2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: WRs

theScore's prospect rankings series takes a position-by-position look at the top players in the 2024 NFL Draft.

QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
ED | DL | LB | CB | SAF

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The son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., it wouldn't be surprising if the Ohio State product goes down a similar path. That's not hyperbole. Harrison is one of the most complete wide receiver prospects over the last decade. Finding flaws in his portfolio is like finding a needle in a haystack. The former Buckeyes star is an exceptional route-runner who showcases elite body control and ball skills. Harrison is a nightmare to cover with his top-notch separation abilities. He can also beat man coverage with a sudden release off the line of scrimmage. While he may never be the most elusive wideout, Harrison still has enough shake in his game to be a factor after the catch, too. Even with less-than-adequate quarterback play in 2023, Harrison still managed to shine. That's a testament to his sky-high ceiling.

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Nabers could become this class' top receiving prospect. While the LSU star dominated in 2023, there's a sense that he's still far from reaching his ceiling. Though he may not be as polished as Harrison, Nabers has the potential to be one of the NFL's best wide receivers. A dangerous route-runner who can be a monster after the catch, one can only imagine just how much more is in Nabers' arsenal. Somehow, his route running and athleticism might not even be his best traits. His highlight-reel catches will leave jaws on the floor. A master at body control, Nabers plays bigger than his 6-foot frame at the catch point. Just like Harrison, there are few concerns here. It's not a matter of if but when Nabers will become a household name.

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Odunze would've had a very strong case for being the first wide receiver off the board if he'd entered last year's draft. The Washington product has everything NFL teams value in a wideout: size, production, route running, and amazing hands, his standout trait. Odunze redefines "50-50 balls" as "80-20 balls." The 2024 prospect is a master at positioning himself to come down with even the most improbable-looking opportunities. This is a player who'll be a contested-catch monster and red-zone threat at the next level. That's not all, though, as he's also a solid route-runner who plays with good awareness against man and zone. He may not have the breakaway speed to leave cornerbacks in the dust right off the line of scrimmage, but that may not even matter.

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Thomas oozes potential. He has a good blend of deep speed, size, and raw talent that'll translate over to the next level. The LSU product should be able to make an impact from Year 1 as a vertical weapon, but his ceiling is a lot higher. His athleticism suggests that his route running could become a weapon despite his struggles with press and his limited route tree. A proven playmaker at LSU, Thomas exploded for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. There's good reason to believe that was just the tip of the iceberg.

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Teams will be eyeing Mitchell as their big swing once the draft's premier receivers are off the board. There's so much to love when it comes to the Texas product's game: size, off-the-chart athleticism, and big-play potential. He may have the biggest ceiling from this class' second-tier receivers. Mitchell displays athleticism when burning secondaries as a vertical threat, but he also shows abilities as a route-runner as his sharp feet lead to incredible double moves and route stems. While Mitchell can be a game-changer in the NFL, he needs to eliminate the inconsistencies in his play and route running. However, Mitchell could be a starting receiver at the X spot for a long time to come.

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Worthy is undersized with a very slim build. But that shouldn't be as big of a risk in the year 2024 considering his talent. The Texas product is a gamebreaker-esque talent with his 4.21 speed. He can take the top off any secondary and is always a threat to go the distance. His only question mark will be his ability to handle NFL-quality press coverage. Worthy will get his share of manufactured touches due to his build, but that isn't a bad thing. This is a player you want to get the ball to thanks to his home-run speed and yards-after-the-catch ability.

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Franklin is one of the most well-balanced wide receivers in this class' second tier. A strong route-runner who can open cornerbacks up with ease, Franklin excels from the release through the stem. He's not just a good route-runner, though, as he also possesses the speed to be a dangerous deep threat. His only concerns come down to his thin frame and a few consistency issues with drops, but there's a good chance that Franklin will carve out a solid NFL career.

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McConkey gets it done on tape. He has the top speed necessary to be a threat down the field, and his route running will help him survive at the next level. McConkey knows how to win against any coverage. He also runs very precise routes to give himself separation, which comes in handy considering the remainder of his profile. McConkey's undersized wingspan and length limit his catch radius. His play against press may also project him as more of a slot receiver who thrives in space, though that's not necessarily a bad thing since he's proven he can handle that. The Georgia product is a high-floor prospect.

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Legette has the goods that'll make NFL scouts bang the table for him. Not only does he have the size to dominate, but he also has great speed for his frame. This is reflected on his tape, where Legette stretches the field before making contested catches on opposing cornerbacks. While his hands are impressive, Legette is also an above-average route-runner who can work the middle of the field and in the short game. Legette can be a downfield contested-catch winner with the potential to attack all areas of the field. The only question will be his production, as he never produced over 170 receiving yards until breaking out in his fifth season in 2023.

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Coleman is a tough puzzle to solve. On one hand, his electric grabs in contested situations gives him a big-star feel. On the other, there are a lot of missing pieces in that megastar picture. The Florida State product has great hands, size, and versatility, but he also has concerning shortcomings in terms of top speed and separation. While he doesn't play like he has 4.61 speed, it's still far from being an elite trait on film. Coleman makes spectacular grabs, but it almost feels like he needs to due to separation issues. His production has also never been off the charts. There's a path for him at the next level thanks to his size, hands, and skill set, but his ceiling may not be as high as some of his highlights suggest.

