1. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

21
6’3″, 209lbs

Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best wide receiver coming out of college in recent memory. The complete package had back to back stellar seasons at Ohio State, averaging over 97 yards per game in both 2022 and 2023.

Strengths
– Great size and overall strength.
– Shows great ability to track the ball while its in the air.
– Really strong hands at the point of catch.
– Smooth route runner that accelerates through his break.
– Great speed variations when developing double moves.
– Tremendous body control when high pointing the ball.
– Good sense of where he is on the field, often times getting 2 feet down on sideline catches.
– Plays the scramble drill well, always looking for open space.

Weaknesses
– Will need to be stronger off his release against press man coverage.
– Doesn’t have the high end speed to consistently burn corners at the NFL level.
– Could be more physical at the top of routes.

Despite not testing at the combine or at his pro day at Ohio State, Marvin Harrison Jr. is the consensus 1st wide receiver off the board. If it weren’t for such a quarterback loaded class, he could have very well been the first overall pick. He should be taken within the top 4 unless teams trade up to select quarterbacks. The Patriots (3), and the Cardinals (4), is the most likely landing spot for Harrison Jr.

2. Malik Nabers, LSu

20
6’0″, 200lbs

The 3 year man out of LSU had an amazing senior year to close out his college career. Averaging over 120 yards per game, he tore apart defenses thanks to his blazing speed. In back to back years he led the SEC in receptions with 72 in 2022 and 89 in 2023.

Strengths
– A true WR1 that can take the top off the defense.
– Great production off of the double move.
– Good body control on the back shoulder fade.
– Demonstrates late hands at the catching point.
– Very explosive through his breaks when running routes.
– Dangerous after the catch and in space, has good vision and speed to take anything the distance.
– Able to adapt to the ball wherever it is thrown.
– High top end speed and has no trouble getting there thanks to his acceleration.

Weaknesses
– Route running could use some fine tuning.
– Could be better at positioning and stacking defenders.

Nabers could be a top 5 pick this year at the NFL Draft. As a true alpha WR1, the Chargers (5) just vacated their top 2 spots on the depth chart. Nabers would flourish with Justin Herbert throwing him the ball. There is no situation where Nabers should fall out of the top 12.

3. Rome Odunze, Washington

21
6’3″, 212lbs

Rome Odunze led the three headed monster wide receiver core that the Washington Huskies had in 2023. Odunze led the NCAA in receiving yards with over 1640 in 15 games played.

Strengths
– Might be the best receiver in this class when going for the jump ball.
– Elite body control, adapts to the ball at the very last second.
– Shows late hands to keep the defender guessing.
– Physical at the point of attack when running the fade.
– Really strong body and hands when going up for contested catches.
– Great ability of tracking the ball, gets his eyes back to the quarterback early.

Weaknesses
– Lacks patience when running double moves.
– Relies on his ability to win 50/50 balls instead of burning defenders.
– Missing the suddenness in his breaks throughout the route.

Odunze looks like he will be the second or third wide receiver off the board on draft night. Look for him to land at a spot like the Chargers (5), Giants (6), or Bears (9).

4. Brian Thomas Jr., LSu

21
6’3″, 209lbs

Brian Thomas Jr. may have had an extremely productive season in terms of scoring. The third year receiver out of LSU led the NCAA in receiving touchdowns with 17.

Strengths
– Great hands, and high points the ball well.
– Wins majority of jump balls thanks to his elite body control.
– Tracks the ball well in the air, he is comfortable bringing the ball in over his shoulder.
– His fast straight line speed helps him beat defenders out the gate.
– Creates almost instant separation in vertical routes.

Weaknesses
– Routes need more twitch.
– Can look to be more physical against tight coverage.
– Run after the catch ability isn’t game changing.

Brian Thomas Jr. has been rising draft boards this year thanks to his impressive final season at LSU. He should be a day 1 pick and could go as early as pick 18 to the Bengals, however, it is more likely that he is a late first rounder. Look out for teams hoping to add to their arsenal such as the Buccaneers (26), Bills (28), or the 49ers (31).

5. Ladd Mcconkey, Georgia

22
6’0″, 186lbs

McConkey is a do-it-all kind of receiver coming out of Georgia. Despite having an injury plagued season in 2023 thanks to a sore back and an ankle sprain, the 4 year receiver was productive when he was on the field averaging 15.9 yards per catch.

Strengths
– Might be the best route runner of this class, his routes are twitchy and smooth.
– High football IQ as he manipulates the defender’s leverage.
– Has no trouble getting to his top speed quickly.
– Great spatial awareness, often sitting down in between zones or stopping routes early.
– Dangerous in space, has that jitterbug movement to beat defenders.
– Vision and electric playmaking make him suitable for a special teams return role.

Weaknesses
– May struggle against press man coverage as he lacks ideal play strength.
– Laundry list of injuries that weren’t super detrimental, but did still impact his availability.
– Smaller frame which adds to the injury concerns.

McConkey looks like an NFL ready receiver, and should be taken within the first 40 picks of the NFL Draft. There will be a run on receivers late in round 1 where he could hear his name called, or he could fall to early day 2 where a team like Panthers (33) or the Patriots (34) could select him.

6. Adonai Mitchell, Texas

21
6’2″, 205lbs

Adonai Mitchell–the transfer from Georgia–had a phenomenal one year with the Texas Longhorns in 2023. Mitchell led the Big 12 in receiving touchdowns in 11 despite only hauling in 55 receptions.

Strengths
– Very quick in the short game, has no problem against the press.
– Shifty at the line of scrimmage and once the ball is in his hands thanks to his elite change of direction.
– Huge catch radius, catches balls that should be uncatchable.
– Always aware of where he is on the field, gets his feet down to secure catches.
– Is a problem after the catch, plays through contact well.
– Wins the jump ball and contested catch majority of the time.

Weaknesses
– Can let the defender get too good of a position on him in contested catches.
– For such a big guy, he doesn’t dominate the run game like you would expect him to.
– Needs to work on using his hands to catch instead of letting the ball get to his body.

Mitchell should be a part of a slew of receivers that get taken off the board late on day 1, however he may slip early to day 2. He looks to be like an NFL ready prospect which will play a big role in teams drafting near the back end of the draft. Teams to watch are the Buccaneers (26) and the Chiefs (32).

7. Troy Franklin, Oregon

Age
6’2″, 176lbs

Troy Franklin was the focal point of the Oregon offense in 2022 and 2023. The speedy wide receiver led the Pac12 in receiving touchdowns in back to back years. His remarkable 2023 season included 14 receiving touchdowns and nearly 1400 receiving yards.

Strengths
– Has the sprinter speed you look for in a burner wide receiver.
– Super elusive in the open field, makes defenders miss with ease.
– Great quickness off the snap of the ball, is able to elude press coverage.
– Long frame receiver who has good body control to bring in inaccurate passes.
– Has great feel for where tacklers are in the open field and uses their leverage to beat them outside.

Weaknesses
– Not the strongest receiver, may struggle against more physical corners.
– Inconsistent with tracking the ball in the air.
– Would like to see him clean up his footwork on his breaks running intermediate routes.

I see Franklin having his name called with a number of other wide receivers at the end of round 1, or early on day 2. Wide receiver needy teams like the Bills (28), 49ers (31), Chiefs (32), Panthers (33), or the Patriots (34), are all potential landing spots