Washington Redskins: NFL Draft wide receiver value rankings

Uncertain Value

40. Jordan Lasley – UCLA

Projection – Round 4

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has Jordan Lasley as a pick in Round 2 or Round 3. I’m not nearly as high on the UCLA product. He has decent size, and he’s relatively quick, but he had major issues holding onto the football with the Bruins. His drops contributed to a lower quarterback rating for Josh Rosen, and it’s surprising to see that Lasley hasn’t been criticized further for his issues catching the football. He also has a record of character concerns off the field. Combine that with his inconsistent play, and he’s hard to pick, especially in Round 4.

39. Darren Carrington – Utah

Projection – Round 7

The potential loss of a draft pick makes this selection more risky, in terms of value. There’s no questioning Darren Carrington’s natural talent, but he’s still a very raw player, in terms of route running and evading defensive backs, and he had some off-field struggles over the past few years. Carrington, 6-foot-2, may not be as great a risk as Antonio Callaway, but his talent doesn’t mirror the Florida product’s. Better value can be had in the later rounds.

38. Antonio Callaway – Florida

Projection – Round 7

Florida’s Antonio Callaway is a superb talent, and a player who most certainly would be considered in Round 1, if not for his overwhelming character concerns. Callaway has a track record consisting of sexual assault allegations, and while a team may take a chance on him on Day 3, the Washington Redskins should steer clear. There are ways they can still acquire a talented receiver on Day 3, without losing a chunk of dignity.

37. J’Mon Moore – Missouri

Projection – Rounds 4-5

At 6-foot-3, size isn’t the issue for Missouri’s J’Mon Moore. Rather, it’s his development. J’Mon Moore is still in the very early stages of his progression as an NFL wide receiver. For teams that are fairly complete at the position, this would be a welcome addition. But for the Washington Redskins, who need to add reliable depth to help smoothen the arrival of Alex Smith, Moore may not be the right pick in Round 4.

36. Jake Wieneke – South Dakota State

Projection – Rounds 6-7

Another big-bodied prospect who lacks in speed and quickness (shocking correlation), Wieneke will be limited in terms of what he can do at the next level. He’s an easy-to-see target at 6-foot-4, 205, but he won’t easily get separation, and against NFL-caliber defensive backs, as opposed to Division II opponents, Wieneke might not see the light of day. Even in the later rounds, the Washington Redskins should avoid drafting Wieneke.

35. Javon Wims – Georgia

Projection – UFA

Javon Wims has excellent size at 6-foot-6, 215, but he is still in the early stages of his development. Despite his size, he could never jump into a premier role in Georgia’s offense, with drops and lack of separation serving as contributing factors. Wims has potential, but it will take a lot of coaching, and with the Washington Redskins, Wims might not have a clear role. There’s no guarantee he would last past preseason.

34. Courtland Sutton – SMU

Projection – Round 1

I like Courtland Sutton. He’s a player with great potential. He has the size, athleticism, and tenacity when attacking the ball to be a true No. 1 receiver at the next level. However, as it stands, he’s a raw prospect, and his tape is rather slow. His talent is fruitful for a growing team with a need for a favorite target, but for the Washington Redskins, who have that athletic, 50-50 warrior in Josh Doctson, Sutton would essentially be a wasted pick. Sutton will demand a first-round pick, barring a slide, and the Washington Redskins would be wise to pick someone else.

33. Marcell Ateman – Oklahoma State

Projection – Round 4

This isn’t to say that Marcell Ateman is a bad player. But at a position in the NFL Draft where players like DaeSean Hamilton and Cedrick Wilson could very well be available, passing on either of them for Ateman would be a move that sacrifices a great deal of value. Ateman has plus size, and good speed for that size, but his route tree is fairly limited, and despite his looming frame, he sometimes disappears on tape. He’s a player with a fair amount of upside, but he’s not the only one, and he should not be the first choice if there are other options still on the board.

32. Christian Kirk – Texas A&M

Projection – Round 2

The hype train for Christian Kirk ran free for some time before finally returning to the station, and rightfully so. Don’t get me wrong; Christian Kirk is a talented player. But the talk of him going in Round 1 is irrational. A team could very well rate him as a first-round player, but on the tape, it’s hard to see that. His tested speed doesn’t always translate onto the field, and he lacks the desired length to battle for contested catches. He’s skilled after the catch, and he’d be well-worth a third or fourth-round pick, but the Washington Redskins shouldn’t reach for him in Round 2.