2020 College Football Draft Kit: Wide Receivers

2020 College Football Draft Kit: Wide Receivers

This article is part of our College Football Draft Kit series.

We're continuing our 2020 Draft Kit roll-out for the upcoming college football season with a look at the top wide receivers in the game. Our staff of beat writers pitched in to write outlooks for the top wideouts in the nation and give a glimpse of what to expect from this position group. 

Follow along with our Draft Kit series here, including our 2020 Quarterback and Running Back rankings. 

*Note: Rankings are for PPR Scoring. Do you play a different format? Rankings can be adjusted to fit your league settings in the Custom Rankings area.

1.) Rondale Moore, Purdue

Moore's injury-plagued 2019 shouldn't discourage fantasy players from targeting him high in drafts once again. The hamstring injury in Week 5 wiped out what was on pace to be an impressive encore to Moore's freshman season. Prior to the injury Moore caught 27 of 40 targets for 369 yards and two touchdowns in three games, and even those numbers were dragged down by a shaky performance from a backup quarterback against TCU in Week 3. The important thing to note was that Moore was averaging over 13.0 targets per game, which is in line with his 12.3 T/G as a freshman. Now healthy, he is ready to be a volume juggernaut again and that amount of targets going to an electric talent like Moore makes him a surefire top-tier receiver. Furthermore, Purdue ranked third in passing-play percentage in 2019 and ran 74.1 plays per game (31st), so there is

We're continuing our 2020 Draft Kit roll-out for the upcoming college football season with a look at the top wide receivers in the game. Our staff of beat writers pitched in to write outlooks for the top wideouts in the nation and give a glimpse of what to expect from this position group. 

Follow along with our Draft Kit series here, including our 2020 Quarterback and Running Back rankings. 

*Note: Rankings are for PPR Scoring. Do you play a different format? Rankings can be adjusted to fit your league settings in the Custom Rankings area.

1.) Rondale Moore, Purdue

Moore's injury-plagued 2019 shouldn't discourage fantasy players from targeting him high in drafts once again. The hamstring injury in Week 5 wiped out what was on pace to be an impressive encore to Moore's freshman season. Prior to the injury Moore caught 27 of 40 targets for 369 yards and two touchdowns in three games, and even those numbers were dragged down by a shaky performance from a backup quarterback against TCU in Week 3. The important thing to note was that Moore was averaging over 13.0 targets per game, which is in line with his 12.3 T/G as a freshman. Now healthy, he is ready to be a volume juggernaut again and that amount of targets going to an electric talent like Moore makes him a surefire top-tier receiver. Furthermore, Purdue ranked third in passing-play percentage in 2019 and ran 74.1 plays per game (31st), so there is plenty of room for Moore to reclaim a high target volume while teammate David Bell gets fed as well.

2.) Sage Surratt, Wake Forest

Surratt's breakout 2019 season that concluded with 66 catches, 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns is only more impressive when considering he missed the Deacons final four games due to a shoulder injury. He snagged at least four balls in every game he played in, and seven or more six times in nine outings, failing to reach the end zone only twice. Further, in two outings largely led by now starter Sam Hartman, Surratt went for a combined 19 catches, 366 yards, and three touchdowns. Admittedly, Hartman needs to find a balance and not just sling it deep to Surratt, who has the size to grab most anything thrown his way on the outside. But anticipated growth from his signal-caller should offset worries that Surratt has little help in the receiving corps following the graduations of Scotty Washington and Kendall Hinton (108 catches, 1,608 yards, 11 TDs combined). He won't sneak up on anyone, but Surratt has all the makings of a top-flight receiver in 2020. --Chris Bennett

3.) Reggie Roberson, SMU

Roberson is the top option in one of college football's most high-volume passing attacks. The Mustangs have ranked 11th in the nation in pass attempts per game each of the last two years and Roberson showed significant chemistry with Shane Buechele in 2019 before suffering a season-ending foot injury against Houston. Roberson matched his 2018 touchdown count and bested his yardage count on 40 fewer targets, all while upping his catch rate from 50 percent to 67 percent. With James Proche gone, Roberson has a chance to be the most targeted receiver in college football this season. And when Roberson is catching a high percentage of those targets with explosive efficiency, he has the makings of an elite fantasy option at receiver. --John McKechnie