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Pearsall takes ownership of the middle of the field. The Florida receiver excels in the slot and should find a long-term home there in the NFL. Pearsall succeeds by understanding leverage and finding open space against zone coverage, while his savvy route running also earns him wins when he faces man. Whether it be with his quick release, head stabs, or footwork, Pearsall creates space for himself. His athleticism at the combine really did wonders for his stock as he tested well in the broad jump, vertical jump, and three-cone drill, and he put up a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash. One of his only limitations is his below-average length, which may limit his catch radius and physicality at the next level. His ability to generate yards after the catch doesn't stand out, either, but he gets open at a high rate, and the NFL will always be interested in receivers who can do that.

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Wilson will be a factor in the slot after being very effective in that role at Michigan. His quick release and speed make him a strong route-runner. He shows a good understanding and ability to stem routes with craft footwork or head fakes to give himself separation over the middle of the field. He also does a good job at recognizing and finding open space against zone. Although he doesn't have the size or strength to be a boundary receiver, Wilson has everything in his tool kit to be a high-floor starter in the slot in the NFL.

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Burton never eclipsed 800 yards in college, but he's been a big playmaker with 15 touchdowns over the last two seasons and 20.5 yards per catch in 2023. The Alabama receiver may not be as finished a product as the program's past graduates, but he has a good mix of traits worth noting. Burton utilizes a quick release, often forcing cornerbacks to open up sooner than desired to win routes. His play down the field is even better as he makes catches in tight windows. While his overall route running may need work, he may be able to contribute as a vertical threat quickly thanks to his ability to get a jump off the line and make contested catches.

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Corley is one of this class' more unique receiver prospects. The 22-year-old, who's built like a running back, racks up a ton of yards after the catch. But much of it comes from his toughness and ability to play through contact. Though he may not have ideal size, he makes the best of his catch radius with strong hands. However, he has issues with imprecise route running, which can lead to limited separation. He's more of a weapon than a true wide receiver, but there's a role for the Western Kentucky product in the NFL. Giving him plenty of manufactured touches while using him in the slot is the best way to maximize his YAC. A Deebo Samuel comparison might be overselling it, but his NFL role is likely identical.

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Baker has the makings of a significant contributor in the pros. He has an NFL-caliber frame at 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, and his on-field skills, such as route running, are all up to par. The UCF wideout opens up opposing cornerbacks well with his release and knows how to play leverage to get the space needed at the catch point. His ball-tracking expertise leads to some impressive jump-ball grabs, too. The only holes in his game revolve around his lack of second-gear speed, but Baker could be an early developmental receiver who can factor as the X or in the slot.

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McMillan played an important role in Washington's passing attack in the slot, and there's a pathway for him to do the same in the pros. He's a really smart and aware route-runner who knows how to get space for himself by selling routes in order to create big plays. While he'll get open, McMillan probably won't consistently create a ton of yardage after the catch due to a lack of short-area agility. Though he's a great mismatch in the slot at 6-foot-1, whether he's strong enough to handle NFL coverage is a different topic. Either way, McMillan's trump card is his route running, which gives him an easy pathway to success.

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Walker may be this class' ultimate swing-or-miss receiver prospect. The North Carolina wideout is capable of being a giant vertical threat with his size and 4.3 speed. Once he pushes downfield, his catch radius does the rest. The only issue, though, is Walker is sort of a one-trick pony. His route tree is essentially limited to being a home-run threat as he needs a lot of polish. He's a developmental vertical threat at this point, but he's probably not one you want to bypass.

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Polk, one of three talented Washington receivers in this draft class, comes with a stable floor. He's good at operating in space, can create an adequate amount of separation, is exceptional at coming down with tough catches in traffic, and can play inside and out. The mystery is deciphering what his ceiling is. The Washington product lacks elite top speed, and it's not clear how well he'll play against more physical cornerbacks who won't gift him a free release. He's also made a few focus drops despite being great at making tough grabs. Polk projects as a boundary receiver who can shift to the slot if his lack of elite athleticism catches up to him.

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The son of Hall of Famer Jerry, Rice likely won't reach the heights his father did, but he's got NFL ability in his bloodlines. The USC product broke out with 12 touchdowns last season. His bread and butter is his big frame, physicality, and reliable hands, which will make him a red-zone weapon if he sees the field consistently. He also generates more yards after the catch than expected for a receiver of his size and is a tough run-blocker. However, his overall athleticism isn't anything to rave about. Rice's releases can be very gradual as well, which doesn't seem to be the best choice given his lack of twitch. There's work to be done, but Rice's hands, tenacity, and genetics mean he could develop into a contributor at the next level.

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Washington is a fun prospect on tape, especially as a route-runner. His natural twitch gives him a good release off the line, while he separates quite easily. The cherry on top is his reliable hands, as he plays bigger than his 5-foot-8 frame. Washington is also a tough open-field runner who's like a pinball bouncing off defenders. The only pause is his late breakout, which came in his fifth year last season. He'll likely be a slot-only option at the next level, but teams can put the ball in his hands and let him do the rest.

Other notable prospects

Ainias Smith, Texas A&M
Johnny Wilson, Florida State
Jamari Thrash, Louisville
Anthony Gould, Oregon State
Luke McCaffrey, Rice

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