Similar to how EDGEs have displaced LBs as the kings of IDP, WRs have displaced RBs. This historic class of WRs has absurd talent and depth. How do these WRs stack up pre-draft?
WRs are the backbone of your fantasy squads for today and the future, if you hit on the right one(s). The 2024 class has multiple highly talented prospects who could turn the tides of your league. We will break down my top-5 WRs (plus a smuggle!) in the class. Because this class is so deep, the top tier breakdown will be followed by a shorter breakdown of another group of WRs (almost 10!). Finally, we will add an additional best of the rest list. If you want to dive deeper into these WRs and the other rookies, check out the IDP+ Rookie Guide!
Take a look at our recent Top Rookies Post-Combine Articles:
1. Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State
Measurables:
- DOB (age): 8/11/02 (22)
- Height: 6032
- Weight: 209 lbs
- Testing: DNP
Strengths:
- Great hands (despite drop issues this season)
- Elite route runner, great technician. Varies speed and lightning quick start and breaks
- Elite body control, makes un-catchable passes normal
- Ball winner, he owns it
- Simply put, pretty much everything is elite or near-elite
Weaknesses:
- Non-elite speed (still very good)
- Can get cute with release packages
- Drops were an issue this season
Team Fits:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Los Angeles Chargers
- New England Patriots
- New York Giants
Fantasy Analysis:
One of four purple-chip (elite, generational prospects) in this class, Harrison is the clear WR1 in this class to me. He is the full package as a player, with elite route-running, contested catch wins, body control, and hands (drops this year were more a result of him turning bad passes into possible receptions rather than missing catches). His long speed and YAC abilities are his biggest weaknesses, but they are still solid-to-above-average. He projects similarly to Larry Fitzgerald and A.J. Green and can be a top-15 WR day 1.
2. Rome Odunze, Washington
Measurables:
- DOB (age): 6/3/02 (22)
- Height: 6027
- Weight: 212 lbs
- 40 yard dash/10 yard split: 4.45/1.54
- Jumps (Vert/Broad): 39”/10’04”
- Agility (Shuttle/3-cone): 4.03/6.88
Strengths:
- Dominant ball-winner
- Won an absurd 75% of contested catch opportunities
- Great hands and routes
- Physical in all phases (including blocking!)
- Fluid mover, start-stop and adjustments
- Faster than expected, but still not elite
Weaknesses:
- Only decent speed
- Decent explosiveness
- Contested catch % may show poor separation (I don’t see it on film, but its there)
Team Fits:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Chicago Bears
- Los Angeles Chargers
- New York Giants
Fantasy Analysis:
A surprise at 2! Odunze is my WR2 in the class by a thin margin, and really just a stylistic preference. He runs great routes with great hands, especially in the contested catch game. Odunze has received comparisons to Davante Adams and reminds me of a supercharged Chris Godwin (one of my most adored players in the league). He is a true X receiver who can step in as a team’s WR1 immediately and be a safety net with big deep threat upside.
3. Malik Nabers, LSU
Measurables:
- DOB (age): 7/28/03 (21)
- Height: 6002
- Weight: 199 lbs
- 40 yard dash/10 yard split: 4.38/1.56
- Jumps (Vert/Broad): 42”/10’09”
- Agility (Shuttle/3-cone): DNP
Strengths:
- YAC MONSTER (less good against man)
- Big play threat; 34 plays of 20+ yards this year
- Start-stop and elusiveness are elite
- Strong contested catch receiver
- Elite body control, able to adjust path to ball while in air
Weaknesses:
- Can get cute with routes and timing
- Projects best to slot, can be an X, but not ideal role
- Needs to be a better hands catcher, will let the ball get to him more than you’d like
- Does NOT like contact. Space player, will drop over taking on a tackle for more yardage
Team Fits:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Chicago Bears
- Los Angeles Chargers
- New York Giants
Fantasy Analysis:
Nabers has received a lot of hype as WR1 in some circles, which make sense with his profile! As a pure NFL prospect, I do see him below MHJ and Odunze, with some wildness and inconsistencies in his route running and catching. However, he is a crazy athlete with speed, explosiveness, body control, and tackle breaking ability, reminiscent of a bigger Garrett Wilson (who I was low on as a prospect due to the route/hands inconsistency). These traits increase his fantasy stock, and make him a more than reasonable 1.01 in a 1-QB league. He, like MHJ and Odunze could be a top-15 WR immediately. What a class!!!
Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Measurables:
- DOB (age): 10/8/02 (21)
- Height: 6022
- Weight: 202 lbs
- 40 yard dash/10 yard split: 4.34/1.48
- Jumps (Vert/Broad): 39.5”/11’04”
- Agility (Shuttle/3-cone): DNP
Strengths:
- Lightning speed
- Great hands away from body
- Good with double moves and general route agility
- Slippery after the catch
- Burst off line and first step(s) with ball
- Production in big-time games
Weaknesses:
- Concentration drops
- Inconsistent route runner, gets herky-jerky or cute
- Slight frame, can get pressed up
- Effort seems lackadaisical often (offense or persona?)
