Wide receivers are in demand like never before. Yet, a former NFL scout reports that several teams are only looking at one wide receiver as first-round material in this year’s draft

How many wide receivers will be selected in the first round in this year’s draft?

If you believe the numerous mock drafts in the media, the answer is somewhere between three and six pass receivers.

However, according to former NFL scout Jim Nagy, teams are rating the receiver class much lower.

As Nagy reports, citing conversations with several club officials, their teams give only Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Ohio State Buckeyes a first-round grade.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba shows good Combine performance

The 21-year-old was particularly impressive as a slot receiver in college, but missed large portions of his final season for Ohio State due to lingering thigh problems.

Smith-Njigba dispelled any concerns about his speed with his Combine performance. He turned in outstanding performances in both the shuttle and 3-cone drills.

On the other hand, teams probably don’t rate other highly-touted pass receivers like TCU’s Quentin Johnston, Boston College’s Zay Flowers or USC’s Jordan Addison as first-round material.

NFL Draft: Always more than two receivers in first round since 2008

If Smith-Njigba were indeed the only wide receiver selected in the first round, it would be the fewest first-round pass receivers in a draft since 2008.

Back then, the St. Louis Rams (now Los Angeles Rams) drafted Donnie Avery with only the second pick of the second round.