There’s really no question who the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft will be. Barring the apocalypse, Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence will be the first pick of new Jacksonville head coach Urban Meyer.
The Jets will pick second and will likely also opt for a quarterback. There are many that believe the pick will be Ohio State QB Justin Fields, but others are thinking BYU’s Zach Wilson will be the guy.
2021 NFL Draft Props: First WR Picked
Either way, after the top two picks a number of quality wide receivers are going to come off the board. Anywhere between three and five receivers could go in the first round, but which one will go first?
Ja’Marr Chase – LSU
The new favorite to go first is LSU’s Chase. He opted out of the 2020 season and focused on training for the 2021 NFL draft.
Chase was the 2019 Biletnikoff Award winner after catching 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns.
He is solidly built at 6-0 and 208 pounds with great speed and outstanding hands. Despite not playing last season, scouts love his ability to make big plays. That’s why he is the -225 favorite to be the first receiver off the board.
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DeVonta Smith – Alabama
Not to be outdone, Smith followed up Chase’s record-breaking season with one of his own in 2020. The Tide receiver caught 117 passes for 1,859 yards and 23 touchdowns. Smith was unstoppable in the national championship game win over Ohio State.
The concern about Smith is his slight build. At 6-1, he is listed at 175 pounds and is likely closer to 170. Will he be able to take the punishment dishes out on receivers at the NFL level? He is listed at plus money at +300 to be the first wide receiver picked in the 2021 NFL draft.
Jaylen Waddle – Alabama
Waddle may have been the guy in this draft had it not been for an ankle injury that occurred at mid-season. Waddle actually fought through his injury and returned for the Tide’s national championship game victory.
Waddle is shorter than his teammate Smith, but he is more electrifying. Waddle can return kicks and punts which adds another dynamic to his game.
Some teams may still be concerned about the ankle injury. Still, he is given the same odds as Smith to be the first wide receiver picked. Waddle is listed at +300.
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Potential Surprise
There are plenty of other receivers that could also go in the first round. One of them could be a surprise pick ahead of the top three.
Purdue’s Rondale Moore is an outstanding playmaker. He can also return kicks and punts and he caught 100-plus passes as a freshman. Moore, who is 5-9 and 180 pounds, is given long odds of +10000.
More realistic surprises would include Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman (+2000) and LSU’s Terrace Marshall Jr. (+3300). Both are excellent receivers with bigger frames.
Your Best Bet
While Chase is the favorite, your best bet is one of the Alabama receivers at plus money. Smith would be more likely than Waddle.
The Heisman Trophy winner could be reunited with his former teammate at Alabama, Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa. Miami holds the third overall pick and is in need of a No. 1 receiver.
