INDIANAPOLIS — The Super Bowl confetti has barely settled, but NFL scouting departments are already locked in on the next mission: finding the next Ja’Marr Chase or Puka Nacua. With the NFL Scouting Combine set to ignite Indianapolis on February 27, the race to unearth Day 2 value is officially on. NBC Sports’ Eric Froton just dropped his latest scouting manifesto, and his breakdown of wide receivers 11-20 reveals the depth of this class. These aren’t just depth pieces; they are potential starters waiting for the right scheme.
The Slot Machines & Boundary Bruisers
Froton’s rankings highlight a diverse group of pass-catchers, from twitchy slot specialists to physical boundary threats. Here is the breakdown of the talent looking to punch their ticket to the pros.
20. Skyler Bell, UCONN
6’0” | 185 lbs
Bell bet on himself by transferring from Wisconsin, and it paid off. He hauled in 102 catches for 1,282 yards and 13 touchdowns, proving he can handle a heavy workload. He dominates in the short-to-intermediate areas (8.2 YAC), using elite burst to turn simple slants into chain-moving plays. While his deep ball game remains a question mark (only 6-of-24 on deep shots), his ability to separate against zone coverage (3.16 Y/RR) makes him an instant contributor for teams needing reliable slot production.
19. Caleb Douglas, Texas Tech
6’4” | 205 lbs
Douglas brings the size NFL teams covet on the perimeter. He racked up 846 yards and seven scores, doing his best work against man coverage where he can simply out-athlete defenders. He is a strider who wins by stacking corners vertically, but concentration drops (11.5% drop rate) and a lack of wiggle after the catch limit his ceiling. If he cleans up the hands, he’s a prototypical X-receiver.
18. Josh Cameron, Baylor
6’1” | 220 lbs
Cameron plays bully ball. He isn’t burning anyone with 4.3 speed, but he wins with physicality, forcing 15 missed tackles and securing 16 contested catches. He projects as a possession receiver who thrives on hitches and curls—a safety blanket for a rookie quarterback. His testing numbers in Indy will be critical to see if he has the twitch to separate at the next level.
17. Kevin Coleman, Missouri
5’11” | 180 lbs
The ultimate nomad found a home in the slot. Coleman is electric with the ball in his hands, generating 6.1 YAC and catching nearly everything thrown his way within nine yards of the line of scrimmage. He is small, but he plays fast, blowing past slot corners on seam routes. He profiles as a pure slot weapon who creates instant spacing issues for defenses.
16. Eric McAlister, TCU
6’3” | 205 lbs
McAlister is a volatile playmaker. He posted 1,173 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging a massive 7.9 yards after the catch. When he wins, he wins big—punishing bad angles and high-pointing deep balls. The downside? A shaky 8.7% drop rate and struggles against press coverage. He is a boom-or-bust prospect who needs refinement but offers starter upside.
Mid-Round Gems: The Top 15
15. Chris Brazzell, Tennessee
6’5” | 200 lbs
Brazzell exploded onto the scene after transferring from Tulane, snagging 1,006 yards with a 15.7 average depth of target. He cleaned up his drop issues significantly in 2025 and uses his long strides to eat up cushion. He is fluid for a big man, snapping off routes unexpectedly well. He needs to get stronger, but the field-stretching ability is undeniable.
14. Ted Hurst, Georgia State
6’3” | 207 lbs
Hurst was a victim of terrible quarterback play but still managed 999 yards and an elite deep receiving grade. He is a vertical problem for defenses, constantly winning downfield despite erratic targets. He has burner speed and the frame to box out defenders. If he can fix the occasional concentration drop, he could be the steal of the draft.
13. Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
6’2” | 213 lbs
They call him “Waffle House” because he’s always open. Sarratt followed coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana and dominated, posting 15 touchdowns and an 87.3 receiving grade. He isn’t a burner; he’s a technician who understands leverage and timing better than almost anyone in this class. He profiles as a rock-solid WR2 who will play in the league for a decade.
12. Malachi Fields, Notre Dame
6’4” | 222 lbs
Fields is old reliable. He dropped just three catchable passes over the last two seasons. He does the dirty work, moving the chains and winning in tight quarters, though he struggles to create clean separation against elite corners. He is a high-floor possession receiver who will find a role on Day 2.
11. Omar Cooper, Indiana
6’0” | 204 lbs
Cooper is a twitchy athlete who forces missed tackles in bunches (27 on just 69 catches). He transitioned to the slot in 2025 and flourished, tearing up zone coverages. He makes highlight-reel grabs but needs to be more consistent with the routine ones. He is an explosive, if slightly streaky, weapon.
The Best of the Rest (21-35)
- 21. Deion Burks, Oklahoma
- 22. Tyren Montgomery, John Carroll
- 23. Bryce Lance, North Dakota State
- 24. Reggie Virgil, Texas Tech
- 25. Barion Brown, LSU
- 26. Lewis Bond, BC
- 27. Zavion Thomas, LSU
- 28. Vinny Anthony, Wisconsin
- 29. Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech
- 30. Chase Roberts, BYU
- 31. Chris Hilton Jr, LSU
- 32. Noah Thomas, Georgia
- 33. Aaron Anderson, LSU
- 34. Emmanuel Henderson, Kansas
- 35. Harrison Wallace III, Ole Miss
“He wins with savvy and leverage rather than dynamism… [Sarratt] still dictates terms on back-shoulders and short-area work, using strength and timely stiff-arms to create space.” — Eric Froton, NBC Sports
What’s Next
These rankings set the stage for a critical Combine week. Players like Josh Cameron and Ted Hurst desperately need to test well to validate their tape, while technicians like Elijah Sarratt just need to avoid a disaster on the stopwatch. As scouts descend on Indianapolis, expect these stocks to fluctuate wildly based on the medicals and the 40-yard dash. Froton drops his Top 10 tomorrow—stay tuned.
