The wide receiver position continues to grow in importance across the NFL. They have quickly become the focal point of PPR fantasy football leagues everywhere. The positional group also boasts some of the most exciting and talented players in the sport. With the emergence of three and four wide receiver sets, it’s impossible to have too many weapons on offense. Luckily for fans, the 2024 NFL Draft promises even more high-end pass catchers.
The 2024 NFL Draft Class Is Loaded At Wide Receiver
From Marvin Harrison Jr. to Rome Odunze to Malik Nabers, there is no shortage of franchise-altering potential from the top of the wide receiver class to the bottom. There’s even a chance the position is taken at No. 1 overall for the first time since Keyshawn Johnson earned this distinction at the 1996 NFL Draft. Yes, Harrison Jr. is that good. But the group behind him consists of “pick your poison” type of prospects.
The wide receivers come in all shapes and sizes, including ones with prototypical builds, blazing speed, and unprecedented ball skills. That makes for some tricky decision-making when it comes to narrowing down rankings for the upcoming class. In the fall update here at NFLMocks, let’s break down each of the top 10 wideouts while offering a long list of honorable mentions.
A top 20 update will hit the site this Spring after most pre-draft workouts and the all-important NFL Draft Scouting Combine. As always, further evaluations will take place following the publishing of this article, so the rankings will continue fluctuating as more information and tape are consumed. Until then, these are the official 2024 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings!
2024 NFL Draft Tier 1 (WRs) — Marvin Harrison Jr. Stands Alone, For Now…
WR1 — Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
2023 Stats: 67 receptions, 1,211 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns, 43.3% contested catch rate (13/30)
2024 NFL Draft Grade: Top 1 (No. 1 Overall)
No surprise here, although the second tier is closer to No. 1 than most care to admit. Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best overall wide receiver prospect in at least the past half-decade. He stands at an impressive 6-foot-4, weighs 205 pounds, and features the same teach tape route running that his Hall of Fame father put on display for 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
Going further, Harrison Jr. flexes elite hands on tape and possesses remarkable body control in contested catch situations. He’s a master at getting down in bounds, oftentimes even getting two feet in rather than the one foot required in college. The Ohio State star isn’t the fastest player in the world, but his top speed is still plenty, and he’s surprisingly shifty with the ball in tow. MHJ was a primary kick returner as a true freshman, too.
Currently, Harrison Jr. is the No. 1 overall player on NFLMocks’ Big Board. He has virtually zero holes in his NFL Draft profile and has every right to be the first player taken next April. Quarterbacks, pass rushers, and offensive tackles typically come off the board earlier than wide receivers, but MHJ could be the rare exception at the 2024 NFL Draft.
2024 NFL Draft Tier 2 (WRs) — Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers, Or Keon Coleman? The Choice Is Yours
WR2 — Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
2023 Stats: 81 receptions, 1,428 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns, 70.8% contested catch rate (17/24)
2024 NFL Draft Grade: Top 10 (No. 7 Overall)
Rome Odunze has held onto the No. 2 spot in NFLMocks' wide receiver rankings since the 2022 college football campaign. The Washington Husky standout is similar to Harrison Jr. in several ways. First, Odunze’s body control is otherworldly. Nobody in the 2024 NFL Draft can contort their frame in a similar fashion — he looks like a Marvel superhero when corralling in passes downfield.
Odunze terrorizes opposing secondaries, especially when they are foolish enough to leave single coverage on him. It’s all but guaranteed to result in a first down or a touchdown when the 6-foot-3, 216-pounder is left on an island. Mel Kiper’s No. 5 overall player, Odunze is garnering fanfare around the NFL Draft community thanks to his game-breaking speed, reliable hands, and underrated route tree, plus some contributions on special teams.
Don’t be surprised if a team within the top 5-10 selections falls head over heels for Rome Odunze. He lays claim to the No. 7 overall spot on the current Big Board, maintaining his billing as the WR2 in the class. In any other draft class, Odunze would run away with the WR1 mantle. But he checks in just behind Marvin Harrison Jr. for 2024.
WR3 — Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
2023 Stats: 86 receptions, 1,545 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns, 47.6% contested catch rate (10/21)
2024 NFL Draft Grade: Top 10 (No. 9 Overall)
As much praise and attention as Harrison Jr. and Odunze rightfully receive, perhaps the most impressive player in 2023 has been Malik Nabers. The LSU product is the next in a long line of sensational pass catchers out of Baton Rouge. With the likes of Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson setting the league on fire, it’s expected that Nabers will fuel that blaze upon arrival.
