Even with all the Burrow and Tua talk that dominated the lead-up to the draft, the fact that there was un chingon of wide receivers available this year did not disappoint from the start. Count ’em, 6 wide receivers taken in the first round! And a total of 17 taken in the first 3 rounds. Ay mijo! That’s almost as many Familia members that we fit around a couple picnic tables for Easter.

While the guys many pundits expected to go in the first round did, they didn’t go in the order that many believed they’d go. And some went to places that NEEDED receiver help. Here’s a quick breakdown of the guys we think could have an impact this year.

Henry Ruggs III – #12 Raiders
OK, got time for one more joke about Al Davis pulling the draft strings from beyond? Yes, Ruggs may be Cliff Branch 2.0, and Big Al must have come into his son Mark’s dream and said to pick the burner from ‘Bama. Ruggs has legendary speed, and the Tyreek Hill comp is real. Let’s look at Hill’s rookie numbers: 61 receptions, 593 yards and 6 TDs. Decent, but not what you’d expect from the 12th pick. So while Ruggs will have his moments, he might struggle before blowing up in 2021.

Jerry Jeudy – #15 Broncos
Anyone else having images of Courtland Sutton and Jeudy reviving what Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders did in 2013 & ’14? Maybe time to pump the brakes Mile High. After all, this is Drew Lock pitching the ball, not Peyton Manning. But Jeudy could be a good 1A alongside Sutton as long as Lock takes a step forward in his second year. 

CeeDee Lamb – #17 Cowboys
Adding Lamb to Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup is like the fifth pot of tamales that your tia brings over for Christmas. Always welcome, but damn, where are we gonna put it? Lamb will eat up receptions, but don’t be surprised if he has quiet weeks because Dak Prescott has only one football to throw around.

Jaelen Reagor – #21 Eagles
Think the Eagles were watching Lamb fall and wondering, “Could he?” The Eagles need someone to take a step forward and catch the ball on the outside. There will be opportunities coming from Carson Wentz, especially if Alshon Jeffery and Desean Jackson can’t stay healthy.

Justin Jefferson – #22 Vikings
Love this pick. Jefferson is big (6-1, 202 lbs.), fast (4.43 in the 40), can play outside and in the slot. Playing off Adam Thielen, he won’t get the top corner from the other side, at least not early on. That helped Calvin Ridley get 10 TDs his rookie season. He’s been playing against NFL players in the SEC, and he came up big in college football’s Final Four.

Brandon Aiyuk – #25 49ers
He’s built very similar to Deebo Samuel, who turned into a stud last year. He’s also great after he gets the ball in his hands, which is good because Kyle Shanahan uses the short passing game a lot. Aiyuk could be a good complement to Samuel. Keep an eye on Aiyuk’s recovery from core muscle surgery as training camp opens. Those recoveries can be tricky, so don’t draft him high unless you know he’s fine.

Tee Higgins – #33 Bengals
His measurements (6-4, 216 lbs.) are eerily similar to A.J. Green (6-4, 210 lbs.). If Higgins can have anywhere near the career as Green has had (when healthy) in Cincinnati, the Bengals will take it. Higgins has great athleticism to go with his length. He’s come up in big games the past couple years. There may be growing pains with a rookie QB this season, but watch out in 2021 for those of you in keeper leagues. 

Michael Pittman – #34 Colts
Great pick for the Colts. Pittman is big (6-4, 223 lbs.) and also put up big numbers for the Trojans, as he was one of only 4 receivers to register 100-plus receptions in 2019. Plus, he’s a Valley guy, from Taft HS. Rivers likes those big targets, and Pittman could work well as Robin to T.Y. Hilton’s Batman in the Colts’ offense. His papi, Michael Sr., was a running back in the NFL, and bloodlines count for something in the NFL.

Laviska Shenault Jr. – #42 Jaguars
At 6-1, 227 lbs, Shenault is thick. He brushed aside defenders a ton at Colorado, and even ran the ball. Another guy on the mend from core muscle surgery, though he was able to work out at the combine. There is an opportunity for him to catch some balls on the other side from D.J. Chark in the Jags’ offense.

K.J. Hamler – #46 Broncos
John Elway must be saying, “If we can’t beat the Chiefs, let’s try and outscore them.” Hamler looks slight (5-9, 176 lbs.), but he can run and has speed in the slot. Those guys can take a beating, but if he stays healthy, he could contribute as a #3 guy in that offense. 

