Combine Preview: Wide Receivers

Fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans hate hearing their team might have a need at the wide receiver position.

Now, nobody is suggesting the Bucs use a day one pick at the position, but it may become necessary to at least entertain the idea of adding to their receiver group on days two or three.

Either way, draft picks of today are the free-agents and trade available players of tomorrow. Because of this, it would be wise for the franchise – and its fanbase – to get to know the guys competing to be on their team when the NFL Draft rolls around.

Here are the wide receivers you can expect to see at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.

BEST IN CLASS: DK METCALF, OLE MISS

Metcalf checks all the blocks in what NFL teams are looking for in a wide receiver prospect. What makes him even more intriguing is the fact he still has room to improve as a technical receiver.

He also has some things to prove off the field though, as the neck injury he suffered in 2018 will be scrutinized heavily by the medical staff at the combine.

Those results, along with how he looks in person to some of the decision makers in attendance will either cement his top-billing or place his status on shaky grounds.

MOST TO PROVE: A.J. BROWN, OLE MISS

At one point, Brown was considered a challenger to be the top receiver in this year’s draft class. Now, he’s not even the top receiver coming out of his college.

Still, Brown has talent and the ability to carve out a nice career in the NFL.

With all of the eyes on his teammate in Indianapolis, Brown’s stock as a teammate will be tested when he’s asked about Metcalf. His stock as a player will be tested on the field.

My bet is he’ll do just fine in both. But if he’s going to show team’s in the league he’s worth an early pick in the draft this April, he’ll need to show he can get it done in and out of the slot.

MOST LIKELY BUCS DRAFT PICK: MARQUISE BROWN, OKLAHOMA

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This is a really hard question to answer right now, but if I had to place a bet on either DeSean Jackson or Adam Humphries returning to Tampa for 2019, I’d say Humphries.

Which means the team needs some speed to help stretch the defenses they’ll face next season. Enter, Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.

What makes this problematic is the fact Brown’s stock is rising right now and might reach peak levels after he burns the 40-yard dash at the combine.

If he’s there on day two when Jason Licht and the Buccaneers go back on the clock though, it’s going to be really hard to pass him up, and there’ll be at least one influencer in the war room pounding the table to bring Hollywood to Tampa Bay.

Honorable Mention: Hunter Renfrow, Clemson