Dissecting The Explosive 2024 NFL Wide-Receiver Draft Class
The 2024 wide-receiver core is headed off by Marvin Harrison Jr., son of legend Marvin Harrison who is in the NFL Hall of Fame, Ohio State teammate - Emeka Egbuka, and Xavier Worthy of Texas. Let's jump into the breakdown and the rankings of the 2024 wide-receiver class.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State, 6-4, 205
Strengths:
- Production against the press and double coverage.
- Hands, you put the ball in his space and he's going to come down with it more than not.
- His footwork and route running is as good as you'll see. The moment he steps into an NFL locker room he's a top-ten route runner.
- Has inside-outside flexibility. Can be used as an X wide receiver opposite of the tight end or play in the slot.
- His competitive drive is unmatched.
- He made Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List". He benched 380, 22 reps of 225, and ran a 3.94 shuttle time.
- Acceleration off the line.
- Has the frame to add more weight.
Weaknesses:
- If I'm being super analytical I could say that he needs to improve his cuts on the route.
Overall:
- In a class with Caleb Williams he still has the opportunity to go number one overall. It all depends on who lands the number one pick. If the Arizona Cardinals land the number one pick and the new coaching staff led by Jonathan Gannon decides to keep Quarterback Kyler Murray then Marvin Harrison Jr is very much in play here. Especially with the inevitable departure of Deandre Hopkins. That's an offense that desperately needs playmakers. Who better to fill that need than MHJ?
Draft Grade: First Round
2. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State, 6-1, 205
Strengths:
- Production against top-tier competition. In his first season starting he accumulated 74 receptions, 1,151 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 15.6 yards per reception.
- Speed. He runs a 4.42 in the forty yard-dash and his on-the-field speed is even faster than that. He's in that discussion for the fastest wide receiver in the 2024 class.
- Is an asset in the run game. In today's NFL, that's a dying breed. He will block downfield and has a mean streak in him.
- Route running. He's in the same discussion of a route runner that Jaxon-Smith Njigba was last year.
- Body control down the field. Knows how to set up the defensive back.
- Footwork is lightning fast. He's not just straight-line speed. He's quick as well.
- Finding open spots in the field.
- Violent with the ball in his hands.
- As a return man. Can take it for six at any moment.
Weaknesses:
- Drops can be an issue. Mainly a concentration issue that can be fixed.
Overall:
- Has all the intangibles you want in a wide receiver in today's NFL. Creates separation? Check. Speed and quickness mix? Check. Route running? Check. He has the upside to be a real weapon in the league.
Draft Grade: First Round
3. Xavier Worthy, Texas, 6-1, 163
Strengths:
- Playmaker. Put the ball in his hands and let him do the rest.
- Knows how to set up defensive backs.
- Can play in the slot or on the outside.
- Is an easy target for the quarterback. Makes it easy to drop the ball in the bucket.
- Ability in the return game.
- Speed. Ran a ten-second one-hundred meter and a 4.5 in the forty-yard dash.
- Reliable hands.
Weaknesses:
- His frame at 6-1, 163 is something that concerns me for him at the next level. College defensive backs have knocked him off his route.
- Production took a dip in 2022 compared to 2021. He finished with 221 fewer yards and three fewer touchdowns.
Overall:
- Worthy is a big-time playmaker with a knack for speeding past defenders on the way to the end-zone. He can be used as a gadget guy at the next level but if he wants to be consistently on the field in the NFL he needs to add more mass and have a repeat of his freshman season.
Draft Grade: First Round
4. Malik Nabers, LSU, 6-0, 195
Strengths:
- Speed. Ran a 4.4 forty-yard dash.
- YAC ability. Put the ball in his hands and watch the yards rack up.
- Precise in his route running. Knows how to stop in the right spot on the field to set up his quarterback with an easy throw.
- Ability in the open field. Has great field vision and knows where to attack the field.
- Competitive player. His effort is never lacking.
Weaknesses:
- Run blocking.
- Needs to develop creating separation out of the break of his route.
Overall:
Nabers is a skilled playmaker with the ball in his hands. He makes it easy for the quarterback to make an easy read and delivers the ball. He's at his best when he's got the ball in his hands. He knows exactly how to attack the field and find open lanes to run. He needs to delve more as a run blocker but has the mentality and grit to develop that part of his game.
Draft Grade: First Round
5. Ja'Corey Brooks, Alabama, 6-2, 196
Strengths:
- Catch radius is huge. Can get the ball low or high.
