Ranking top 5 wide receivers in 2022 NFL Draft

Third-quarters of the NFL has already started the offseason with just eight teams remaining in the 2021 playoffs. That means the first 24 picks of the 2022 Draft are set and in order, and teams can get into building their draft boards and planning their strategy.

2022 NFL Draft top-heavy with talented WRs

The quarterback position is usually the hot ticket item in the draft, but 2022 is heavy with defensive players and linemen at the top of the draft. However, teams can usually bank on there being a deep group of wide receivers in the draft class. This year is no different, with many receivers projected for the first two rounds. Ohio State could even end up with two receivers taken in the first round.

Scouts, analysts, coaches, and general managers are busy evaluating prospects and developing draft boards. Here are the top five wide receivers that most teams should have high on their boards entering the 2022 Draft.

2022 NFL Draft WRs #5 & #4

#4 - Treylon Burks, Arkansas

Southwest Classic - Arkansas v Texas A&M

The injury to Jameson Williams may have caused a stir in the top-five, but Treylon Burks remains a top prospect in the 2022 Draft class. It's not often that Arkansas has a potential first-round talent, but Burks is the big-body type who isn't afraid to fight for the ball. He was a former four-star recruit and the top overall prospect for the state of Arkansas out of high school.

Over the past three seasons, he has 147 catches for 2,418 yards and 18 scores. The NFL will fall in love with his athleticism and his ability to be a one-on-one mismatch. He will thrive with a younger quarterback still gaining confidence in the league with his skill at the catch point. Just toss it up to him and Burks will fight through to come away with the ball.

Burks won't be among the flashiest receivers in the NFL, but he can be slid into the slot position and get the possession on a third-and-long situation. The Chicago Bears and the New York Jets are two of the few teams who could trade back to snag him late in the first round.

#5 - Jameson Williams, Alabama

Jameson Williams; Southern Miss v Alabama

Jameson Williams was viewed as the second or third-best wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft prior to his ACL injury against Georgia. He is expected to make a full recovery and won't lose his elite speed, but it's hard to see him as a top prospect. Williams won't fall out of the first round, though. He could easily get selected in the early 20s as long as he's showing good signs in his rehab.

Williams caught 75 passes for 1,507 yards and 15 touchdowns in his only season with the Crimson Tide. He transferred from Ohio State after 10 total catches in two seasons. It was the best decision for him, earning All-SEC honors and first-team All-America. He was a sub-4.3 speedster before his injury, which greatly helped his draft stock over the season.

He's more than just speed. Williams is a skilled route-runner with a dangerous double-move. His main negative is a tendency to body-catch at times. He'll have to refine his technique to catch with his hands to avoid costly drops in the NFL. The New Orleans Saints seem to be a prime destination for Jameson at #18 and would give Jameis Winston a major upgrade at the position.

2022 NFL Draft WRs #3-#1

#1 - Jahan Dotson, Penn State

Jahan Dotson; Auburn v Penn State

Jameson Williams' injury allows Jahan Dotson to get more of the spotlight during the NFL offseason. Dotson is a bit undersized but makes up for it with his athleticism and crisp technique.

The first-team All-Big Ten receiver had his best year in 2021 with 91 catches; 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's gotten consistently better over his four seasons at Penn State, hitting his first 1,000-yard season this year.

Dotson is an all-around star receiver who can be a threat on all three levels. He's great with YAC and has the speed to create distance as a deep threat. He can line up inside or outside and tends to win often against press coverage.

Penn State wasn't the best offense this year, which may have pushed Dotson into the shadows a bit, but he should be highlighted well leading up to the NFL draft. The New Orleans Saints and the Las Vegas Raiders seem like a good fit for Jahan Dotson.

#2 - Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Garrett Wilson; Michigan State v Ohio State

The Ohio State Buckeyes seem to have the two best wide receivers in the draft class, which is also bad news for their team next season. Garrett Wilson is surely on some teams' NFL draft boards as their top receiver, and he deserves to be.

Wilson is dangerous with underneath throws and quick screens, making him a YAC machine. Out of most other prospects, Wilson has the ideal frame and build for the NFL.

Wilson finished his college career with 70 catches; 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021. He proved himself to be a pure athlete rather than a pure receiver. He's improved his route-running but is still a project player. He remains a top-level prospect because of his raw talents and high ceiling in the future.

A team will select him in the first round as someone who can start immediately and can only get better over the years. Some have him going to the Detroit Lions at #27 but he could go as soon as #14 to the Baltimore Ravens.

#1 - Chris Olave, Ohio State

CFP Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl - Clemson v Ohio State

Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are two of the best receivers entering the draft, but Olave is a bit more talented. He possesses an advanced route tree that leaves him recoverable and a threat on all levels. More importantly, Olave can read the defense well and reacts accordingly after the snap.

He hasn't had a single 1,000-yard season in four years but that doesn't mean he isn't a great player. As mentioned, Olave was competing with Wilson for targets and that is part of the problem when you have two top-tier receivers on one team. When he gets to the NFL, Olave won't have quite as much competition as a rookie. He'll be a Day 1 starter who can transition to every type of offensive scheme. That is why he will be the first receiver taken off the board. The Cleveland Browns at #13 or New York Jets at #10 seem like the most likely scenarios.