Francis Han’s Top 5 Collegiate Wide Receivers

By: Francis Han

The 2023 WR room is stacked with generational talent and athleticism. This is my top 5 wide receivers of the class based on certain criteria. That criteria being route running, speed, agility, catching ability, awareness, ability to extend the play, ball skills, and physicality. I want to give honorable mentions to Troy Franklin and Xavier Worthy. Without further ado, here is my list.

      5.   Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) 

            Projection: Late 1st Round - Early 2nd Round

Ohio State is notorious for developing elite wide receivers and Emeka Egbuka is a direct result of their program. Coming out of high school, Emeka Egbuka was the highest rated and scouted wide receiver. You can see it in his game as he has been elite since high school and has only got more refined. He is a little undersized at 6’1” 206, but he is also the most versaitle wideout in this draft as he is used as an effective blocker and in the run game. He is an impressive athlete, but his catching ability and ball skills don’t blow me away. 

      4.   Malik Nabers (Lousiana State)

            Projection: Mid 1st Round

In one of the most athletic WR rooms of all time, Malik Nabers is right there at the top of the pack. Nabers is super explosive and has an insane run-after-catch ability. But, I am not as high on him as others. He is not as refined as other receivers with his catching ability and route running. Although he has some big plays that pop off the highlight reel, when youn watch the whole game, nothing he does is too special to me. He doesn’t stack as well against elite DB’s as the receivers ahead of him. You can’t argue the numbers though. Objectively, Malik Nabers is putting up the best statistics out of any wide receiver in the nation. 

      3.   Rome Odunze (Washington)

            Projection: Mid 1st Round

There is no bias when it comes to Rome Odunze. He is really that guy. It seems like as long as he is not getting fouled, he will come down with the football. He has professional level route running and is maybe the best deep threat in this draft. In what is easily the best WR core in the nation, Rome Odunze stands out as the obvious WR1. You can tell he just knows what he is doing on the field as he is constantly exploiting coverages. When you see how technical he is, you sometimes forget that he also has an elite build at 6’3” 215. He uses that build to be exceptionally physical with the ball. Rome Odunze is a professional WR. 

      2.   Keon Coleman (Florida State)

            Projection: Mid 1st Round

If you just watch his highlights, you will understand how special Keon Coleman is. I know you shouldn’t judge a player off his highlights, but Keon Coleman makes your jaw drop. He may just have the best hands in the draft. He is the most explosive and exciting player that this draft has to offer. He has a perfect build for a pro wide receiver at 6’4” 215. He has that it-factor and personality you are looking for in your WR1. Some of the best physicality and ball skills I have seen from a collegiate wide receivers. Keon Coleman is elite.

      1. Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State)

          Projection: Top 3

Marvin is the WR1. It’s not even close. He is one of the best wide receiver prospects of all time. He’s right up there with Calvin Johnson and Randy Moss. If you were to ask me about any flaws in his game, I couldn’t give you an answer. He has a prototypical build at 6’4” and 205 pounds. He is an elite athlete as he runs a 4.39 40 and has the ability to make plays after the catch. He has top-tier route running and ball skills. There’s not much more to say about him. He is everything that you want in an NFL wide receiver.