4.) Ja'Marr Chase, LSU

Chase was so explosive in 2019, that it is difficult to imagine he could have a better year as a junior. Just a sophomore last season, he set SEC records for receiving yardage (1,780) and touchdown receptions (20). Chase won the Biletnikoff Award as the top wide receiver in the country. He was a Unanimous First-Team All-American. Fellow wideout Justin Jefferson has left for the NFL, but so did his quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, Joe Burrow. The development of Myles Brennan under center could go a long way towards determining just how productive Chase is as a junior, but even if Brennan is a step down from Burrow, Chase is simply too talented to be held in check. --Jesse Siegel

5.) Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State

If not for a torn ACL during a practice last October, Wallace likely would have been yet another high profile receiver in what was a stacked class in the 2020 NFL Draft. Instead, he'll return for his senior season on an Oklahoma State squad that is returning 19 starters, including sophomore quarterback Spencer Sanders. Wallace was outstanding in 2018 while leading Power 5 receivers in yards per game (114.7) and yards per catch (17.3). His 903 yards and eight touchdowns on 53 catches had him on a similar pace in 2019 before the devastating injury. With plenty of time to get healthy, Wallace will be a hot commodity for fantasy as the Cowboys boast one of college football's most potent offenses. --Nick Grays

6.) Tamorrion Terry, Florida State

Aptly nicknamed "Scary Terry", Terry has been the lone bright spot in the 'Noles passing attack in consecutive seasons. An elite vertical threat with size and speed to spare, Terry has scored 17 times in the last two years while averaging 20.4 YPC in the process. The downfall for Terry has been erratic quarterback play that led to just a 52.5 percent catch rate on 181 targets. The return of likely starting quarterback James Blackmon may not inspire confidence, but there's room for guarded optimism with the 'Noles offense under new head coach Mike Norvell, whose Memphis' offenses always seemed to coach up their quarterbacks to better numbers than talent would suggest, and always had a thriving outside receiver. Terry is a known commodity who may be able to find some additional consistency in 2020. --Chris Bennett

7.) DeVonta Smith, Alabama

Smith finished third in the SEC in receiving yardage (1,256) and touchdowns through the air last season (14), yet should receive even more opportunities now that Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs have taken their talents to the NFL. Mac Jones looked competent under center once Tua Tagovailoa went down due to injury, and Smith is now the undisputed No. 1 receiver for the Crimson Tide. Smith showed off his explosiveness, averaging nearly 18.5 yards per catch. He had perhaps the best single-game performance of any wideout last season, hauling in 11 passes for a staggering 274 yards and five touchdowns in a 59-31 triumph over Ole Miss. With good reason, Smith has been named a preseason All-American. --Jesse Siegel

8.) Dazz Newsome, North Carolina

Newsome and teammate Dyami Brown appear to be perfect complements to each other, with Brown offering a bit more field-stretching while Newsome sees heavier target share on most stable routes. That led both to 1,000-yard, 10+ touchdown seasons in 2019, with Newsome catching 21 more passes on 12 additional targets. Newsome and the Heels offense really got going over the second half of 2019, once freshman quarterback Sam Howell, fully settled in. Newsome went for seven scores and 43 catches over his final seven games, a trend that seems likely to carry into 2020. With Howell, Brown, and the Heels other top five receivers and top two rushers all back, North Carolina has the makings of a consistent, dynamic, and diverse offense. Newsome will be front and center in the passing attack, and repeating last year's tallies could be his floor. --Chris Bennett

9.) Chris Olave, Ohio State

Olave managed to notch a breakout season in 2019 despite playing in a crowded offense with a lot of mouths to feed. He led the Buckeyes in YPT at 11.1 and touchdowns (12) on 76 targets. Now that K.J. Hill is gone, other receivers will get more opportunities, but Olave is positioned to be the clear No.1 in one of the nation's most explosive offenses led by one of the nation's best quarterbacks. Olave has a polished skill set to go with smooth athleticism and elite hands, and that combination in an offense like Ohio State's makes him one of the top fantasy receivers in the country. --John McKechnie

