Top 5 Wide Receivers in the 2017 NFL Draft

Corey Davis – 6’3″ 209 lbs. – Central Michigan

Corey Davis is a small-school guy with big-time game.

He burst onto the scene as a true freshman, and produced every year at Central Michigan. He could have entered the draft following his Junior season and been a high pick, but he came back to school his senior year.

Davis was a two-star recruit and the no. 368 ranked wide receiver coming out of high school. And now, he has a chance to be the first receiver off the board on draft day.

Strengths:

Davis is a guy who wants the ball in his hands, particularly in big moments. He’s capable of taking slant routes to the house, and makes catches away from his frame naturally.

He works back to the ball and is aggressive at the catch point. He maneuvers and contorts his body to help him make tough catches, and has strong hands to help him hang on.

Davis has the muscle, build and mental makeup to beat press coverage. If he builds up he speed, he’ll burn opposing defenses. He’s a savvy route-runner and a dynamic red-zone threat with a jump ball mentality. He’s also dangerous in the open field, and can break off arm tackles with ease. He goes from catches to runner quickly.

Weaknesses:

Drops. Plain and simple, too many drops for my liking (but maybe not Nick’s). They are more on his focus than his hands, so they can be cleaned up.

Little tweaks to his route running speeds on vertical routes could be improved. He’s a bit stiff in and out of breaks, and can’t snap back like elite guys. Too much wasted motion in his routes. Seems to enjoy outside more than the slot and shows more effort there. Him not testing at the Combine is an issue, as NFL teams like to gather all the data they can.

Overall:

While he did play at a small school, Corey Davis made it seem like he was a NFL player playing against college players, and that’s what you have to do in the lower divisions or less-talented conferences for scouts.

If Davis had tested at the Combine, he probably would have been my no. 1 WR. He has an all-around game and could be an elite wide receiver in the NFL.

NFL comparison: Jordy Nelson

Film score: 80

Athleticism score: N/A

Final score: 80 (Round 1)