2024 NFL Draft: WR Rankings
1
Marvin Harrison Jr.
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 209 lbs
Strengths:
Harrison Jr. is a high end receiving threat who possesses the skills to be an elite WR1, with boundary/slot versatility. His size makes him a mismatch at any point on the field. Harrison Jr. routinely is able to elevate over his opponents to make tough grabs. And his reach makes it so that opponents who try to contest these passes just can’t get the elevation required. His hands are strong and he can hold onto the ball through contact. I love what he is able to do along the sideline. Harrison Jr. is well aware of his positioning, and does a great job of ensuring that his feet stay in bounds as he comes to the ground. His route running is quite precise, especially for a bigger guy. Jukes, head fakes, stutters etc. They are all present in his film. He is a deceptive route runner, which allows him to gain a little bit more space for himself. His route running against zone is also good. He finds the soft spots and knows where to sit. Though his speed might not be elite in a general sense, it is very good for his size. Harrison Jr. looked like a good blocker on film. His size makes him a natural fit, but he also has the aggressiveness and effort required to make an impact as a receiver blocking on the outside.
Weaknesses:
Harrison Jr. has good speed for his size, but it is not at that elite level. There are instances where CB’s are able to shadow him pretty closely. He isn’t a super creative guy after the catch. Harrison Jr. is able to use a stiff arm effectively or use his size to slip off of tackles and pick up some yards after the catch. However, he doesn’t have this ability to spontaneously pick up chunk yards as a runner.
Summary:
Harrison Jr. projects as an elite number 1 WR at the next level. While he doesn’t have elite speed or creativity as a runner after the catch, these things are more so nitpicks, given everything he has to offer. Harrison Jr.’s speed is still actually good for his size, and his size, body control, strong hands, and good route running make him a big threat everytime he touches the field. His ability to win through the air makes him a mismatch in most matchups, and defenses will have a tough time containing him. He is someone that will command a lot of double teams at the next level.
| Grade: 91.0 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Malik Nabers
School: LSU
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 200 lbs
Strengths:
Nabers is a speedy receiver who brings play making ability to the table, from both the boundary and the slot. His athleticism is what stands out, and what defences will have to work hard to defend. He was able to take the top off quite often by just blowing right by his opponent. I love his burst. Nabers also has the twitch to complement his speed. This combination makes him dangerous, not only before the catch, but also after. With the ball in his hands, Nabers can juke his way into chunk yardage, making defenders miss open field tackles. His speed then takes over, outrunning other defenders en route to a big gain. He has the skills to be a great route runner, and has put the flashes on tape. Nabers has the quickness to add a lot of deceptiveness to his routes, and stop on a dime. He has done quite well on comeback and curl routes. With his athleticism, a diverse route tree will be on the table for him at the next level. Nabers isn’t the biggest guy, but looked like a solid blocker on the outside in my exposures.
Weaknesses:
Nabers has high end upside, but also has some weaknesses to his game, and might not be a finished product yet. His size is one limitation. Though he isn’t necessarily small, he doesn’t have that natural frame to win in contested situations. For players like Nabers, who don’t necessarily have the biggest catch radius, fighting through contact at the catch point is more important. However, he hasn’t always been very good in this area. When mixed up in traffic, he seems to have trouble fighting for position to make a play on the ball. There are also instances where he seems a little uncomfortable catching the ball. There are bobbles from time to time, and also a lot of body catching. Nabers also had some drops that probably should have been caught. As a route runner, Nabers shows flashes, and certainly has the talent, but he will need to work on being more precise on a consistent basis. Reports have surfaced during the draft process about some character concerns. Will be something to consider as well.
Summary:
Nabers is a high upside prospect thanks to his high end combination of speed and agility. His skill set allows him to have a diverse route tree and threaten at all three levels of the field. As well, he is a dangerous runner with the ball in his hands. Nabers has the makings of a high end receiver, but still has some things to work on in order to reach his ceiling. I would like to see him be more consistent as a route runner. As well, it would be nice to see him handle physicality better, both as a route runner and when battling for the ball down the field. His floor looks like that of a good WR2 that can make plays down the field. If he makes the necessary improvements, Nabers can develop into a high end WR1.
| Grade: 86.1 | Round Grade: 1st |
3
Rome Odunze
School: Washington
Ht/Wt 6’3”, 212 lbs
Strengths:
Odunze is a big receiver who plays with physicality, but is also smooth enough to win with some finesse. His route running is precise, and he does well to sell his route fakes on double moves, stop and goes etc. Odunze has some physicality at the catch point, and can battle through contact. Perhaps a little more consistency would be good here, but I saw more good than bad. He is a hands catcher, showing the ability to snatch it away from his frame. His catch radius makes the margin of error a bit bigger for the QB. Odunze is a smooth runner, but he also runs with power. This is especially evident when he has the ball in his hands. He can make plays on screen passes, or accelerate through running lanes that might open up for him when he is navigating through traffic.
Weaknesses:
I think his testing speed was a bit better than how his play speed looked on tape. Odunze is not slow, but isn’t a burner either. His ability to create separation could vary on a weekly basis based on the matchup. Quicker and speedier CB’s are able to limit his separation, and he is forced into more contested situations. While he has shown on several occasions that he can make tough catches in traffic, there were other times where he got out-physicaled and the CB was able to breakup the pass. In times where separation might be harder to come by, he will need to win more of those battles.
