It’s true. This wide receiver class is special. I know, everyone gets tired of hearing that every April, leading up to the NFL draft. However, this one really has it all: superstars disappear off the board in the top 10, the dynamic athletes go somewhere between the middle of Round 1 and early Round 2, and still have enough depth for teams to grab starters on Day 3.
With so much talent on the board it was hard to narrow it down to just a top 10. So here are my top thirty wide receivers, with player comparisons where I see fit.
There aren’t many receivers as pro-ready in the league as Harrison Jr. He has ideal size, build-up speed, polished routes and elite tracking. It’s easy to see a lot of them AJ Green in his game.
Nabers plays with the “NFL Blitz” turbo button pressed. His acceleration with and without the ball looks normal different. The expected usage and playing style of Nabers are very similar by DJ Moore who is from Maryland.
Moore jumped 11-0” in width and 39.5” in vertical at 6-0, 210 pounds. Nabers jumped 10’9” in width and 42” in vertical at 6-0, 200 pounds.
There aren’t many players in this draft who will beat Odunze, and that showed in 2023. He made 21 of his 28 contested catch opportunities, compared to just 4 of 16 the previous year. He’s right worked with the Washington basketball team in low season.
It is difficult to make a perfect comparison for Odunze, who tested well but often wins with clever footwork, timing and ball skills. I see one mix of Keenan Allen with TJ Houshmandzadeh.
4. Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
As Brian Thomas Jr. steps onto the field, even in an NFL stadium, he will always be one of the best athletes. His game is not perfectly rounded, but he is an acrobat who can beat the top. That dynamic athleticism is comparable to Christian Watson who comes from the state of North Dakota.
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Over the past two seasons, Franklin has 60 catches of 15+ yards and is a consistent, explosive play machine. His first step outside the line of scrimmage and the straight throttle gives me some flashbacks Will Fuller at Notre Dame.
6. Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
Polk plays with a different edge than many of the receivers in this class, right down to his energetic blocking. It’s exalted to compare someone to Chris Godwinbut Polk’s fearless mentality over the middle and striking concentration are very similar.
Pearsall is a slick separator who can make difficult adjustments on pitches thrown away from him. His overall build and lateral quickness to get open consistently have some shades Greg Jennings.
McConkey’s excellent route running combined with the variety of ways he attacks different coverages give him promising depth at the next level. Many of its strengths are identical to Jordan Addisonsthe 23rd overall pick in last year’s draft.
The highlights of Mitchell’s play rank alongside the best receivers on this list, but his inconsistencies drop him to ninth. He uses cruise control on far too many routes and often lets assignments pass him by easily in the run game. His combination of size, speed and vertical ability is comparable to DJ Chark.
One of the more polarizing prospects on this list, Coleman (much like Adonai Mitchell) has highlights as jaw-dropping as anyone else’s. He is not an efficient separator and often has to play above the rim. His ability to climb the ladder or run through defenders after short passes looks similar Braylon Edwards.
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The new record holder for the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, it’s no secret that Worthy has speed at a unique level. He is very difficult to mirror double moves and does a good job tracking the deep ball. At 165 pounds and with a 9th percentile hand size, there are legitimate questions about playing strength in his game.
Wilson constantly pressures defenders in single coverage by simply hitting a tackle they don’t have. That sudden outburst with and without the ball reminds me of Laveranues Coles.
Legette was a late breakout, racking up 1,255 receiving yards in 2023, up from the 423 he had in the previous four seasons combined. He has a lot of mass and uses his frame to shield the ball and aim it high over defenders. He doesn’t have the lateral agility to be a consistent ref, but his straight-line speed and physicality will help him produce.
Corley is as creative as they come with the ball in his hands and Western Kentucky threw him 149 screen targets over the past three seasons (per PFF). He’s built like a fire hydrant and defensive backs bounce off him all the time. Corley understandably signed Deebo Samuel comparisons. Even if those seem a bit rich, it helps paint a picture of his NFL usage.
