With the 2024 NFL Mix within the rearview mirror and the mud beginning to decide on NFL free company, all eyes shall be wanting towards the 2024 NFL Draft. On this article, we are going to rank and evaluate the highest 15 vast receiver prospects on this yr’s draft class. SB Nation’s neighborhood of draft analysts every ranked their high WRs within the draft and this high 15 is the results of these cumulative rankings.
After a median vast receiver class in 2023, this 2024 class is bursting on the seams with expertise. The highest of the primary spherical boasts three WRs with famous person expertise and rounds it out with a bunch that oozes “WR1” potential. It’s a good yr to wish a WR as a result of NFL common managers could have their decide of the litter as these prospects are available all completely different builds, talent units, and skills.
15. Jalen McMillan, Washington
McMillan was buried in Washington’s WR room by two different 1000-yard WRs (we are going to get to them quickly) however he nonetheless managed to supply. He’s an even bigger slot choice who has stable velocity to stretch the seam and create alternatives down the sphere. His route operating is above common and has the potential to see extra manufacturing within the NFL than he did on the collegiate stage if he lands in the appropriate state of affairs.
14. Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
The self-proclaimed “YAC King” places his cash the place his mouth is. Corley is a bodily WR who performs extra like an RB with the ball in his fingers. Corley isn’t the quickest, greatest, or finest route runner however the man is a professional playmaker. Each time he touches the ball he finds a approach to get additional yardage. Most of his touches had been within the fast passing sport or gadget-type performs. If he desires a extra expanded position within the NFL he should show he’s savvy sufficient to get separation additional down the sphere.
13. Javon Baker, UCF
Baker had the biggest unfold in our voting, with one voter putting him fourth and one voting him nineteenth (with one other at 18). Sadly for Baker, the fourth-place vote was the one one within the single digits. In every other draft yr Baker would possibly crack the highest 10, however in a deep WR class, and with none of his measurables or expertise being elite, he will get pushed down the draft board. That being mentioned, Baker confirmed loads of manufacturing in faculty and is adept at discovering methods to get open. One thing about him tells me he has the potential to be the neglected mid-round prospect that emerges as a beginning WR down the street. This isn’t a comp, however he offers me some Stefon Diggs vibes.
12. Roman Wilson, Michigan
Wilson is available in on the 12 spot however he acquired one vote at eight by considered one of analysts. Wilson’s draft rise has been a direct results of his excellent performances on the Senior Bowl and NFL Mix. Wilson is an electrifying velocity menace (4.39 40-yard sprint) that’s primarily used down the sphere as an alternative of a catch-and-run man. Wilson would give an immediate improve to any crew’s deep passing assault.
11. Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
Polk was the quantity two choice in Washington’s passing sport and had high quality manufacturing in his last faculty season. He isn’t an elite athlete and there isn’t a lot explosiveness to his sport, however his means lies in his separation expertise, route-running means, and contested catch prowess. His pure ball-catching means in any state of affairs and well-rounded sport make him a stable candidate to be an NFL crew’s quantity two WR.
10. Xavier Legette, South Carolina
Legette appears like a freight practice operating down the soccer subject; think about a linebacker that’s quick and might catch the soccer. The 6’1”, 221-pound athletic freak ran a 4.39-second 40-yard sprint and jumped 40” within the vertical leap on the NFL Mix, which is wonderful for his measurement. Legette is an athlete with elite linear explosiveness who wants an offense that may scheme performs to get him open, as he doesn’t have the route-running savviness that you just search for in a primary vast receiver. His athletic profile boosts his potential however his talent set is much like that of Cordarrelle Patterson.
9. Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Let me introduce you to the perfect route runner on this yr’s NFL Draft class; Ladd McConkey. Regardless of being thirteenth on one outlier poll, McConkey was seven to 9 on everybody else’s voting listing. McConkey has an innate means to place defenders in a bind by difficult their leverage, deceiving their eyes, and disrupting their transitions. Logic would have McConkey as a slot receiver however he has sufficient juice to supply on the skin too. Immediate affect participant for no matter crew drafts him.
