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NFL Draft: 10 best wide receivers available in 2023

By KC Proctor

Nov 26, 2022; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) signals first down after a catch against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2022; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) signals first down after a catch against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2022; Athens, Georgia, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) runs against Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kelee Ringo (5) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2022; Athens, Georgia, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) runs against Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kelee Ringo (5) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Cedric Tillman, Tennessee

Next up is a big fella whose potential actually outweighs his production. Cedric Tillman is one of the older prospects in this class, but even with his five years of collegiate experience at Tennessee, he still has relatively fresh tires underneath him. His 2021 numbers (64/1,081/12) outweigh his involvement in the Vols’ offense from each of his other four seasons combined. On one hand, that could sound like a red flag to NFL scouts and GMs, but on the other, it highlights his ability to contribute at a high rate as well as the impact he makes on an offensive scheme.

We’ll basically look right past his first three seasons which add up to 8 catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns. The fact of the matter is that Cedric Tillman was a late bloomer. In year four, the Las Vegas native (Bishop Gorman alumni) took center stage for the Vols. He scored at least one touchdown in nine of 14 games (including the Music City Bowl vs Purdue) and had over 100 receiving yards in five of Tennessee’s final six games that season. Unprecedented production from a kid who came into the year with virtually zero prior success.

The 2022 season — his bonus COVID year — where he had just 37 catches for 417 yards and 3 TDs could make his 2021 campaign look like a fluke, but there’s plenty of reason to believe otherwise. Tillman suffered an ankle injury in Week 3 that sidelined him for over a month this year, and Tennessee’s roster was complete enough for them to remain steadily in the top 10 and even the top five for over a month without his contribution.

Tillman was supposed to be the centerpiece of the Volunteer’s offense, but Jalin Hyatt (who we will talk about shortly) took control. Additionally, the team’s success without him can be accredited largely to Hendon Hooker’s near Heisman-worthy senior season. All things considered, Cedric Tillman is another massive receiver at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds who has proven his ability to be a constant deep threat and has a trusty set of hands. His five total dropped passes over five seasons at Tennessee make him as reliable as anyone and he is sure to be off the board by the end of day two.

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