Summary:
Odunze is a smooth player who blends this with good size and large catch radius to make plays. His deceptiveness as a route runner has helped him create separation. Though it won’t always come so easy due to good but not elite speed, it helps, especially against CB’s that are prone to biting on fakes. A little more improvement in contested situations would be good, since he’ll likely be in quite a few of these at the next level. But that isn’t to say it is a weakness at this point. He does well more often than not, but if separation is harder to come by, the blips in contested situations will need to be limited as much as possible. Overall, Odunze isn’t a super flashy prospect, but he is quietly good in enough areas to be a consistent playmaker on offence. The good thing about his game is that when one thing is taken away, he can win in other ways. I’m not sure if he’ll reach the point of being an elite WR1, but he looks like he can be a solid WR1 at the next level, or a high end 1B/WR2 on a team that already has an established top guy.
| Grade: 86.0 | Round Grade: 1st |
4
Xavier Worthy
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 165 lbs
Strengths:
Worthy is the textbook definition of a burner. At the NFL Combine, he broke the 40 yard dash record set by former Bengals WR John Ross, and the speed also shows up on tape. He can blow right by CB’s to win deep down the field. But even though his speed stands out the most, he should not be mistaken for a track star. Worthy is a precise and deceptive route runner. He is a twitchy athlete, which he combines nicely with his speed and skilled route running to create a good amount of separation on a wide variety of routes. Worthy doesn’t just win vertically. He can run comeback routes, in-breakers, out-breakers, and everything else, and create separation on all of them. He is a big threat with the ball in his hands. His quickness is dangerous in the open field, and he can easily make defenders miss. Then, good luck tracking him down once he’s gotten behind. Worthy has shown the ability to make catches away from his frame, and has the body control to make sideline catches. Further, he does a good job of tracking the ball over his shoulder on deep passes.
Weaknesses:
Worthy’s frame is the biggest issue here. It is very slight, and defenders are able to cause him trouble by using physicality. He can struggle against press coverage, and in some cases get completely thrown off when the strike is too powerful. As well, contested catches shouldn’t be expected often from him. He elevates well and can high point the football. But his catch radius isn’t big, and when defenders play it with more physicality, he isn’t always able to hang on. Worthy shows good ball tracking ability and generally has good hands. But concentration drops to appear on tape. It doesn’t seem to be a technical issue, so with better focus, he should be able to keep these to a minimum at the next level.
Summary:
Worthy has the speed, quickness, and technique to be a dynamic threat on offence. He can blow by CB’s on go routes, but has the quickness and nuance to also win on more complicated routes. His size will cause some issues, specifically against press coverage and in contested situations. These limitations will have to be accepted and worked around, because they won’t be going anywhere at the next level. But if allowed to play to his strengths, Worthy has the makings of a WR1 that is a big play threat every time he steps on the field.
| Grade: 85.2 | Round Grade: 1st |
5
Jermaine Burton
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 196 lbs
Strengths:
Burton is a smooth receiver with the ability to make plays on all three levels of the field. He has good speed to create separation early in his routes, and sustain it on deeper ones. His route running is outstanding. Cuts are precise and his footwork is very deceptive, allowing him to create some extra space for himself. This all allows him to win as a route runner in a variety of ways with a diverse route tree. Burton is a natural hands catcher, extending his arms out from his frame to trap the ball and then tuck it in. He isn’t the tallest guy, but he is capable of going up for. As well, he has shown the ability to make tough catches along the sideline.
Weaknesses:
I wouldn’t say he is a weak player, but physicality and strength at the catch point won’t be what he is known for. He can win some of those battles, but will also lose a lot of them. More consistency against press would be good, as well. Considering his good athletic traits, his run-after-the-catch ability was a bit disappointing. Speed is good, but he looks like more of a one cut runner, with limited creativity. I didn’t see much jukes or effort to really make people miss, outside of his first move. On tape, there were some taunting penalties. This, combined with reports of attitude concerns, may drop him down on some draft boards.
Summary:
Burton isn’t the biggest or strongest guy, but he is a smooth athlete with the speed to threaten on all three levels. His precise route running stands out, and should translate into immediate NFL production. His natural ability as a pass catcher is another element of his game that should translate to early success at the next level. The thing to watch will be how teams view his character. Perhaps there is some risk of him getting in his own way. But if that stuff is able to stay in the past, Burton has the makings of a WR1 in the NFL.
| Grade: 85.1 | Round Grade: 1st |
6
Brian Thomas
School: LSU
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 209 lbs
Strengths:
Thomas is a size/speed prospect with the catch radius to extend well above his frame, and the ability to take the top off the defence vertically. He has dynamic speed, which allows him to create an abundance of separation of vertical routes. Thomas does well to track the ball over his shoulders on deep passes and come down with the ball. As a runner after the catch, his speed is further evident. And for someone with a longer frame, he displayed surprisingly good twitch. He’ll be a playmaker with the ball in his hands at the next level. Thomas, from time to time, has flashed contested ability, where he was able to use his height to extend higher than the reach of his opponent.
Weaknesses:
The contested catches came in flashes, but there are a lot of inconsistencies in this area. Despite having a bigger frame, he doesn’t always play to his size, and can sometimes get outmuscled at the catch point. As a route runner, Thomas relies heavily on his physical traits to win, and lacks polish or deceptiveness. Further, his route tree was very simple. Go routes, curls, crossers – all that kind of stuff. But the in-breakers that require more precision to create separation were few and far between. And when he did run these routes, balance was sometimes an issue, and his route running was simply not very good. Thomas, at times, looked a bit uncomfortable catching the ball with his hands. There were instances too where he would revert to body catching.
Summary:
Thomas has a size/speed combo that you don’t see very often. His ability to take the top off vertically, combined with his flashes in contested situations, show that he has a very high ceiling. However, in order to reach that ceiling, he will need to play a tougher brand of football. As well, he will need to polish up his route running in order to diversify his route tree. The traits should allow him to contribute at some capacity, but without improvement, he seems like more of a flashy complimentary option on offence. He has WR1 potential, but will need development in order to reach it.
| Grade: 82.4 | Round Grade: 2nd |
7
Ladd McConkey
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 186 lbs
Strengths:
McConkey is an absolute technician as a route runner. His precision is fun to watch. McConkey carefully crafts his routes, varying his tempo to keep his opponent guessing. His quickness, first off all, allows it all to happen. He has the agility and start/stop ability to constantly keep CB’s guessing. Then, it is his precision and technique as a route runner. Stutters, shoulder drops, head fakes, just to name a few. They are all there, and this nice mixture allows him to create quite a bit of separation. McConkey is a natural hands catcher, which is good. He has no problem snatching the ball away from his frame. In addition to good quickness, McConkey has good speed. This doesn’t only help when looking to create separation during his route. It also helps him as a playmaker after the catch. His deceptive route running techniques also show up when he is looking to make people miss in the open field. The speed to outrun defenders is also there, and he has been able to rip off some big runs.
