DRAFT TRACKER 2024

Nabers is the next big thing coming out of LSU’s receiver room, with the pure explosiveness and talent to be mentioned in the same breath as former LSU stars starring in the league today. Despite a lack of polish and precision as a route-runner, Nabers’ gliding movements and speed alterations seem to disguise the top-end speed and separation potential that await opposing coverages. He’s a bouncy leaper with the athletic ability to make the impossible catches possible. He tucks away accurate throws and displays the toughness and play strength to fight for tight-window victories over the middle. Nabers will need to address his tendency to track and play deep throws with finesse, or his early advantages will turn into 50/50 battles. He can play all three receiver spots and has the profile to become a productive, high-volume target over all three levels as a potential WR1.

Harrison comes from impressive NFL bloodlines and possesses similarities that made his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, special. Harrison can run but isn’t a burner. What makes him tough to handle is his consistent play speed paired with quality salesmanship in his routes. He’s able to uncover no matter where he’s aligned or which part of the field his assignment takes him to, and he is capable of finishing catches in a crowd. Harrison can be sudden while working possession routes, and he’s well qualified to beat any opponent with his ball skills if the battle heads deep. Harrison is a touchdown champ with a variety of ways to excel, and that characteristic figures to follow him into the pros. He has the traits and tools to win in all three phases of the route and on all three levels of the field. He’s a pedigree prospect and a Day 1 starter with high-end production expected.

A team captain with good size and elite ball skills, Odunze consistently dominated his competition. While most receivers look to open separation windows with speed or route running, Odunze seems to relish jump balls and contested catches. He shines in all aspects of ball skills, including positioning, body control, hand strength, timing and mid-air adjustments. He has a tendency to cruise through routes rather than working with attention to detail and pacing. He was a decorated high school sprinter, so speed should not be an issue in the pros. He’s a high-volume target on the next level that play-callers can utilize to mismatch finesse cornerbacks. Elite ball skills are often the secret sauce for top NFL receivers, so it should not surprise if Odunze is a Day 1 starter who becomes a top-flight WR1.

Presents an appealing combination of size, length and speed with experience working inside and outside. Thomas will occasionally go through the motions as a route-runner, but the bend, athleticism and speed needed to get better are all in the toolbox. He’s elusive against press and can uncover quickly underneath, but he still needs to improve intermediate routes and play a little more physically when crowded to become well-rounded. Thomas rarely has issues generating separation deep and could be counted on as an NFL team’s designated deep guy early in his career. Thomas is unpolished but has projectable talent to become a WR1/2 in time.

If pass rushers have rush plans, McConkey has route plans that allow him to uncover on all three levels. His pace and rhythm make cornerbacks more reactive than proactive. He has the footwork and body control to snap off crisp breaks and open windows for his quarterback. He can manipulate coverage with an advanced feel for leverage and has enough top-end speed to get past cornerbacks who are non-believers. He might not be sudden enough to beat press and will need to prove he has enough play strength to finish contested catches against tight man. McConkey’s 2023 injuries might have slowed the draft conversation about him, but his route polish, athleticism and ability to uncover over the first two levels could make him a productive slot receiver as a Day 2 pickup.

Ascending prospect with size, speed and ball skills to become a very good NFL receiver, but he’s still in the process of bridging those traits. Mitchell can beat press and has the speed to take the battle to the third level but he’s still learning the art of bullying the catch space in tight quarters and jump-ball battles. He’s not always a natural hands-catcher, but his ability to snare balls outside his frame is top-notch. His route running currently lacks focus and consistency, but agility and burst out of breaks will not be an issue. Mitchell is rugged after the catch and has the ability to become a winner on all three levels. The difference between becoming a WR2 or WR1 could rest on his urgency and willingness to go to work on the unpolished areas of his craft.

Corley is a big, physical wideout who has been asked to carry a heavy workload for Western Kentucky using his talent after the catch. Corley’s highlight reel will be full of broken tackles and general carnage left in his wake. He’s an average route-runner with the tools to improve, but a disappointing drop rate and contested-catch rate are concerns relative to the way he plays the game in space. Like Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel when they were prospects, Corley has had a heavy percentage of his targets schemed around him and he will need to prove he can become more than just a quick-game bully or gadget guy. He’s good at what his team asked him to do, which is a great jump-off point for evaluators considering him as a Day 2 selection and future starter.

