2024 NFL DRAFT: Position Breakdown: PASS CATCHERS

 

WIDE RECEIVERS and TIGHT END

This year’s Receiver class has a chance to go down as one of the best in draft history. The top three guys should be instant impact players and have a chance to become All Pros early in their respective careers. Brock Bowers is as good a tight end prospect as one will find. After the top three, there is a huge variety of deep threats, slot guys and physical players. It sounds crazy, but 20 wide receivers and 5 tight ends could be drafted in the top 100. It’s not that crazy with the number of teams looking to upgrade their passing game.

 

2024 WIDE RECEIVERS

Marvin Harrison Jr.-WR-Ohio St
6’3”/209
NFL Comp: AJ Green/Ceedee Lamb
2023 Stats
67 receptions
1280 total yards
14 TD
Harrison is an elite prospect that has an ideal combination of speed, hands, height and length. His father was one of the smartest receivers and greatest route runners in NFL history. Harrison has similar football IQ to his father and incredible footwork for a taller wideout. He should be able to have an instant impact and has superstar potential. I am not ready to compare him to Randy Moss as he is not that level of athlete. AJ Green and Ceedee Lamb are realistic comparisons and should be the expectation for Harrison Jr in the NFL.

Rome Odunze-WR-Washington    
6'3"/214
NFL Comparison: Michael Thomas/Miles Austin
92 receptions
1677 total yards
14 TD
Odunze took his game to another level in 2023. He established himself as the go to receiver for a Washington offense that features two other receivers likely to be drafted on day two. His combination of height, weight, length and speed is as good as any prospect. He knows how to use his frame and is the best in the class at making contested catches. His body type and skill set are nearly identical the Michael Thomas and he has the big play skills of prime Miles Austin.

Malik Nabers-WR-LSU   
6'0"/200
NFL Comparison: Ja’Marr Chase/Odell Beckham
89 receptions
1659 total yards
14 TD
Nabers is the next great LSU receiver prospect. He was an All American and put up great numbers in 2023. He can change direction, cut and accelerate at an elite level. His movement skills are as good as fellow LSU prospects Chase and Beckham. He has good size, but he is not as big as the other two elite receiver prospects in Harrison Jr and Odunze. He has the versatility and skill set to play any receiver spot in any type of offense. 

Brock Bowers-TE-Georgia  
6'3"/243
NFL Comparison: Travis Kelce/George Kittle
3-year Average
58.3 receptions
846 total yards
10.3 TD
One could make an argument that Bowers is the safest tight end prospect in NFL history. I don’t know if that makes him the best ever. He may not have Kyle Pitts freak athletic ability or the massive frame of a Tony Gonzalez/Rob Gronkowski. He has really no weakness to his game. He has great hands, speed and amazing body control. He is also a physical blocker that loves contact. Bowers has a chance to be a very special player. 

Brian Thomas Jr.-WR-LSU   
6'4"/205/4.33
NFL Comparison:  Chris Godwin/George Pickens
68 receptions
1177 total yards
17 TD
Thomas was the best number two receiver in the country and was every bit the big play threat that his teammate Malik Nabers was. He has the tools to be a great receiver but needs to be more consistent. He has a chance to be a better pro than college player like Pickens. He could also turn into the perfect number two option like Godwin in Tampa depending on the team that drafts him. 

Adonai Mitchell-WR-Texas
6'2"/205/4.34
NFL Comp: Terry McLaurin/Mike Wallace   
55 receptions
846 total yards
11 TD
Adonai “AD” Michell transferred from Georgia to Texas and produced at a high level. He is very fluid and can change direction like a much smaller receiver. He is a big play guy that has a knack for the endzone. Even when he was used as more of a role player at Georgia he still scored in all four College Football Playoff games he was in. He showcased his elite athletic ability at the combine posting the best broad jump at 136” and third fastest 40 time for receivers.