- Hand strength. Uses it to pick the ball out of the air.
- Usage with the ball in his hands. Can break tackles and hit smaller holes.
- Tracking the ball downfield and high-pointing the ball.
- Against the press. Has multiple ways to get off the line.
Weaknesses:
- Needs to get faster to be able to run by defenders.
- Doesn't separate against defenders. Needs to add more cushion between his opponents.
Overall:
- A threat to catch the ball from anywhere near him. Even when he's wrapped up by a defender he still brings in the ball with strong hands. Running with the ball - he finds ways to get upfield either by running through air tackles or finding the hole. Needs to add speed to his game and create more separation from his defender.
Draft Grade: First Round
6. Rome Odunze, Washington, 6-3, 201
Strengths:
- Deep threat. Knows how to locate the ball.
- YAC ability. Put the ball in his hands and let him go to work.
- Can beat press coverage with hands or route running.
Weaknesses:
- He's fast at the D1 Level but he won't be able to run by defenders at the next level like he did at Washington.
- Not aggressive with the ball. Doesn't fight through tackles.
Overall:
- Playmaker with the ball in his hands. Has an understanding of how to beat press coverage. Isn't a speed demon and needs to be more of a violent runner with the ball in his hands.
Draft Grade: First Round
7. Troy Franklin, Oregon, 6-3, 178
Strengths:
- YAC ability. You put the ball in his hands and he'll pick up big yardage.
- Knows how to highpoint the ball. Is a walking SportsCenter Top Ten highlight.
- Stop and start ability. Can fake out a defender with one move.
Weaknesses:
- Needs to be the initiator of contact. In his run-blocking game and running the ball.
- Plays predominantly in the slot. He needs to add more weight to his frame to play on the outside more.
Overall:
- Big play threat from anywhere on the field. Tracks the ball well down the field and knows when to highpoint the ball. Needs to be more physical and could use to add some more weight.
Draft Grade: Second Round
8. Dorian Singer, USC, 6-1, 185
Strengths:
- True deep threat, can take the top off the defense.
- Tracks the ball downfield and is a smooth runner.
- Creates separation giving his quarterback a pocket to put the ball in.
- Can break off the press with either his strength or his speed.
Weaknesses:
- He can stand to get better as a blocker.
- His frame is small which could be an issue for going against NFL defensive backs
Overall:
- Singer is a guy I cannot wait to see how he flourishes in the Lincoln Riley offense with Caleb Williams throwing him the ball. It would not surprise if after next season he's viewed as a top five wide-receiver in this draft class. Reminds me a lot of Elijah Moore when he was ate Ole Miss.
Draft Grade: Second Round
9. Johnny Wilson, Florida State, 6-7, 235
Strengths:
- Quick feet and body control. Even at a massive frame of 6-7, 235 he can get out of his cuts quickly.
- Consistent hands and a skilled runner with the ball in his hands.
- At his huge frame he is an excellent blocker and asset in the run game.
- He's able to adjust to track the ball downfield and has excellent body control. Can adjust to an off-target throw.
- Has catch-and-run ability. Can be used in the return game.
- Route running allows him to create separation.
Weaknesses:
- Finding soft spots in zone coverage.
- He's not exactly a speed demon.
Overall:
- Has intangibles you can't teach. Being 6-7, 235 is the biggest one. He has the potential to be a special prospect if he can develop more as a consistent route runner. He's one of the few players every year that I think will outperform their college performance at the next level.
Draft Grade: Second Round
10. Oronde Gadsen II, Syracuse, 6-5, 216
Strengths:
- Uses his route-running ability to set up defensive backs.
- He uses a big frame to go up for the ball on opposing defensive backs.
- A weapon in the YAC game. Speed and quickness to turn up the field fast.
- Knows how to set up defensive backs on the route.
Weaknesses:
- Needs to separate more on his routes.
- Won't outrun defensive backs. More of a possession wide receiver.
Overall:
The Syracuse product is a smooth route runner who uses his frame to out-leverage defenders. In today's NFL though he needs to add speed to his arsenal to be a NFL wideout.
Draft Grade: Third Round
By the time I redo this list after the upcoming college football season, I have a strong indication that this list will look completely different. There are always risers every year and sliders too. Guys like Marvin Harrison Jr and Emeka Egbuka are staples of this list that I know won't change.
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