The South Florida Sun Sentinel continues its eight-part series previewing top players in the 2023 NFL draft (April 27-29) with wide receivers. The Dolphins have one of the NFL’s best duos in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. But quality depth is always desired. Miami lost Trent Sherfield to Buffalo, and although they return a good number of wide receivers, including Erik Ezukanma, last year’s fourth-round pick, not many have meaningful experience.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Smith-Njigba (6 foot 1, 196 pounds), a slot receiver who doesn’t possess outstanding speed, only played three games last season due to hamstring issues and he totaled five receptions for 83 yards. But in 2021, he was dynamic with 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns.
Quentin Johnston, TCU
Johnston has good size at 6-3, 208 pounds. He had 60 receptions for 1,067 yards and six touchdowns last season. He’s a downfield threat who will be better once he learns to use his size more effectively.
Jordan Addison, USC
Addison (5-11, 173), who can play inside or outside, had 59 receptions for 875 yards and six touchdowns last season after transferring from Pitt to play for coach Lincoln Riley. In 2021, while at Pitt, Addison won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver with 100 receptions for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
Hyatt (6-0, 176) used his 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed and impressive 40-inch vertical jump to total 67 receptions for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns. He could use a bit more polish as a route runner and more strength.
Zay Flowers, Boston College
Flowers (5-9, 182) had 78 receptions for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns, and did so using the type of speed and lateral moves that drive defenders crazy. Flowers, who attended University School High in Davie, is immensely talented and creates mismatches. If he had more size and strength he’d be nearly unstoppable.
Best of the rest
North Carolina’s Josh Downs, SMU’s Rashee Rice, Cincinnati’s Tyler Scott, Stanford’s Michael Wilson, Houston’s Tank Dell, Michigan State’s Jayden Reed, and Oklahoma’s Marvin Mims round out the top talent.
Class grade: A-
There are plenty of truly talented wide receivers in this class although the strengths might not show until the middle of the first round. But from there through the third round there should be plenty of strong prospects, especially if you want smaller, speedy slot receivers.
Teams in need
Houston, which still hasn’t recovered from losing DeAndre Hopkins a few years ago, is among the early-selecting teams in need of a wide receiver. But Seattle, Tennessee, New England, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, New Orleans, Kansas City, Arizona, Indianapolis, Atlanta and Green Bay are on the list, too.
Dolphins’ focus
The Dolphins are in good shape at the top with Hill and Waddle, and perhaps newly-signed Braxton Berrios in the slot. River Cracraft, an accomplished blocker, is the leader among the rest of the returnees, a group that includes Cedrick Wilson Jr., Erik Ezukanma, Braylon Sanders and Freddie Swain. The unit could use an upgrade considering the wide receivers’ importance to the offense.
Previously addressed
Dolphins NFL draft options: Tight ends