Weaknesses:
McConkey has a small, slender frame, and is lacking the play strength to implement much physicality into his game. He struggles against press coverage, and really, contact at any point on the field. Fighting through contact at the catch point can be tough for him, and he isn’t a threat to beat anyone in contested situations. His catch radius isn’t very big. The odd issue with ball tracking on deep passes did show up, but it is probably more of a nitpick.
Summary:
McConkey is an elite route runner with the speed, quickness, and technical precision to excel at the next level. He is a natural hands catcher, and is reliable as a target. Size and strength are his main issues. McConkey isn’t a contested catch threat, and has his fair share of struggles against press struggles. Looking at his strengths and weaknesses, I would say that McConkey could potentially survive on the boundary, but he seems like he has a much higher NFL ceiling in the slot. In the slot, he can take advantage of softer coverage, using his blend of physical traits and polished technique. Regardless of where he lines up, McConkey looks like a day 1 starter.
| Grade: 81.2 | Round Grade: 2nd |
8
Adonai Mitchell
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 205 lbs
Strengths:
Mitchell has a nice blend of size and athleticism. The speed is there for him to threaten deep down the field, and in shorter areas too. More often than not, Mitchell displays precise route running. The skill set is certainly there. At his best, he shows quick feet and a deceptive route plan that allows him to bait the CB into biting on certain moves, or committing missteps. He has shown the ability to pluck the ball cleanly out of the air, and his size and catch radius allow a bit more margin for error when the QB is letting go of his pass. Mitchell’s height and long reach allow him to go up and get errant passes. He is a solid runner after the catch. Nothing crazy, but he isn’t someone who always just goes down immediately after the catch. Enough speed and quickness is there to create for himself.
Weaknesses:
Mitchell has a big frame, but the way he plays the ball in contested situations is a bit concerning. He is sometimes reluctant to high point, instead letting the ball drop to him. This gives the DB extra time to position himself to breakup the pass. And when he does high point, the timing on his jumps can be off, and he’ll be unable to come away with the ball. Mitchell is generally a good route runner, but looked better in some games than others. Would like to see him cut out the bad days and play with more consistency. As well, improving against press coverage is something he should be able to make happen, given his big frame. Despite his size, Mitchell has a ways to go as a blocker. Technique and ability to play with leverage will need to improve.
Summary:
Mitchell is a prospect who blends together a nice combination of size and athleticism. He has quick feet for a big guy, and the speed to win on all three levels. His catch radius is big, but he will need to play closer to his size at the next level, especially against press coverage and in contested situations. There are times where he doesn’t high point the football, and others where his jump timing is off. Still, he does well to create separation on the ground, which should allow him to contribute early on. The size, though he doesn’t always play to it now, presents further upside that can take his game to a new level. He looks like a WR2 early on, with eventual WR1 upside if he can make the right improvements.
| Grade: 80.9 | Round Grade: 2nd |
9
Roman Wilson
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 185 lbs
Strengths:
Wilson is a smooth, athletic player with the precise route running required to create separation against nifty DB’s. He can dip his shoulder low without losing any balance or momentum, and his quick start/stop ability makes him tough to blanket in coverage. His awareness to find soft spots in zone is also visible on tape. Wilson has good speed to threaten over the top, as well. He is a natural hands catcher, showing the ability to extend out and reel in passes away from his frame. This was further on display when he was at the Senior Bowl, where he impressed during the week of practice. For a lighter receiver, he is quite strong at the catch point. He has taken some big hits as the ball was entering his hands, and he was able to hold on. Wilson has experience returning kicks, which would bring extra value for teams in need of a returner.
Weaknesses:
Wilson’s slight frame makes handling press coverage a challenge. CB’s that play a physical brand of football can give him some trouble and disrupt his routes. As a result, he might be limited to the slot. His catch radius is fine for his size, but I would say it is more useful when he is leaping up to get high passes that are not being contested. In jump ball situations, I would not expect him to have much success in the NFL. Wilson is a good athlete, but a little underwhelming as a runner after the catch, considering his physical traits. He seems to lack creativity after the catch. He won’t open much up for himself, instead taking a north/south approach as a runner.
Summary:
Wilson’s speed, agility, and precision as a route runner make him a threat on offence. His ability to hold on to tough catches through contact should allow his game to translate to the NFL game, and let him contribute early on. His slight frame will give him some issues against press coverage. I do personally think he can still play on the boundary, as he has the quickness to avoid contact at the line. However, he would be best suited to line up in the slot, where he can take advantage of softer coverage and more free releases. But regardless, Wilson has the skill set to contribute early on in 3 WR sets.
| Grade: 79.9 | Round Grade: 3rd |
10
Troy Franklin
School: Oregon
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 176 lbs
Strengths:
Franklin has high end speed, and was a consistent threat as a field stretcher. He is a burner, who can blow right by many CB’s, and is someone who may often require help over the top. As well, he is a dynamic threat after the catch with the ball in his hands. If you give him any sort of room, he’ll turn on the jets and leave you in the dust. But even if there is no space, he has the quickness to create it. Franklin is a clean, crisp route runner. Each cut and stutter is precise, with little to no wasted movement. His cuts at the top of his routes are sharp, and he is able to shake defenders at this stage. Franklin is someone who could be used on jet sweeps at the next level, and his skill set should also translate in the return game.
Weaknesses:
Franklin has a lean, slender frame, and defenders can look to take advantage of this, using it to combat his speed. He does not handle press well, and the timing of his routes can get thrown off. Drops were an issue at times, and I wouldn’t really call him a natural catcher of the football. Instances of body catching creep into his game, in some instances. Franklin has a hard time playing through contact, and contact at the catch point sometimes results in a dislodged ball. He also lacks the grit to go up and get a 50/50 pass. He’ll attempt it sometimes, but lose those battles more often than not.
