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GOIN DEEP! Top 20 Wide Receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft
This is a draft class for the ages! You got 3 guys who you could argue as top 5 picks, and probably 7 or 8 first round guys. My top 5 WRs you can build your passing attack around, and then there are plenty of support guys based on what role you need on your squad. Need a deep threat? Smooth intermediate reliable route runner? Contested catch red zone monster? Gadget catch-the-ball-behind-the-LOS-and-take-off-for-40-yards highlight reel? YEP! This draft has it all.
Marvin Harrsion Jr., Ohio State The best receiver in this draft and it's not even close. Would have been not only the top WR drafted last year, but would have immediately been a top 10 wideout in the NFL on any team. Size, speed, great attitude - the combine stuff is waaaayyy over-inflated, route running savvy, run after the catch, line him up anywhere, DON'T OVERTHINK IT JUST TAKE HIM ALREADY!
Malik Nabers, LSU Good size, amazing speed and athleticism. Very intelligent route runner, can really tie up defensive backs and make them look stupid. He can line up wherever, forces a ton of missed tackles so don't be afraid to scheme up some gadget plays for the man!
Rome Odunze, Washington Big, fast, great hands, the hands down (pun?) best contested catch receiver in this draft with an otherworldly 75% success rate on 21 catches. To put that in perspective, Harrison and Nabers were 43% for 13 catches, and 46% for 10 catches respectively! Even being as big as he is he has great lateral agility. As a cherry on top, he's also a high effort guy.
Xavier Legette, South Carolina People have him going in the 2nd/3rd round, but I have no idea what they are looking at. 6'1, 225 lbs, 4.39 40 that included a 10 yards split faster than 170lbs Nate Wiggins??? And you're saying it all shows up on tape?? No reason he shouldn't be a solid first round pick. People worry about his lack of production until his 5th year, but the man lost both his parents by 2019. Give the man a break! From all reports, teammates and coaches absolutely love him. Can't run all the routes the guys above him can, but he's certainly no slouch in that department.
Ladd McConkey, Georgia If not for injuries and a stellar draft class, this is what the top pass catcher in the draft looks like. There are really no weaknesses to McConkey's game other than his availability. Smooth in and out of his breaks, effortless 4.3 speed, excellent COD ability with the ball in his hands. This is the last of your guaranteed number one receivers you should build your passing game around.
Roman Wilson, Michigan I'm higher on Roman Wilson than many, but I'm not really sure why. I love savvy, athletic guys that know how to get open and don't drop the ball. That's Wilson. All. Day. Michigan's offense didn't give him a ton of opportunities, but he definitely made the most of them. He dropped one ball last year on 67 targets. Many people sleep on his athleticism - go watch the combine and the senior bowl.
Ricky Pearsall, Florida Hands, size, speed, quickness. He's the last guy I have a first round grade on. A bit of an older prospect as he'll be 24 in his rookie year, but I think he'll be a really good 2/3 somewhere on day one. As an added bonus, pleeeasssse YouTube "Ricky Pearsall one handed catch." It's the best catch in all of football last year.
Ja'Lynn Polk, Washington Good size, but doesn't quite have the natural speed and explosiveness some of these other guys have. He makes up for it with his reliable hands and routes, and he can really go up and high point the ball for you. Need a high effort run blocker? Polk's got your back. A coaches dream.
Brian Thomas Jr., LSU I am waaaayyy lower on Thomas than almost everyone. Most sites, like PFF, have him #4. Hell, Chris Simms has him as his #2, IN FRONT OF MARVIN HARRISON!!! He has great size and elite speed that shows up on tape. I don't see him do anything special to get open or catch the ball that will regularly work on NFL caliber corners. I think he can go somewhere and make some big plays as a solid #3 receiver, but you're certainly not building your passing game around him.
Keon Coleman, Florida State This guy is huge and plays like it. He's really tough to evaluate due to the nature of the offense and what he was asked to do at Florida State. I think he could turn into a solid possession receiver/red zone threat. He's a pretty cool interview if that counts for anything.
Adonai Mitchell, Texas Here's another guy I'm lower on than everyone else. Another guy with great size and speed that just seems to beat up on crappy corners. Rumors about his effort from play to play shouldn't help his draft stock. He's another guy that could be a great #3/4 option somewhere, but he's probably going to be drafted with much higher expectations.
Javon Baker, Central Florida I think Baker might not go until the 3rd or 4th round, but he's worth an early second - even in this draft. Has some disappointing concentration drops at times, and needs more route consistency, but man is it all there. He's got the side and explosiveness you want, and I love how he uses his body to gain that extra, last minute separation from defenders. Great value pick if you land him outside the top 50.
Johnny Wilson, Florida State 6'6, 235 lbs with 35.5 in arms and can move. The potential is tantalizing, but he wasn't super productive and you don't see him use the size as much as you would want on film. One of the more intriguing prospects in the draft.
Troy Franklin, Oregon I love that he was productive. I love his testing numbers. I'm not really wowed by the tape in anyway. Had some bad drops, and seemed like he caught a ton of passes against broken coverage. Came in to the combine at 6'2 and 176. I'm not sure he has the route awareness or body type he needs in the NFL to start on the outside - he's likely going to get over-drafted with high expectations. Ideally he's a late 2nd or 3rd round guy asked to be the third or fourth receiving option.
Malachi Corely, Western Kentucky Built like a running back and calls himself the YAC King. The hype is real as he averages a crazy 8.6 yards after the catch. 330 of his 985 receiving yards were off screens and he didn't win many contested catch scenarios. If someone drafts him, they just need to have a plan for him. If they have a plan for him, he's gonna be a blast to watch on Sundays.
Brenden Rice, USC Son of legendary Jerry Rice? Where can you go wrong? Good size and good enough athletic numbers, he doesn't have any "wow" traits. High football intelligence and a smoothness to his routes should give some team a solid WR. Another one of my favorite guys in terms of value.
Jermaine Burton, Alabama Super talented wideout that cannot seem to stay out of trouble and out of the coaches dog house at both Georgia and Alabama. If he locked in and got his head on straight he'd be a surefire first round pick.
Dez Walker, North Carolina He's got it all, I just sometimes have no idea what he's doing with it. Could be a product of the North Carolina offense, or it could be the product of the scary hit he took in week 9. He has all the physical tools you could want and makes some highlight reel plays when things are going right.
Xavier Worthy, Texas I get it, he's faster than most people's first cars. He weighed in at 165 and you saw it affect him on releases, contested balls, and whenever the refs weren't paying attention. He doesn't have near the toolbox successful smaller receivers have. Gadget guy who could take advantage of the new NFL kickoff rules. After he ran the 4.2 people were shouting first round, glad to see that's calmed down. He's a day two, I'd even say day 3 guy.
Jamari Thrash, Louisville On the smaller side, and not a crazy elite athlete - still a 4.4 guy though. I love his field and man/zone awareness. I think he could be a steal in the middle rounds.
Great job!