Way Too Early 2024 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Rankings
After hitting the quarterbacks and running backs, it’s time to review the upcoming wide receiver class. The 2024 NFL Draft features some talented names at the position including one aircraft carrier. Let’s get right to those 2024 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings.
25: JoJo Earle (TCU)
Former four star Bama guy that just never popped there. Really undersized at 5-foot-10, 177. Will play his junior season at TCU. No guarantee he declares but has some speed and could develop into a smaller slot guy. Probably better than Derius Davis who just went in the 4th round so he has a shot.
24: Brian Thomas Jr (LSU)
A complimentary receiver at LSU that will get a bigger target share in 2023. Like the fact that he’s 6-foot-4. Runs well for his size. Thomas is coming off back to back seasons where he notched just over 350 receiving yards. LSU has a track record of producing quality NFL wide receivers. It’s a big year for Thomas to prove he belongs.
23: Antwane Wells (South Carolina)
Has been really productive at South Carolina. Over 2,000 yards over the last two years. I’m not sure there is any wow factor here but the guy gets open and produces. Probably better than his teammate Josh Vann who didn’t get drafted but I’m not sure that’s the bar. 2023 needs to be a year where he takes the next step.
22: Julian Fleming (Ohio State)
Former monster recruit and number one ranked wide receiver during the 2020 cycle. He’s also been passed by a lot of receivers on his own team. Fleming is starting to run out of eligibility and he’s still the fourth best receiver on his own college team. Two are ranked ahead of him on this list and the other is true freshman Carnell Tate who already looks better based on his Spring performance.
That being said, Fleming took a big step forward last year. He actually started producing. In 2022 Fleming posted 34 receptions for 533 yards and six touchdowns. Has decent size on him too at 6-foot-2. Just not sure how dynamic he is. I never see the wow. I’m hoping we see that this year.
21: RaRa Thomas (Georgia)
Georgia doesn’t really need to hit the transfer portal but they did when they lost AD Mitchell. They brought in two important receivers and one of them is former Mississippi State product RaRa Thomas. The idea here is for Thomas to play that George Pickens role. He won’t be as good at it but there is some talent here.
While playing for a down Mississippi State team, Thomas posted 44 receptions for 626 yards and seven touchdowns. That was with pretty mediocre quarterback play. Former three star guy out of the state of Alabama who comes with decent size at 6-foot-2. Also, has a basketball background and has some leaping ability.
20: Jahmal Banks (Wake Forest)
Remember when I did the AT Perry Draft profile and never felt like I noticed him? That’s because this dude was just better. 6-foot-4, 208 but with some tight end vibes if actually got bigger. Featured during the stock report notes after a monster game against Clemson.
Can he carry the momentum without Sam Hartman? That’s going to be a tough ask.
19: Jalen McMillan (Washington)
Multi-sport athlete. Has a baseball and track background too. I know Washington receivers should give people pause but I also believe they have two good ones that helped propel Michael Penix past what people really think he is. McMillan was really productive last year posting 79 receptions for over 1,000 yards and nine scores. 6-foot-1, 182, and kinda shifty. We’ll find out more this year.
18: Ladd McConkey (Georgia)
Yes, he wears that Georgia helmet despite being a former three star guy. You can laugh all you want but this dude is way better than Hunter Renfrow was as a sophomore. Can do all those jet sweeps and short area routes. He can play. That’s all I know. Might be the next Julian Edelman with the chance to be better. Still needs to show more but after a 762 yard season in 2022, there is no reason to overlook McConkey.
17: Dante Cephas (Penn State)
This one is more of a mystery but Cephas also will likely be the top receiver at Penn State in 2023. Kent State basically lost their entire team to the transfer portal this year. Had lots of production at Kent State but there is also still a lot we don’t know. Hopefully, this turns into a portal success story.
16: Dorian Singer (USC)
Speaking of the portal, we have another right here. Singer had a hell of a year at Arizona and will take his talents to USC this year. After posting 1,105 receiving yards for Arizona, it’s fair to wonder what he can do with Caleb Williams? 6-foot-1, 185, who used to be a safety but transitioned to receiver late. We’ll see what we get in 2023.
15: Aianis Smith (Texas A&M)
Worse Deebo Samuel. Can do all those sorts of things, however. 5-foot-10, 190, and had his season cut short via injury. Had 49 carries in 2019 and really can be a true gadget guy. Has real value as a weapon wherever you line him up. Not as fast as Devon Achane but he’s not totally far off. Smith will go too low on draft day and has a true chance to be a Tony Pollard except more involved in the passing game.
14: Isaiah Neyor (Texas)
I think a lot of people forgot about this dude. Former Wyoming transfer that missed all of last year because of injury. Texas has had this dude in their back pocket just waiting in the wings for this year. 6-foot-3 and had 12 touchdowns for Wyoming in 2021. He’s also maybe their 4th best receiver on the team because of how stupid deep this WR room is. We’ll find out more this year when he finally debuts in a Longhorns uniform.
13: Dominic Lovett (Georgia)
This is the other Georgia transfer that the Dawgs got out of the portal. Dominic Lovett was snatched away from Missouri. 5-foot-10, 187, but posted better numbers than star incoming freshman Luther Burden in 2022. What Georgia never got from Kearis Jackson is what they might get from Lovett. Not so much in the return game but a guy that can make those big plays in the passing game. There is a lot of unknown with this Georgia offense but new quarterback Carson Beck will have a flurry of weapons at his disposal.