Summary:
Franklin is a dynamic athlete with the ability to find the endzone on any given play. Whether he is taking the top off on a long bomb, or racking up yards after the catch, defences will be worrying about his speed and agility. That being said, playing tough is a way to combat his strengths, as his leaner frame does not match up well against physicality. He doesn’t win many contested catches, and will struggle against press coverage. These shortcomings may prevent him from being a WR1, but he still has the skill set to be a big play threat as a WR2, who can also open things up for the rest of the offence.
| Grade: 78.8 | Round Grade: 3rd |
11
Anthony Gould
School: Oregon State
Ht/Wt: 5’8”, 174 lbs
Strengths:
Gould is a small, but extremely athletic receiver, who threatens big plays any time he is on the field. He has blazing speed, and can blow by his opponent on go routes. But it is not just speed that opponents must worry about. It is also his quickness. Gould can stop on a dime, and he really takes advantage of this as a route runner. His routes are crisp, and he can create an abundance of separation, even on in-breaking routes. Gould is a playmake with the ball in his hands. Not only can he make people miss in the open field, but he can also create playmaking opportunities out of nothing, using his elite elusiveness.
Weaknesses:
His weaknesses as a player begin clearly with his size. Gould’s frame is small and slender, making him an obvious target to be hit with physicality. When pressed up at the line, his route timing can be thrown off, and he can lose his balance. As well, he can be inconsistent making catches through traffic. His size makes things difficult in this area, but he also can be a bit inconsistent with his hands. This is backed up by instances of body catching. Gould won’t be a threat to make contested catches, as he just doesn’t have the size to reach high enough over defenders who are high pointing the football.
Summary:
Gould is a small receiver who thrives on his athleticism, but can be held back when more physicality is involved. He gets thrown off balance when CB’s press him at the line. But on the defensive side, this is also risky, as if the jab is missed, Gould can take off and be wide open deep down the field. He won’t make contested catches, but smaller receivers are having more success in today’s NFL, with Tank Dell being a recent example. Gould has the speed to threaten vertically, and also has the quickness and route running ability to create an abundance of separation on in-breaking routes. His YAC ability is a cherry on top. He has ability on the boundary, but I could see Gould ending up in the slot, where he can take advantage of more free releases. In any event, he is someone that should have a role as a dynamic playmaker at the next level. May have some growing pains early on as he transitions to the pro game, but he should be an eventual starter.
| Grade: 75.5 | Round Grade: 3rd |
12
Jalen McMillan
School: Washington
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 197 lbs
Strengths:
McMillan is a shift slot receiver who is an outstanding route runner. His quickness is what makes it possible, but his craftsmanship when running his routes is the difference between having potential and translating it into on-field success. I love his footwork at the line. His releases are very good, and he is deceptive with stutters and head fakes. This allows him to separate on quick routes. McMillan also has enough speed to threaten vertically down the middle of the field. I wouldn’t call him a burner, but he can separate on each level of the field. He also sees the field extremely well. He is able to find that soft spot in the coverage when the defence is in zone. McCmillan has reliable hands on passes where he is open. He can catch it in stride without losing a beat, and also adjust to corral passes that might be a little off target.
Weaknesses:
McMillan is a bit on the lean side and can have his struggles when more contact is involved. I don’t see him taking snaps on the outside, as going up against more press coverage would not be his highest and best use. He faced little of that in college, but will have to adjust to a bit more of it in the pros, even if he is playing out of the slot. McMillan also doesn’t offer much in contested situations. His hands are reliable up until there is more contact at the catch point. I wouldn’t say it is a big issue, but you do see more blips than when he is able to catch it cleanly. Blocking also isn’t something he is great at. Overall, McMillan has good speed and quickness, but he is lacking that second gear. Out of the slot, he can still create a fine amount of separation. However, I think it is more noticeable after the catch, where he doesn’t really bring any dynamic qualities.
Summary:
McMillan projects as a starting slot receiver at the next level. He doesn’t have the dynamic qualities that catch your eye, and he isn’t a big run-after-the-catch guy. However, his quickness and craftsmanship as a route runner fit perfectly with the position. Physicality can cause some issues, but out of the slot, he should still see more free releases. McMillan does well to create separation and is a reliable pass catcher outside of jump ball/contested situations. At the next level, he can be a chain mover that also makes plays deeper down the middle.
| Grade: 75.4 | Round Grade: 3rd |
13
Johnny Wilson
School: Florida State
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 231 lbs
Strengths:
Wilson is a unique prospect with a rare blend of size and athleticism. His catch radius is elite, and his height makes him a jump ball mismatch against any CB. Generally, he has good hands, and he has shown the ability to make some highlight reel type catches. Considering his frame, Wilson’s athleticism surprised me quite a bit. Not to say he is an elite athlete, but for his size it is very good. He shows quickness off the snap, and has enough speed to create some separation vertically. This won’t happen against every opponent, but just the fact that he is capable is very impressive. Wilson’s big frame makes him tough to bring down after the catch. In situations where he needs another yard or two for the first down, he can get there.
Weaknesses:
Wilson makes flashy plays in contested situations, but is a tad inconsistent for my liking, while taking his size into account. There are times the ball can get jarred loose at the last second by the defender. As well, his body control in the air could be better. He is generally good on straight forward jump balls. But when he has to turn and adjust, he can mix himself up a little and become unbalanced. Athleticism is good for his size, but average in a general sense. He’ll separate against some, but it will vary from matchup to matchup. Wilson has the size to be a good blocker, but often will become flat footed, making him unable to react as his target keeps moving. Might not have the lateral agility to be a good blocker in space. Wilson can pick up a few extra yards after the catch thanks to his big frame, but he won’t outrun anyone or juke anyone out.
Summary:
Wilson’s blend of size and athleticism is extremely intriguing. He isn’t a burner at all, but shows the ability to create vertical separation in some matchups, which is great for a 6’6” receiver. His catch radius is elite, but his body control was a bit disappointing. Despite his staggered success as a finesse player, I think contested situations will be his calling card at the next level. In order to maximize his potential, he will need to improve his body control, and better adjust to passes that are away from his frame. Early on, Wilson can be a good rotational player and a redzone threat. He has eventual starter upside.
| Grade: 75.3 | Round Grade: 3rd |
14
Malachi Corley
School: Western Kentucky
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 215 lbs
Strengths:
Corley is an explosive, twitched up athlete who is a beast after the catch. As soon as the ball enters his hands, he explodes forward, and has the agility to weave his way through traffic. Sometimes it seems like he can go through an entire pile without even being touched – he is that elusive. His size also contributes to his ability to rack up yards after the catch. Corley is built strong, with a frame that resembles that of a RB more than a WR. He slips off of tackles with ease, and can push things forward with power, as well. The speed is there for him to threaten further down the field with separation. As a pass catcher, he does well to use his hands to catch passes with heat on them, rather than trapping it with his body. He has also shown the ability to make his catch in stride without losing any momentum.
