Collin Dixon WR Illinois |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #17 ROLE: Multi-Role Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.52 seconds (44%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #17 | |
| ROLE: Multi-Role Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.52 seconds (44%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
80.0 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 119.9 | |
| Hands: |
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70% |
| Short Receiving: |
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81% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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86% |
| Deep Threat: |
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86% |
| Blocking: |
|
65% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#231
Position rank:
#34 (WR)
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| College Games: 34 College Snaps: 1425 | ||
ESPN RATING: 75/100
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247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jalen Coker - Holy Cross |
|
94% |
| CJ Williams - Stanford |
|
89% |
| Ricky White III - UNLV |
|
87% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Collin Dixon finished his career at Tallmadge High School in Ohio with 201 catches for 3,561 yards and 43 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Ohio honors twice. He was a first-team all-league pick in track and basketball as well. Originally committed to Wisconsin, he reopened his recruitment after a coaching change and signed with Illinois in the 2023 class.Dixon redshirted in 2023, made his first start against Kansas in 2024 and finished that season with 18 catches. He started all 13 games in 2025, catching 35 passes for 548 yards and five touchdowns.
His 2026 season has been a breakout. He caught 11 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns against Duke, added eight catches for 131 yards and two scores against Southern Illinois, and has 10 touchdown catches in eight games. His diving touchdown late in the fourth quarter sealed a 21-10 win over Oregon on 24 October.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Wins contested catches with strong hands and body control, coming down with 13 of 20
- Productive red-zone target with 10 touchdown catches in eight games
- Tracks the deep ball well, with five touchdowns on throws downfield
- Eleven catches for 166 yards and three scores against Duke showed his ceiling
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Average speed limits his separation, so he wins mainly through physical play
- Drops crept in, with two each against Purdue and Maryland
- Adds little after the catch, averaging about three yards per reception
- Limited route tree, working almost entirely on the boundary with few slot snaps
- As a redshirt junior he has eligibility left, so his 2027 entry is uncertain
Scouting Report: Summary
Dixon has become the go-to receiver in the Illinois offense, and his 10 touchdown catches show why. He is a strong, physical outside receiver who wins at the catch point, tracks the ball well downfield and finishes in the red zone, as his three touchdowns against Duke showed.However, he is not a burner, and his separation comes from size rather than speed. He gains very little after the catch, his hands let him down against Purdue and Maryland, and his work has come almost entirely from the boundary.
Overall, Dixon is a big, reliable possession receiver with a red-zone touch. He projects as a priority free agent who could earn a role on the outside, though he has the option of another season at Illinois.
How other scouting services rate Collin Dixon (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
258.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
37.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.