With the NFL combine now behind us and the draft under two months away, it seems like a good time to look at the fantasy impact of incoming rookies for the 2018 season.
We don't yet know which teams these first-year players will take snaps for, so we can't lump them in with the veterans for ranking purposes right now. However, to help you begin to scout the top incoming talent, I've ranked the prospects based on my observations from their college careers and the combine.
Here's a look at the best fantasy-relevant wide receiver talent in the 2018 NFL draft pool.
Note: Each player's overall rank among rookies appears before his name.
Top fantasy rookie wide receivers
7. Calvin Ridley, Alabama Crimson Tide
Ridley is the year's top wide receiver prospect, though he leads one of the weakest classes in quite a while. Ridley caught 224 passes during three seasons at Alabama. His catch totals decreased each season (high of 89 in 2015, low of 63 in 2017) and his role changed from more of a possession target in 2015-16 (8.6 average depth of target) to a more versatile role in 2017 (11.2). Ridley is undersized at 6 feet tall and 189 pounds but shows good speed and separation skills on tape. His experience in Alabama's pro-style offense should help the transition to the NFL.
The knock on Ridley is that he's a bit thin/weak and has struggled against press coverage and to haul in jump balls. He struggled at the combine, posting poor marks in the vertical (31.0 inches) and broad jump (110 inches). Ridley seems destined for flanker/slot duties with the ability to make big plays downfield, but not someone who will help much in the touchdown department. His ceiling is lower than some others in this class, but his floor may be highest.
8. Courtland Sutton, SMU Mustangs
At 6-foot-3, 218 pounds, Sutton is one of the year's biggest prospects at the position. He's elusive and shows tackle-breaking ability with the ball in his hands, but his frame doesn't allow him much quickness. Sutton caught only 51 percent of his 133 targets in 2017 despite a modest 13.8 average depth of target (aDOT). He's also a solid blocker and projects as a possession receiver at the next level.
Sutton has good size, crushed it at the combine (especially in the three-cone and short and 60-yard shuttles) and is working with and compares his potential contributions to Anquan Boldin. There's some intriguing upside here.
10. D.J. Moore, Maryland Terrapins
Set to turn 21 in April, Moore is one of the youngest receivers in this year's class. The former Terp stands 6 feet tall at 210 pounds and enjoyed a breakout season with 80 catches for 1,033 yards and eight scores last season. He's quick and tough with solid speed (4.42-second 40-yard dash), hands and post-catch ability. He was one of the biggest winners at the combine, posting some of the position's best marks in the vertical jump, broad jump, short shuttle and 60-yard shuttle.
Moore has experience playing outside, but his skill set figures to lead to a slot/possession role similar to that of Golden Tate. Moore is also an experienced punt returner.
11. James Washington, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Washington may be built like a running back (5-foot-11, 213 pounds), but he's one of the most explosive downfield prospects in the 2018 wide receiver class. Washington has tons of speed (he plays faster than his 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine suggests) and is productive with the ball in his hands. His 18.2 aDOT last season was second highest among the 44 wide receivers at the combine. He averaged 20.9 yards per reception (third highest) and 12.8 yards per target (third). Expect Washington to step right in as a situational deep threat with the upside for more.
13. Michael Gallup, Colorado State Rams
In a draft class loaded with slot, possession receivers and height/weight/speed (HWS) fliers, Gallup stands out as a solid all-around receiver and one of the class's top prospects. Gallup sports a good combination of size (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) and speed (4.51 40-yard dash) to go with terrific toughness and tackle-breaking ability. His efficiency was much better in 2016 than it was last year, but Gallup still hauled in 100 of 165 targets for 1,413 yards and seven scores in his final season. He finished as Pro Football Focus' highest-graded wide receiver. As is the case for most in this class, Gallup may max out as a No. 2 receiver, but he has the upside to be a key offensive component.
14. Christian Kirk, Texas A&M Aggies
Kirk lined up in the slot on 94 percent of his snaps last season and projects as an underneath target and standout kick and punt returner in the pros. He's explosive, quick and tough on tape, though he didn't show very well in the broad jump (115 inches), three-cone (7.09) and short shuttle (4.45) drills at the combine. He did, however, run a good 4.47 40-yard dash and put up 20 reps on the bench. Kirk has good hands and excels after the catch. He caught 71 balls but averaged only 8.0 yards per target last season.
