NFL · 1 year ago

Best WR in 2024 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 40 Wide Receivers

Zack Cook

Host · Writer

40. Jordan Johnson - Notre Dame
Jordan Johnson combines size and speed to make a compelling wide receiver option out of Notre Dame. His ability to exploit defenses after the catch helps demonstrate how deep this wide receiver class truly is.

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1. Malik Nabers - LSU
Explosiveness is almost an underwhelming description of what Malik Nabers brings. Will these traits have a team grab him inside the top ten? It's a possibility that's on our radar. Nabers has the traits to excel in the NFL, and we continue to be very high on his upside.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 2 Overall
2. Marvin Harrison Jr. - Ohio State
This is a robust wide receiver draft class, and it's headlined by one of the best we've seen over the last decade in Marvin Harrison Jr. The former Ohio State Buckeye didn't need to test at the NFL Scouting Combine because his status is already set in stone as the top wideout in this class. Will that land him inside the top five?

SportsGrid Big Board No. 3 Overall

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3. Rome Odunze - Washington
Rome Odunze was a high-end weapon for the Washington Huskies, and our opinion of him didn't change after his performance at the combine. The only question remaining is what part of the first round he goes in.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 6 Overall
4. Brian Thomas Jr. - LSU
The LSU Tigers' passing offense was dynamite in 2023, and Brian Thomas Jr. was a significant reason. This prospect widely flew under the radar, but that shouldn't be the case. Thomas Jr. brings electric traits and is a viable first-round target.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 22 Overall
5. Keon Coleman - Florida State
If you had to pick one loser from this talented group of wide receiver prospects, it's not hard to land on Keon Coleman. The Florida State product's numbers failed to pop at the combine, highlighting some red flags about this player. Still, the production was high-end for Coleman with the Seminoles.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 32 Overall
6. Adonai Mitchell - Texas
Adonai Mitchell is a prospect to watch if you're looking for a big-game player. Not only did the former Texas wideout produce when it mattered most, but he also showed up at the NFL Scouting Combine with a dynamite run.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 39 Overall
7. Ladd McConkey - Georgia
Ladd McConkey's acceleration and strong hands were already pro-traits. Many wondered how McConkey would test at the combine, and he came away with a great showing, including in the drill setting. Don't be surprised if McConkey finds his way into the first round.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 46 Overall
8. Troy Franklin - Oregon
Troy Franklin brings many qualities that teams look for at the NFL level. He didn't have a poor showing at the combine but did fall on our list because other prospects popped more.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 49 Overall
9. Xavier Worthy - Texas
Xavier Worthy was one of the stars of the show at the NFL Scouting Combine. His speed popped, setting a record in the 40-yard dash (4.21 seconds). The numbers and production are also there for Worthy to be a potential top-50 pick.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 54 Overall
10. Ricky Pearsall - Florida
Versatility is the one attribute that really makes Ricky Pearsall pop as an NFL prospect. Pearsall is coming off a near 1,000 yard campaign, and there's untapped value in this player that should be found in the mid rounds.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 62 Overall
11. Roman Wilson - Michigan
Roman Wilson doesn't have the ideal size of a wide receiver, but he brings many strong traits to the table, which should interest teams in the middle rounds. Will Wilson pop in a more pass-heavy offense?