8. Troy Franklin, Oregon
Franklin was voted as excessive as 5 on one poll, however everybody else had him seven to 9. He’s a protracted strider who has the potential to take the ball to the home anytime he touches it. His slender construct makes him vulnerable to bodily corners and he doesn’t produce many damaged tackles. His manufacturing in faculty was distinctive, excelling when he was used on crossing routes and go routes down the sphere. In the appropriate position, Franklin’s ceiling could possibly be among the finest deep threats within the league.
7. Xavier Worthy, Texas
Worthy doesn’t want a lot introduction as he’s the brand new report holder for the 40-yard sprint on the NFL Mix the place he ran it in 4.21 seconds. Worthy has world-class velocity, and it makes him harmful from anyplace on the sphere. The final 40-yard sprint report holder, John Ross, fizzled out within the NFL, however don’t let that scare you off of Worthy. Worthy has soccer expertise outdoors of his velocity; he’s tremendous fast getting out and in of his breaks, understands how one can get open, and is a wonderful ball tracker. One outlier had Worthy twelfth on their voting listing, however everybody else had him six to eight.
6. Keon Coleman, Florida State
Coleman earned a fourth-place vote and a pair of fives however in the end settled slightly decrease than that. Keon Coleman turns right into a monster when the ball is within the air, he’s the last word contested-catch receiver. His means to win the 50/50 ball is the explanation he’s rated so excessive. Coleman isn’t quick (4.61-second 40-yard sprint) and he’s a below-average separator. There may be positively room for him to seek out success within the NFL, he simply wants a QB that’s keen to throw him the ball even when he’s coated.
5. Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Mitchell earned one second-place vote however was additionally ranked outdoors the highest six receivers on a distinct poll. Mitchell is without doubt one of the most polarizing prospects of this listing, he has elite measurables however his manufacturing in faculty was sub par for a primary spherical vast receiver. Generally when this occurs it’s important to return to the “eye check” and watch some sport movie. For me, Mitchell passes the attention check, this man can flat out ball. Not solely does he have nice measurement (6’2”) and elite velocity (4.34-second 40-yard sprint), however he additionally is without doubt one of the finest route runners within the class. The sky is the restrict for Mitchell within the NFL, famous person standing pending.
4. Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Thomas earned probably the most fourth-place ballots, however that was his high quantity. Thomas Jr. has a uncommon mixture of measurement, velocity, and explosiveness. The junior from LSU put up gaudy numbers in his last season at LSU (1177 yards and 17 touchdowns) however that was his solely yr with vital manufacturing. The scary factor is that Thomas nonetheless is considerably of a uncooked prospect, if he continues on his present upward trajectory, he could possibly be an actual drawback within the NFL. Search for Thomas to come back off the board late in spherical one on the NFL Draft.
3. Rome Odunze, Washington
Whereas Odunze earned just a few second-place votes, he was additionally as little as six on one poll. Odunze was dominant at Washington, delivering back-to-back 1000-yard seasons. He does quite a few issues properly and is a playmaker that’s able to being profitable on all three ranges of the sphere. He’s a pacesetter and competitor who persistently finds methods to make performs. Odunze is a day one starter within the NFL with room to develop right into a well-rounded WR for the following decade.
2. Malik Nabers, LSU
Nabers was both two or three on each poll and earned probably the most second-place votes. Nabers performs like he has nitro booster on his again, and might shift gears like a finely tuned sports activities automotive. He can play any receiver place on the sphere and might win in no matter state of affairs he’s put in. His playmaking expertise are really dynamic and play velocity is off the charts. Nabers is the following nice WR to come back out of LSU and no matter crew drafts him will get a gamebreaker that’s able to bringing an offense to the following stage.
1. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Harrison was our unanimous primary receiver, and for good purpose. Harrison is probably the most NFL-ready WR to come back out of faculty in current historical past. He hails from legendary NFL bloodlines, and with that comes immense expectations. Harrison has a protracted approach to go to match his father’s NFL manufacturing, however as a prospect he’s an even bigger, sooner, and stronger model of his dad, which is frightening to consider. His pre-draft course of has been fascinating with him not collaborating within the mix or a professional day. Nonetheless, he may need been the perfect participant at Ohio State’s professional day final yr, when he was catching passes from C.J. Stroud. Don’t be stunned if “MHJ” proves himself to be a high 10 WR within the NFL in his first season as a professional.