The NFL is changing to a wide receiver-friendly league. Wide receivers are getting paid more money now. It is very important to have a playmaker on the outside. Six wide receivers were taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The wide receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft may not be as good as the ones in the 2022 NFL Draft, but there are still expected to be at least five taken next year.
If quarterbacks don’t have good to elite wide receivers, then it is hard for quarterbacks in the NFL to be successful. Who are the projected top three wide receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
With Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson Jr. gone, Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be the top wide receiver at Ohio State this upcoming season. He was the number one wide receiver in the Rose Bowl last season for the Buckeyes and he completely torched the Utah Utes. In that game alone, Smith-Njigba caught 15 passes for 347 yards receiving and three touchdowns.
In 13 overall games last season for Ohio State, he caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a breakout year last year. Some people think he might be the best wide receiver on this Ohio State football team. He has speed, size, and everything with the wide receiver package. Smith-Njigba could be the most NFL-ready wide receiver since Justin Jefferson (LSU, Cincinnati Bengals).
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is projected to go seventh overall to the Chicago Bears next season in an NFL Mock Draft on thedraftnetwork.com. Justin Fields, the quarterback of the Chicago Bears, has an awful wide receiver room to deal with this season.
Jordan Addison, Pittsburgh
Jordan Addison was one of the reasons why the Pittsburgh Panthers won the ACC title last season. He also had a breakout year last year in college. Kenny Pickett was his quarterback last season and this year it will most likely be USC transfer Kedon Slovis. Addison is a very speedy wide receiver.
In 14 games last season with Pittsburgh, he caught 100 passes for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns. Jordan Addison also caught rushed for 56 yards on seven carries and one touchdown. He is projected to go 15th overall to the New England Patriots in the 2023 NFL Draft, according to thedraftnetwork.com.
Kayshon Boutte, LSU
Kayshon Boutte had a very quiet year last for LSU, but is projected to be one of the top wide receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft. Boutte is projected to have a breakout season for the Tigers. He is going to be another top wide receiver in the NFL Draft like LSU has recently had in the past like Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Terrance Marshall Jr.
Kayshon Boutte only caught 38 passes for 509 yards receiving and nine touchdowns last season, in six games. His season also ended early due to injury. Boutte could be on pace for easily over 1,000 yards if he can stay healthy this time around. His talent is through the roof. He is projected to get selected 18th overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2023 NFL Draft, according to thedraftnetwork.com.