10.) Jaylen Waddle, Alabama  

Waddle's overall numbers took a step back in 2019, but the explanation could be as simple as opportunity, or lack thereof. Placed fourth on the depth chart behind Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs and DeVonta Smith, Waddle still averaged 17 yards per catch and scored six times through the air. With Jeudy and Ruggs now in the NFL, Waddle has the chance for an explosive junior campaign. As a freshman, he caught 45 passes for 848 yards and seven touchdowns, figures he should be able to eclipse as long as quarterback play remains decent under Mac Jones. Waddle also had two return touchdowns last season, which only helps his value even further.--Jesse Siegel

11.) Marlon Williams, UCF

Williams is ready to challenge Tre Nixon as the No.1 wideout in Central Florida's explosive offense. The 6-foot, 215-pound Williams averaged a team-best 10.5 YPT among players with at least 50 targets, besting Nixon by nearly two full yards. He also fell just 113 yards shy of Nixon on 26 fewer targets. With Gabriel Davis and his 133 targets needing to be replaced in the offense, Central Florida will likely lean on Williams and Nixon to carry the passing game. Williams has more room for an increased role in the offense and could prove to be the Central Florida receiver to target in drafts this summer. --John McKechnie

12.) Damonte Coxie, Memphis

The Tigers could have been forgiven for expecting Coxie to move on to the NFL after 2019. After all, it was his second year in a row with over 70 catches and 1,000 yards, and he added nine receiving touchdowns to boot. Instead, Coxie decided to stick around. Yes, Mike Norvell has moved on, but the Tigers decided to promote from within to maintain continuity. Speaking of continuity, Brady White is back as the starting quarterback once again. What's there to stop Coxie from another season of over 70 receptions and 1,000 yards in his senior campaign? Especially since Antonio Gibson moved onto the NFL? -- Chris Morgan

13.) Rashod Bateman, Minnesota

Bateman is primed to build off his explosive 2019 as the new No.1 option in Minnesota's offense. Tyler Johnson and his 38 percent target share are gone, leaving some room for Bateman's target volume to increase. Bateman also gets to benefit from quarterback Tanner Morgan entering his third year as the starter after breaking out in 2019 with 30 touchdowns and a 10.2 YPA. It will be tough for Bateman to build on his efficiency as his 12.4 YPT ranked second in the nation behind only Ja'Marr Chase last season, and he won't have the benefit of Johnson keeping defenses honest on the other side of the formation. Still, Bateman is one of the most talented receivers in the nation and he'll be difficult for opposing defenses to stop even if Minnesota is light on credible threats other than him in the passing game. Bateman projects to finish as a fringe Top 10 receiver with a legitimate shot at being a Top 5 fantasy wideout. --John McKechnie

14.) Jahan Dotson, Penn State

Dotson is set to take over as Penn State's top target following K.J. Hamler's departure. He's coming off a highly explosive sophomore campaign but the sample size was rather small. Dotson caught 60 percent of his 45 targets for 488 yards (10.8 YPT) and five touchdowns in 2019, showing significant big-play potential. That ability could be amplified this season with Penn State's hire of former Minnesota offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, who orchestrated an explosive passing attack with the Gophers in recent years. Dotson has more of a slot frame at 5-11, 184 pounds, but he is also the best overall returning Penn State receiver. Meanwhile, Daniel George and John Dunmore have more prototypical outside receiver frames similar to Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson at Minnesota, and while each has a strong recruiting pedigree, Dotson's overall explosiveness and versatility will cement him atop the Penn State pecking order. --John McKechnie

15.) Jonathan Adams, Arkansas State

Arkansas State is replacing 250 targets left behind by Kirk Merritt and Omar Bayless, and Adams is positioned to take up as many as he can handle. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Adams still drew 104 targets in 2019 despite the presence of those two, so the target increase won't be overly dramatic. Still, he projects to challenge for a 10 target per-game pace with room for a little more, and there's reason to believe he can do some serious damage with that level of involvement. He averaged 8.2 yards per target and had some poor touchdown luck with just five scores on those 104 targets last season. Without Merritt and Bayless commanding red-zone targets, a touchdown boon could be in the offing for Adams. That, coupled with elite target volume, makes him a viable WR1 in 12- and 14-team formats.

