red flags. He was always a return specialist at both USC and Tennessee, but was it Vols head coach Josh Heupel that found a way to expose the talent in the wide receiver, or was it a player going up against the younger competition?

Jones Jr. could develop into a rotational wide receiver in the slot over the next year or two but should make a name for himself on special teams.

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Bo Melton – Rutgers

Full Combine Results

Bo Melton would have been better if it wasn’t for Rutgers’ inept offense that he was stuck in. Following in his father’s footsteps and having his brother on the team looks like more a family affair than anything.

Bringing up Melton’s profile just opens my eyes. This kid has it all. From speed (4.34 40-yard dash; 98th percentile), speed score (103.6; 79th percentile), and burst score (125.1; 72nd percentile), this kid is a true athlete that can create yards after the catch.

Leading the team in receiving over the last few years at Rutgers, he had a 39.6% (80th percentile) college dominator rating and drew a 24.11% target share in 2021. He led the Scarlet Knights with 55 receptions for 618 yards and three touchdowns. You may try to throw up red flags on these mediocre stats, but when you have a quarterback throw for under 1,900 yards and seven touchdowns, you would understand why Melton’s stats are so bad.

That being said, he’s a Big 10 player who was held back in a Big 10 offense. Just like Donovan Peoples-Jones, the talent is there, t just wasn’t used to its true potential. He’s a true dark horse in the draft with a player profile comparing him to Tyler Lockett. Lockett went in the third round and Peoples-Jones went in the 6th round. In between there, I hope Melton lands on the right team to start as a special teams player and a WR4.

Justyn Ross – Clemson

Full Combine Results

One wide receiver I am high on is Justyn Ross out of Clemson. He broke out onto the college scene his Freshman year, as an 18-year-old and led the Clemson Tigers in receiving yards while playing with Hunter Renfrow, Tee Higgins, and last year’s rookie Amari Rodgers. Ross was second on the team in touchdowns with nine, only being outpaced by Higgins who had 12 touchdowns. Ross would go on into his Sophomore year, leading the team with 66 receptions, while Tee Higgins led the team in receiving yards in a Trevor Lawrence offense.

During the Spring of 2020, Ross suffered a stinger, and upon further medical review, they found a rare condition on his vertebrae and he, unfortunately, needed surgery. Ross, looking like a potential 1st-round pick, had an 18-month recovery in front of him. Through rehab, Ross made his 2021 return to the Clemson Tigers with D.J. Uiagalelei under center. This offense took a massive step back, yet Ross led the team again in receptions and receiving yards. 

Ross has a chance to be a steal in the draft this year. He was still a significant contributor with erratic quarterback play from the 2021 Clemson Tigers tear. He may not be the fastest, but he is an underrated route runner.  

Kyle Philips – UCLA

Full Combine Results

Finally, my last sleeper, known as one of the best if not the best slot wide receivers in college football in 2021. We should be listening for Kyle Philips’ name to be called on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.

Philips is a great route runner whose 40-speed won’t get you excited (4.58 seconds), but it’s that initial 10 yards to 20 yard split that will. From zero to 10 yards, he timed at 1.49 seconds and hit 20 yards in 2.57 seconds. This shows off the great short-area quickness that we saw in his film. 

Being a part of Chip Kelly’s offense, per playerprofiler, he had a 31.3% (92nd percentile) college target share and a 38.6% (78th percentile) college dominator rating. Watching his game tape showed he was the Bruins’ safety valve. Open, catches the ball like he has stick ‘em on it. Philips reminds me of a Julian Edelman-type player.

He has a shot to be a day one starter for a slot needy team. Hearing his name early on day three should come as no surprise as NFL GMs love him. Hopefully, it’s a great landing spot. 

Let’s hear some of your sleepers! Comment below or hit us up on Twitter.

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