The South Florida Solar Sentinel continues its eight-part collection previewing prime gamers within the 2023 NFL draft (April 27-29) with large receivers. The Dolphins have one of many NFL’s finest duos in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. However high quality depth is at all times desired. Miami misplaced Trent Sherfield to Buffalo, and though they return a superb variety of large receivers, together with Erik Ezukanma, final yr’s fourth-round choose, not many have significant expertise.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Smith-Njigba (6 foot 1, 196 kilos), a slot receiver who doesn’t possess excellent velocity, solely performed three video games final season resulting from hamstring points and he totaled 5 receptions for 83 yards. However in 2021, he was dynamic with 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Quentin Johnston, TCU
Johnston has good dimension at 6-3, 208 kilos. He had 60 receptions for 1,067 yards and 6 touchdowns final season. He’s a downfield risk who will probably be higher as soon as he learns to make use of his dimension extra successfully.
Jordan Addison, USC
Addison (5-11, 173), who can play inside or outdoors, had 59 receptions for 875 yards and 6 touchdowns final season after transferring from Pitt to play for coach Lincoln Riley. In 2021, whereas at Pitt, Addison received the Biletnikoff Award because the nation’s prime large receiver with 100 receptions for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
Hyatt (6-0, 176) used his 4.4-second 40-yard sprint velocity and spectacular 40-inch vertical leap to complete 67 receptions for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns. He might use a bit extra polish as a route runner and extra energy.
Zay Flowers, Boston School
Flowers (5-9, 182) had 78 receptions for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns, and did so utilizing the kind of velocity and lateral strikes that drive defenders loopy. Flowers, who attended College Faculty Excessive in Davie, is immensely gifted and creates mismatches. If he had extra dimension and energy he’d be practically unstoppable.
Better of the remaining
North Carolina’s Josh Downs, SMU’s Rashee Rice, Cincinnati’s Tyler Scott, Stanford’s Michael Wilson, Houston’s Tank Dell, Michigan State’s Jayden Reed, and Oklahoma’s Marvin Mims spherical out the highest expertise.
Class grade: A-
There are many really gifted large receivers on this class though the strengths may not present till the center of the primary spherical. However from there via the third spherical there ought to be loads of robust prospects, particularly if you'd like smaller, speedy slot receivers.
Groups in want
Houston, which nonetheless hasn’t recovered from dropping DeAndre Hopkins a couple of years in the past, is among the many early-selecting groups in want of a large receiver. However Seattle, Tennessee, New England, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, New Orleans, Kansas Metropolis, Arizona, Indianapolis, Atlanta and Inexperienced Bay are on the record, too.
Dolphins’ focus
The Dolphins are in good condition on the prime with Hill and Waddle, and maybe newly-signed Braxton Berrios within the slot. River Cracraft, an completed blocker, is the chief among the many remainder of the returnees, a bunch that features Cedrick Wilson Jr., Erik Ezukanma, Braylon Sanders and Freddie Swain. The unit might use an improve contemplating the large receivers’ significance to the offense.
Beforehand addressed
Dolphins NFL draft choices: Tight ends
Dolphins NFL draft choices: Offensive line
Dolphins NFL draft choices: Operating backs
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