Corey Davis of Western Michigan and Mike Williams of Clemson -- those are the favorites to be the top wide receivers selected in April's draft. Just maybe John Ross, after his blazing 40 at the combine. Who will go first? It might not matter, at least in terms of which one goes on to have the better NFL career.
Over the last 25 years, the wide receiver drafted first has turned out better than the wide receivers drafted second only 8 times, by our count. The second wide receiver drafted has also gone on to have the better career 8 times. The remaining 8 times (too soon to say on Coleman-Fuller from last year), it was a push -- either both turned out great (Dez Bryant-Demaryius Thomas) or neither did (Donnie Avery-Devin Thomas, anyone?).
Bottom line, it might not matter which wideout gets selected first. There's a strong likelihood the second one drafted turns out just as well, or better.
First two wideouts drafted since 1992 are below, with our take on the superior NFL career in bold. Pushes are left unbolded.
| FIRST TWO WRS DRAFTED, 1992-2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Rd | Pk | Player | Team |
| 2016 | 1 | 15 | Corey Coleman | Clev. |
| 2016 | 1 | 21 | Will Fuller | Hou. |
| 2015 | 1 | 4 | Amari Cooper | Oak. |
| 2015 | 1 | 7 | Kevin White | Chi. |
| 2014 | 1 | 4 | Sammy Watkins | Buff. |
| 2014 | 1 | 7 | Mike Evans | T.B. |
| 2013 | 1 | 8 | Tavon Austin | St.L. |
| 2013 | 1 | 27 | DeAndre Hopkins | Hou. |
| 2012 | 1 | 5 | Justin Blackmon | Jac. |
| 2012 | 1 | 13 | Michael Floyd | Ariz. |
| 2011 | 1 | 4 | A.J. Green | Cin. |
| 2011 | 1 | 6 | Julio Jones | Atl. |
| 2010 | 1 | 22 | Demaryius Thomas | Den. |
| 2010 | 1 | 24 | Dez Bryant | Dall. |
| 2009 | 1 | 7 | Darrius Heyward-Bey | Oak. |
| 2009 | 1 | 10 | Michael Crabtree | S.F. |
| 2008 | 2 | 33 | Donnie Avery | St.L. |
| 2008 | 2 | 34 | Devin Thomas | Wash. |
| 2007 | 1 | 2 | Calvin Johnson | Det. |
| 2007 | 1 | 9 | Ted Ginn Jr. | Mia. |
| 2006 | 1 | 25 | Santonio Holmes | Pitt. |
| 2006 | 2 | 36 | Chad Jackson | N.E. |
| 2005 | 1 | 3 | Braylon Edwards | Clev. |
| 2005 | 1 | 7 | Troy Williamson | Minn. |
| 2004 | 1 | 3 | Larry Fitzgerald | Ariz. |
| 2004 | 1 | 7 | Roy Williams | Det. |
| 2003 | 1 | 2 | Charles Rogers | Det. |
| 2003 | 1 | 3 | Andre Johnson | Hou. |
| 2002 | 1 | 13 | Donte Stallworth | N.O. |
| 2002 | 1 | 19 | Ashley Lelie | Den. |
| 2001 | 1 | 8 | David Terrell | Chi. |
| 2001 | 1 | 9 | Koren Robinson | Sea. |
| 2000 | 1 | 4 | Peter Warrick | Cin. |
| 2000 | 1 | 8 | Plaxico Burress | Pitt. |
| 1999 | 1 | 6 | Torry Holt | St.L. |
| 1999 | 1 | 8 | David Boston | Ariz. |
| 1998 | 1 | 16 | Kevin Dyson | Hou. |
| 1998 | 1 | 21 | Randy Moss | Minn. |
| 1997 | 1 | 7 | Ike Hilliard | NYG |
| 1997 | 1 | 15 | Yatil Green | Mia. |
| 1996 | 1 | 1 | Keyshawn Johnson | NYJ |
| 1996 | 1 | 7 | Terry Glenn | N.E. |
| 1995 | 1 | 4 | Michael Westbrook | Wash. |
| 1995 | 1 | 8 | Joey Galloway | Sea. |
| 1994 | 1 | 17 | Charles Johnson | Pitt. |
| 1994 | 1 | 21 | Johnnie Morton | Det. |
| 1993 | 1 | 7 | Curtis Conway | Chi. |
| 1993 | 1 | 16 | Sean Dawkins | Ind. |
| 1992 | 1 | 4 | Desmond Howard | Wash. |
| 1992 | 2 | 31 | Carl Pickens | Cin. |
--Andy Richardson