The 6-foot, 201-pound wideout is a weapon with the ball in his hands. He hits top gear with ease and consistently leaves defenders in his dust. No tackle angle is safe with Nabers, as his ability to cut on a dime and shake free from would-be tacklers results in substantial yardage after the catch. But at the catch point is where he is most impressive.
Nabers excels in 50/50 situations. If it’s a one-on-one look, the only hope a defensive back has is if the pass is errant — and even those can still end with a jaw-dropping reception. The Tiger pass catcher is a crafty route runner but could stand to add a few more to his arsenal to make life harder on defensive coordinators at the next level. Nabers is NFLMocks’ No. 9 prospect overall (WR3) and an instant Pro Bowl-caliber player in Year 1.
WR4 — Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
2023 Stats: 50 receptions, 658 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns, 33.3% contested catch rate (10/30)
2024 NFL Draft Grade: Top 15 (No. 12 Overall)
Keon Coleman gets billed as a big-bodied wide receiver who wins jump balls at a consistent rate. And, for the most part, that is true. But, sometimes, it paints an unfair picture of just how versatile the Florida State star is. At 6-foot-4 and weighing 216 pounds, Coleman has the requisite size and skillset to be a Mike Evans-esque player on Sundays. But, like Evans, he brings much more to the table.
Coleman is a kick return specialist for the Seminoles, highlighting how explosive and difficult to tackle he is with a full head of steam. On top of that, Mike Norvell and Co. weren’t shy about using the massive target in the screen game and on sweeps. Given his long strides, it’s easy to see a path toward YAC superstardom in the NFL.
Coleman receives a sparkling top 15 rating on NFLMocks’ Big Board, checking in as the WR4 and putting a cap on the second tier of pass catchers. Any of the three could rise to the top of this tier by the end of draft season, but as for now, Odunze-Nabers-Coleman is the locked-in order. All 32 NFL teams would be lucky to have any of that triumvirate of receivers.
2024 NFL Draft Tier 3 (WRs) — Xavier Legette, Troy Franklin Deserve First-Round Buzz
WR5 — Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
2023 Stats: 71 receptions, 1,255 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns, 50% contested catch rate (10/20)
2024 NFL Draft Grade: Top 30 (No. 27 Overall)
It’s always easy to fall into the “helmet scouting” approach. While there is an obvious connection between Deebo Samuel and Xavier Legette, the two are quite different. To Legette’s credit, he is a considerably bigger wide receiver than Samuel was with the Gamecocks. At 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds, the current SC wideout has four inches on the former, plus 13 more pounds. And the eye test confirms it.
A long-strider, Legette is adept at eating up turf when he gets downhill. Clocking in north of 22 mph multiple times in 2023, the gifted pass catcher is a true threat to score on any given play. He turns into a running back with the ball in his hands, exhibiting top-end vision and the willingness to run over defenders when necessary. That is where the Deebo comps have merit. To hammer home the point, the fourth-year player has experience in the return game on special teams.
Legette has all but eliminated his drop tendencies, sporting an elite grade from PFF in this area. He needs some polish as a route runner, and his best spot early on is likely as a big slot. But considering his steady improvement in the SEC, it’s a worthwhile projection for Legette to follow down more of an A.J. Brown path in the league. The upside earns him a spot at WR5 for the 2024 NFL Draft.
WR6 — Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
2023 Stats: 81 receptions, 1,383 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns, 36.8% contested catch rate (7/19)
2024 NFL Draft Grade: Top 30 (No. 28 Overall)
When watching Troy Franklin, one area stands out above the rest: His release off the line of scrimmage. His footwork is picturesque, and that first step allows Franklin to get out of the gates hot and take advantage of press coverage. It is reminiscent of perennial All-Pro Davante Adams, which is elite company to be in. Going further, the lanky pass catcher has a Mister-Fantastic-level catch radius; no pass is out of his reach.
With this length comes a key issue in his 2024 NFL Draft profile: Strength. Franklin’s first step frees him up from the more physical defenders at the collegiate level, but the long-armed physical freaks on Sundays won’t be as easy to beat if he’s a one-trick pony. Adding some mass to a frame that needs it would make the Oregon star better in contested catch situations.
Drops pop up from time to time, as well. Franklin dropped a career-high nine passes in 2023, with a majority of them coming in the face of pressure. All in all, his blazing speed, savvy route running, and one-of-one release package make Franklin a worthy target at the end of Day 1 or the beginning of Day 2.
WR7 — Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
2023 Stats: 75 receptions, 959 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns, 29.4% contested catch rate (5/17)
2024 NFL Draft Grade: Top 40 (No. 33 Overall)
One of “My Guys” from the 2024 NFL Draft, Malachi Corley is a diamond in the rough who has the potential to be a significantly better NFL player than a college player — and he’s already been pretty good! The Western Kentucky alum is affectionately known as the “YAC Gawd” and for good reason — of his 2,241 receiving yards since 2021, 1,623 of them came after the catch.