16.) Dyami Brown, North Carolina

Brown could be a polarizing selection in 2020 drafts. The final numbers on his breakout sophomore season, 51 catches, 1,034 yards, and 12 touchdowns, will play in any lineup. Brown scored in five straight to close the campaign, and there were only three games during the season where he failed to find paydirt, so Brown clearly has QB Sam Howell's eyes in scoring instances. But Brown topped 100 yards in a game just twice and finished with four or fewer catches eight times in 12 contests. There's no doubting Brown as a dynamic playmaker, and the Heels offense returns its quarterback, top two rushers and top five wideouts, so there should only be continued cohesion. The numbers figure to be there at year's end, but if Brown experiences some likely touchdown regression, he'll have weekly volatility and could struggle to produce related to draft position.

17.) C.J. Johnson, East Carolina

It took Johnson a few weeks to get adjusted to the college game, but once he did, he was one of the best receivers in the country as a freshman. He broke out with an eight-catch, 100-yard outing with two touchdowns against Temple in Week 6. From that point forward, Johnson saw 10.9 targets per game with a 10.5 YPT. His 800 yards from Week 6 to the end of the season ranked sixth in the country. Look for Johnson to get off to a much faster start this season and hit the ground running in Week 1, giving his investors a full season of high-volume, high-efficiency production. --John McKechnie

18.) Isaiah McKoy, Kent State

McKoy may not be a household name, but his numbers are worthy of much more recognition. He is coming off an 872-yard season with eight scores and a 10.77 YPT, and there's room for more this year. McKoy will have less competition for targets with Mike Carrigan and Kavious Price gone, leaving 40 percent of the targets up for grabs. While he won't absorb all of those, McKoy could be positioned for upwards of 30 percent of the total targets. And when we're considering that type of volume for a player as talented as McKoy, the payoff could be massive. McKoy also has the added benefit of playing alongside senior quarterback Dustin Crum, who completed nearly 70 percent of his passes in 2019. Look for McKoy to be the main focus of Kent State's efficient passing attack. --John McKechnie

19.) Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Wilson came to Columbus as a five-star freshman in 2019 with a loaded depth chart in front of him at receiver and he still managed to make an impact. He finished with 30 catches for 432 yards and five scores on 41 targets and his 10.5 YPT ranked third on the team. With K.J. Hill and Binjimen Victor gone, Wilson will be elevated to a starting spot opposite Chris Olave to give Ohio State one of the best receiver tandems in the country. Wilson's five-star pedigree was apparent even as a freshman, and it seems likely that he'll be one of the top receivers in the country by the end of this season. --John McKechnie

20.) Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC

There were clearly plenty of passes to go around in USC's high-powered spread offense last season. Case in point, St. Brown was the third target in the Trojans' passing game most of the year, but he still had 77 catches for 1,042 yards and six touchdowns. He really came on down the stretch, with three games of over 100 yards in his last four contests. The offense is still in place, and Kedon Slovis is a sophomore now. On top of that, Michael Pittman is now in the NFL. St. Brown will be, at worst, the number-two target heading into the season. Somehow, the junior could be in line for bigger numbers in 2020. That is, if he is healed from his sports hernia surgery in time. --Chris Morgan

21.) Marquez Stevenson, Houston

Stevenson investors were worried that his production would fall off a cliff once D'Eriq King announced that he was sitting the final eight games of the season to preserve a redshirt. That didn't happen at all, however, and Stevenson came close to matching his 2018 production despite that massive shakeup. He finished 2019 with 40 fewer yards and the same amount of touchdowns as he did in 2018, with the only major dip coming in his reception total, which fell from 67 to 52 in the regular season. This will be Year 2 in the Dana Holgorsen offense and Houston has room to improve, and that could result in Stevenson reaching another level of production. At the very least, Stevenson should challenge for 30 percent of the target share and bring high efficiency on a per-target basis. Drafters should be comfortable with Stevenson as a high-end WR2 with potential for fringe WR1 upside. --John McKechnie