Team Fits:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Buffalo Bills
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Los Angeles Chargers
Fantasy Analysis:
(Combining with the next name, due to similar profiles and grades).
Brian Thomas Jr, LSU
Measurables:
- DOB (age): 10/8/02 (21)
- Height: 6027
- Weight: 209 lbs
- 40 yard dash/10 yard split: 4.33/1.52
- Jumps (Vert/Broad): 38.5”/10’06”
- Agility (Shuttle/3-cone): DNP
Strengths:
- Big time HWS athlete
- Good contested catch receiver
- Uses athletic gifts to separate and make some yards after the catch
- Big time TD production
- Willing blocker, uses size well
Weaknesses:
- Hands are inconsistent
- Route tree was more like a route log (offense or him?)
- Routes he does run are rounded off/out
- Needs to improve at beating press coverage
Team Fits:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Buffalo Bills
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Pittsburgh Steelers
Fantasy Analysis:
Mitchell and Thomas are two massively fun prospects. Both have a crazy combination of height, weight, and speed with good hands and YAC ability. Both need some work, especially with refining routes and adding/maintaining strength. Like Odunze vs Nabers, this ends up being a stylistic difference, where I lean towards the non-LSU (just for you, Ricky!) prospect. Truly, the difference is the route-running ability. Thomas Jr may be a great route runner, but has not shown nearly as much as Mitchell has. Mitchell has shown some special routes (when he is engaged, another issue, though one that may be due to the offensive scheme calling an extraordinary amount of one-side reads). His routes remind me of a raw CeeDee Lamb, whereas BTJ seems more in the DK Metcalf/Christian Watson mold. Production-wise, there are positives and negatives for both. Mitchell has lackluster total numbers, but dominated CFP games (TD in 5 of 5 games). Thomas Jr had modest production until this season, when he completely broke out to lead the nation in TDs. Both players are worth a first round pick in SF leagues, with massive ceilings as team and fantasy WR1s, even if there is a risk neither develop fully.
Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
Measurables:
- DOB (age): 4/11/02 (22)
- Height: 6013
- Weight: 203 lbs
- 40 yard dash/10 yard split: 4.52/1.59
- Jumps (Vert/Broad): 37.5”/10’09”
- Agility (Shuttle/3-cone): DNP
Strengths:
- Great hands, top tier in this class
- Inside-outside versatility (power slot baby)
- Great body control, helps to win many 50/50 balls
- Strength in routes, catch point, and after catch
- Great run blocker
Weaknesses:
- Not the most explosive player, very slow off the line
- Can struggle in gaining separation
- Start-stop isn’t ideal, though accelerates well off line
- Will round off some routes
Team Fits:
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Detroit Lions
- Jacksonville Jaguars
Fantasy Analysis:
A smuggle into the top tier! Polk will not be drafted as high as the names above him (nor as many names below him), but is my favorite WR in the class. For NFL purposes, he is in the same tier as Mitchell and BTJ, but the upside is not nearly that high, dropping him on most NFL big boards and fantasy purposes. He is a dominant ball-winner on the outside with serviceable athletic/YAC ability. Running strong routes with great hands (and blocking!) will keep him on the field and give a baseline. He has flashes of Tyler Boyd’s versatility and stability, while flashing the ball-dominance of a Courtland Sutton (though maybe not that upside).
The other high-potential talents!
With this being such a deep class, the top 5 names (plus a smuggle of Polk!) aren’t enough. For your sake, we will condense the next few names, with just a small note. This group of 9(!!!) names are projected to go within the top 75 picks. Note: they are still ordered based off of my pre-draft rankings. Format note: Name, school (height, weight, 40 yard dash time/10 yard split)
Ladd McConkey, UGA (5115, 186, 4.39/1.52)
McConkey has a massive amount of hype right now, and for good reason! He has the skillset of your typical “white slot receiver” with crisp routes and good hands, but he is so much more than that. Once the ball is in his hands, he can turn on the sub-4.4 speed while being able to make you miss. He may not ever be a true WR1, but if he stays healthy he can be a legitimate WR2 weapon for a team with WR2 upside in fantasy.
Keon Coleman, FSU (6023, 213, 4.61/1.62)
One of the more polarizing prospects in the class is Coleman. He led the nation in “holy s–t” catches (super official stat) and is athletic enough to be a punt returner despite his size. There are issues with route running and separation, which add risk to his fantasy profile. The talent as a twitchy ball-winner could make him a true X receiver and WR1, but like Allen Robinson, there are concerns for long-term viability. He ranks over the previous two names on my big board, but for fantasy purposes, Coleman does lose a few spots with his profile.
Xavier Legette, South Carolina (6010, 221, 4.39/1.57)
Legette is a player I have some concerns with for the NFL, with a very limited “WR skillset” especially with his routes and then having one year of production. However, for fantasy purposes, a player like this is a dream. He has all the measurables you would want and the talent reminiscent of A.J. Brown. He is not the level of player or prospect Brown was, but does have that skillset, similar to what Quentin Johnston was being billed as last year (big ball-winner who was fast enough to break away after the catch) as a prospect. He is massively hit or miss, but if he can land in a developmental spot it could be wheels up!
Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky (5110, 215, 4.49/1.59)
Corley has received comparisons to Deebo Samuel with his play style this season. Those comparisons are a tad rich, but make sense. He is dominant with the ball in his hands, breaking tackles with power and elusiveness. Corley does needs to improve the nuances of WR play, but that is a standard for players coming out of the run’n’gun style of offenses. He could be used similarly to Rashee Rice, and projects as a more realistic comp than Samuel.
Roman Wilson, Michigan (5106, 185, 4.39/1.51)
I prefer Wilson to some of the receivers listed above him for NFL standards, however, he has a lower ceiling than some of the names with worse projected draft capital. Wilson is a speedy technician, but is slot-only due to his size. Wilson plays similarly to Tyler Lockett, as a smaller, sure-handed deep threat without much YAC ability. In the right spot, he can be a top-30 fantasy WR. The conversation between Wilson and many other names (i.e. Franklin, Corley, Legette, Worthy) is if you want a floor or ceiling.
Troy Franklin, Oregon (6017, 176, 4.41/1.54)
Franklin is a big play waiting to happen. He has a good athletic profile, with good long speed, acceleration, change of direction, and weight-adjusted strength. Unlike many deep threats, he has some tackle breaking ability and is not just a one-trick pony. There are real concerns with his frame and route-running, but is a great deep ball player. His game is similar to DJ Chark and Jalin Hyatt.
Xavier Worthy, Texas (5112, 165, 4.21/1.44)
Speeeeeeed! Worthy is skyrocketing up media and fantasy boards after breaking the combine 40-yard dash record. Some caution is needed here, though. We all knew he was crazy fast, so the time is not new information (not saying it is not impressive!) and should not adjust his ranking. Worthy’s speed is elite, but it is not the most functional as he struggles with deep passes and is not a threat to break tackles as he is less than 170 lbs while being nearly 6’ tall. Now, he has incredible production throughout his time at Texas and has good hands (his drop issues are largely a result of a broken hand he played through). Worthy is a good receiver, who could become a team’s second option, similar to a Hollywood Brown.
Ricky Pearsall, Florida (6010, 189, 4.41/1.49)
Pearsall has risen dramatically throughout the pre-draft process, with some rumors he could sneak into the end of the first round. He has turned into a great possession receiver, showing shades of an Adam Thielen, with some of the best hands and cleaner routes in the class. He is not a player with massive upside, but could be a fringe WR2 in PPR leagues as a team’s safety net in the slot.
Jalen McMillan, Washington (6010, 197, 4.47/1.62)
Another of my favorite WRs in the class, McMillan is a bit of a smuggle (like Polk was, Huskies had a great WR corps!) as he will most likely be drafted after every other name is this tier. His game is incredibly similar to Jakobi Meyers (another one of my favorites!), though he has more juice. He has great length, hands, and aggressiveness, while being a very good route-runner. He has the look of a slot WR who starts out as a 3rd or 4th option, but can grow into a real WR2 and locked in WR3 for fantasy.
Best of the rest!
And here is a list of the “best of the rest” players! For a more detailed breakdown of these players (and over 100 more!), check out the IDP+ draft guide! You can also tune into Ride or Dynasty, with JJ Wenner, Jameson Hutchison (unfortunately not a part of the QB episode), and yours truly for our rookie WR breakdown episodes (multiple!!!), which dropped a few weeks ago!
- Javon Baker, UCF
- Jermaine Burton, Alabama
- Luke McCaffery, Rice
- Brenden Rice, USC
- Devontez Walker, North Carolina
- Malik Washington, Virginia
- Tahj Washington, USC
- Johnny Wilson, FSU
This is group of players are probably the most likely to be the next to be drafted/known, though they do not reflect my rankings, per se. Brenden Rice and Johnny Wilson, in particular, are players I am much lower on than consensus, but still could sneak into day 2. Of the remaining group, Burton is probably my favorite, which is a surprise! Georgia fans (of which I am loosely) were not upset to see him leave the program, however, he transformed himself into a very good player. He has strong hands and is much more than just a deep threat (seemingly unlike a polarizing prospect like Devontez Walker). Baker and McCaffery are bigger receivers with big play strength when getting and running with the ball. None in this group project to be a WR1, but nor did Puka Nacua! Baker and McCaffery have the skillset that may break out immediately as later round prospects.
Don’t Forget The Rookies! Top Rookie Prospects by Position
[QB] [WR] [RB] [TE] [DT] [DE] [EDGE] [LB] [S] [CB]
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Thank you for diving into the rookie WRs with me! You can find my other work on the IDP Guys Author Page, and feel free to reach out to me directly to discuss other rookie profiles @JoeLow63 on X, where you can also find and follow @IDP_Plus !
