5 X-receiver targets for Cowboys in 2023 draft

X receivers line up out wide, on the opposite side of the TE or the Y, and face a ton of man and press coverages. Because of this, X WRs are typically bigger and stronger than their counterparts and have a more physical nature to their game to help them make contested catches in tight coverage.

Tee Higgins, Mike Williams and Mike Evans are some of the league’s better X receivers. In Dallas, Michael Gallup currently mans the role with Noah Brown as his primary backup. Each had their respective highs and lows this past season. The former is still dealing with injury issues this offseason and has a contract escapable at the end of 2023. The latter is hitting free agency so there is reason to believe Dallas looks to augment this position. Here’s a look at the top five X receiver prospects in the upcoming draft class.

1: Quentin Johnston, 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, TCU

Widely considered the top wideout in this class, Johnston brings the most unique skillset and highest ceiling to the table. Some questions were raised after his lackluster performance in the National Championship as he has not had the productive career other receivers had. However, Johnston is a premier height, weight, speed guy who has true WR1 potential at the next level.

Johnston is comfortable using his length to haul in passes and is aware of his body along the boundaries, showcasing fantastic body control. He also knows how to use his explosiveness in the open field as he can easily pull away from slower defenders. He is a true threat at all three levels of the field.

With all his plusses, Johnston is not a perfect prospect. He is built well but not as strong in his lower half as some may like. He also didn’t run the most diverse route tree and lacks great technique in separating outside using his athleticism. Furthermore, Johnston struggles with concentration drops, not consistently hauling in catchable balls but otherwise showed reliable hands.

Johnston even has the ability to play a bigger Z receiver creating a scary trio of Gallup, Johnson and CeeDee Lamb for OC Brian Schottenheimer to work with.

2: Cedric Tillman, 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Tennessee

Tillman is a quintessential X receiver. He is big, long, strong and uses these traits to his advantage. He possesses an above-average catch radius while also being able to track the ball downfield. His hands and body control are some of the best in the class and he looks extremely comfortable in contested situations.

This is where the pros tend to end when speaking on his game. Tillman is a relatively limited athlete with below average top speed and lackluster short-area agility, leaving little room for yards after the catch. He also has run a limited route tree for the Volunteers and struggled to create much separation for himself.

His ceiling is limited. He should not be expected to become a do-it-all receiver at the next level and should be asked to take only X receiver duties. Although he is a bit of a one-trick pony, that one trick is done extremely well and easily worth a Day 2 selection.

3: Xavier Hutchinson, 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Iowa State

Hutchinson is an experienced and versatile receiver. He has been the Cyclones top receiver for a majority of his career and earned many honors while producing at a top level in the Big-12. Hutchinson profiles as an X receiver with a bit more athleticism and technique than the typical Day 2 receiver.

He possesses the ideal catch radius, body control and hands for an X receiver but is also an advanced route runner. He is able to sink his hips at the top of his routes while also displaying a deep bag of releases to beat press coverage. This nuance allows him to also play as a big slot which could come in handy in the red zone.

Although he lacks elite burst and agility, he possesses enough to make the occasional play after the catch or beat the defense deep. Hutchinson does not shy away from contested situations and thrives in one-on-ones. He projects as a high-ceiling receiver at the next level.

4: Jonathan Mingo, 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Ole Miss

Mingo can be described best in one word; tough. His dense frame allows him to easily box out defenders in contested situations and pave the way for running backs as a blocker. He does not possess elite agility or speed, but is a workload for defensive backs to bring down after the catch.

For his size, he is a plus athlete with fluid hips and great jumping ability. He has consistent hands, able to reach outside his body to haul in a pass. Mingo can stretch the field deep but has not run a variety of routes which is something to work on at the next level.

Mingo went to Ole Miss and is built like a tank so based on recent history that alone is worth a look on Day 2. However, without helmet scouting, Mingo also brings an intriguing skillset for a developmental X-receiver who can be the long term answer at the position.

5: Andrei Iosivas, 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Princeton

Iosivas has been a productive receiver for the Princeton Tigers and this success is in part due to his fantastic physical traits. Standing well over six foot with a well-built frame, he is also a nationally-recognized track sprinter with an alleged near 40-inch vertical.

This high-end athleticism allows him to win at multiple levels and in multiple ways. He is easily able to sky over smaller defenders or blow by slower defenders, all without losing smooth transition from one phase to another. These traits continue after the catch as he is a force to tackle or can simply run past many defensive backs.

Although he is an elite athlete with a lot of upside, Iosivas is still a relatively raw prospect. His route tree was limited and the competition he faced is extremely different from that which he will face in the NFL. He may need a year or two to adjust and develop, but given where he is at right now there is vast amounts of potential to unlock.

Story originally appeared on Cowboys Wire