2013 NFL Draft Rankings: Wide Receivers 

Every team in the NFL wants the chance to grab the next Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green, or Julio Jones.

Unfortunately, only a few teams will have that opportunity in the 2013 NFL Draft with Cordarrelle Patterson and Keenan Allen being the two that stand out amongst the other receivers.

Patterson is my clear cut number one with his comparable Julio Jones-type play. He will make plays across the middle of the field or down field with his size near the end zone.

Allen has the potential to be a burner with a very good sized frame at 6’3. While these two studs are the cream of the crop, that doesn’t at all mean there isn’t more talent at wide receiver. Tavon Austin showed his explosiveness at the combine, while Ryan Swope’s stock jumped with a nice 40 time, as well. There are several solid talents at the receiver position. Let’s break them down and rank them:

1. Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee

Patterson is an absolute boss. He has the size, speed and skill-set to be a special player at the next level. His main knock is he’s still raw and inexperienced.

2. Keenan Allen, Cal

Allen is a burner with a solid all-around skill-set. He isn’t afraid of contact or going over the middle, and can work magic with the ball in his hands. He’s more polished than Patterson but arguably has a slightly lower ceiling.

3. DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson

Hopkins has solid size and break-neck speed to go along with reliable hands and solid route-running ability. He really blew up in 2012 and is arguably fairly underrated going into the draft.

4. Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Austin isn’t the biggest or strongest, but he’s a speed demon with loads of explosiveness and versatility. He’ll be a dangerous weapon.

5. Justin Hunter, Tennessee

Hunter has a very nice combo of size and speed. His 2011 knee injury hurt him, but he’s well on his way to returning to his previous form. He’s another underrated talent.

6. Robert Woods, USC

Woods has solid size and speed. He needs to get a lot tougher and be more willing to be physical at the next level. A bit of a down year in 2012 could have hurt his stock.

7. Terrance Williams, Baylor

Quicker than fast, Williams is a bit underrated because he’s not quite as physically imposing as some of his draft-mates. He’s a very prolific receiver with a good amount of upside.

8. Aaron Dobson, Marshall

Really nice size and flashed elite red-zone ability in 2011. Not the most productive guy and not overly explosive or fast.

9. Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech

Has decent size and speed, but is far from a burner. Lacks great strength or explosiveness. Route-running needs work.

10. Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech

Rogers is a highlight reel receiver. He has nice size and speed, but character and consistency issues could hurt his draft stock.

11. Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas

Solid size/speed combo. Very nice senior season. Hasn’t shown to have a nose for the end-zone. Not the fastest guy in the world.

12. Stedman Bailey, West Virginia

Bailey could be a great slot receiver at the next level. He’s fast and shifty, but he doesn’t have the best size.

13. Marquess Wilson, Washington State

Great size and solid speed. Needs to hit the weight room. Too frail for how big he is.

14. Ryan Swope, Texas A&M

Blew people away at the combine with 4.3 speed. Has good play-making ability and reliable hands. Lack of great size could force him into the slot.

15. Markus Wheaton, Oregon State

Pretty explosive with nice straight-line speed. Reliable receiver who can make a lot of big plays. Had a huge senior year. Lacks size and strength.

16. Ace Sanders, South Carolina

Decent speed and great play-making ability. Lacks size and strength. Not very productive in college.

17. Aaron Mellette, Elon

Has great size and strength. Not a speed demon. Insanely productive for three seasons. Faced weak competition.

18. Chris Harper, Kansas State

19. Erik Highsmith, North Carolina

20. Kenny Stills, Oklahoma

Decent size and speed, but not very explosive or eye-popping. Just a solid prospect with a low ceiling.

21. Marquise Goodwin, Texas 

Absolute burner that should be utilized as a slot receiver with big upside. Still fails to catch the ball with his hands, which hurts him severely.

22. La’Rod King, Kentucky

23. Tyrone Goard, Eastern Kentucky

24. Conner Vernon, Duke

Pretty athletic with great, soft hands. Runs crips routes, better speed than advertised. Perfect for the slot at the next level. Could be late-round gem.

25. Dan Buckner, Arizona

26. Corey Fuller, Virginia Tech

27. Tavarres King, Georgia

28. Josh Boyce, TCU

29. Brandon Kaufman, Eastern Washington

30. Marcus Davis, Virginia Tech

31. Emory Blake, Auburn

Solid size and speed combo. Has some play-making ability but lacks elite speed.

32. Alec Lemon, Syracuse

33. Keenan Davis, Iowa

34. Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State

35. Mike Shanahan, Pittsburgh

36. Lanear Sampson, Baylor

37. Darius Johnson, SMU

38. Marcus Sales, Syracuse

39. Denard Robinson, Michigan

Pretty special athlete with outstanding versatility. Showed good speed. Raw receiver. Is he a wide out or a running back? Is he done playing QB?

40. Skye Dawson, TCU

41. DeVonte Christopher, Utah

42. Roy Roundtree, Michigan

43. Marlon Brown, Georgia

44. Denard Robinson, Michigan

45. Uzoma Nwachukwu, Texas A&M

46. Alan Bonner, Jacksonville State

47. Jasper Collins, Mount Union

48. Jason Thompson, New Haven

49. Rodney Smith, Florida State

50. Chuck Jacobs, Utah State

51. Dyrell Roberts, Virginia Tech

52. Ryan Spadola, Lehigh

53. Josh Jarboe, Arkansas State

54. Kenbrell Thompkins, Cincinnati

55. Chris McNeill, Wyoming

56. Luke Tasker, Cornell

57. T.J. Moe, Missouri

58. Tyler Shaw, Northwest Missouri State

59. Jaron Brown, Clemson

60. Darryl Stonum, Baylor

61. Mark Harrison, Rutgers

62. Reggie Dunn, Utah

63. Taylor Stockemer, Arkansas State

64. Sam McGuffie, Rice

Former running back. Guy can fly and is elusive. Has only been a true WR for one year. Could be interesting in the slot.

65. Dominique Sandifer, San Diego State

66. Jamal Miles, Arizona State

67. Rodrick Rumble, Idaho State

68. Rashad Ross, Arizona State

69. Jheranie Boyd, North Carolina

70. Michael Smith, UConn

71. Russell Shepard, LSU

72. MarQueis Gray, Minnesota

73. Nicholas Edwards, Eastern Washington