The 2023 NFL Draft is still almost a year away. But already, the 2023 wide receiver class has been one of the most talked-about position groups. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kayshon Boutte, and Jordan Addison are regulars in early mock drafts, while prospects like Quentin Johnston and Josh Downs also hold claims to top spots.
In the latest episode of the PFN Premier NFL Draft Podcast, draft analysts Oliver Hodgkinson and Ian Cummings reviewed the initial Top 50 2023 NFL Draft prospects at PFN and spent some time discussing the high-stakes WR battle that’s in store. Who are the contenders for WR1, and who might take home the crown?
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Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kayshon Boutte, and others vying for WR1 crown in 2023 NFL Draft
Early on, the top of the 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver class is looking very strong. Not only is production on the side of the class’ top pass catchers, but the tape also holds a great deal of supporting evidence for the draft’s chief offensive catalysts. While there is talent, there isn’t yet an indisputable WR1.
Right now, naming a definitive WR1 is a wholly subjective exercise. And it could remain that way for some time. PFN Draft Analyst Oli Hodgkinson mirrored that sentiment when looking over PFN’s initial Top 50 Big Board.
“There’s not a clear-cut WR1. We’ve got Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the top wide receiver on the initial Top 50 board, but him and Kayshon Boutte are right next to each other. And then you mention Jordan Addison, Quentin Johnston — who arguably has the potential to be the Drake London-type character of this class. Josh Downs from UNC, who’s a true speed threat and gets the job done in [the] open field.”
The names don’t stop there, however. While there’s a visible top group already, there are other prospects to know. Each cycle, players rise and fall, with some emerging from relative obscurity. It happened in 2021, and there are candidates to make it happen again in 2022.
“You’ve got guys like Marvin Mims at Oklahoma, who’s likely to be the go-to guy for Dillon Gabriel this year,” Hodgkinson continued. “Impressive play speed, great ball tracking and body control, reliable pair of hands. It’d be remiss of me not to mention Zay Flowers, but also Jermaine Burton. He’s got the potential to be the guy who elevates himself in this class, the same way Jameson Williams did.”
2023 NFL Draft wide receiver class is wide open to start
There’s enough tape out there for observers to claim their own favorites in the 2023 NFL Draft wide receiver class. But as it stands, we have far more questions than answers with this group. That’s not a bad thing, however. The class is loaded with potential. Someone is bound to emerge, and in Hodgkinson’s eyes, the wide-open nature of it all only compounds the chaos.
“At this point in time, it’s very much less cut and dry than it was at this time last year. Last year, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Drake London were probably the guys. And that’s how it ended up being. At this point in this cycle, I don’t think you can hang your hat on the 3-5, 5-8 guys, as to who’ll emerge as the top players at their position — which I think makes it super, super exciting.”