22.) Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech

Ezukanma may have done enough in 2019 to establish himself as the top receiver as he emerged with at least seven targets and a touchdown in each of his last three games, including seven catches for 135 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets in the season finale versus Texas. The sophomore will need to fend off TJ Vasher and a deep receiving corps in one of college football's most dynamic offenses. Texas Tech will also return starting quarterback Alan Bowman who has managed just 10 games due to injuries over the last two seasons. If Ezukanma can hold on to that number one receiver spot, he'll be well worth his draft position in upcoming fantasy drafts. -- Nick Grays

23.) George Pickens, Georgia

Pickens led the Bulldogs in all major receiving categories in 2019 and seemed to get better as his freshman season wore on. Pickens found the end zone in each of Georgia's last four games, and his superb performance in the Sugar Bowl is perhaps a sign that he is emerging as a bonafide superstar. Pickens erupted with 12 catches for 175 yards and a touchdown in the 26-14 win over Baylor. The one question mark for Pickens and the Georgia offense will be who lines up under center with the departure of Jake Fromm. Graduate transfer Jamie Newman from Wake Forest seems to be the frontrunner, but USC transfer JT Daniels should also figure into the mix, as will redshirt junior Stetson Bennett. --Jesse Siegel

24.) Terrace Marshall, LSU

Marshall missed three games during LSU's championship run last season due to an ankle injury, but still managed to score an impressive 13 touchdowns in 12 contests. Only three other wideouts finished the 2019 campaign with more scores through the air in the SEC, and two of them were on his own team (Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson). With Jefferson off to the NFL, Marshall should have even more opportunities, assuming he can stay healthy and new quarterback Myles Brennan can prove even serviceable. Marshall has elite size at 6-foot-4 and should prove an excellent complement to the aforementioned Chase's big-play ability. --Jesse Siegel

25.) Jake Smith, Texas

Smith flashed in his freshman campaign with 25 catches for 274 yards and six touchdowns on 35 targets. With the departure of Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson to the NFL, Smith will pair with Brennan Eagles to be the Longhorns' top two options in the passing game. Former running back Jordan Whittington will reportedly transition to the slot, however, Smith has the tools to line up almost anywhere in Texas' offense if need be. With a top-tier quarterback in Sam Ehlinger, Smith is a legitimate breakout candidate during this sophomore season. --Nick Grays

26.) Chatarius Atwell, Louisville

What a difference a year makes. Atwell was surely ignored during 2019 drafts but likely became a popular league winner off waiver wires after erupting for 69 catches on 106 targets, 1,272 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Atwell was so dominant that he doubled the production of any other Cardinal receiver, accounting for 39 percent of his team's catches and 42 percent of their receiving yards. There may not be a more dynamic threat in the ACC, a conference that is loaded with receiving talent, as Atwell is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. As such, and especially given his smaller frame, it's somewhat surprising he's not utilized in the rushing game more frequently, as he had only eight carries last season. A returning quarterback in Micale Cunningham should help easy any concerns that Atwell is a one-year wonder, though Cunningham was more efficient (194.8 passer rating) than the eye test often revealed. With the Cardinals also returning their top two rushers and three of their top four receivers, there should be plenty of offensive continuity, and perhaps the opportunity to get more creative in finding ways to get Atwell the ball in space. --Chris Bennett

27.) Drake London, USC

Even in a crowded and veteran-laden receiving corps, London managed to make a splash as a freshman in 2019. It took time for him to get going, but once he did, London was a staple in the USC passing attack. He had just one game with a catch through his first four outings, then went off for 36 catches for 505 yards and five touchdowns on 44 targets in his final seven. To draw that type of volume when Michael Pittman, Tyler Vaughns, and Amon-Ra St. Brown are all on the field is impressive. Pittman is gone now, and so are his 136 targets. Vaughns and St. Brown are still in the fold but London is primed for a significant target bump. And a target bump for a 6-foot-5 athlete who put up 11.5 YPT is something that should interest drafters. --John McKechnie

28.) Seth Williams, Auburn

Williams took a big step forward as a sophomore in 2019, reeling in 59 passes for 830 yards and eight touchdowns. He finished in the top-10 in the SEC in all categories. Williams could benefit from some improvement from the quarterback position, as true freshman Bo Nix struggled at times with accuracy. Still, with some development from Nix and a year together under their belt, the duo should be able to at least repeat their performance from last season, if not improve upon it. Williams averaged over 20 yards per catch as a freshman when Jarrett Stidham was under center for the Tigers but just over 14 yards per grab last season, so there is room to grow in the vertical passing game in 2020. --Jesse Siegel