Ladd McConkey-WR-Georgia  
6'0"/186/4.39
NFL Comparison: Don Beebe/Eric Metcalf
2022 Stats:
58 receptions
896 total yards
9 TD
McConkey is a very polished receiver that also provides a ton of value in the return game. He would be used perfectly in the slot where his quickness would be best utilized. He is a very good blocker and physical player for such a smaller guy. He is an old school player so I had to have the old school player comparisons with Beebe and Metcalf.

Keon Coleman-WR-FSU 
6’3”/213/4.61
NFL Comp: Tee Higgins/Kenny Golladay
50 receptions
660 total yards
11 TD
Coleman is not a speed demon but he makes up for it with elite level body control for a player his size. The same speed concerns caused Higgins to be a second-round pick in 2020. Coleman has the same big play ability. A team that needs a big red zone threat should look to add Coleman their receiving core. 

Troy Franklin-WR-Oregon 
6'2"/176/4.39
NFL Comp: Paul Richardson/Todd Pinkston
81 receptions
1383 total yards
14 TD
Franklin has been the go-to guy for Bo Nix at Oregon the past two season. He is the definition of a deep threat with his blazing speed and long strides. The questions are if he can be anything more than a deep threat given his lack of bulk. The track record of guys over six feet and under 180 pounds having long term NFL success is very short. Franklin could be the one to change this stat or he could be nothing more than a backup outside receiver.

Xavier Worthy-WR-Texas
5'11"/165/4.21
NFL Comparison: Darnell Mooney/Hollywood Brown
75 receptions
1049 total yards
5 TD
Worthy set the combine record in the forty with a 4.21. His is a deep threat that has great footwork in addition to his speed. He offers value in the return game as well where teams will want him to show off his world class speed. He was productive from his true Freshman season at Texas and continued to be a game breaker. He comes with major concerns about his size and the fact that his touchdown totals decreased every year while in Austin. 

Xavier Legette-WR-South Carolina 
6’1”/221
NFL Comp: Deebo Samuel/Cordarrelle Patterson/AJ Brown
71 receptions
1246 total yards
7 TD
The Deebo comparison isn’t just based on the same alma mater but similar playing style and toughness. Both guys are like running backs with the ball in their hands. The team drafting him will need to be creative in the ways they use him similar to Deebo and Patterson. He has the size, physicaity and similar ball skills to Brown, this would be the ceiling for him as a true wideout. 

Ja’Tavion Sanders-TE-Texas
6'4"/245/4.69
NFL Comparison: Jonnu Smith/Dallas Goedert 
45 receptions
694 total yards
2 TD
Sanders was the 3^rd option in the Longhorns passing game. Texas got a lot better the more they featured him. This included big games in the Big 12 Title and in the National Semifinals. He had zero drops in 2023, thus showcasing his sure hands. He is a vertical threat but also has enough size and power to play inside the trenches.

Roman Wilson-WR-Michigan
5'11"/185/4.39
NFL Comparison: Brandin Cooks/TY Hilton
48 receptions
799 total yards
12 TD
Wilson was the big play option in Michigan’s run heavy attack. He caught 12 of the 22 touchdowns thrown by JJ McCarthy. His big play ability was on display in the College Football Playoff where he caught 7 passes at 18.15 yards per catch. He has the speed to play outside but may be best used in the slot given his lack of size.  

Malachi Corley-WR-Western Kentucky
5'11"/215
NFL Comparison: DJ Moore/Golden Tate
2022 Stats
101 receptions
1382 total yards
11 TD
Corley offers big play after the catch ability in a 215-pound frame. He is a former running back and one can see it in his play. He is a good route runner from the slot and has great balance. Guys like Moore and Tate had similar body types and running back backgrounds. They provide the blueprint on how to use Corley.

Ricky Pearsall-WR-Florida 
6'1"/189/4.44
NFL Comp: Nate Burleson/Jerry Jeudy  
65 receptions
1027 total yards
6 TD
Pearsall is probably the best route runner in this entire draft class. He runs route like a seasoned pro and has sure hands to match. His combination of speed, footwork and IQ make him a very safe pick. He is the token high floor prospect that will never be a star, but like Burleson and Jeudy, he could have a very productive NFL career.

