Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze and the 2024 WR Class Confidence Meter Entering 2025

The NFL's 2024 rookie wide receiver class was among the best over the last decade. We witnessed 11 receivers selected before the end of the second round, with seven hearing their names called in Round 1.

After their rookie season ended, these talented pass-catchers are geared up for a better sophomore effort. If 2024 told us anything, nothing is for certain.

Let's look at how some of the wide receivers from last year's draft rank on our confidence meter heading into 2025.

Will they become stars or wilt under the spotlight?

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers

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Xavier Legette is preparing to right his wrongs after an up-and-down rookie season. He battled multiple nagging injuries that played a part in his inconsistent performance.

Legette dealt with groin, wrist and foot setbacks, and two of the three ended with surgery after the season. Still, Legette averaged 2.6 yards of separation per target, according to NFL Pro.

He struggled with drops, accounting for seven of the team’s 24. The South Carolina product later watched all 84 of his targets to figure out what went wrong.

Legette told the team's website of his rookie season: “Me getting open—that wasn’t the problem. It was just honing into to really catching the ball on the drops. Mainly just trying to catch it more with my hands and letting it get into my body or crossing my eyes.”

This level of self-awareness and desire to improve leads to upticks in productivity from players. Legette saw a target percentage of 21.4. He did most of his damage on in- and out-breaking routes. Bryce Young does a good job getting the ball out accurately on those routes.

Legette should be involved in the offense, but there are more receivers in the room to be fed. Tetaiora McMillan joins him as the second consecutive first-round pick drafted by the Carolina Panthers.

McMillan wins on similar routes to Legette, and Young has not shown the ability to handle multiple receivers with high-volume targets. Only two receivers saw north of 60 targets: Adam Thielen and Legette.

Legette led the team with 84 last season, but it is not a certainty he will be at the top of that mountain again in 2025.

Confidence Meter: 6.5

Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers

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Ricky Pearsall’s rookie season was a miracle to begin with. After a heinous robbery attempt and being a victim of gun violence, Pearsall worked his way back to full health. He eventually got back into football shape and made his season debut in Week 7.

Pearsall played in 11 games and started four of them. He caught 31 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns. On tape, Pearsall won his one-on-one matchups against man coverage. He is the type of receiver who will excel inside Kyle Shanahan’s West Coast scheme.

Pearsall’s work against zone defense is outstanding. With his arrow trending upward after receiver Deebo Samuel's trade, Pearsall has a big chance to take the starting position opposite Brandon Aiyuk (who’s recovering from a torn ACL).

The sample size is small, but Pearsall displayed the route running, space creation and downfield speed to become a problem for opponents. Quarterback Brock Purdy received his deserved payday, and when on the field together, Pearsall received opportunities to produce. His strengths mesh well with Purdy’s play style and the areas of the field he wants to frequent.

Heading into year two and going through a full offseason without any issue, Pearsall is a name to watch as training camp kicks off next month. He has a real chance to be one of the 49ers’ leading receivers in 2025.

Confidence Meter: 7

Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs

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Xavier Worthy had an impactful rookie season for the Kansas City Chiefs. His numbers did not jump off the stat sheet, but his elite speed was utilized well and differently than expected. Opposing defenses knew about his 4.21-second 40-yard dash time—keeping a safety over the top was pivotal to eliminating vertical shot plays.

Head coach Andy Reid did a great job of creating run-after-catch opportunities for Worthy in the quick passing game, using the mesh concept with crossing patterns, quick hitches, etc. Per Pro Football Focus, Worthy averaged 9.4 yards after the catch on passes behind the line of scrimmage. He averaged nearly six yards after the catch on short passes (0-9 yards).

Worthy was thrust into a more prominent role after the season-ending injury to Rashee Rice. He caught 59 passes for 638 yards and six receiving touchdowns. Worthy averaged nearly four yards of separation per target, per NFL Pro. This bodes well for him going into year two with Rice returning and adding all-around rookie Jalen Royals.

The question is: Will Worthy command the target share to be a 1,000-yard receiver? It is possible with Reid calling plays and Mahomes under center. There are a lot of mouths to feed in this offense, and that is without factoring in the running game.

Worthy will have another impactful season with more success on deep shots (23.5% catch rate) than last season. It may not accumulate into a massively productive year, but his big plays are game-changers.

Confidence Meter: 7

Marvin Harrison Jr, Arizona Cardinals

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The "Marvelous One" did not meet expectations as a rookie. Marvin Harrison Jr. finished with 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. Despite 116 targets, his catch percentage was an underwhelming 53.4, according to NFL Pro.

Once viewed as a generational prospect, Harrison enters his second year as an underdog. Expectations are vastly different and lower.

Harrison deserves some blame for his disappointing rookie season. He struggled to create and force missed tackles after the catch and did not bring down those contested catches (42% catch rate), like he did at Ohio State. That said, the biggest reason for this dip in optimism stems from the erratic play of quarterback Kyler Murray.

Only 68 percent of Harrison's targets from Murray were deemed catchable, ranking 64th in the league. To make matters worse, 51 percent of Murray's downfield targets (20-plus air yards) in clean pockets, were catchable. On tape, Murray and Harrison were not on the same page for most of the season. Harrison expects a back shoulder fade, and Murray throws it upfield and over his head, for an example. Murray's play style is chaotic. Harrison is accustomed to accurate passers who thrive within the confines of the offensive structure.