Weaknesses:
Corley has some electrifying qualities, but is still very raw as a receiver. The physical talent is there to create a lot of separation, but his route running is very loose. He doesn’t have the precision, clean breaks, or deceptiveness to fool CB’s into taking false steps. As well, although Corley has a sturdier build, he doesn’t play through contact well at the catch point. Defenders are able to hit him and jar the ball loose. He also doesn’t have a big catch radius, and jump ball situations do not favour him.
Summary:
Corley is a dynamic run-after-the-catch threat who lacks the polish in most other areas that go with playing the position. In college, he was schemed into the offence a lot through quick manufactured touches, allowing him to play to his strengths. At this point, he isn’t a great route runner and has issues holding onto the ball through contact. His playmaking ability with the ball in his hands will translate into some kind of success in the NFL, but he will need significant technical development if he is to end up as more than a gadget player.
| Grade: 73.1 | Round Grade: 4th |
15
Keon Coleman
School: Florida State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 213 lbs
Strengths:
Coleman is a tall receiver with the ability to extend his long reach and pluck away passes from up above his opponents. Contested catches are where he makes most of his money, and his strong hands and ability to elevate allow him to have success with this playing style. For a bigger guy, he has more twitch than I was expecting. There is actually some quickness to his game, and instances where he creates late separation at the top of his route. I like what he can do after the catch with the ball in his hands. There are flashes of early burst, and he is able to use a stiff arm to keep going beyond initial contact.
Weaknesses:
Coleman quicker than fast athletically. He shows glimpses of late separation because of his quick feet, but even those are more on the rare side. Despite his quickness, Coleman is unable to create much, if any, separation because he does not have the speed to challenge CB’s. In most cases, even when they are baited into a false step, they are able to still recover and blanked him in coverage. This forces him into a lot of contested situations.
Summary:
Coleman is pretty quick for his size, showing glimpses of late separation in some of his routes. However, his lack of speed prevents him from creating separation on a consistent basis, and forces him into contested situations. Coleman does very well as a contested catcher, using his big frame and strong hands to make plays. However, there are enough limitations in his game to wonder about his ability to consistently produce as a starter. His strengths should give him a floor as a rotational playmaker, and schemed up touches where he can run after the catch could increase his ceiling. Overall, there could be starter potential, but question marks also loom.
| Grade: 72.1 | Round Grade: 4th |
16
Xavier Legette
School: South Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 221 lbs
Strengths:
Legette is a well built, big bodied receiver who excels in the air. He has good straight line speed that allows him to get down the field in a hurry. When it comes down to it, Legette makes his money in contested situations. His speed just helps increase the depth of his targets. His catch radius is enormous, even though he is not one of those receivers with height that resembles a TE. He times his jumps perfectly almost every time, high pointing the ball and securing it as he goes to the ground. And while this is great, it isn’t just his high pointing ability that allows him to win these battles. Legette also does such a good job of boxing out the defender, that he swings what normally would be 50/50 plays hugely in his favour. His strength and big frame also translates to the blocking side of his game, where he is able to keep lanes open for the ball carrier.
Weaknesses:
Legette has good straight line speed, but doesn’t have any twitch. He is a linear, north/south athlete, and that is how he plays his game. There is no polish in his route running, and frankley, he doesn’t seem to have any interest in changing that. It seems as though he has accepted contested catches as being his calling card, and is just sticking with that. While he does thrive in contested situations, it is risky business entering the NFL as a one dimensional player. Better scheming and competition could make things tough on him if he isn’t able to diversify his game. Legette doesn’t offer a ton after the catch. He’ll take what’s there, but won’t create much for himself. For a big guy, I would say he goes down a bit too easy on some plays.
Summary:
Legette has good straight line speed, and might be the best contested catch receiver in this draft. He is outstanding at boxing out his opponent before then high pointing and coming down with the football. His hands are strong, and his speed allows him to get down the field and make big plays, even if they are contested. His lack of twitch and poor route running is a concern, as is his lack of yards after the catch. Even though he is so good in contested situations, entering the NFL as a one dimensional player will bring question marks along with it. Can he succeed? Sure. But it may be as a situational player, if he is unable to find consistency in his role at the next level. Boom/bust player.
| Grade: 71.4 | Round Grade: 4th |
17
Ricky Pearsall
School: Florida
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 189 lbs
Strengths:
Pearsall is a good route runner who uses head fakes and various other moves to manipulate his opponent and create space. He works the middle of the field well, finding the soft spot in zone coverage and sitting down right there. His ability to make catches away from his frame is outstanding, and his tape is littered with highlight reel type catches. A one handed catch in one of his games was especially impressive. Pearsall has the body control to adjust to errant passes. He tracks it well, can elevate, and then hold on as he comes to the ground. He doesn’t have the strongest build, but has some bite as a blocker on the boundary. In this role, he might not win every rep, but he is pretty solid overall.
Weaknesses:
Pearsall has great testing numbers, but I don’t see the same athleticism on tape. He is quick in a one-cut sense, but when he tries to make more moves, his movements just seem a little more segmented and inefficient. While his long speed is solid, he is lacking the short area burst to create early separation in some instances. What also doesn’t help is his lean frame, which makes it tough for him to battle through press coverage, as well as contact at the catch point. While he has a good catch radius and makes some spectacular catches, he may find himself in a lot of contested situations at the next level, and it is fair to wonder how he will respond.
