Cris Collinsworth says Dyami Brown was one of the top receivers in 2021 NFL draft

When the Washington Football Team selected North Carolina wide receiver Dyami Brown in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft, it was considered one of the steals of the draft.

Brown, coming off consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons in which he averaged 20 yards per reception each year, was viewed as someone who was rising up draft boards in weeks leading up to the NFL draft.

Consider Cris Collinsworth one of those who felt Brown should have gone much higher in the draft.

Collinsworth, a former NFL wide receiver and current analyst for NBC Sports, said Brown was one of the top receivers in the draft in a recent episode of “The Cris Collinsworth Podcast featuring Richard Sherman.”

“One guy I really like, Dyami Brown, I had him in the first round,” Collinsworth said. “I mean, I watched so much tape on him; my initial impulse was this guy belongs with the top three players.”

“If there’s going to be a breakout player on your team this year, I am predicting this first; this is the guy,” Collinsworth said.

Head coach Ron Rivera, Collinsworth’s guest, echoed Collinsworth’s sentiments, particularly discussing Brown’s speed and ability to win contested catches.

When Collinsworth mentioned the top three players, he referred to the top three receivers in the draft in Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith. All three of those players were gone by pick No. 10.

That’s some pretty elite company.

Each of those three players is expected to immediately become their new team’s No. 1 wide receiver. With Brown, there is no pressure as Washington has Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel.

Collinsworth knows wide receivers. And he doesn’t just believe Brown is a steal, but also an elite talent.

Washington had one of the weaker wide receiver units in the league in 2020. Now, arguably, the Football Team has the most improved group in the league, with Samuel, Brown and Adam Humphries added to the mix.