Many NFL teams have placed a greater emphasis on drafting wide receivers early now that the league has become so pass-heavy in recent years, but that approach may temporarily change with this year’s draft.
An NFL front office source told Ben Volin of The Boston Globe that teams are “dismayed” with the wide receiver prospects in this year’s class, and the early part of the draft is expected to be dominated by defensive players. The 2017 NFL Draft tied the record for most defensive players drafted in the first round with 19, but that number could get into the 20s this year. A lack of talent at the receiver position is a big reason for that.
There is still some uncertainty over who the top wide receiver taken will be. Most analysts predict it will be former Ole Miss standout DK Metcalf, who has arguably the most impressive physical makeup of any player in the draft. However, Oklahoma’s Marquise Brown is also seeing his stock rise as he shows no ill effects from the foot surgery he underwent earlier in the offseason. Metcalf and Brown could end up being the only two receivers taken in the first round.