15. Anthony Miller, Memphis Tigers
Miller will turn 24 early during his rookie season and is thus one of the oldest wideouts in this class. He's 5-foot-11, 201 pounds, isn't particularly fast and has struggled with drops (eight last season). On the plus side, he's a polished route runner with good quickness and post-catch ability. Miller lined up in the slot 38 percent of the time last season and helped out as a ball carrier and returner. The versatile Miller has drawn Kendall Wright and Sterling Shepard comparisons and figures to settle in as a No. 2 or 3 receiver.
16. D.J. Chark, LSU Tigers
Chark is a slim but athletic 6-foot-3, 199-pound wideout. He sports outstanding speed, as shown by his position-best 4.34 40-yard dash at the combine. He also paced the position with a 40-inch vertical and tied for second with a 129-inch broad jump. Chark was limited to 40 receptions last season, but his 20.0 aDOT was highest among all wide receivers who attended the combine. He translated that to 21.9 YPR (second highest) and 12.7 YPT (fourth). Teams also will appreciate Chark's versatility, as he racked up 25 carries and 19 returns during his time at LSU.
24. Marcell Ateman, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Ateman is one of the draft's most intriguing "big" receivers. He stands 6 feet 4 inches tall at 216 pounds and combines his size and strength with good jump-ball skills. Ateman has the size to excel against press coverage and to deliver the goods near the goal line. He isn't particularly fast (4.64 40-yard dash) or athletic, but that didn't keep him from averaging a hefty 13.0 yards per target last year. Ateman, who is already 23 years old, projects as a possession receiver who won't be short on jump balls near the goal line.
25. Keke Coutee, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Coutee is young (turned 21 in January) and undersized (5-foot-10, 181 pounds, 8 3/8-inch hands). He lined up in the slot 94 percent of the time last season, and a good combination of speed (4.43 40-yard dash) and quickness (4.15 short shuttle) has allowed him to be productive both with the ball in his hands and as a downfield playmaker. Coutee posted a pair of efficient seasons at the ages of 19 and 20, including a breakout 2017 that saw him haul in 93 of 121 targets (8.1 aDOT) for 1,429 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also handled a few carries and racked up 412 yards and one score on 16 career kick returns. Coutee's size may limit him some, but his combination of age, skill and FBS production makes him a very intriguing slot target.
32. Tre'Quan Smith, UCF Knights
Smith is a bigger, powerful receiver at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds. He has good speed (4.49 40-yard dash) and decent quickness to go with long arms (33 3/8 inches) and solid blocking ability. Smith averaged 13.8 yards per target last season, tops among all 44 wide receivers at the combine. He caught 69 percent of his targets despite a 15.1 aDOT. Smith dropped only six of his 290 targets during his three seasons at UCF. He's a sleeper worth monitoring.
33. Deon Cain, Clemson Tigers
Cain has a good combination of length (6-foot-2, 202 pounds, 33-inch arms) and speed (4.43 40-yard dash). He stands out on big plays down the field, posting a catch of at least 61 yards during each of his campaigns at Clemson. Cain played more of a situational deep-threat role in 2016 (17.4 aDOT on 76 targets) but was promoted to a more well-rounded role (12.7, 95) last season. Cain has some drop issues (six last season), but he has the look of a downfield target at the next level.
34. Jordan Lasley, UCLA Bruins
Lasley is one of the more interesting wild cards in the 2018 draft. He's only 21 years old with decent size at 6-foot-1, 203 pounds. He's fast and explosive with terrific post-catch skills. In fact, last season he averaged 18.3 YPR, 11.5 YPT and 8.58 run after catch -- all of which ranked among the best in the business. On the flip side, there's a massive concern with Lasley's hands. After dropping seven of 73 targets in 2016, he dropped 11 of 110 targets last season. His 9.8 drop rate during the span ranked fourth worst among Power 5 receivers. Lasley also was arrested and suspended multiple times during his time at UCLA. He's a boom-or-bust prospect.
35. Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
St. Brown is one of the biggest receivers in this year's class at 6-foot-5, 214 pounds. Though he combines his impressive height with good speed (4.48 40-yard dash), St. Brown showed a lack of strength at times on tape, which limited his production against bigger corners. St. Brown appeared in 27 games at Notre Dame but was limited to only 92 receptions. That includes 33 catches on 75 targets in 2017, which works out to a poor 44 percent catch rate. St. Brown's lack of production is a major red flag, but his size is sure to attract teams on draft day.