The puzzle pieces are fairly easy to put together when assessing who Franklin is and who he could be in the NFL. He’s a tall, linear receiver with good speed. He’s sudden enough to beat press but lacks the play strength to win combat catches and fight for operating space underneath. He has an innate talent for avoiding traffic and maintaining his distance from pursuit after the catch on crossing routes on all three levels. Franklin might not get WR1 target volume, but he should be productive with a high yards-per-catch average and the ability to open things up underneath for his teammates. Franklin could become a coveted complementary piece for an established WR1 or a productive vertical target for a team looking for instant help in the passing game.

Dependable slot target with good size and soft hands who will need to prove that he has the ability to free himself against NFL man coverage. Pearsall might get the stereotypical "crafty route runner" label, but it suits him. He appears to play with an idea of how to manipulate certain coverage looks and leverages. He also plays with attention to detail and a consistent route tempo to create windows, but lacks ideal foot quickness to beat press and maintain separation. While the hands are reliable, he's not physical enough to tilt contested catches in his favor and might have a ceiling of quality backup with punt-return value.

Smooth strider with alarming speed once he touches top gear. Wilson primarily focused on attacking the intermediate and deep portions of the field, adding an explosive element to the Wolverines’ ground-and-pound approach. Wilson is an electrifying athlete, which should push his stock up, but he'll need to learn to level up his skill getting from Point A to Point B as a route-runner to reach his potential. Wilson has good hands and can run after the catch down the field, but he’s not really a catch-and-go option underneath. He has the separation potential to make a quarterback’s life easier and figures to continue his ascension as a starting slot talent.

Worthy’s draft slotting could come down to draft-room debates weighing his elite speed versus his thin frame. Worthy will find separation if allowed to explore vertically or across the hashes against man coverage, but he lacks play strength and release quickness to defeat a quality NFL press. His quick-strike potential adds an element of danger over the top and should open wider windows for teammates to work into. He lacks the physical tools to catch when contested and needs to prove he can hold up to a more physical brand of football. Worthy is a niche prospect for teams looking to add a legit field-stretcher, but areas of concern could create a wider gap between ceiling and floor.

Performed as a heavily targeted slot receiver in his single season at Virginia after transferring from Northwestern. Washington’s catch total is filled with a high number of quick-game throws and short out routes that allowed him to use his contact balance to stack plenty of tough yards after the catch. Washington possesses premium catch focus, buttery smooth hands and mature ball skills, but he needs to prove he can elude press and run an NFL route tree with better attention to detail. Washington maximizes his skill set to make up for his average size and he should garner attention as a gadget guy with the potential to develop into a WR4 or eventual starter in the slot.

Legette is tight-hipped with a linear release that makes him susceptible to press. He uses his route running simply as a means of getting to the rendezvous point rather than a chance to con coverage out of position. His star shines brightest once the ball goes up and he’s able to use his body control, play strength and ball skills to impose his will on the coverage. He’s unlikely to become a smooth route runner, but he can handle tough catches and he has stealth acceleration that makes him a credible deep-ball threat. Add toughness as a runner and run blocker to his profile of competitiveness and he becomes a Day 2 talent with the potential to develop into a starter.

Former Alabama signee with good size and skill level who finally saw his production spike once he transferred to UCF. Baker looks the part, and his tape will keep growing on you the longer it runs. His play was very natural and instinctive in 2023; he made quality plays on the ball in game after game. He uses speed changes and route leverage to create separation, and he’s at his best working the second and third levels from either inside or outside. The ball skills are NFL-caliber, but the hands will lose focus at times. Baker has the traits and skill level of an NFL receiver and should fight for an eventual shot as a WR3/4.

Above-the-rim artist with circus catches resembling a scene from the tents of Cirque du Soleil. Coleman has excellent size and ball skills. He’s not sudden and doesn’t have great speed, so beating press and creating breathing room against tight man coverages will depend on his ability to improve as a route-runner. The former star basketball player has a rebounder’s blend of extension and timing to give jump-ball defenders the blues. He’s big and strong with soft hands, but he can play with a little more aggression in claiming his deep-ball space and getting after it as a run blocker. Coleman might lack the athletic traits to be a well-rounded WR2. Instead, keep an eye on him as a big slot receiver who can be a red-zone specialist.