SportsGrid Big Board No. 64 Overall
12. Xavier Legette - South Carolina
We're probably a little low on Xavier Legette, admittedly. Legette popped in his Senior Year for South Carolina, which has multiple NFL teams looking into him as a top 70 overall draft pick.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 65 Overall
13. Malachi Corley - Western Kentucky
Malachi Corley is far from a perfect wideout prospect, but there's plenty of upside in this player. His ability to create yards after the catch is right up there with the best in the 2024 NFL Draft class.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 74 Overall
14. Ja'Lynn Polk - Washington
Ja'Lynn Polk is one of our favorite wide receiver prospects in this draft class. Although Polk was being overshadowed by Rome Odunze at Washington, there are a ton of pro traits to his game that will make an NFL team very happy.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 76 Overall
15. Jalen McMillan - Washington
With so many options out of Washington in this wide receiver class, Jalen McMillan often gets overlooked. McMillan has boom or bust upside, which should make a team take a chance on him in the middle rounds.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 82 Overall
16. Devontez Walker - North Carolina
If you're looking for a wideout that can beat you vertically, Devontez Walker out of North Carolina is the guy for you. Consistency is an issue, but the tools are there for success.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 83 Overall
17. Javon Baker - Central Florida
Javon Baker is a complete wide receiver. From his size to his hands and speed, Baker presents a lot of matchup issues for the opposition. The former Central Florida should be able to jump into the league and get immediate snaps.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 98 Overall
18. Jermaine Burton - Alabama
There's no doubt that Jermaine Burton has the raw tools to intrigue NFL franchises. In saying that, there are question marks about his overall maturity, which could make teams shy away from him in a deep wideout class.
19. Malik Washington - Virginia
Although Malik Washington doesn't have the ideal size, he has the speed and route-running ability to be a dynamic slot receiver at the next level. Can he reach his full potential?
20. Brenden Rice - USC
Rounding out the top 20 wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft is Brenden Rice. The former USC wideout has the size, speed, and skill to make him an intriguing prospect on Day 2 or 3.
21. Johnny Wilson - Florida State
If you're looking for a receiver with size and athleticism, Johnny Wilson immediately standout from Florida State. The 6'6" wideout has a unique blend of attributes that make him stand out in a deep wide receiver draft class.
22. Ainias Smith - Texas A&M
Ainias Smith is a prospect who has continued to climb draft boards. His strong ability as a gadget-type receiver makes him pop on tape and will undoubtedly be a coach's dream for positional flexibility.
23. Jamari Thrash - Louisville
With a strong frame and dynamic route-running, Jamari Thrash is a prospect that has continued to gain steam over the last month. Thrash does a lot of things very well but lacks an elite trait that would have him ranked higher.
24. Anthony Gould - Oregon State
Anthony Gould stood out for Oregon State, and that held true with his 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Gould has game-breaking speed and combines that with a frame that will line up perfectly in the slot.
25. Jacob Cowing - Arizona
There's a lot to be impressed about with Jacob Cowing, especially his straight-line speed. Cowing ran a 4.38 40-yard dash, and his ability to make plays after the catch highlights him as an intriguing option in this draft class.
26. Luke McCaffrey - Rice
Many wonder about the overall upside for Luke McCaffrey after transitioning from a quarterback to wide receiver. His football IQ is immediately evident, and teams should be curious about his upside.
27. Jha-Quan Jackson - Tulane
Jha'Quan Jackson immediately pops with his speed, but his lack of size will likely limit him to a slot role at the next level. Still, there's a real upside to this player in the right situation, and he's someone you grow more fond of after watching his tape.
28. Cornelius Johnson - Michigan
Cornelius Johnson has some old-school football traits that scouts are intrigued by. Johnson brings strong hands to the table and a willingness to make plays, even if that means sacrificing his body to hold onto the football.
29. Isaiah Williams - Illinois
Isaiah Williams has the potential to be a strong slot receiver in the NFL when you factor in his high-end ability to make plays with his short-area athleticism. You would have liked his 40-yard time to be a hair quicker, but there's still value in what he brings.
30. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint - Georgia
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint showed some real ball skills last season with Georgia. Although the consistency was sometimes lacking, Rosemy-Jacksaint still has strong route-running skills.
31. Tahj Washington - USC
There are multiple strong slot receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft class. Tahj Washington out of USC adds another option to the list. Washington has the quickness needed to be effective in this role.
32. Ryan Flournoy - Southeast Missouri State
Ryan Flournoy has the length, combined with the burst that makes him an appealing prospect. The former Southeast Missouri State wideout clocked a 4.44 40-yard dash time.
33. Bub Means - Pittsburgh
When you watch the game tape from Bub Means, you immediately come away impressed with his high-end athleticism. Means has the top end speed needed to be a burner on Sundays.
34. Tayvion Robinson - Kentucky
Tayvion Robinson has a strong football IQ and the ability to find soft spots in defensive coverage to exploit them. Robinson doesn’t have ideal size but could line up in multiple areas.
35. Jordan Whittington - Texas
Although he’s not quite on the level of the big two coming out of Texas in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jordan Whittington is still a solid prospect in his own right. Whittington thrives off physicality and can make contested catches.
36. Jamari Thrash - Louisville
Although some have Jamari Thrash higher, we're not entirely sold on his overall skillset. He brings legitimate qualities to the table, but we're looking for more consistency from this talented wideout, which could give NFL teams pause.
37. Zakhari Franklin - Ole Miss
Zakhari Franklin is a physical wide receiver who continues to make his presence felt at the line of scrimmage. Franklin has solid hands and a good head on his shoulders, which helps him overpower defenses and create offense.
38. Hayden Hatten - Idaho
Hayden Hatten makes plays in many ways and is a natural at accumulating yards after the catch. Not only can he create on his own, but he's also a viable threat down the field.
39. Tyler Harrell - Louisville
Tyler Harrell brings elite speed to the table, which makes him someone NFL teams have had their eyes on. He might not have overwhelming size, but his speed more than makes up for it as a potential legitimate deep threat.
40. Jordan Johnson - Notre Dame
Jordan Johnson combines size and speed to make a compelling wide receiver option out of Notre Dame. His ability to exploit defenses after the catch helps demonstrate how deep this wide receiver class truly is.

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1. Malik Nabers - LSU
Explosiveness is almost an underwhelming description of what Malik Nabers brings. Will these traits have a team grab him inside the top ten? It's a possibility that's on our radar. Nabers has the traits to excel in the NFL, and we continue to be very high on his upside.

SportsGrid Big Board No. 2 Overall

Best WR in 2024 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 40 Wide Receivers

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