2 min read • April 26, 2022
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In a year filled with exciting wide receiver prospects, 5 players projected to go on the first day come in with big injury questions attached to their scouting report. Our Pro Football Docs – including Dr. David Chao and Dr. Walt Lowe – weigh in on which concerns are valid: (All draft projections from NFL Mock Draft Database)
Drake London, USC, Projected Top 15
The potential first wide receiver off the board has not played since suffering a gruesome right ankle fracture/dislocation on Oct. 9, 2021. He did not run the 40-yard dash at his pro day, but that may not matter. His ankle will be well healed by the start of training camp and shouldn't slow him down his rookie year. Jaylen Waddle had a similar recovery timeline and went sixth overall last season.
Jameson Williams, Alabama, Projected Top 15
He tore his left knee ACL in the National Championship game on Jan. 10, meaning he will not be ready for Week 1. In fact, he likely won't see full effectiveness until the second half of the season at the earliest. Still, he's enough of a talent to continue his rehab with any team lucky to snag him.
Treylon Burks, Arkansas, Projected Mid-Late First Round
The former Razorback suffered an ACL tear in high school, but only missed one game due to injury in three years at Arkansas. He improved his production each season and has the longest arms and wingspan of any wideout in the draft. The ACL should not be a concern.
George Pickens, Georgia, Projected Mid-Late Second Round
Pickens suffered a right knee ACL tear in March 2021, but posted a 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine in early March this year. The final step will be seeing him able to cut and decelerate on routes, which he did not show at the combine. Once fully healthy, he is an enticing mix of size and athleticism.
John Metchie III, Alabama, Projected Late Second Round
The Alabama wideout seems to have overcome a scary heart episode his freshman year of high school and is now recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee. His tear happened last December, thus he faces long odds to be ready by Week 1. Still, as long as his heart issue checks out, he should be able to provide value to any team by the second half of next season.
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