12: Keon Coleman (???)
Again, we’re still really early with these rankings. It’s important that I remind you of that considering Keon Coleman doesn’t have a team right now. It could be Florida State. It could be another team we don’t see right now. It could be announced by the time I’m done typing this.
What’s important to note is that Keon Coleman dummies Jayden Reed who just went in the second round. 6-foot-4, attacks the ball, played basketball at Michigan State, former four star recruit. Just notched 798 yards and seven scores playing for a broken offense. There is still more to learn here but this is a real talent that will make an impact at wherever he plays next.
11: Johnny Wilson (Florida State)
Will 2023 be the pop year for Johnny Wilson? This dude is a tall drink of water at 6-foot-7, 240. Averaged 20.9 yards per reception in 2022 and was sort of a one trick pony. Not really a separator but the size is obviously a factor. Can he develop into a real receiver that can do things other than come away with contested grabs? He has talent. It’s just time for him to take that next step.
10: Beaux Collins (Clemson)
Former four star guy. 6-foot-3, 210. Smart receiver that knows how to get open and settle into holes in the defense. Just need way more production and way more takeover in 2023. Just 22 receptions last year. I know he has talent. It’s a matter of where he falls on the Clemson spectrum. It’s too soon to say yet but obviously, it’s a big year for him.
9: Malik Nabers (LSU)
Had some off the field stuff this offseason. Former four star guy who checks in at 6-foot, 195. Sort of resembles a smaller Justin Jefferson in the movement skills. Coming off a big year with 72 receptions for 1,017 yards and three scores. Basically passed Kayshon Boutte over the course of last year. Late in the year against Georgia and Purdue, Nabers exploded. 2023 will be the year where we find out what kind of potential this guy really has.
8: Troy Franklin (Oregon)
6-foot-3, 178, and can really run. Has a DB background and can return kicks. Coming off a year where he posted 61 receptions for 891 yards and nine touchdowns. I question how much of a pure route runner he can become. Right now feels like a gazelle that can get out and run but no real touch on the underneath stuff. Become a complete receiver in 2023 and Franklin will move up the board.
7: Mario Williams (USC)
5-foot-9, 185 but an electric factory. Followed Lincoln Riley to Oklahoma and then USC. Started to really find his niche as that number two guy posting 631 yards and five touchdowns a year ago. He’s a weird one because I’m not sure the speed or route running is elite. It also doesn’t feel like the size is a factor because he plays bigger. Still more to learn heading into 2023 but a real shot to be a Day 2 pick.
6: AD Mitchell (Texas)
Did you know he’s at Texas now? Yes, AD Mitchell is at Texas. So far our only real track record on Mitchell is the work he did in both CFB playoffs. Mitchell was sensational in both title runs for Georgia. He also was hampered by injuries and doesn’t have much actual production to show for it. 2023 will be a great measuring stick for Mitchell. Can he prove he’s the guy over the course of an entire season?
5: Rome Odunze (Washington)
As I said earlier, not a great track record for Washington receivers killing it at the NFL level. However, I think Rome Oduze has a chance to be a different sort of cat. Former 4 star guy out of talent rich Bishop Gorman in Vegas. 6-foot-3, 201 and had some insane production in 2022. How does 75 receptions for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns sound?
Has a bit of a lean frame and was even used in the ground game on occasion. I think they trust him with the ball in his hands. Route running might need some work. I’m not positive his hands an A either. This entire Washington team will be more focused on based on the year they just had.
4: Ja’Corey Brooks (Alabama)
Former five star guy from IMG. 6-foot-2, 196. He’s not Julio but kinda looks like him. By far Bama’s best receiver last year notching 674 yards and eight scores. Not sure how fast he is. That’s really the big concern. Monster catch radius and big body. Just needs to put it all together in 2023. I’m not convinced it happens because the more time goes on, the less alien he looks. Just not the same juice as those Bama guys in the past. Still, does well tracking the ball down the field and has reliable hands.
3: Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
Former five star and ranked number one receiver during the 2021 cycle. What Egbuka did last year probably warrants that ranking. Egbuka notched 1,151 yards and ten receiving touchdowns a year ago. Even added two more touchdowns on the ground. On the smaller side at 6-foot-1, 203 but he’s ready to play at the NFL level right now.
Smooth receiver who can make plays after the catch. Not sure he’s as fast at Chris Olave but sorta comes in that mold. Really good athlete with quick feet. Not sure he’s ever a WR1 but will be a nice chess piece for any offense.
2: Xavier Worthy (Texas)
I have Xavier Worthy as the improved version of Marquise Brown. Former 4 star guy out of the 2021 cycle. I don’t normally love small receivers but he’s on the DeSean Jackson spectrum. Has a different gear and is productive. Would have been more productive if Quinn Ewers didn’t go down early in the year.
Total playmaker. Will be a YAC monster. Will run a fast time. Smooth with reliable hands. Good player that should be an easy round one pick.
1: Marvin Harrison Jr (Ohio State)
Just a different level of cat. Reggie Wayne already said he’s better than his father who is in the Hall of Fame. He’s probably not wrong because the Harrison Jr. comes with a lot more size. Total freakshow. I don’t know what more I really need to say here. Harrison has the potential to be the best receiver in the league and should be viewed as a true Calvin Johnson level talent.
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