The Cowboys are going to take a wide receiver in this year’s draft. We just don’t know what round.
To be prepared, these are the best receivers available in each round.
First Round: Henry Ruggs II (Alabama)
Ruggs finished 2018 with 741 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. He put together a solid 2019 campaign with 40 receptions for 746 yards and seven touchdowns. He ran the 40-yard dash at 4.2 and is around six feet tall. He is known to have good hands and has the ability to play in the X,Z, or slot positions.
Second Round: Justin Jefferson (LSU)
Jefferson finished 2019 with 111 receptions for 1,540 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns. The 6-foot-3 and 192-pound receiver is a borderline first or second round prospect. If he does fall to the second round, he is the best choice out there.
Third Round: Van Jefferson (Florida)
Jefferson finished 2019 with 46 receptions for 657 yards and seven touchdowns. NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah gave this analysis: “After the catch: Another aspect of Jefferson’s game that is attractive is his ability to hurt defenses after the catch. While not the dangerous prospect that Henry Ruggs is, Jefferson has the ability to get up field and get yards after securing the catch.”
Fourth Round: Devin Durvaney (Texas)
Duvernay was a two-year starter that shined during his senior year. Last season, he recorded 106 receptions for 1,386 yards and nine touchdowns. His initial burst of speed is known as his greatest strength.
Fifth Round: Tyler Johnson (Minnesota)
Johnson averaged over 15.0 yards per reception his last two seasons as a Gopher. At 6-foot-1 and 206 pounds, his size brings you back to the days of former Steelers receiver Hines Ward. Then again, his stats do too. Johnson recorded 2,500 receiving yards the last two seasons and 25 touchdowns.
Sixth Round: Joe Reed (Virginia)
Reed finished 2019 with 77 receptions for 679 yards. He excelled as a slot receiver. He also showed what he can do as a kick returner. He may need time to develop, but is also viewed as a future practice squad member.
Seventh Round: Jeff Thomas (Miami)
Thomas has slipped to the later rounds due to character issues. If the Cowboys feel comfortable with him as a person, he could be the steal of the draft. He looks like a first round prospect, but again, he has issues. Then again, the Cowboys have two projects of their own in Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory.