Best Landing Spots, Scheme Fits for Top WR Prospects in 2024 NFL Draft
With the talent pool overflowing with plug-and-play athletes, franchises in need of perimeter playmakers are in a great spot this offseason.
Throw away box scores and individual stats when it comes to the evaluation process. The combination of size, speed, and ability after the catch within the top tier separate the who's who in this year's highly talented group of pass-catchers. Turning on the film will always present the full picture.
Considering every NFL team's omnipresent need for athletes to create mismatches and win one-on-one matchups, let's dive into a few of the upcoming draft's top scheme fits at the wide receiver position. When cultivating this list, all components—individual skillset, team surroundings, pre-draft conversations within league circles, etc.—were considered.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
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We won't have to wait long to hear Marvin Harrison Jr.'s name on Day 1 of the NFL draft.
Looked upon by many league evaluators as the top player in the class regardless of position, lofty expectations will follow the 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist wherever he calls home next fall.
An uber-talented pass-catcher that has all the makings of a high-level "WR1" on Sundays, his blend of size, route-running, hands and comfortability in the air make him one of the most unique wideout prospects to declare in some time. He has future All-Pro written all over his game, and it shouldn't shock anyone if he eclipses the 1,000-yard plateau in his first pro campaign.
It's possible we don't hear his name until the middle portion of the top 10 because of the run on quarterbacks and offensive tackles that we could see, but whichever team takes Harrison (regardless of current depth chart) should be ecstatic to add a talent of his caliber.
Team Fits: Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, New York Jets
Rome Odunze, Washington
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If you're a team on the outs of the Harrison sweepstakes, make sure you keep your eye on Rome Odunze during the College Football Playoff.
He'll hear his name called on Day 1, but an excellent showing on college football's biggest stage could see him become WR2 in the class behind Harrison.
An extremely sudden route-runner whose ability to marionette defensive backs has been on display for years, Odunze has the frame (6'3"), athleticism and ability to threaten each level of a defense that should translate immediately to the next level. His ability after the catch isn't too shabby, either.
If Washington is to win a national title, it's likely Odunze will have played a key role despite all the eyes focused on his every move.
Team Fits: New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals
Malik Nabers, LSU
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Electricity. It's just one of the words that comes to mind when you study Malik Nabers.
Another name out of the loaded LSU pipeline at wide receiver, I wouldn't be shocked if he leads all rookies in receiving yards in 2024.
A twitched-up athlete who can run the full route tree, Nabers has all the goods for a potential All-Pro level talent at the WR position.
The goal of offenses since the dawn of time is to simply change the math. Meaning, take bodies out of the box to counter speed on the perimeter. Moreover, force another defensive back on the field to counter a flex type of weapon.
When it comes to Nabers, man coverage is simply playing with fire, and if he falls in a situation within an offense that can protect a quarterback with even just average arm talent, he will succeed quickly.
Team Fits: New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants
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Xavier Legette, South Carolina
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One of the most impressively built athletes in the class, Xavier Legette has been a focal point of draft conversations for months.
While the comparisons to Deebo Samuel and DK Metcalf will come in abundance over the next few months because of his stature (6'3", 227 pounds), Legette is his own breed of playmaker.
An at times physically dominant presence on the perimeter, turning on his tape rarely showed corners aligning near the line of scrimmage because of his ability to explode off the ball in press technique.
Hauling in a target is only half the battle when guarding Legette. A de facto running back with the ball in his hands, he's a hoss to take down in space. He's a talent that can separate at the top his stem and win on designated touches within the architecture of a pro offense.
He will attend the 2024 Senior Bowl.
Team Fits: Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles
Keon Coleman, Florida State
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A transfer to Tallahassee after beginning his career at Michigan State, there may not be a more gifted athlete than Keon Coleman in the 2024 class.
Recruited out of high school to play both football and basketball in East Lansing, Coleman transferred to Mike Norvell's program at Florida State where he's blossomed into a likely Day 1 pick.
While more consistency in his hands over the middle of the field is warranted, his ceiling as a perimeter threat remains as lofty as anyone in the class. Although taller, larger wideouts are often placed in the bucket of "50-50" ball extraordinaires that can play above the rim, if nothing else, Coleman has showcased sudden footwork, a nuanced release package off the line of scrimmage and the vision and burst to take it for six on every touch.
He'll be drafted as a potential top target for an NFL offense, but his ability to align on special teams this fall for the Seminoles showed just how unique of an athlete Coleman is at 6'4", 214 pounds.
Team Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints
Xavier Worthy, Texas
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If you think Xavier Worthy is "too small," or "too skinny," please take a peek at the success DeVonta Smith (Philadelphia) and Tank Dell (Houston) have had early in their respective careers.
Outliers to the norm, sure, but flipping on the tape of Worthy showcases a ballplayer primed to produce in a field-stretching type of offense on Sundays.
Route-running translates, separation translates and speed sure as heck translates at whatever level you're competing at. Worthy will be a hassle to contain for however long he straps up on Sundays.
Team Fits: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles
Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
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The running mate to likely Day 1 pick Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr. shouldn't have to wait long to hear his name called in April, either.
While a few concerns remain inside league circles regarding his release package and ability to consistently stack more experienced man corners, Thomas bolds many of the boxes general managers across the league look for at the receiver position.
Although Nabers and Heisman Trophy-winning teammate Jayden Daniels holstered much of the attention this fall, a team that values a big-bodied target who can win inside of a phone booth will value Thomas' skill set highly.
Production coupled with an expected 40 time in the 4.4s at 6'3" should see his name off the board inside the top 40 selections.
Team Fits: Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans
Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
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Although Marvin Harrison Jr. holstered much of the spotlight in Columbus, and rightly so, Emeka Egbuka looks to be an immediate plug-and-play type of playmaker within a pro offense.
He doesn't have the verticality, the catch radius or the nearly herculean ability to dominate in contested situations like his future top-10 teammate, but where Egbuka shines is in the shallow to intermediate areas of an offense.
Similar to the evaluation of Jaxon Smith-Njigba last winter, Egbuka's dynamic short-area quickness, route-running and ability after the catch will force targets his way early in his career.
He checks off the all of the height/weight/speed thresholds (6'1", 200 pounds, expected mid 4.3s 40) you look for in a top-flight wideout at the next level as well.
Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
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Get to know this name.
While Western Kentucky has pumped out NFL talent on offense over the past few years, Malachi Corley is the crown jewel.
One of—if not the—most electric yards-after-catch talents in the class, Corley turns into a running back when the ball lands in his hands. While defenses across the country attempted to limit his impact in a variety of ways during his time as a Hilltopper, often bracketing Corley on the outside, he consistently found his way to open space.
Expected to attend the Senior Bowl in early February, don't be shocked to hear Corley's name within the top 60 picks when it's all set and done.
Team Fits: Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins
Ladd McConkey, Georgia
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If you think Ladd McConkey is just a "possession receiver," I beg you to turn on the tape.
A favorite among scouts as you work into Day 2 of the NFL Draft, McConkey's electric route-running, oven mitts for hands and alignment versatility could see him become a focal point of an offense early in his pro career.
While elite speed and 'go-balls' draw 'oohs' and 'ahhs' from fans, winning the intermediate areas on high-leverage downs showcases the most well-rounded of offenses in today's game. And when it comes to McConkey—a sure-handed, willing pass-catcher over the middle of the field—it's a trait you can't teach.
The names at the top of the class will draw headlines, but whomever turns in McConkey's draft card in April should be grinning from ear to ear. He can flat-out play.
Team Fits: Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders
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