Best wide receiver in 2019 NFL Draft class getting no love
By Cory Kinnan
D.K. Metcalf and N’Keal Harry are all the rage, but nobody is talking about the best wide receiver in the 2019 NFL Draft class.
In the era of stimulated highlight reels, the big-bodied, flashy wide receivers such as Hakeem Butler, D.K. Metcalf and N’Keal Harry are getting all of the love in the 2019 NFL Draft class, especially after putting up big numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine over the weekend — Metcalf stealing the show, Butler running faster than expected, Harry keeping even with Metcalf in the bench press.
Yet one prospect keeps consistently plugging away, posting great numbers that never hit the top of the class, but noteworthy nonetheless. Deebo Samuel out of South Carolina continues to fly under the radar, even though he very well may be the best wide receiver in this lineup.
Although he is a bit short, measuring at just below 6-0, Samuel has a strong 214-pound frame and still managed to rank in the 86th percentile of all wide receivers in hand size. Samuel additionally put up 15 reps on the bench press, ranking him in the top half of the receiver class.
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On the field, Samuel went on to run a sub 4.5-second 40 yard dash, which is an excellent time for a quick twitch receiver, while ranking in the 87th percentile in the vertical jump, missing 40 inches by just one inch. He went on to display his quick twitch movement by running the 20 yard shuttle in 4.14 seconds.
While his testing numbers are not off-the-charts astounding, his production and tape while playing for the Gamecocks does not lie. Samuel finished his college career with over 2,000 yard receiving and 23 scores on 148 catches in just 30 games. He put up 62 catches, 882 yards and a massive 11 touchdowns in 2018.
He has proven himself as an elite route runner who can separate underneath and in space and is nearly as sure-handed as they come. Displaying his ability to beat corners in one-on-one coverage both over the top and underneath at the Senior Bowl, it would be difficult to find a player who had a better week in Mobile.
Drawing comparisons to Antonio Brown and D.J. Moore, Samuel will make one team extremely happy. Currently he is mocked as an early day-two pick as he is seeing the receivers with size mocked ahead of him.
2019 NFL mock draft: Post-combine two-round projection. dark. Next
Samuel may not be the biggest, fastest, strongest, or flashiest receiver in this year’s draft class, but do not bet against him being the best in the class.