Javon Baker-WR-UCF 
6’1”/202/4.54
NFL Comp: JuJu Smith-Schuster/Brandon Aiyuk
52 receptions
1139 total yards
7 TD
Baker was buried on the depth chart at Alabama for two years, he then transferred to Central Florida where he played right away. He broke out his senior season in 2023. He is a true X receiver that has great hands and knows how to make contested catchers. He is a physical player that is very competitive too. He uses his long wingspan 78.25” to play much larger than his height. This is why I compare him to JuJu and Aiyuk.

Jermaine Burton-WR-Alabama 
6’1”/196/4.45
NFL Comp: Amon-Ra St Brown/Christian Kirk
39 receptions
798 total yards
8 TD
Burton has a nice combination of quickness and physical play. He is an ideal slot target who compares well to St Brown and Kirk in playing style. He showed his elite athletic ability at the combine where he posted a 133” broad jump and 38.5” vertical jump. He is the type of guy that could get drafted in the third round and still end up posting multiple 100 catch seasons. 

Ja'Lynn Polk-WR-Washington    
6'1"/203/4.52
NFL Comparison:  Marvin Jones/Tyler Boyd
69 receptions
1191 total yards
9 TD
Polk is a versatile receiver that can play inside or outside. He is good everything (good hands, good routes, good size, good physicality) but does nothing truly elite.  He is the token “just does his job” type of guy that would be an ideal number 2/3 receiver. Guys like Jones and Boyd have been able to stick in the league due to intangibles and so should Polk.

Devontez Walker -WR-UNC 
6'2"/193/4.36
NFL Comparison: Zay Jones/Jerome Simpson
41 receptions
722 total yards
7 TD
Walker transferred from Toledo, overcame early season injuries and then emerged as star quarterback Drake Maye’s top option. He flashed his big play ability with three 100-yard games in the season. He is fast and can jump out of the gym. He should be a solid outside receiver and very good number 3 option for the team that picks him.  

Jalen McMillan-WR-Washington    
6'1"/197/4.47
NFL Comparison: Jakobi Meyers/Nelson Agholor
2-year Average
62 receptions
828.5 total yards
7.5 TD
McMillan was Washington’s top receiver in 2022 who took a backseat to Odunze and Polk last year. He is best as a vertical threat out of the slot where he was able to exploit mismatches with linebackers and safeties. He runs great routes and knows how to use his size and speed. He has the tools to be a starter and solid third option.

Malik Washington-WR-Virginia
5'9"/191/4.47
NFL Comparison: Tyler Lockett/Corey Coleman  
110 receptions
1426 total yards
9 TD
Washington was insanely productive in his one year at Virginia after transferring from Northwestern. He is very athletic and knows how to use his quickness in the slot. His combine measurements showed his elite athletic traits. He is small, but the modern-day league is about spacing and speed. Because of this he has a chance to be drafted on day two.

Brenden Rice-WR-USC  
6’2”/208/4.5
NFL Comp: Donovan Peoples-Jones/Rueben Randle
45 receptions
791 total yards
12 TD
The son of the GOAT Jerry Rice, Brenden Rice is solid prospect with a good combination of size, hands and body control. He was a reliable weapon for Caleb Williams but was never the number one option. In 2023 he showed a knack for getting in the endzone where he led the Trojans touchdowns

Johnny Wilson-WR-FSU 
6’6”/231/4.52
NFL Comp: Kelvin Benjamin/Vincent Jackson/Ramses Barden
2-year Average
42 receptions
757 total yards
3.5 TD
Wilson’s 84.5” wingspan is the longest ever recorded at the combine for a receiver. He is a huge target that is also a polarizing prospect. His catch radius is unreal and he has good speed for a guy that big. Guys with his body type are usually hit or miss at the NFL level.

Cade Stover-TE-Ohio St
6’4”/247/4.65
NFL Comp: Hayden Hurst/Daniel Graham
41 receptions
576 total yards
5 TD
Stover is a converted linebacker that combines physical play and athletic ability. He is a very balanced tight end prospect in terms of providing value as a receiver and as a blocker. He is a safe option for a team looking for a starting tight end. 

