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 assessment 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 mean 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 want a WR as a result of NFL common managers could have their choose of the litter as these prospects are available in all totally 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 provide. He’s a much bigger slot possibility 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 correct 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, largest, or finest route runner however the man is a professional playmaker. Each time he touches the ball he finds a method to get additional yardage. Most of his touches had been within the fast passing recreation or gadget-type performs. If he desires a extra expanded position within the NFL he must 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 inserting 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 some other draft yr Baker may crack the highest 10, however in a deep WR class, and with none of his measurables or abilities being elite, he will get pushed down the draft board. That being stated, 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 ignored 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 one among 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 risk (4.39 40-yard sprint) that’s primarily used down the sphere as a substitute of a catch-and-run man. Wilson would give an prompt improve to any group’s deep passing assault.
11. Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
Polk was the quantity two possibility in Washington’s passing recreation and had high quality manufacturing in his closing faculty season. He isn’t an elite athlete and there isn’t a lot explosiveness to his recreation, however his potential lies in his separation abilities, route-running potential, and contested catch prowess. His pure ball-catching potential in any state of affairs and well-rounded recreation make him a stable candidate to be an NFL group’s quantity two WR.
10. Xavier Legette, South Carolina
Legette seems like a freight prepare operating down the soccer discipline; think about a linebacker that’s quick and may 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 dimension. 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 simply 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 one of the best 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 potential 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 provide on the skin too. Prompt affect participant for no matter group 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 an extended strider who has the potential to take the ball to the home anytime he touches it. His slender construct makes him inclined 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 correct position, Franklin’s ceiling might be probably the greatest deep threats within the league.
7. Xavier Worthy, Texas
Worthy doesn’t want a lot introduction as he’s the brand new file 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 file holder, John Ross, fizzled out within the NFL, however don’t let that scare you off of Worthy. Worthy has soccer abilities outdoors of his velocity; he’s tremendous fast getting out and in of his breaks, understands how one can get open, and is a superb 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 a bit of decrease than that. Keon Coleman turns right into a monster when the ball is within the air, he’s the final word contested-catch receiver. His potential to win the 50/50 ball is the rationale he’s rated so excessive. Coleman will not be quick (4.61-second 40-yard sprint) and he’s a below-average separator. There’s undoubtedly room for him to search out success within the NFL, he simply wants a QB that’s prepared 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 unique poll. Mitchell is likely 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 a must to return to the “eye check” and watch some recreation movie. For me, Mitchell passes the attention check, this man can flat out ball. Not solely does he have nice dimension (6’2”) and elite velocity (4.34-second 40-yard sprint), however he additionally is likely 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 essentially the most fourth-place ballots, however that was his high quantity. Thomas Jr. has a uncommon mixture of dimension, velocity, and explosiveness. The junior from LSU put up gaudy numbers in his closing 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 might be an actual drawback within the NFL. Search for Thomas to return 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 nicely 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 essentially the most second-place votes. Nabers performs like he has nitro booster on his again, and may shift gears like a finely tuned sports activities automobile. He can play any receiver place on the sphere and may win in no matter state of affairs he’s put in. His playmaking abilities are actually dynamic and play velocity is off the charts. Nabers is the following nice WR to return out of LSU and no matter group 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 essentially the most NFL-ready WR to return out of faculty in current historical past. He hails from legendary NFL bloodlines, and with that comes immense expectations. Harrison has an extended method to go to match his father’s NFL manufacturing, however as a prospect he’s a much bigger, sooner, and stronger model of his dad, which is horrifying to consider. His pre-draft course of has been attention-grabbing with him not taking part within the mix or a professional day. Nonetheless, he may need been one of the best 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.