Corley actually fits the Deebo Samuel mold more than Xavier Legette, as the two share a nearly identical size profile and play style. The Hilltopper star can improve as a route runner, primarily by expanding his tree and opening up other areas of the field to attack. Furthermore, Corley could be better over the middle of the field and in contested catch situations, but the traits are there for quick improvements with NFL coaching.
Checking in as a strong Round 2 grade, Corley should be on the radar for receiver-needy teams toward the end of Day 1. If he lasts to the second day of the 2024 NFL Draft, his eventual franchise will have the chance to make the rest of the league look silly when the 21-year-old weapon reaches his sky-high ceiling.
2024 NFL Draft Tier 4 (WRs) — Two Texas Pass Catchers And Another LSU Star
WR8 — Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
2023 Stats: 73 receptions, 969 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns, 25% contested catch rate (5/20)
2024 NFL Draft Grade: Top 40 (No. 37 Overall)
Almost every entry on this list flexes an elite athletic profile, with many looking like statues chiseled from stone. Xavier Worthy, the fireball wideout from Texas, is the one exception. Listed at a generous 6-foot-1 and 172 pounds, there’s a chance both of those numbers prove to be exaggerated when official measurements come in. But still, Worthy is an exciting prospect nonetheless.
The Longhorn star glides downfield, showcasing arguably the best deep ball tracking ability in the 2024 NFL Draft. He uses a quick first step to get off the blocks and then builds up speed as he works his routes. Although his meager size is an issue, it does allow Worthy to squeeze through tight holes and shake free in short-yardage crossers.
Drops have been a consistent problem in college, which is never a good sign for someone who relies on the deep shots as much as Worthy. However, the red flags don’t overshadow the difference-making skillset he brings to the table. It’s enough to knock the 20-year-old pass catcher out of Day 1 — but not by much.
WR9 — Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
2023 Stats: 60 receptions, 1,079 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, 58.3% contested catch rate (7/12)
2024 NFL Draft Grade: Top 50 (No. 44 Overall)
Going deeper than raw stats, the LSU star proved his proficiency as a “go-up-and-get-it” target for Heisman Trophy finalist Jayden Daniels. Brian Thomas Jr. uses his size, power, and long arms to effectively box out the defender before leaping in the air and snagging the ball at its apex. He really looks like Ja’Marr Chase in that regard, if you squint your eyes hard enough.
His reason for being a Round 2 prospect lies in the technical side of things. Thomas Jr. is a capable route runner, but he wasn’t asked to expand his route tree at LSU. Furthermore, the jump-ball specialist has a history of drops in college, including five of them in 2023. The best landing spot for Thomas Jr. would be a receiver-needy team in the top 50.
WR10 — Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
2023 Stats: 51 receptions, 813 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns, 33.3% contested catch rate (3/9)
2024 NFL Draft Grade: Top 50 (No. 50 Overall)
Adonai Mitchell is the polar opposite of his teammate Xavier Worthy. The former Georgia transfer failed to make waves in his previous stop, but the passionate Longhorn fan base benefited in 2023. Mitchell only has one drop on the year, highlighting his vice-grip-like hands. The 6-foot-4 pass catcher excels at moving the chains and putting up points — a mind-blowing 42 of his 51 receptions resulted in a first down or touchdown. Absurd.
Between the twenties, Mitchell shows remarkable instincts, always getting to his spot and posting up his hands as a massive target. Route running isn’t his strong suit, at least not in terms of versatility. Mitchell also can be a tad clunky when trying to separate from a defender, leading to catches being harder than they otherwise would be.
As a prospect, Mitchell is worth taking in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He earns a spot as WR10 on the fall update at NFLMocks, and an impressive Scouting Combine and Pro Day could go a long way toward boosting his stock before next Spring. AD = All Day.
2024 NFL Draft Tier 5 (WRs) — Just Missed The Cut, Still Own A Top 100 Grade
WR11 — Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington (Late Round 2)
WR12 — Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia (Late Round 2)
WR13 — Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona (Early Round 3)
WR14 — Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan (Early Round 3)
WR15 — Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama (Early Round 3)
2024 NFL Draft Tier 6 (WRs) — Late Day 2 Options
WR16 — Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State (Mid-Round 3)
WR17 — Brenden Rice, WR, USC (Mid-Round 3)
WR18 — Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington (Late Round 3)
WR19 — Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State (Late Round 3)
WR20 — Devontez Walker, WR, UNC (Late Round 3)
*Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) was not included in the most recent update, as rumors continue to swirl regarding his return to Columbus.