Ben Sinnott-TE- Kansas St
6’4”/250/4.68
NFL Comp: Mike Gesicki/Noah Fant
49 receptions
676 total yards
6 TD
Sinnott tested very well at the combine showcasing his speed, leaping ability and short area quickness. He is very versatile and has all the tools to be a solid starter like Gesicki and Fant.

Theo Johnson-TE-Penn St
6’6”/259/4.57
NFL Comp: Jimmy Graham/Cole Kmet
34 receptions
341 total yards
7 TD
Johnson has nearly identical measurables to Graham and Kmet. He is a true inline tight end that proved his value as a blocker playing in the Big Ten. He is still developing as a pass catcher, but it would not be surprising if he ended up a high-end starter given his size and athleticism.

HONORABLE MENTION 

By position/role 

BIG TARGETS	Height	Weight	40	Wing
De'Corian Clark-WR-UTSA	6'3''	215	4.45
Cornelius Johnson-WR-Michigan	6'3''	212	4.44	77 1/4"
Bub Means-WR-Pittsburgh	6'1''	212	4.43	79 3/8"
Jalen Coker-WR-Holy Cross	6'1''	208	4.57	76 3/4"
Jordan Whittington-WR-Texas	6'1''	204	—	73 5/8"
Devaughn Vele-WR-Utah	6'4''	203	4.47	79 1/8"

 

 

ELITE SPEED	Height	Weight	40	Wing
Jacob Cowing-SWR-Arizona	5'8''	168	4.38	69 1/8"
Anthony Gould-SWR-Oregon St	5'8''	174	4.39	69 7/8"
Jha'Quan Jackson-WR-Tulane	5'9''	188	4.42	74 7/8"
Lideatrick Griffin-SWR-Miss St	5'10''	181	4.43	72 3/4"
Ryan Flournoy-WR-SE Missouri St	6'1''	202	4.44	76 1/8"
Jamari Thrash-WR-Louisville	6'0''	188	4.46	74 1/2"

 

SLOT ONLY	Height	Weight	40	Wing
Luke McCaffrey-WR-Rice	6'2''	198	4.46	74 1/2"
Isaiah Williams-WR-Illinois	5'9''	182	4.63	72 3/4"
Marcus Rosemy Jacksaint-WR-Georgia	6'1''	195	—	77 3/4"
Tayvion Robinson-WR-Kentucky	5'11''	191	—	75 1/4"
Ainias Smith-SWR-TX A&M	5'9''	190	—	70 1/4"
Zakhari  Franklin-WR-Ole Miss	6'1''	185	4.49
Tahj Washington-SWR-USC	5'10''	174	—	70"
Xavier Weaver-WR-Colorado	6'0''	169	—	73 1/4"

 

TIGHT ENDS	Height	Weight	40	Wing
Jaheim Bell-TE-FSU	6'2"	241	4.61	78 3/4"
Erick All-TE-Iowa	6'4''	252	—	79"
Jared Wiley-TE-TCU	6'6''	249	4.62	79 1/4"
Dallin Holker-TE-Colorado St	6'3''	241	4.78	78 1/8"
Tip Reiman-TE-Illinois	6'5''	271	4.64	79 1/2"
AJ Barner-TE-Michigan	6'6''	251	—	81 7/8"
Brevyn Spann Ford-TE-Minnesota	6'7"	260	4.77	80"
Tanner McLachlan-TE-Arizona	6'5''	244	4.61	77 1/4"
Isaac Rex-TE-BYU	6'6''	247
Austin Stogner-TE-Oklahoma	6'6''	258
Devin Culp-TE-Washington	6'4''	231	4.47	78 1/2"
Trey Knox-TE-South Carolina	6'3''	240	—	78 3/4"
McCallan Castles-TE-Tennessee	6'5''	251
Jack Westover-TE-Washington	6'3''	243	—	77 1/8"