There will be a good deal of focus on his lack of size, but Gould's particular skill set should create discussions about how to make it work. He has electrifying long speed and spent a majority of his reps as an outside receiver working all three levels of the field. He has the shiftiness to uncover against tight man coverage from the slot but can be utilized as a matchup problem deep against cornerbacks lacking speed. He can step in as a catch-and-run specialist with punt return talent but has the capability to offer more in the future. The productive rookie season of Tank Dell (5-foot-10, 165 pounds) in 2023 could have a positive influence on how some teams view Gould's potential as a future starting slot.

Wideout with good size who posted a productive final season to build upon during the draft process. Polk might not have the early acceleration to overtake and stack NFL press corners. He also lacks ideal suddenness getting in and out of his breaks as a route runner. He runs routes with consistent pace -- including through his stems and turns -- which can create some freedom. However, Polk shines once the ball goes up. He can carve out space near the boundary, catch with strong hands when contested and track and finish when he heads deep. Polk's speed proved slightly below average at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his other numbers were strong enough for him to receive consideration starting late on Day 2 of the draft.

While the catch totals and yardage weren't necessarily prolific, Burton's tape is very appealing. He has pretty good size and plays bigger than he measures. He can fight through press, get physical at the break point and carve out space on 50/50 balls. Burton wasn't asked to run an extended route tree, but he has the traits and ball skills to work all three levels against NFL cornerbacks. He caught a touchdown pass every 5.7 grabs during his college career, but he would have scored even more if not for some mistimed throws when he had opened the window wide. Burton's athletic profile and ball skills create confidence that he can become a solid WR2/3 in the league.

All-day vertical target with long, linear frame and impressive build-up speed to win the footrace. Walker is a tale of two receivers. He’s a long strider who will excel running go routes, posts, corners and over routes. When he’s allowed to maintain play speed and keep his feet moving, he’s fine. When he’s asked to get in and out of breaks or make tighter turns, his lack of short-area footwork and route acumen make him substantially easier to cover. Walker showed drastic improvement making the combat catch, but the jury is still out on whether he’s physical enough to do it as a pro. He’s a Day 2 field-stretcher for West Coast offenses looking to create explosive opportunities in the passing game.

The bloodlines don’t get much better than Jerry Rice, so Brenden Rice might have a head start on the rest of the field. He’s big and plays a physical brand of football when cornerbacks want to fight over space. He lacks sudden feet, so beating press cleanly and separating on short routes could be challenging as a pro. Rice possesses good build-up speed to create deep-ball opportunities once his ball skills are added to the equation. Rice catches with quick, strong hands and good extension to help with frequent contested catches. There are some limitations at play, but he has enough checkmarks to project as an early backup with some upward mobility.

Three-year starter and two-time team captain who stair-stepped his production and impact in each season. Williams' size limits his contested-catch success, but he’s still a tough player. He’s an NFL slot but has aligned around the field at Illinois. He has the makings of becoming an above-average route runner with an expanded route tree, but his 4.63-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine could hurt his stock despite solid testing in other areas. His limited catch radius requires a more accurate quarterback, but he plays with talent and determination once the ball is in his hands. He can be asked to work across all areas of the field and has both gadget and punt return ability. Williams is competitive and versatile but must prove he can play fast to become a WR4 as a Day 3 pick.

The tape can be a fun watch when Cowing’s field vision and athleticism shine after the catch in Arizona’s quick game, but there are several boxes that go unchecked in the total evaluation. Cowing is a slightly built slot receiver who is more quick than he is fast and he lacks big-time separation. He is made for option routes underneath and displays a nose for the end zone. He must learn to maintain additional space as a static pass-catcher because he won’t win very often when contested. Cowing needs to limit drops, improve as a route-runner and display some punt-return talent to give himself the best chance of sticking on an NFL roster for a while.

Slot receiver with a somewhat unusual blend of elusiveness and power when the ball is in his hands. Smith is fine as a possession slot who can run more complicated routes underneath while also offering the courage to work successfully into the middle of the field. The route running is good but has room to get even better with more polish. However, his true calling might be as a gadget guy. He expands play-calling options with his ability as an occasional ball-carrier and open-field explorer, where the quick game and West Coast routes would allow him to get the ball in his hands and do his thing.

