Let’s take a look at 10 receivers that the Buffalo Bills could select in round one or round two of this year’s NFL Draft starting on Thursday night. They could definitely select one of these wide receivers if they are best available because of their current need for depth at the outside wide receiver position behind Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. Adding one of the players below would surely help.
Treylon Burks (Arkansas)
Treylon Burks is one of the best wide receivers that could be available at pick 25 for the Buffalo Bills. Burks announced on twitter that he will be attending the 2022 NFL Draft after his junior season. He’s a heck of a player who uses his size, blazing speed, and hands to dominate defenders.
In 12 games in the 2021 college football season Burks racked up 66 receptions, 1104 yards, and 11 touchdowns. He stands in at 6’2” and weighs 225 pounds, making him a very big target for his quarterback.
Here’s a display of Burks’ route running ability and ball skills:
Jahan Dotson (Penn State)
Jahan Dotson is a slippery fast wide receiver with a smaller build compared to some of the other guys in the draft, but he brings quickness and a great catching ability. Dotson has a slender, wiry frame, runs sharp routes, and has sticky hands.
In 12 games in 2021 Dotson racked up 91 receptions, 1182 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Dotson ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
Dotson stands in at 5’11” and weighs 183 pounds – he’s not the biggest prospect in this draft by any means, but the talent makes up for it.
Here’s two of Dotson’s highlight reel plays in 2020 against Ohio State’s Shaun Wade (drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2021) in a game where he had 8 receptions for 144 yards and 3 touchdowns. Dotson is projected to be picked around the end of the first round.
John Metchie III (Alabama)
John Metchie III has exceptional start-stop ability and also possesses speed that makes him a scoring threat on every play. Metchie III has a very sturdy frame, making him a difficult receiver to bring down.
In the 2021 college football season, Metchie III racked up 96 receptions, 1142 yards, and 8 touchdowns.
He stands in at 6’0” and weighs in at 195 pounds. Largely due to an injury last season, he’s projected to be drafted as a day-two pick.
Christian Watson (North Dakota State)
Christian Watson is a very elusive and speedy pass catcher. He’s very good at tracking the ball in the air over his shoulders on deep throws and catching it in stride, but not only is he a deep threat, he was used on screens and jet sweeps at ND State.
In 16 games in the 2021 season Watson racked up 43 receptions, 800 yards, and 7 touchdowns. He officially ran a 4.36 at the NFL Combine this year (fourth best time in this year’s combine).
Watson stands in at 6’4” and weighs 208 pounds. He’s generally projected as a second-round pick.
Skyy Moore (Western Michigan)
Skyy Moore is a tough, dynamic receiver who separates well, catches everything, and picks up yards after the catch. Moore lines up at multiple spots in the formation, bringing inside-outside versatility.
In 12 games in the 2021 season Moore racked up 96 receptions, 1293 yards, and 10 touchdowns. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and stands in at 5’10”, 195 pounds. He’s projected as a day-two pick.
Jalen Tolbert (South Alabama)
Jalen Tolbert is a tall, well-built receiver with long arms and big hands. Tolbert blends his game together perfectly with his size, speed, and route-running, which can set him up to be productive at the next level. Tolbert is a smooth, athletic big-play threat who has good quickness at the line to shake press coverage and avoid being jammed.
In 11 games in the 2021 college football season Tolbert racked up 64 receptions, 1085 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and stands in at 6’1″, 195 pounds. He generally has a third-round value in a deep WR class.
Justyn Ross (Clemson)
Justyn Ross is a guy who combines his size, great body control, and is a catch-point dominator. Ross is a very savvy route runner. He has a tall and muscular frame and has a very big catch radius. Ross has a knack for big plays and can go up and catch 50/50 balls, and he can also stop on a dime and “snap off” into breaks.
In 10 games in the 2021 college football season Ross racked up 46 receptions, 514 yards, and 3 touchdowns. He stands in at 6’4” and weighs 205 pounds and is projected to be a day-two pick.
Here’s an insane sideline one-handed circus catch by Ross against Alabama:
David Bell (Purdue)
David Bell is tall and has a well-built frame and sure hands. Bell is a smart and efficient route runner who catches everything that comes his way. He can line up inside at the slot position or outside and is great at producing after the catch.
In 11 games in the 2021 college football season, Bell had 93 receptions, 1286 yards, and 6 touchdowns. He ran a 4.65 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and stands in at 6’1″, 209 pounds.
Bell stands in at 6’1” and weighs in at 209 pounds. He’s projected to be a day-two pick.
Calvin Austin III (Memphis)
Calvin Austin is not the biggest guy in this year’s draft, but he brings athleticism that not many wide receivers bring. Austin will be overlooked because of his size but is very productive. Austin has the ability to beat press coverage off of the line of scrimmage, he will blow by corners who don’t get a hand on him, and he has reliable hands. Another thing that will be overlooked because of Austin’s size is his ability and willingness to compete and scrap as a blocker.
In the 2021 college football season Austin had 74 receptions for 1149 yards and 8 touchdowns. He ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and stands in at 5’8”, 170 pounds. He can be a third to fourth round steal for any team that can pick him up in the draft.
Calvin Austin beating the press coverage against Houston to gain enough separation to make the catch:
Khalil Shakir (Boise State)
Last but certainty not least on the list we have Khalil Shakir, who is a highly productive and versatile playmaker that can be used in multiple roles in an offense and also on special teams. He catches the ball smoothly and runs away from defenders with great acceleration. Shakir is shifty after the catch but also as a route runner.
In 12 games in the 2021 college football season Shakir had 77 receptions for 1117 yards and 7 touchdowns. He ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
Shakir stands in at 6’0” and weighs 196 pounds. He’s worth a day-two or early day-three pick.