Summary:
Pearsall is a crafty route runner and had good, reliable hands to make catches over the middle. His athleticism on tape doesn’t look as good as the testing numbers would indicate, but he has enough quickness and makes sharp enough cuts on simpler routes to still have his moments. His lean frame and ups and downs against contact will probably limit him to the slot at the next level, but the extra space will be good for him. Pearsall could carve out a role as a starter in the slot, with special teams versatility. If not, he’ll be a solid depth player that can still produce some in a rotational role.
| Grade: 70.8 | Round Grade: 4th |
18
Brenden Rice
School: USC
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 208 lbs
Strengths:
Brenden Rice is the son of former NFL WR Jerry Rice, which makes his incredible technique make perfect sense. From purely a technical standpoint, Rice is one of the best route runners in the draft. The amount of different release packages he has is so impressive, and he goes all out on every snap to make sure each step and each move is as deceptive as it possibly can be. Stutters, head fakes, shoulder dips… he even uses an arm over move from time to time, in order to get by his opponent, as if he were a defensive lineman attempting to get by an offensive lineman. He also has the IQ to work with his QB in scramble drills. Rice runs with good early burst, and when you add his effort to the equation, quite a bit of power is generated. As a runner after the catch, this makes him tough to bring down. Rice has strong hands, and can make tough catches through traffic and through contact. He also has a big catch radius.
Weaknesses:
Rice has below average foot speed, which often puts a damper on what he is able to do with his burst and route running ability. There are so many times where he wins at the line, but his opponent is able to recover with ease and still blanket him. There also isn’t a lot of twitch to his game, which will really make separating difficult at the next level, even when factoring in his precise route running. The route running can only go so far without the athletic traits to go with it. Rice is a big bodied receiver, but doesn’t always high point the football. The ability is there, but I’d like to see him take advantage of it more often.
Summary:
Rice is a bit of a dilemma as a prospect. His outstanding route running and high running motor make him an easy prospect to fall in love with on tape. His size and strong hands further add to that. However, he lacks the speed to create much separation at the next level, and this will cause him to enter the league with question marks. If he is going to be a contested catch guy, he’ll need to be more consistent at high pointing the football. In terms of finesse, we’ll see how far his route running can take him. It is so good that I won’t be counting him out, even with his below average speed. But he will have his work cut out for him to win in this way. He has enough going for him to be worthy of an early-mid day 3 selection. There is too much risk for my liking to use a day 2 pick on him, but he should have a solid floor as a contested catch receiver with some improvements. The rest of his game is boom or bust.
| Grade: 70.4 | Round Grade: 4th |
19
Malik Washington
School: Virginia
Ht/Wt: 5’9”, 191 lbs
Strengths:
Washington is a twitchy athlete with the short area movement skills to create quick separation. His route running, I would say, is pretty precise. Washington plants his foot and then sharply cuts to change directions. Stutters and other deceptive techniques are implemented into his route running. For a smaller guy, he actually does a pretty good job of fighting through contact at the catch point. His hands are strong and reliable, and he can pluck the ball when thrown away from his frame. Washington has enough quickness to make people miss in the open field, and is instinctive enough to find lanes as a runner after the catch, even when he is being closed in. His awareness is also visible when against zone. Washington is able to navigate the middle before locating the soft spot in zone coverage.
Weaknesses:
Size will be an issue for Washington at the next level. He plays through some contact at the catch point well. However, he doesn’t handle press coverage quite the same way, and he sometimes has his route path disrupted by a physical defender. Washington has good quickness, but his speed on tape seems to fall a bit below. It is fine in a general sense, but you have to also factor in his size. For a small receiver, I’d like more speed. There are times where he isn’t able to create separation, and his lack of long speed is a big factor.
Summary:
Washington is a quick player, but lacks the size and possibly the speed to play consistently on the outside. His quickness and more precise route running allow him to win in short areas, which is better suited for the slot. Washington’s production in college was impressive, especially his last season. But he will now be entering the NFL a bit overaged, compared to some others. It is hard to overlook someone with below average size and average relative speed. However, he plays a reliable game and, though not the most dynamic threat, could turn into a solid starter out of the slot. I think his ceiling is a bit limited, however.
| Grade: 68.2 | Round Grade: 5th |
20
Javon Baker
School: UCF
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 202 lbs
Strengths:
Baker has good short area agility and is a savvy route runner, allowing him to create separation on quicker routes. Things like quick slants are where he excels, and he is someone who can be a chain mover at the next level. When there is contact from both players as the route progresses, he knows how to play the game. He doesn’t go overboard as to take a penalty, but can subtly get the last bit of contact to create a slight bit of separation as the ball is about to drop in. Baker plays with good body control as a receiver. He does well on back shoulder passes, and is able to elevate to make a play. His strong hands help in these situations. Baker is a sound blocker, when asked to do so.
Weaknesses:
Baker has made some plays down the field thanks to his contested catch ability and savvy technique, however, he lacks the long speed to create a comfortable amount of separation on a consistent basis. College CB’s were usually able to stay pretty tight in coverage, and I wouldn’t expect it to get better at the NFL level. As a result, his biggest impact might come on quicker plays, which lowers his value.
Summary:
Baker plays with good technique as a route runner, from start to finish. His ability to create late separation at the top of his routes may bring him some success, but I think his best chance to make down the field plays will come via back shoulder throws and contested catches. His quickness will allow him to get open on shorter routes, but his lack of speed will be an issue at the next level. He played a lot on the outside in college, but he seems like a slot guy at the next level, to me. His quickness should help him be a chain mover out of the slot on 3rd & medium, but his ceiling might be capped.
| Grade: 67.2 | Round Grade: 5th |
21
Ja’Lynn Polk
School: Washington
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 203 lbs
Strengths:
Polk has solid size, and has put his fair share of splashy plays on tape. Many of these plays have been tough catches where he utilized his big catch radius to snag the ball out of the air. Polk plays with good body control, and is able to track the ball through the air. He also does a good job of locating the ball quickly when he turns his head late, or when the ball arrives early. Even when he only has a split second to react, he is able to get his hands up and pluck out the ball. Another thing Polk does well is back shoulder throws, where he must reposition himself and turn his body around to get to the ball. Whether it is contested catches or tough snags that he has to adjust to, his strong hands are what allow these plays to be made.
Weaknesses:
Polk’s speed is okay for his size, but nothing special overall. He isn’t blowing by anyone. His route running is lacking precision which, combined with his speed, makes separating difficult. He is able to build up some speed, which allows him to separate deep from time to time, but he lacks the early explosion to create quick separation. As for his route running, his breaks are often rounded off, and there is not a lot of variance in his tempo to speak of. Polk isn’t someone I see picking up a lot of yards after the catch at the next level. He also leaves a lot to be desired as a blocker.
