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NFL Draft 2017: Ranking the top 15 wide receivers

By Zach Bigalke

Dec 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver KD Cannon (9) catches a pass for a touchdown in the first half against the Boise State Broncos during the Cactus Bowl at Chase Field. Baylor defeated Boise State 31-12. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver KD Cannon (9) catches a pass for a touchdown in the first half against the Boise State Broncos during the Cactus Bowl at Chase Field. Baylor defeated Boise State 31-12. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) catches a pass against Auburn Tigers defensive back Stephen Roberts (14) for a touchdown in the third quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) catches a pass against Auburn Tigers defensive back Stephen Roberts (14) for a touchdown in the third quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Dede Westbrook broke out in 2016 as one of the best receivers in college football as a senior. He earned the Biletnikoff Award as the top receiver in the nation and was also named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Westbrook tied for third nationally in receiving touchdowns and sixth in receiving yards. The Oklahoma receiver averaged more than 117 yards per game and a touchdown on every fifth catch as the Sooners won their league for the second straight year.

He falls a bit on this list for two reasons. First, his stats were not as big in his first season with the Sooners after transferring from Blinn Community College in 2015. He was overshadowed by Sterling Shepard, posting solid if unspectacular stats as a redshirt junior. Second, he opted out of participating in every drill at the Combine. He has been clocked at 4.39 in the 40, which would have ranked third in the event among available receivers — had he replicated it in Indianapolis.

Westbrook offers sensational vertical speed, though at 6-foot-0 and 178 pounds he is a bit undersized compared to other NFL receivers. The team that picks him up, though, is getting a player who has shown the ability to succeed at both the junior college and FBS levels.

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