2024 NFL Draft: The Wide Receiver Class

[Clayton]

My final rankings:

Top 10
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Malik Nabers
Rome Odunze

Round 1
Brian Thomas Jr.
Adonai Mitchell
<--- (Last Yr WR1s: Addison, Flowers, JSN)
Ladd McConkey

Round 2
Xavier Worthy
Troy Franklin
Xavier Legette
Keon Coleman
Ja'Lynn Polk
Roman Wilson
Ricky Pearsall

Round 3
Javon Baker
Malik Washington
Devontez Walker
Johnny Wilson
Malachi Corley

Sleeper: Ryan Flournoy

 

[cwalke3408]

Sorry Worthy, I was not familiar with your game.
Usually I'm not the biggest fan of Speedster type WRs but Worthy might just be more than that

 

[Clayton]

Sorry Worthy, I was not familiar with your game.
Usually I'm not the biggest fan of Speedster type WRs but Worthy might just be more than that

His only two issues imo are functional strength and having smaller hands. He is a fast WR not so much a track guy playing WR which is where some of them have busted hard in the past. In terms of skinny players, he is a little below Wiggins imo and a little above Franklin but he is too skinny for the NFL. I don't think Worthy has too many team fits before Kansas City and Carolina, tbh.

 

[cwalke3408]

His only two issues imo are functional strength and having smaller hands. He is a fast WR not so much a track guy playing WR which is where some of them have busted hard in the past. In terms of skinny players, he is a little below Wiggins imo and a little above Franklin but he is too skinny for the NFL. I don't think Worthy has too many team fits before Kansas City and Carolina, tbh.

I think he weighted in the combine at 165 but to me he looks bigger than that on tape and I think he plays through contact just fine. Similar to Wiggins, smaller frame but wasn't much of an issue against Legette, Johnny Wilson, Keon Coleman and can always add weight if needed. For Worthy, his size profile compares to the likes of Jordin Addison, Tyler Lockett, TY Hilton types and you can't go wrong having one of these in most offenses in today's game

 

[shopson67]

I think he weighted in the combine at 165 but to me he looks bigger than that on tape and I think he plays through contact just fine. Similar to Wiggins, smaller frame but wasn't much of an issue against Legette, Johnny Wilson, Keon Coleman and can always add weight if needed. For Worthy, his size profile compares to the likes of Jordin Addison, Tyler Lockett, TY Hilton types and you can't go wrong having one of these in most offenses in today's game

Judging by his highlights, he doesn't seem to play to his 40 time, unless there are a lot DBs that will run similar 40s in the near future. Doesn't matter, what does is his burst and ability to cut and gain separation.

I would add Dallas as a potential fit to Clayton's list. Jerrah's chances to go "all-in" are dwindling fast.

 

[Clayton]

Judging by his highlights, he doesn't seem to play to his 40 time, unless there are a lot DBs that will run similar 40s in the near future. Doesn't matter, what does is his burst and ability to cut and gain separation.

I would add Dallas as a potential fit to Clayton's list. Jerrah's chances to go "all-in" are dwindling fast.

Dallas would be a good fit. I could see that and they address interior OL and RB later in the draft.

 

[cwalke3408]

Judging by his highlights, he doesn't seem to play to his 40 time, unless there are a lot DBs that will run similar 40s in the near future. Doesn't matter, what does is his burst and ability to cut and gain separation.

I would add Dallas as a potential fit to Clayton's list. Jerrah's chances to go "all-in" are dwindling fast.

True

 

[Wolvie]

So 16 wr's get drafted in the first three rounds. Half of the NFL used high draft capital to snag someone. That has to shatter the previous record right?

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

So 16 wr's get drafted in the first three rounds. Half of the NFL used high draft capital to snag someone. That has to shatter the previous record right?

Good question. I know the the NFL record was tied this year for WRs in the 1st round (2004 had 7, that was Fitzgerald's year, kind of funny Harrison Jr. as the best prospect also goes to the Cards) so the 2024 NFL draft tied the record. This draft did shatter the previous NFL draft record of the most offensive players though. I know that's not your question but 4 over the previous record (most offensive at 19 and I think we were at 23) is pretty crazy.

Definitely an offensively driven and passing league....

