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Treylon Burks

Top Three Landing Spots for Rookie Wide Receivers

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With rookie wide receivers landing on great teams and poised to succeed, which one landed in the best spot? Who will produce right away?

After the 2022 NFL draft, the rookie drafts around the world begin. After a ton of conversation and debating, there is still no true WR1 of the 2022 class. As of now, there is no Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase, but all that can change in just one season. Is it Drake London in Atlanta? Garrett Wilson in New York?

The Best Situations for Three Rookie Wide Receivers

3. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons

The 6’4, 220lbs Drake London finds himself in Atlanta as the new alpha WR1 for the Falcons. The only problem is that Matt Ryan will not be throwing the ball — it will be the less accurate Marcus Mariota.

With Mariota or rookie pick Desmond Ridder behind center, the Falcons should be playing from behind most of the season. This will lead to more passing opportunities, especially in the red zone. London in 2021 posted a stat line of 14 receptions, 103 yards, and six touchdowns on 23 targets in the red zone.

This season, we will likely see times of Mariota just throwing the ball and hoping for the best. London, along with Pitts, should take a ton of pressure off of Mariota, being able to save Mariota in those situations.

With London, those chances are favored to the Falcons. He finished first in 2021 with the most contested catches in the nation, which should transfer nicely to the NFL. Add 22 missed tackles, and those numbers were enough to rank London sixth amongst qualifying WRs.

This is more of a “talent over a situation” spot as Drake London will produce wherever he plays football.

2. Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans

Treylon Burks has a real shot at a WR1 finish in his rookie season, but quarterback play is the sole reason he is not number one on this list. Being selected 18th overall via trade, Burks finds himself being thrust into the A.J. Brown role in Tennesee. Compared to Brown, Burks is now expected to see a heavy workload from Week 1.

Other receivers on the Titans roster include Robert Woods, recovering from a torn ACL, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Cody Hollister. It is safe to say that Burks is already the best receiver on this roster, just like London with the Falcons.

In 2022, the Titans will rely on Derrick Henry more than ever, but shipping out Brown and taking a receiver with that pick means Burks is in the Titans’ plans.

Scouts and analysts think that Burks can be placed anywhere on the field and produce at a high level, which reminds me of Deebo Samuel. There is only one Samuel, but Burks has the size and strength to operate like a swiss army knife for the Titans, causing chaos for opponents.

Having Ryan Tannehill for possibly just the 2022 season can show the Titans what Burks can do in the open field with the short, intermediate routes Tannehill throws.

1. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers

Christian Watson has a real chance to be the steal of rookie drafts. In the second round, the Green Bay Packers traded up to select the North Dakota State product. With Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling departing, the Packers needed to address the position desperately. This is where the 6’5 Watson comes into play.

The Packers were fortunate to have an alpha WR1 on the roster for a couple of years, but now in 2022, this will be the most strange year for Aaron Rodgers.

Furthermore, Watson has the size and speed and can also play special teams. With no true identity at the receiver position, who will lead the Packers as the WR1 this season is still unknown.

Watson, at just 208lbs, still has to put on a few pounds, but his 4.36 40-yard dash means he can blast by his defenders and improved tremendously in route running in his final season at NDS.

This is the perfect opportunity for Watson to step in right away and earn the trust of one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game.

Thank you for checking out my best landing spots for rookie wide receivers! You can read all of my articles on my IDP Guys’ author page. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @NBF_Clo and @IDPGuys (we have offense too) and please check out our website at idpguys.org.

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