29.) Jhamon Ausbon, Texas A&M

Ausbon had a tremendous junior season, rebounding from a disappointing sophomore campaign. Ausbon more than doubled his production, gaining 872 receiving yards on 66 catches. He finished sixth in the SEC in receiving yardage in 2019, and seventh in receptions. The leading receiver for the Aggies averaged 13.2 yards per catch and scored six touchdowns through the air. Quarterback Kellen Mond returns with Ausbon for their senior campaigns, giving A&M the most experienced quarterback-wide receiver duo in the conference. While Ausbon may not be the home run threat like Ja'Marr Chase or Alabama's tandem of DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, Ausbon will still be a consistent, reliable weapon in what should be a rather potent offense. --Jesse Siegel

30.) David Bell, Purdue

Losing Rondale Moore was catastrophic for Purdue's season last year, but it opened up the opportunity for Bell to become a bright spot. Bell, a true freshman, hauled in 86 of 131 targets for 1,035 yards and seven touchdowns. Some of his biggest games came against his toughest opponents, too. He racked up 197 yards and a score against Iowa and added 12 catches for 108 yards and a touchdown against Wisconsin. Moore being back in the fold this year may scare some off of Bell, but it's important to remember that Purdue has ranked in the Top 10 in pass attempts per game each of the last two years, so there's still enough volume to support star-level production for both Moore and Bell. --John McKechnie

31.) Khalil Shakir, Boise State

Shakir's numbers took a big jump in 2019, as he went from having only 10 receptions to 63, which led the Broncos. Those catches went for 872 yards and six touchdowns, which are good numbers, but not necessarily the kind of numbers that wow you in college football these days. This was with the Broncos having to start three different quarterbacks, though, including true freshman Hank Bachmeier. Stability under center would go a long way for Shakir, who is entering his junior season. Will Shakir be the top target for whoever ends up as the starter for the Broncos? That's a question we don't know the answer to yet. --Chris Morgan

32.) Tyler Snead, East Carolina

East Carolina has a passing game to target, and Snead's elevated role within that system makes him someone to target in drafts, perhaps earlier than you'd think. Snead didn't break out until after ECU's Week 7 bye but he was dominant thereafter. In his final six games, Snead caught 54 of 67 targets at 9.0 YPT with five touchdowns. Yes, a lot of that came from his absurd 19-catch, 240-yard outing with three touchdowns against SMU, but a game like that doesn't just happen by accident. East Carolina shifted to one of the most pass-heavy philosophies down the stretch as quarterback Holton Ahlers got more comfortable, as the Pirates were second only to Washington State in pass attempts per game in November. If that trend line holds and East Carolina continues in that direction, Snead will be locked in for a significant target volume and he has already proven he can do a lot with his opportunities. --John McKechnie

33.) Tyquan Thornton, Baylor

Thornton will return to Waco as the top receiving option after his former teammate Denzel Mims departed for the NFL. The junior will have an excellent opportunity to surpass his 45 catches for 782 yards and five touchdowns on 74 targets from last season as Mims commanded triple-digit targets in each of the last few seasons. There's been significant changes at Baylor as Dave Aranda comes over from LSU for his first head coaching gig, but more importantly for Thornton, he'll have consistency at the quarterback position with an experienced senior in Charlie Brewer. Brewer and Thornton should be a common connection in a wildly competitive Big 12 this upcoming season.--Nick Grays

34.) Rico Bussey, Hawaii

In 2018, Bussey had 68 catches for 1,017 yards and 12 touchdowns for North Texas. Unfortunately, early in 2019 he suffered a torn ACL and the season became a total write off. Bussey decided in the offseason to transfer away from the Mean Green to join the high-flying Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Of course, Hawaii has a new head coach, but Todd Graham has a strong track record. Bussey is facing some obstacles, as he is returning from injury and playing for a new team. There have to be questions about him replicating that 2018 form with Hawaii in 2020. --Chris Morgan

