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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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Nov 19, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Zay Jones (7) makes a second quarter catch against the Navy Midshipmen at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Zay Jones (7) makes a second quarter catch against the Navy Midshipmen at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

The all-time FBS leader in career receptions, Zay Jones also broke the single-season receptions record last season, hauling in 158 passes for 1,746 yards. Jones isn’t a big-play threat, necessarily, having taken just 23 of his 399 career catches for touchdowns.

But he has sure hands, having caught 71 percent of his targets last year, and he has experience both outside and in the slot. He also has a pedigree that bodes well for future NFL success, with his father and uncle both enjoying long pro careers.

Jones took full advantage of his invitation to the Combine, participating in every drill offered. He finished second behind Chris Godwin in the 20-yard shuttle, just 0.01 seconds off the pace. His 4.45 time in the 40 was respectable. The prolific Pirate also tied for the third-best showing among receivers in the broad jump. All in all, Jones had one of the most complete showings in Indianapolis.

Jones has decent height for a receiver at 6-foot-2 but weighs just 201 pounds. But any NFL team would be happy to find space for the hard-working receiver who improved consistently over his four seasons with East Carolina.

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