Summary:
Polk may end up on the boundary or slot in the NFL, depending on what his drafting team is looking for. On the outside, he can use his catch radius and body control along the sideline to make contested catches. But in the slot, he might be able to create a bit more separation. Either way, his route running will need a lot of improvement to hopefully make up for average to below average athletic traits. He should make it as a solid depth target early on. With improved technique, it is possible he works his way up into a starting trio. But that is not a lock to happen.
| Grade: 65.8 | Round Grade: 5th |
22
Jha’Quan Jackson
School: Tulane
Ht/Wt: 5’9”, 188 lbs
Strengths:
Jackson is a dynamic, speedy receiver who is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. He is a smooth, shifty runner, able to make people miss in the open field. He is effective as a one-cut runner, and can also juke his way out of trouble and into the open field. His speed is that of a homerun hitter, and defenders will rarely catch him when he gets loose. This athleticism has translated nicely into the return game, where he has been able to give his offence great field position on several occasions. As a receiver, he is able to create separation because of his high end traits. This makes him a vertical threat and an underneath threat.
Weaknesses:
Jackson has a very slender frame and will not be an asset in any situation that requires size or strength to make a play. He doesn’t battle through contact well at the catch point, nor will he be making contested catches. Drops have been an issue at times. He sometimes reverts to body catching, and on some occasions where he does try to pluck the ball out of the air, it bounces off his hands. Jackson can get open thanks to his athletic traits, but his route running technique is very sloppy and unrefined. He won’t be able to get away with the same stuff in the NFL, and needs to clean that up.
Summary:
Jackson has the speed to electrify an offence, and a special teams unit through his kick return ability. However, his lack of refinement technically, lack of size, and drop issues all raise question marks about whether he can be a starter in the slot, or just a gadget player that can give you chunk plays every so often. His speed should land him a spot as a rotational guy early on. If he can improve his route running and limit drops, Jackson could end up finding a starting job as a slot receiver. He’s got a ways to go before he gets to that point, but the upside is there.
| Grade: 64.9 | Round Grade: 6th |
23
Luke McCaffrey
School: Rice
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 198 lbs
Strengths:
The brother of NFL RB Christian McCaffrey and son of former WR Ed, Luke is a QB turned WR who has made impressive strides since making the switch. His route running has improved, and he has shown to be capable of running crisp routes with sharp cuts at the top. He is a solid athlete overall. Not a burner, per se, but he has the speed to threaten vertically. And the quickness is there too. He makes people miss as a runner in the open field. His elusiveness has allowed him to go for some chunk gains. McCaffrey also does well to follow his blocks as a runner, something that helps in space and as a runner near the line when he is used on jet sweeps or in the wildcat formation. He has reliable hands, rarely committing a drop. McCaffrey is a hands catcher, and doesn’t unnecessarily trap it against his body. His technique doesn’t change when in traffic, and there is no fear in him when he can hear the footsteps of a defender who is approaching to make a hit. He’ll stay there and make the catch.
Weaknesses:
While McCaffrey has made strides, since transitioning to receiver, his game is still noticeably raw, and he will need further development. He is still learning how to navigate his way through zone coverage. He doesn’t find the soft spots naturally, and will come close to, or sometimes bump into defenders guarding the middle of the field. McCaffrey has the quickness and enough speed to beat man, and does alright in this area. But there are still inconsistencies as a route runner. In some instances, he seems to lose some of his balance at the top of his route, and things just aren’t as smooth. McCaffrey does do well in traffic and can battle through contact. But I wouldn’t say he is a contested catch receiver. Despite having a tall frame, he is more of a finesse player, not someone who will consistently win by elevating.
Summary:
McCaffrey projects as a slot receiver at the next level, with added value as a kick returner. I like his floor as a depth player, given his reliable hands, good quickness, and solid speed. He has starter potential out of the slot, but will need to continue improving his technique in order to reach it. Route running will need to be more consistent, especially against zone coverage. Overall, I wouldn’t say he has the highest ceiling, as far as starters go, but if he develops, he can be a reliable target that moves the chains in medium length downs, and can run after the catch.
| Grade: 64.8 | Round Grade: 6th |
24
Jamari Thrash
School: Louisville
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 188 lbs
Strengths:
Thrash is a twitchy receiver who makes his money with quickness and good route running. He is able to create separation early in his routes, and he uses quick, precise jukes to create space for himself through deception. It is tough for defenders to get their hands on him because he is always moving. This doesn’t only apply to him as a route runner, but also as a runner after the catch. He can work his way out of tight spaces when it looks like he is boxed in, and he also has the speed to parlay it into a big gain. His speed is also visible on deeper routes where he is able to get open.
Weaknesses:
Thrash brings good athleticism to the table, but has a very lean frame and struggles with any kind of physicality. Being pressed up at the line can significantly disrupt his routes. He can avoid this to an extent in the slot, but he’ll still face some of it in the NFL. Thrash also struggles with contact at the top of his routes, and isn’t really able to battle through contact at the catch point. Further, he isn’t a threat in contested situations. These things are sometimes what comes with smaller, twitchier receivers. However, one thing that he definitely will need to improve on is his hands. Thrash reverts to body catching in some instances, and will commit drops on other occasions where he looks to trap the ball with his hands. He can be a bit unnatural catching it with his hands, and will need to find more consistency at the next level.
Summary:
Thrash can be a playmaker at the next level thanks to his athleticism, with an emphasis on his quickness. He runs good routes when not pressed up against the line, and can create separation at various levels of the field. His inability to withstand contact is a concern, and raises questions about his ability to be a starter. Regardless of his role, he’ll need to be more consistent catching the football with his hands. But whether or not he starts in the slot may depend either on his ability to improve his contact balance, or his team’s ability to scheme him into favourable situations.
| Grade: 63.1 | Round Grade: 6th |
25
Devontez Walker
School: North Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 193 lbs
Strengths:
Walker has good straight line speed and has shown the ability to get open and make plays deep down the sideline. He might take a second to get going, but CB’s that take him lightly will soon see him pass by them. Walker has good size, and uses his big frame to box out his opponents on deep passes that hang up in the air. He does well to preserve room for the ball to drop in, while not allowing his opponent to make a play on it. Walker does a very good job of tracking the ball over his shoulder. His catch radius is good which, if used properly, can give his QB a bigger margin for error.