35.) Warren Jackson, Colorado State

Jackson is a unique talent who enters the season as the top dog among a talented Colorado State receiving corps. At 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds with standout leaping ability, Jackson is a nightmare for defenders, especially in the red zone. He caught six of his eight touchdowns in that area last season and figures to be Colorado State's main weapon there again in 2020. There are some factors that could prevent Jackson from building on his 2019 in terms of his raw production. For one, Colorado State is breaking in a new offensive system under former Ball State OC Joey Lynch. Secondly, Dante Wright is an ascending talent out of the slot who will command more volume this year, plus Nate Craig-Myers will have a strong target share on the outside opposite Jackson. Everything is still in place for Jackson to have a strong season, but don't be surprised if Wright or Craig-Myers match or surpass his production this year.--John McKechnie

36. Brennan Eagles, Texas

Eagles stepped up in 2019 as the Longhorns' third-best receiver behind Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson. With Duvernay and Johnson both gone to the NFL, Eagles should have no problem surpassing his 32 catches for 522 yards and six touchdowns on 65 targets from last season. He'll have the benefit of top tier quarterback Sam Ehlinger returning as well as pairing with a talented sophomore wideout in Jake Smith. Texas has a lot to prove in 2020 and Eagles will be a pivotal piece in helping them have a productive year.--Nick Grays

37.) Amari Rodgers, Clemson

Rodgers' experience, paired with a down 2019 season, could have him being a bargain at WR as a senior. Rodgers caught only 30 passes as a junior, fourth amongst his teammates, but did surface for 55 catches as a sophomore. He figures to have more chances in 2020 following Tee Higgins' NFL departure, and Justyn Ross' season-ending neck injury, as those two combined for 125 catches, 2,032 yards, and 21 touchdowns. Rodgers' 5-foot-10 frame has him better suited to operate over the middle of the field, in stark contrast to 6-foot-3 emerging sophomores Joe Ngata and Frank Ladson. A steady volume of short and intermediate throws weekly should keep Rodgers' floor safe, though the yardage and scoring upside likely rests elsewhere in the Tigers passing attack. --Chris Bennett

38.) Osirus Mitchell, Mississippi State

Mitchell has been consistent, albeit largely unspectacular over his last two seasons with the Bulldogs. The leading receiver for the Bulldogs still only managed just 430 yards and six touchdowns through the air, though admittedly shoddy quarterback play negatively affected his output. Mitchell is a huge target at 6-foot-5, and with no other receiver on the roster having even half as many catches as Mitchell a season ago, he should receive the lion's share of the looks from Stanford transfer KJ Costello. Mitchell is by far the most experienced and productive wideout remaining on this roster, so opportunities will be plentiful, especially in a newly installed Mike Leach offense. --Jesse Siegel

39.) Jared Smart, Hawaii

Smart was one of three Hawaii receivers to have over 1,000 yards last year. He was also second on the team with 87 receptions. The only issue? Smart only found the end zone five times. You expect more touchdowns with that many touches. Cedric Byrd, who led the team with 98 catches, is gone, but JoJo Ward, who led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, is back. Plus, the Rainbow Warriors have added transfer Rico Bussey from North Texas. This could keep Smart third on the depth chart. Obviously, that didn't hurt him too much in 2019, but we may already know the senior's upside heading into the new season. --Chris Morgan

40.) Dante Wright, Colorado State

Wright is an emerging talent out of the slot who could explode as a sophomore after an impressive freshman season. He caught 57 of 79 targets for 805 yards (10.2 YPT) and four touchdowns. Colorado State also used him in the run game, giving him 17 carries. He was explosive in that function with 214 yards and a pair of scores. The Rams have a new coaching staff, but with numbers like that, it'd be surprising to see Wright's rushing role evaporate. Regardless, Wright is a reliable target who provides explosive efficiency out of the slot, so even though players like Warren Jackson and Nate Craig-Myers will get plenty of usage, Wright will still be a staple for the Rams. --John McKechnie

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John McKechnie
John is the 2016 and 2021 FSWA College Writer of the Year winner. He is a Maryland native and graduate of the University of Georgia. He's been writing for RotoWire since 2014.
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