36. Cedrick Wilson, Boise State Broncos
Wilson is an interesting sleeper if you're a fan of efficiency and versatility. He showed well in nearly all efficiency categories during his two seasons in Boise. That included a yards-per-target rate of at least 11.3 both years. Wilson caught 139 passes, carried the ball 12 times and handled 41 returns in 26 games since 2016. A quarterback in high school, Wilson is raw, but he's tall (6-foot-2), showed well at the combine and has acceptable speed (4.55 40-yard dash).
37. Dante Pettis, Washington Huskies
Pettis is on the small side (6 feet tall, 186 pounds) and lacks strength, but he's a good route runner with solid hands and separation skills. He's far from a burner but is one of the year's top punt returner prospects. He put up 428 yards (20.4 per return) and four touchdowns on 21 returns last season. Pettis should settle in as a complementary receiver who has the versatility to play inside and out and help on returns.
42. Auden Tate, Florida State Seminoles
At 6-foot-5, 228 pounds, Tate was the largest wide receiver at the 2018 combine. Tate is raw (65 career receptions at FSU) and lacks speed (4.68 40-yard dash) and separation ability. He had a rough combine, managing jumps of only 31 inches in the vertical and 112 inches in the broad. He projects as a secondary possession target and goal-line specialist in the NFL. Having turned 21 in February, Tate is one of the youngest wideouts in this class.
43. J'Mon Moore, Missouri Tigers
Moore has pretty good size at 6-foot-3, 207 pounds and projects as a deep threat in the pros. Though his 4.60 40-yard dash was weak, Moore showed off impressive short-area quickness with 6.56 three-cone (best at the position) and 4.04 short-shuttle (second best) times at the combine. He struggled with drops at Missouri (15 over the past two seasons) but made up for it with good post-catch production (7.5 RAC) and averaged a terrific 11.2 yards per target in 2017.
44. DaeSean Hamilton, Penn State Nittany Lions
Hamilton isn't particularly athletic or quick but used his good route-running skills to put together a strong final season at Penn State. He caught 53 passes for 857 yards and nine touchdowns while aligning in the slot on 98 percent of his snaps. He converted 77 percent of his receptions into first downs (sixth best among wide receivers at the combine). He's a potential "big slot" in the pros.
45. Trey Quinn, SMU Mustangs
Quinn is 5-foot-11, 203 pounds with big hands and has experience playing both inside and out. He has sufficient size to go with good strength, quickness and route running. Quinn has terrific hands, having dropped only two of 157 targets last season while hauling in 73 percent of the looks (7.5 aDOT). He lacks the ability to be a force downfield, but he should compete for a slot gig in the pros.
46. Antonio Callaway, Florida Gators
Callaway is yet another wild card at the position this season as he undoubtedly has a ton of skill, but off-field concerns will have him removed from many team's boards. Callaway has a long list of troubles with the law during his time at Florida and it was capped off by involvement in a credit card fraud scheme that landed him a suspension for the entire 2017 season. During his first two seasons at Florida, he was busy as a rusher (eight carries), receiver (89 receptions) and returner (six kick and 54 punt returns).
Callaway is fast (4.41 40-yard dash), explosive and terrific with the ball in his hands. His hands are underwhelming, as he dropped seven balls in two seasons. There's obviously massive upside here for Callaway, who is 5-foot-11, 200 pounds and only 21 years old, which may lead to a team taking a flier.
51. Jester Weah, Pittsburgh Panthers
Weah is big (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) and strong. He's a vertical threat with the ability to make explosive plays with the ball in his hands. He had an up-and-down combine, showing well in the 40-yard dash (4.43), vertical jump (38 inches) and broad jump (129 inches) but poorly in the three-cone (7.24), short shuttle (4.41) and 60-yard shuttle (11.88). After barely playing during his first two seasons, Weah broke onto the scene in 2016, but he finished his career with only 77 receptions, 14 of which were touchdowns. Weah's size and playmaking ability combination make him an intriguing flier.
52. Deontay Burnett, USC Trojans
Burnett is one of the smallest wideouts in this class at 6-foot, 186 pounds. He primarily lined up in the slot at USC (84 percent of his snaps last season) and figures to play the same role in the pros. He's quick and has good (albeit small) hands (three drops on 220 career targets). Burnett isn't particularly fast and, combined with his small frame, struggles against press. Expect him to compete for a role as a team's primary slot man.