Weaknesses:
Walker has straight line speed that can build up, but he is a clunky athlete laterally. He is slow getting in and out of breaks, and any kind of lateral transition for him is tough. Unsurprisingly, he is not a good route runner, and lacks the precision and quickness to go through his routes with any kind of deception. He is a big body that can make contested catches, but more consistency will be needed in this area. More often than not, he is content to let the ball drop into the bucket, rather than high point it to beat out his opponent. Walker isn’t someone who makes much happen after the catch. Essentially, he is a one trick pony who runs a simple route tree that consists primarily of go routes.
Summary:
At the next level, Walker projects as a depth receiver and situational deep threat. His build up speed is deceptive and he can get loose down the sideline on CB’s that aren’t careful. He shows glimpses of contested ability, and he has the frame to succeed, but he’ll need to be more consistent at high pointing the football. Walker is a clunky athlete, and was scarcely used on anything beyond the most basic routes. For the most part, he is someone you send down the sideline and target deep. At this point, he is a one trick pony, which makes it hard to project him above a depth role. But the strengths of his game should allow him to have some situational success with the right QB.
| Grade: 62.9 | Round Grade: 6th |
26
Cornelius Johnson
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 212 lbs
Strengths:
Johnson enters the NFL with a pretty good blend of size and athleticism. He has a large catch radius, and the strength to box out opponents when the ball is in the air. There were some nice contested catches on tape, and flashes of strong hands at the catch point. He is quicker than I would have expected, and does have some success on shorter routes where he needs to create some separation. Johnson plays the game with some physicality, showing the ability to fight off contact early on in his route, and also some at the catch point.
Weaknesses:
Johnson is an over aged prospect with a lot of college experience, yet he still lacks polish in a lot of technical aspects of his game. His route running is still very sloppy. Rounded breaks littler his tape, and he can be hit or miss on non vertical routes. As well, even as a contested catch receiver, he has his flaws. Johnson can be off in his jump timing, with instances of being late and early. As well, his hands can be a bit inconsistent when he is elevating for the ball. Drops have been an issue for him, even outside of contested situations. He’ll have to clean that up.
Summary:
On tape, Johnson seems to have a solid blend of size and athleticism, which would point to starting upside. But looking beyond the measurables, he is also a risky prospect. It is concerning that he enters as an overaged prospect with plenty of experience at a top football school, yet is still significantly underdeveloped technically in multiple areas. Has he reached his peak, or does he still have room to grow? Well, it is unlikely that he has reached his peak at this point, and NFL coaching should help. However, it is fair to question just how much upside he has left. Johnson projects as a depth player, who will need work and development to be trusted on the field. His measurables will attract some teams, but his age, lack of development, and lack of college production are likely to push him down to the later stages of day 3.
| Grade: 59.6 | Round Grade: 7th |
27
Jacob Cowing
School: Arizona
Ht/Wt: 5’8”, 168 lbs
Strengths:
Cowing is a small, athletic receiver who is able to win with plus athletic traits. He has the agility to create separation on quick routes out of the slot, taking advantage of free releases when he gets them. His speed allows him to work the deeper parts of the field with some effectiveness. Cowing is crafty when he navigates through zone coverage. He varies his tempo, slowing to a jog in certain instances, before accelerating at just the right time into space that has opened up. He does well to draw defenders to him, and away from the space he is looking to end up in. Cowing can make some plays as a gadget guy, showing quick feet to make people miss, and enough speed to go for some pretty big gains.
Weaknesses:
Cowing has had success against man coverage, but largely on account of his athleticism. His route running isn’t terrible, but does have room for improvement. There are times where his routes are rounded off and lack precision. But at the next level, he won’t be able to have the same success just based on athleticism with no technique. His route running can be improved on, but Cowing’s small frame is an issue that will stick with him in the NFL. He struggles with contact at the catch point, and isn’t good in contested situations. As well, concentration drops showed up on tape. They will have to be eliminated at the pro level.
Summary:
Cowing is a slot receiver at the next level, due to his size concerns. He’ll still have issues battling through contact, but he’ll get more free releases in the slot. His route running will have to improve and drops will have to be eliminated in order for him to have a shot at earning a starting job. Otherwise, he might be limited to being a gadget guy.
| Grade: 58.5 | Round Grade: 7th |
WR Rankings:
- Marvin Harrison Jr. (91.0, Rd 1)
- Malik Nabers (86.1, Rd 1)
- Rome Odunze (86.0, Rd 1)
- Xavier Worthy (85.2, Rd 1)
- Jermaine Burton (85.1, Rd 1)
- Brian Thomas (82.4, Rd 2)
- Ladd McConkey (81.2, Rd 2)
- Adonai Mitchell (80.9, Rd 2)
- Roman Wilson (79.9, Rd 3)
- Troy Franklin (79.8, Rd 3)
- Anthony Gould (75.5, Rd 3)
- Jalen McMillan (75.4, Rd 3)
- Johnny Wilson (75.3, Rd 3)
- Malachi Corley (73.1, Rd 4)
- Keon Coleman (72.1, Rd 4)
- Xavier Legette (71.4, Rd 4)
- Ricky Pearsall (70.8, Rd 4)
- Brenden Rice (70.4, Rd 4)
- Malik Washington (68.2, Rd 5)
- Javon Baker (67.2, Rd 5)
- Ja’Lynn Polk (65.8, Rd 5)
- Jha’Quan Jackson (64.9, Rd 6)
- Luke McCaffrey (64.8, Rd 6)
- Jamari Thrash (63.1, Rd 6)
- Devontez Walker (62.9, Rd 6)
- Cornelius Johnson (59.6, Rd 7)
- Jacob Cowing (58.5, Rd 7)
Notables Not Graded:
- Tejhuan Palmer
- Isaiah Williams
- Ainias Smith
- Tahj Washington
- Jalen Coker
- Jordan Whittington
- Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint
- Ryan Flournoy
Modified Featured Image Via: Alexander Jonesi (CC)