Walker is a great athlete with strides that eat up the ground quickly to gain ground as he works the field. He was plagued with drops during Senior Bowl week and doesn’t offer a ton after the catch, but there is still plenty of upside in his game for a vertical passing attack.
Baker’s crisp routes, body control and deep ball tracking are extremely underrated in such a deep wide receiver class. He doesn’t have the best speed, but he puts himself in ideal positions in contested situations. A lot of his film reminded me of him Romeo Doubs who is from Nevada.
Thrash is undersized, but has mastered the art of the double move to consistently challenge the opposition vertically. I compared him to KJ Hamler who comes from Penn State.
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Burton, who posted a wide jump in the 95th percentile, is an explosive outside receiver with 15 touchdowns on just 79 catches over the past two seasons. His routes aren’t refined, but he finds a way to play strong hands in crowded areas.
19. Malik Washington, Virginia
If you want a player who can create after the catch like Malachi Corley, but at a discount, say hello to Malik Washington. His contact differential is ridiculous: He posted 710 yards after the catch and 387 after contact (per PFF). He is built and plays like Rondale Moorewho, like Washington, posted an absurd 42 ½” vertical post.
Gould was the first-team All-Pac 12 return specialist in 2022 after returning two punts for scores while averaging more than 18 yards per return. His explosiveness with jet fuel not only helps on special teams, but also in route crossing. I compare him with Calvin Austin IIIanother speedy receiver with a great track background.
Rice doesn’t always play at his timed speed (4.5 forty), but his big frame and catch radius make him a consistent presence in the red zone. Many of its benefits and limitations are similar to Ben Skowronek is from Notre Dame, who has been on the Rams roster for the past three seasons.
Smith is another small receiver in this group who plays above his weight class at times. He brings value as a punt returner, where he returned two for a touchdown the past three seasons.
McMillan devours zone coverage with great awareness. He looks most comfortable working out of the slot, where he can work in the quick passing game and juke defenders after the catch. He has below-average playing strength, which can cause him to lose his balance when things get physical on the road.
The former quarterback turned receiver put on a show during the agility tests with an 87th percentile three-cone and a 91st percentile shuttle. He’s still learning how to vary his release package versus press, but he’s taking whatever comes his way. He is the ideal project recipient for day 3.
Cowing’s 3rd percentile height, 1st percentile weight, and 3rd percentile arm length all work against his pro projection. What works for him is that he is extremely fast and knows how to get open underneath. I don’t expect it to go that early, but it’s easy to see a lot Wan’Dale Robinson in his skills.
At 6-6 and 231 pounds with a 99th percentile arm length, Johnny Wilson is built like a tight end. Still, Florida State used him most of the time as a true outside receiver, where his frame could shield corners in contested situations. Wilson is no slouch for his size, but he is not a natural pass catcher. He has more opportunities in the red zone, despite scoring just five touchdowns in 2022 and two in 2023.
Johnson is a big target and looks a lot like a player Isaiah Hodgins. He uses his size, catch radius and speed to win outside the numbers. His tape has a lot of spectacular catches, but way too many layups were cut. He did a good job of working his way back to JJ McCarthy when the play broke down, which will be a key aspect for him if he wants to find himself in an NFL role.
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28. Jha’Quan Jackson, Tulane
Jackson, the nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Ed Reed, has vertical wheels that are particularly effective when working from the slot. He got beat up in college and won’t win in contested situations, but in sets of four and five receivers he will provide a deep threat.
29. Tahj Washington, USC
Washington may seem like just another undersized, scrappy slot receiver, but he was also a key part of the punt and punt coverage teams in college. His hands have improved drastically in 2023 and he really understands how to use the tempo during his routes. Like Jacob Cowing in this class, his size (4th percentile weight, 2nd percentile arm length, 3rd percentile hand size) makes him an extreme outlier. I still think he could be next Greg Dortch.
30. Ryan Flournoy, Southeast Missouri State
Flournoy is a small school product with over 1,800 receiving yards over the past two seasons without much help from his quarterbacks. His size and hangtime on jump balls are reminiscent of AT Perry from last year’s class.