53. Simmie Cobbs Jr., Indiana Hoosiers
Cobbs is another big receiver at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. Despite the large frame and impressive ball skills, Cobbs lacks speed (4.64 40-yard dash) and separation ability, which is especially costly against press coverage. He managed a position-worst 30-inch vertical jump at the combine but did better than expected in the three-cone (6.70) and 60-yard shuttle (11.20). Cobbs' efficiency was brutal last season as he dropped six of 124 targets and averaged 6.8 yards per target. His 3.2 RAC was second worst among receivers who attended the combine. He dropped 18 balls during his three seasons, including 15 over the past two years.
54. Allen Lazard, Iowa State Cyclones
Lazard is a huge man at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds. He plays tough but lacks speed (4.55 40-yard dash) and separation ability. He struggles after the catch, as well, posting a 3.9 RAC in 2017.
55. Richie James, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
At 5-foot-10 and only 178 pounds, James was the lightest wide receiver at the combine. Though he plays tough, he lacks strength and that showed up when he posted a position-worst six reps in the bench press. James performed well otherwise, posting decent speed (4.48 40-yard dash) and quickness times. An ankle injury limited James to five games last season, but he caught 105-plus balls in both 2015 and 2016. Drops are a big concern (he had 15 in 2016), but his playmaking and return ability could get him onto a roster.
63. Javon Wims, Georgia Bulldogs
Wims stands 6-foot-3, 215 pounds with 4.53 wheels. He's a physical receiver with quality hands and can go up and grab jump balls. Wims averaged 16.0 YPR last season, and 80 percent of his catches went for a first down (third best among wide receivers at the combine).
64. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, South Florida Bulls
Valdes-Scantling is a highly intriguing size-speed prospect. He stands 6 feet, 4 inches tall at 206 pounds with 10-inch hands and ripped off a 4.37 40-yard dash at the combine. Valdes-Scantling did, however, underwhelm with a 30.5 inch vertical and has struggled with drops (16 on 236 career targets). He also had eight carries last season, so the combination of his height, speed and versatility figure to attract teams on Day 3 of the draft.
65. Dylan Cantrell, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Cantrell improved his stock at the combine. He measured in at 6-foot-3, 226 pounds and posted the best times at the position in the three-cone (6.56), short shuttle (4.03) and 60-yard shuttle (10.85). Cantrell caught 71 passes last season but averaged only 7.3 yards per target. He's not very fast (4.59 40-yard dash), but his combination of size and quickness figures to attract teams.
66. Jaleel Scott, New Mexico State Aggies
Scott is a big dude at 6-foot-5, 218 pounds with 33.5-inch arms. He doesn't have much speed or quickness, but his combination of good arms and leaping ability makes him a potential vertical and goal-line threat in the pros. Scott's 119 targets were most among all players in this class without a single drop last season.
67. Jake Wieneke, South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Wieneke is 6-foot-4, 221 pounds with big hands and long arms. He underwhelmed athletically at the combine and needs to make the transition from a small school, but he may attract teams looking for a goal line and jump ball option. He lacks speed (4.67 40-yard dash) and has struggled with drops.
72. Daurice Fountain, Northern Iowa Panthers
Fountain was the MVP of the Shrine Game but was snubbed from the combine. He's 6-foot-1, 210 pounds with solid speed and jumping ability.
73. Byron Pringle, Kansas State Wildcats
Pringle is an older prospect at 24, but his big-play ability will be of interest to teams. He is 6-foot-1, 205 pounds with 4.46 wheels. Though he caught only 30 balls and dropped six of 61 targets, he averaged 24.1 YPR last season, which was tops among wideouts at the combine. Pringle also is a terrific return man, and that figures to be his priority in the pros.
76. Korey Robertson, Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
Robertson had a productive 2017 season, catching 76 of 118 targets for 1,106 yards and 12 touchdowns. Incredibly, he didn't drop a single pass after dropping 15 of 59 targets in 2016. He's a strong 6-foot-1, 212 pounds, but he lacks speed (4.56 40-yard dash).
77. Cam Phillips, Virginia Tech Hokies
Phillips lacks size and strength at 6-foot, 195 pounds with smaller than average hands and arms. He projects as a possession receiver with reliable hands and doesn't offer much speed or downfield playmaking ability.