The NFL draft begins this Thursday 4/25 but Walter already has Year 1 fantasy rankings for the incoming rookie WR class! Walter's model weighs into account college production, college environment, projected draft capital, and (new this season) film score to create projections for a WR's first three seasons.

Obviously we don't yet know where these players will be drafted or what teams they will go to! Our estimation of their opportunity will improve drastically from now until the start of the season - but its still interesting to take a look at how Walter projects the class out with all of those things being neutral.

Ceiling Comparisons for the Top 5

• 1. Marvin Harrison Jr.

• AJ Green, Julio Jones

• 2. Rome Odunze

• Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson, DeAndre Hopkins

• 3. Malik Nabers

• Amari Cooper, Garrett Wilson, Ja'Marr Chase

• 4. Brian Thomas Jr.

• DK Metcalf, Christian Watson, Torrey Smith

• 5. Xavier Worthy

• Brandin Cooks, Marquise Brown, T.Y. Hilton

Landing Spot Rankings

1. Cardinals
2. Bills
3. Giants
4. Chargers
5. Patriots
6. Jets

*Players drafted by these teams are likely to see their projections improve by the start of the season

Other Notes on the WR Class:

• Walter's top 3 WRs are all projected to be drafted in the first 10 picks - with Cardinals, Chargers, Giants holding picks 4-6, the chances of them landing in fantasy friendly spots is high.
• Walter's fantasy model is significantly higher on McCaffery and Cephus than real world scouts. They are potential sleepers in dynasty rookie drafts.
• Xavier Legette has reportedly met with the Panthers (who have the 33rd pick) several times. He has been comped by scouts to other second round success stories like DK Metcalf and AJ Brown. He is a potential riser on draft night.
• Ladd McConkey is generally thought to have one of the higher floors in the class. Walter projects his bust% to be significantly less than the other WRs ranked in that range.

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