Chase Claypool – #49 Steelers
How is this guy so big (6-4, 238 lbs.) and runs a 4.42 in the 40? We’re talking Megatron size/speed combination. Scouts talked about having him play tight end, but keep in mind how the Steelers are great at developing wide receivers (Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, Mike Wallace, Martavis Bryant, JuJu Smith-Schuster) in the last decade-plus. He’s good over the middle, so Big Ben might be able to put this weapon to use opposite JuJu.

Van Jefferson – #57 Rams
The Rams need someone to step into the shoes that Brandin Cooks left behind when he was traded to Houston. Jefferson is another son of an NFL receiver — papi Shawn is also now the Jets’ receivers coach — and has gained a rep as a great route runner. With Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp established as the starters, and Tyler Higbee taking a big step forward in 2019, the balls may be few early in the season for Jefferson until he gets established.

Denzel Mims – #59 Jets
The Jets passed on taking one of the top receiver prospects in the first round to take a tackle who can keep Sam Darnold’s jersey clean. They were counting on this being considered one of the best WR classes ever. Getting Mims in the 2nd round could be a home run. He’s big (6-2, 207 lbs.), flies (4.38 in the 40) and steps into the void left by Robbie Anderson. Potential #1 WR for the 

Antonio Gibson – #66 Redskins
Terry McLaurin had his moments in D.C. last year, but really, he’s the only WR worth talking about in this offense. Gibson is a run/catch threat, so he might be more gimmick player who pops once or twice a season on your bench. 

Lynn Bowden Jr. – #80 Raiders
First of back-to-back WR for los Raiders. After taking Ruggs earlier, do you think they want to get some youth at WR? Because of injuries, Bowden played QB for Kentucky part of the 2019 season. That transition has worked for some people like Julian Edelman. 

Bryan Edwards – #81 Raiders
Loading up on WR before going to the bright lights in Las Vegas. Edwards is more of a traditional WR than Bowden. Another big guy (6-3/212), and his highlight reel shows amazing athleticism on jump balls and changing direction. Opportunity is there for a sidekick to Ruggs.

Devin Duvernay – #92 Ravens
Another toy for Lamar Jackson? Duvernay is built like a power RB (5-11, 200) and runs a 4.39. The Ravens threw to their WR less than any other team (1,419 yards), so there are receptions that could be had outside, especially for a slot guy like Duvernay. Someone to keep an eye on late in drafts. 

Antonio Gandy-Golden – #142 Redskins
Otro Antonio? This one is another big and rangy guy (6-4/223), and Liberty HC Hugh Freeze (formerly at Ole Miss) ranked him right behind A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf as far as talented WR whom he’s coached. AGG has some balls available to him playing opposite Terry McLaurin.

Joe Reed – #151 Chargers
Another weapon who lined up at WR and took snaps at RB at Virginia. And no one has stepped up to be the #3 WR for the Chargers behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Reed is big (6-1/224) and fast (4.47 in the 40) so he could waiver-wire find sometime this season.

Collin Johnson – #165 Jaguars
Johnson (6-6/222) is a power forward playing WR. His father Johnnie played for the Rams, so we have bloodlines at work here again. The Jaguars will look to throw a lot, so even though Johnson might not be someone you take in the draft, if he’s getting the targets he could be a find on the waiver wire.

John Hightower – #168 Eagles
The list of Boise State WR in the NFL is not long, but Hightower is on here because the opportunity with the Eagles is good. He’s another guy to watch during the season.

Donovan Peoples-Jones – #187 Browns
A Michigan man lasting to the sixth round won’t make alum Rich Eisen happy. Peoples-Jones is on here because his Big 10 pedigree warrants it, and he’s an impressive specimen (6-2/212 and 4.48 in the 40). That didn’t translate to production for the Wolverines, but learning behind OBJ and Jarvis Landry could help Peoples-Jones in year 2.

 K.J. Hill – #220 Chargers
Another Big 10 player who slipped to the late rounds. Hill will be battling Hightower to get on the field. It’s going to be a weekly watch to see if either can get enough targets to draw attention on the waiver wire. 

Jauan Jennings – #217 49ers
We almost got a Juan into the league! Almost.