NFL Draft 2021: 5 potential Day 3 wide receiver and tight end steals

By Sonny Martinez | Apr 23, 2021

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 26: Receiver T.J. Vasher #9 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of the college football game against the Texas Longhorns on September 26, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

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EVANSTON, IL- SEPTEMBER 03: D’Wayne Eskridge #7 of the Western Michigan Broncos reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half on September 3, 2016 at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. the Western Michigan Broncos won 22-21. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

EVANSTON, IL- SEPTEMBER 03: D’Wayne Eskridge #7 of the Western Michigan Broncos reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half on September 3, 2016 at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. the Western Michigan Broncos won 22-21. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

3. D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan

If you’re not a follower of MACtion, you may not have heard the name D’Wayne Eskridge before. That’s fine, but this won’t be the last you hear about him. Eskridge is a smaller receiver at 5-foot-9 and only 190 pounds, but he has the potential to become one of the best slot receivers in the NFL.

The former Western Michigan star is as explosive as they come. Between 2018-20 (he missed significant time in 2019 with a broken collarbone) Eskridge averaged 20.4, 24.3, and 23.3 yards per catch. Last year was by far his most productive season, coming just eight yards shy (768 yards) of his career-high despite playing in five fewer games. If you think that’s just because of the level of competition, Eskridge had eight catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns against Syracuse.

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The most impressive part? That wasn’t even his biggest game. Instead, that came against Central Michigan last season, where he had four receptions for 212 yards (that’s 53 yards per catch for those keeping score) and three touchdowns.

Eskridge isn’t a guy you want to see go one on one on the outside. He might not fare well against Jalen Ramsey or Marshon Lattimore, but that isn’t his role. He would flourish as an up-the-middle guy where he can let his speed take over rather than trying to beat a defender. He’s not the best route runner, so a system that’s not overly complex is where he would benefit.

Eskridge will also benefit a team as a kick returner, something he tried and unsurprisingly succeeded at last season. Over 17 returns, he averaged 27.5 yards per return with a 100-yard return touchdown in a three-point win against Northern Illinois.

Eskridge has already been linked to the Green Bay Packers and that could turn out to be one of the best pure player/team matches in the entire NFL draft. He would quickly become a favorite target of Aaron Rodgers and finally give the Packers a solid option behind Devante Adams.