Wide receiver draft class could be deeper than 2020 group that included Steelers' Chase Claypool

Eight rookie wide receivers totaled at least 500 receiving yards in 2020. Seven had at least 50 receptions, and six caught no fewer than five touchdown passes.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Chase Claypool was part of this group — he qualified in all three categories — that included six wide receivers being drafted in the first round and 13 before the second round was complete (including the former Notre Dame receiver).

That latter stat qualified as an NFL Draft record.

As bountiful as the Class of 2020 was for pass catchers, this year’s contingent may be just as deep. And talented.

“If you’re looking for a wide receiver, there are a ton of them,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “It’s a really good group.”

So good that ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. projects another 13 wide receivers will be drafted in the first two rounds. Draft analysts consider wide receiver to be among the deepest positions this year.

Which means that whatever teams didn’t take advantage of the 2020 crop of receivers can make amends this year. And those that took a receiver early last year could double up this year.

“We were talking not long ago that college football wasn’t producing wide receivers,” Kiper said. “Now, this year, we have an incredible group where 40 wide receivers have a chance to get drafted. There could be 14-15 in the first two-plus rounds.

“It’s just a year where it all came together. It’s incredibly deep, not just with outside guys but it’s deep with slot guys, and you have some return men.”

Added Jeremiah: “It depends on what flavor you’re looking for.”

For the Steelers, they are expected to be bystanders, which is rare given their recent track record. Given the holes on offense at running back, center and tackle, their four-year run of using a second-day pick on a wide receiver likely will end. The Steelers have their top five receivers back from last year but will have JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington entering the final year of their contracts.

If the Steelers do add to the position room, it probably won’t happen until the third day, when plenty of pass catchers will be available.

“There is so much depth that you don’t need to take one early,” Kiper said.

Three players are the exception: LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase and the Alabama duo of Jaylen Waddle and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith. Draft analysts have all three going off the board before the first half of the opening round is complete. After the early run on quarterbacks is over, interest in this trio will intensify.

Chase sat out the 2020 season after leading the nation in receiving yards and touchdowns at LSU the previous year. Although Smith won his sport’s biggest award, he might not be the best receiver prospect on his own team. Waddle is viewed as at least his equal as an NFL prospect.

“They are special,” Kiper said about the trio. “To me, they are the highest-rated players in this draft. They all are special players and aren’t forced up there (to the top). … These guys are up there because they are phenomenal players. They proved it time and again. Waddle is not only a great slot receiver, he’s a punt returner. DeVonta could be used in the slot or outside. Same with Chase.

“In any draft they would go high, not just this one.”

Teams electing to pass on a wide receiver this year might not be so fortunate getting a replacement in 2022. Pro Football Focus projects that class to be thin at the position.

“Before you think the past two years are the start of a consistent trend,” the website wrote in a recent forecast, “just know that 2022 isn’t shaping up nearly the same. If you need a wide receiver, this is the year to grab one somewhere in the first two rounds.”

Top 5 WRs

1. Ja’marr Chase, LSU, Jr., 6-0, 201

Chase’s decision to opt out of the 2020 season didn’t hurt his draft stock. He’s considered one of the elite three receivers in the draft. He set SEC records with 1,780 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns in 2019.

2. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama, Jr., 5-9 1/2, 180

One of the nation’s top kick and punt returners as a sophomore, Waddle missed six games because of a broken ankle, but he returned for the national championship win against Ohio State.

3. DeVonta Smith, Alabama, Sr., 6-0, 170

The Heisman Trophy winner led the country with 23 receiving touchdowns, 117 catches and 1,856 yards in 2020.

4. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota, Jr., 6-0, 190

Bateman caught at least one pass in all 31 of his games at Minnesota. He played in five games last year before opting out of the rest of the season because of covid-19 concerns.

5. Kadarius Toney, Florida, Sr., 6-0, 193

Toney made his impact as a senior with 70 catches for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also averaged 8.5 yards on 19 carries and was a potent kick and punt returner for the Gators.

Best fit for Steelers, Day 1

Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU, Jr.

Wide receiver is the deepest position on the Steelers offense, and it’s a position they probably won’t address until the fourth round at the earliest. The 6-2, 205-pound Marshall is slotted to go in the 20s, so he gets the nod for these purposes.

Best fit for Steelers, Day 2

Anthony Schwartz, Auburn, Jr.

Again, the Steelers are expected to address other positions with their two Friday picks, but they did meet with the 6-foot, 186-pound Schwartz in the predraft process. He is considered the fastest player in the draft, reportedly running the 40 in 4.26 seconds at Auburn’s pro day.

Best fit for Steelers, Day 3

Isaiah McKoy, Kent State, Jr.

The Steelers like Mid-American Conference receivers, and McKoy could come aboard with a late-round pick. Kent State was limited to four games in 2020 because of the pandemic, yet the 6-2, 200-pound McKoy caught 25 passes for 455 yards and five touchdowns.