 

[Wolvie]

Good question. I know the the NFL record was tied this year for WRs in the 1st round (2004 had 7, that was Fitzgerald's year, kind of funny Harrison Jr. as the best prospect also goes to the Cards) so the 2024 NFL draft tied the record. This draft did shatter the previous NFL draft record of the most offensive players though. I know that's not your question but 4 over the previous record (most offensive at 19 and I think we were at 23) is pretty crazy.

Definitely an offensively driven and passing league....

Good call. Just looked at the 2004 draft and they had 13 wrs get drafted in the first three rounds

 

[DJ Fieri]

Not sure how Franklin is still avail.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Good call. Just looked at the 2004 draft and they had 13 wrs get drafted in the first three rounds

From what I gathered to answer your question, it's happened 4 times where more receivers have been drafted than the 16 of this year in the first 3 rounds. 17 receivers have been drafted in the first 3 rounds (and that's the highest, 18 has not happened yet) in 1994, 2007, 2020, and 2022.

 

[Clayton]

Not sure how Franklin is still avail.

Teams are probably worried about how poorly he tested. It is weird to see one of the best players in college football being drafted as a backup somewhere but thats what it looks like

 

[shopson67]

Teams are probably worried about how poorly he tested. It is weird to see one of the best players in college football being drafted as a backup somewhere but thats what it looks like

Weird, but I think Brendan Rice wins for the longest WR slide. 7th round, rescued by Harbaugh finally

 

[Iggloo]

The Eagles wound up drafting two very different receivers, Ainias Smith of Texas A&M and Johnny Wilson of Florida State.

Smith is a slot receiver and punt returner type with some RAC abilities. He was injured in college and seemed to lose some of his top-end speed though. He only ran a 4.55, and may still be recovering.

Wilson is an oversized WR/TE tweener type like Devin Funchess. He has a huge catch radius but seems like he'll struggle getting separation in the NFL.

I'm not sure I loved either pick, especially Smith whom they took in the 4th round when I think some better players were available at other positions.

 

[shopson67]

The Eagles wound up drafting two very different receivers, Ainias Smith of Texas A&M and Johnny Wilson of Florida State.

Smith is a slot receiver and punt returner type with some RAC abilities. He was injured in college and seemed to lose some of his top-end speed though. He only ran a 4.55, and may still be recovering.

Wilson is an oversized WR/TE tweener type like Devin Funchess. He has a huge catch radius but seems like he'll struggle getting separation in the NFL.

I'm not sure I loved either pick, especially Smith whom they took in the 4th round when I think some better players were available at other positions.

Smith has returner upside. Not sure about Wilson, not a lot of flattering comps for him. You're right though, opposite ends of the spectrum in size lol.

 

[eaglesnut]

Teams are probably worried about how poorly he tested. It is weird to see one of the best players in college football being drafted as a backup somewhere but thats what it looks like

Broncos will run Franklin and Mims out there by mid season

Here's his testing. Doesn't look bad. Thin and small hands didn't help him.

40-Yard Dash
4.41
Seconds
10-Yard Split
1.61
Seconds
Vertical Jump
39’’
Broad Jump
10’ 4’’
3-Cone Drill
6.9
Seconds
20-Yd Shuttle
4.31
Seconds

 

[redskinsfan1963]

That shouldn’t be an issue.

I’ve never seen three receivers go 1-2-3.

I’d think you’d be safe trading down to 5 or 6 if he’s your target. Unless the scoring sways heavily to receivers.

probably won,t ever be.

 

[cwalke3408]

Weird, but I think Brendan Rice wins for the longest WR slide. 7th round, rescued by Harbaugh finally

If Bears didn't go Oduze, I think Rice would have been on our radar in the later rounds because of the connection with Caleb.
I think he has good size and long speed but somewhat hasn't put it all together let

 

[shopson67]

Broncos will run Franklin and Mims out there by mid season

Here's his testing. Doesn't look bad. Thin and small hands didn't help him.

40-Yard Dash
4.41
Seconds
10-Yard Split
1.61
Seconds
Vertical Jump
39’’
Broad Jump
10’ 4’’
3-Cone Drill
6.9
Seconds
20-Yd Shuttle
4.31
Seconds

That gauntlet drill where he was weaving wildly didn't help either.