Taking An Early Look at the 2024 NFL WR Rookie Class

The 2024 NFL Draft is just a couple of weeks away, and if your team needs a wide receiver, this is the class to select one. Many analysts have said this is one of the deepest wideout classes in recent memory. On top of that, this class has plenty of superstars at the top of the draft.

That's good news for any team that needs a wide receiver. Teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Kansas City Chiefs are all in need of one.

So, who can those teams select in the draft? Who are the best wide receivers in this draft class? Let's dive in and take a look at the 2024 wide receiver rookie class.

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Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

It's hard to argue against Marvin Harrison Jr. being the top wide receiver in this class. Harrison put up back-to-back seasons of over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns, showing that quarterback play doesn't matter too much. In 2022, he had C.J. Stroud throwing him passes. He caught 77 passes for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns that season. Then, last year, he had Kyle McCord -- who was inconsistent -- and still reeled in 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Marvin Harrison Jr. appreciation thread 🧵

Who needs a 40?@MarvHarrisonJr was clocked at 22.2 mph this season.

This would have been the second fastest ball-carrier time in NFL last yearpic.twitter.com/UDiSFmZqTa

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 21, 2024

Harrison has the skills to be a top wide receiver in the NFL one day, and that's why he will be a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Cardinals or Chargers are the likeliest landing spots for the former Ohio State wide receiver.

Malik Nabers, LSU

Harrison might be the best wide receiver in this class, but Malik Nabers is not far behind. The former LSU wideout does everything well, and his burst/athleticism really sets him apart. Nabers also put together a phenomenal 2023 college season, which has skyrocketed his draft stock. 

Nabers totaled 89 catches for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final college season. The wideout had a better season than Harrison and finished top three in both receiving yards and touchdowns in Division I last year. He will be a top-seven pick in the 2024 NFL Draft -- possibly going as high as fifth to the Chargers.

Rome Odunze, Washington

Rome Odunze deserves to be talked about in the same capacity as both Harrison and Nabers. The former Washington wideout has the tools to be a great playmaker in the NFL for years to come, thanks to his combination of size, strength, and athleticism on the field. Odunze also just had the best season for a wide receiver in 2023.

The Nevada native led the country with 1,640 yards to go with 92 receptions and 13 touchdowns. Both his 92 receptions and 13 touchdowns were tied for the sixth most in college football last season. Odunze will be a top-10 pick in the upcoming draft and could find himself getting selected sixth overall by the Giants or ninth by the Bears.

Xavier Worthy, Texas

If you weren't familiar with Xavier Worthy's game before the NFL combine, you were after it. That's because Worthy broke the record for the fastest 40-yard dash in March, breaking John Ross' 40-yard time of 4.22. The Texas wideout ran his 40-yard dash in 4.21 seconds and immediately saw his draft stock rise exponentially.

Even if you removed EVERY screen pass for Xavier Worthy (26.8% of his targets) – he still would’ve had 815 receiving yards last year.

That’s:

⁃ more yardage than Ladd McConkey has put up in ANY season

⁃ more yardage than Keon Coleman has put up in ANY season

⁃ only 30 less… pic.twitter.com/fhVnHVd9Fx

— David J. Gautieri (@GuruFantasyWrld) March 24, 2024

Worthy didn't have the same type of seasons that the first three players on this list had. However, he produced in all three of his college seasons, including in 2023, where he caught 75 passes for 1,014 yards and five touchdowns. The wideout has emerged as a first-round option in the 2024 NFL Draft due to his blazing speed.

Adonai Mitchell, Texas

Adonai Mitchell might not have put up over-the-top numbers in any of his three college seasons, but his athleticism is off the charts. He finished with a 9.98 relative athletic score at the NFL Combine, which was the eighth-best score out of 3,063 wide receivers from 1987 to 2024. His 4.34 40-yard dash, 39.5 inch vertical, and 11'04" broad jump were all elite numbers. 

Mitchell has all the talent to be a great deep-threat option for any NFL team in the future. He might have only put up 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023, but the upside and potential are both there. The former Texas wideout should be a late first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

BrIan Thomas Jr. got overshadowed at LSU by his teammate Nabers. The latter might be the more talented player and the higher selection in the upcoming draft, but Thomas is just as skillful. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver really broke out in his final college season by catching 68 passes for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns. Those 17 touchdowns were the most in Division I last season.

Thomas does a lot of things well as a wide receiver. However, his big play potential makes him an elite selection for any team in the draft. He averaged 17.3 yards per catch in 2023 and also ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He will easily get drafted on Day 1, likely going somewhere in the middle of the first round.

Ladd McConkey, Georgia

If a team wants an elite route-runner -- someone who can separate from opposing cornerbacks at an elite level -- Ladd McConkey is the player to select. McConkey is one of the best route-runners in the class and quite possibly has the quickest feet of any wideout in this draft.

Ladd McConkey is your WR__ in this draft class. pic.twitter.com/fExYTyFSOb

— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) March 23, 2024

McConkey had a rather quiet college career and totaled just 30 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns across nine games in 2023. Nonetheless, his elite route-running abilities make him an intriguing option early in drafts. The Georgia native will either be a late first-round or early second-round pick.

Troy Franklin, Oregon

If there is one concern for Troy Franklin's game entering the 2024 NFL Draft, it's his weight. At just 183 pounds, there could be moments where Franklin struggles to get through contact at the line of scrimmage. However, that shouldn't necessarily be why teams avoid him in the draft. Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith -- who is only 170 pounds -- has done just fine in his first three years in the NFL.

Franklin will have to build more muscle throughout his professional career, but he is still one of the top wide receivers in this draft class. He has the speed and athleticism to be a nice weapon down the field for any team. The former Oregon playmaker will be a first or second-round pick in the draft.

Keon Coleman, Florida State

Keon Coleman started his college career at Michigan State before transferring to Florida State. Coleman really only has two full years of college experience, but in both of those seasons, he put up solid numbers. In 2022 at Michigan State, he had 58 catches for 798 yards and seven touchdowns. Then, at Florida State in 2023, he had 50 catches for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Coleman didn't put up elite numbers in either of his college seasons, which has dropped his draft stock in recent months. In January, the former Florida State playmaker was expected to be a top-20 pick in the upcoming draft. Now, he will likely fall into the second round. Coleman is still a player who has good size (6-foot-4) and can turn into a reliable weapon in the receiving game over his career.

Others to note: Xavier Legette, Devontez Walker, Jalen McMillan

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