Harrison excels working in the intermediate/middle of the field. The offensive design forced targets outside the numbers instead. Outside of the receiver and quarterback's connection, the offensive coordinator must do more to create easier and more advantageous targets. Regardless of the lower expectations, jobs could rely on the outcome.

Confidence Meter: 7.5

Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears

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Rome Odunze’s rookie season would be classified as “good,” all things considered. He was not drafted into an ideal situation, given the Chicago Bears' lackluster coaching staff who were eventually given their pink slips. That was compounded by other talented veterans in the receiving room.

Odunze caught 54 passes for 734 yards and three touchdowns. As a big, physical receiver, some believed separation would be an issue for the 6'3", 215-pound Odunze. This couldn’t be further from the truth. He averaged 3.0 yards of separation per target and 2.7 yards of separation from the slot, per NFL Pro.

His work as a power slot receiver should be highlighted and expanded with offensive mastermind Ben Johnson coming over as the new head coach. Odunze ran good routes and used his catch radius well to aid his fellow rookie, quarterback Caleb Williams.

Odunze’s rookie season provided glimpses of hope for Bears fans. He should be prepared to evolve into the team’s WR1 and take that mantle away from DJ Moore. Johnson is outstanding at designing plays to stress the defense, and Odunze will benefit from more competent and creative play calls.

Lastly, Williams has a coach who isn’t on the hot seat and who is great with quarterbacks. If Williams takes a massive step forward this season, Odunze will be the biggest beneficiary. 

Confidence Meter: 8

Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

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Ladd McConkey was the ninth receiver selected in 2024. Still, it's not about where you're drafted but what you do with the opportunity. McConkey outperformed six of the eight receivers selected before him, finishing with 82 receptions, 1,149 yards and seven receiving touchdowns.

McConkey had a slow, steady start to the season, but once acclimated, his impact was undeniable. He grew into the WR1 role over Quentin Johnston. McConkey surpassed 80 yards receiving in eight games after Week 8 of the season. He earned Justin Herbert's trust and was rewarded with top-end targets.

Entering year two, McConkey's role should expand. The offense's passing attack should be structured around getting him the football, by any means necessary.

Last season, McConkey recorded the second-most receiving yards out of the slot (801) and receptions over expectation (plus-4.8), per NFL Pro. The slot receiver position offers more advantageous windows for the quarterback to target. McConkey needs to be peppered with targets and be the first option in Herbert's progression, despite Johnston and newly drafted X-receiver Tre Harris.

McConkey placed himself among the league's best route-runners and separators as a rookie. He averaged three yards of separation per target last season. Numbers do not transfer year to year but abilities and skill sets do. McConkey's ability to get open with the schematic advantages applied makes him one of the league's most difficult receivers to cover.

Confidence Meter: 8.5

Brian Thomas Jr, Jacksonville Jaguars

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Brian Thomas Jr. had a great rookie season. He reeled in 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and ten touchdowns, averaging nearly 15 yards per reception. He consistently created big plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars offense. He was targeted 27 times, converting 11 for 465 yards on deep passes (20-plus air yards).

He aligned all over the formation, creating advantageous matchups for the quarterback to exploit. Thomas Jr. averaged 3.0 yards of separation per target. He was open at a good rate, with only 19 routes run in tight window situations (less than 1 yard of separation), per NFL Pro.

The Jaguars’ offense received multiple shots in the arm, first, by hiring former Tampa Bay Buccaneers OC Liam Coen. Next, the explosive playmaker, Travis Hunter, was drafted to pair with Thomas Jr on offense for a specific percentage of snaps (unknown now). Although opposing defenses will desire to limit Thomas Jr’s big play potential, it is easier said than done.

He will have enough help around him and an offensive coach to elevate his uber-talented quarterback, Trevor Lawrence. Thomas Jr is expected to repeat or surpass his production level from 2024. He is still developing and adding more details to his game. He hasn’t peaked yet, and that is a scary thought for NFL defenses.

Confidence Meter: 9

Malik Nabers, New York Giants

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Malik Nabers made his mark on the league quickly during his rookie season. The priority of the New York Giants was to get Nabers the football. He was targeted 170 times, reeling in 109 for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns. All of this in 15 games. He missed some time due to being in concussion protocol.

Nabers was the same dynamic and versatile pass catcher he was at LSU. The damage he caused is outstanding, considering Daniel Jones was his quarterback for half of the season before being released.

Nabers won with route running, schematic advantages and explosiveness. He averaged 2.8 yards of separation per target. His creativity after the catch makes him special and provides an elite ceiling paired with explosive athleticism.

The Giants added three new quarterbacks this offseason. Veterans, Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, before trading back into the first round for Jaxson Dart. Nonetheless, the protocol doesn’t change. Feed Nabers as much as possible because he is the needle mover for this offense. He is the engine of the passing attack.

One question to consider: can Wilson get him the football enough on in-breaking routes? Wilson doesn’t throw the ball into the middle of the field often. In-breakers were Nabers' most targeted route, followed by vertical routes. In his second year, Nabers shouldn’t take a step back. His game should continue to mature, and his touchdowns should increase with a full season’s workload.

Confidence Meter: 9.5