Slot target with good size and production over the last two seasons. McMillan is a long-striding field-stretcher who is at his best with momentum routes in a West Coast passing scheme. He lacks aggression and play strength and could labor against press or when faced with contested catches. McMillan has adequate build-up speed to create opportunities down the field but needs the ball on target. Teams will need to determine if McMillan was a product of the impressive Washington passing scheme, or if he's a stand-alone talent outside of UW. 

Johnson was a three-year starter, with all three seasons including action in the College Football Playoff. He's a big, tough target who displayed improvement making the difficult catch in 2023. He has decent speed but is encumbered by ragged route running that fails to hit the mark with footwork or timing. Johnson's play strength and competitiveness can become a problem for smaller cornerbacks when the action heads down the field. He's a chippy run blocker with the potential to become a weapon as a perimeter blocker. Johnson's size and traits will be lauded, but he might need a simpler route tree to be at his best as a pro backup.

Big slot target who comes from high-end NFL bloodlines and who showed noticeable improvement in his second season at the position. Luke lacks the size of his father, former Pro Bowl receiver Ed McCaffrey, and the explosiveness of his brother, Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey, but he catches with soft hands, great focus and extreme toughness. McCaffrey struggles to release and bypass press coverage and might not have enough separation quickness or top-end speed to uncover against NFL defenders. However, with additional time to learn the position and fine-tune his route running, McCaffrey might be able to follow his dad and brother into the league as a possession slot receiver.

Flournoy offers size and football character that is pro-caliber but has areas where he must improve. Against off-man, Flournoy utilizes his size and ball skills to stack catches. Against press, however, he can be tardy off the release and becomes reliant on physicality over route acumen to create throwing windows for his quarterback. The route running is undisciplined but can be sharpened with work. The lack of suddenness could hold him back against tight man coverage, though. Flournoy had some memorable reps at the Senior Bowl, which could make him a Day 3 pick with a shot at a roster spot.

An enormous target with an elite catch radius, Wilson is still in the process of learning to play to his traits. He is fairly physical against press but plodding feet limit his release quickness and ability to separate out of breaks. He flashes impressive catches here and there but generally fails to impose his frame and strength on defenders, leading to a disappointing contested-catch rate for such a big man. In general, Wilson’s body control and ball skills might not be good enough to stick at wide receiver. He could end up trying to make a team as an F tight end with enough developmental traits to warrant an extended look.

Undersized slot receiver offering the versatility to create chunk-play opportunities over all three levels. Jackson is slight of frame and plays with slightly below-average competitiveness as a ball-winner when confronted. He has the speed and separation burst to get open but will need to prove he can become a more skillful route runner to uncover against NFL competition. Inconsistent hands are a concern at this stage. Jackson has gadget potential and can compete for a role as a punt returner, but the league is filled with good athletes at the slot, so he will need to find a way to separate from the pack.

The draft grade is lower than the flashes on tape, but projecting the ceiling seems a little too risky with his evaluation. Griffin is on the thinner side, but he's a willing run finisher after the catch and as a kick returner. He's a gifted athlete with explosive acceleration and the tools to become a challenging man cover option. Griffin doesn't play with nearly enough focus and will cruise through routes rather than finishing them with tempo. While the tools are there for him to become a more well-rounded receiver, Griffin might not develop into much more than a specialty receiver with kick-return value.

Thrash makes up with speed what he gives away with play strength. He has an extensive history of stretching the field, showing an ability to find a second gear on deep routes or on short catches that turn into chunk plays. He’ll have some issues against NFL press, but formational consideration could help in that regard. Thrash has the physical ability to run a more complete route tree as a pro, but a lack of hand strength and frame size create too many drops and losses on contested catches. Thrash has the potential to work inside or outside but has excessive feast-or-famine qualities.

Washington’s measurables could work against him during the evaluation process, but his competitiveness and consistency should balance that out somewhat. He is a slot-only prospect with ordinary burst but above-average route acumen. He rarely creates big separation windows but makes up for it with an impressive win rate on contested catches. He’s fearless into the middle of the field and is a willing run blocker out of three-wide receiver sets. Washington is a talented return man and has some real dog in him on coverage teams. He should go on Day 3 and will fight for a roster spot as a WR5 with special teams value.

Big receiver with build-up speed who should be a natural fit for teams employing a layers-based passing scheme. For his size, Means is surprisingly adept at slipping press and shows an ability to create separation on over routes and go routes once he hits top speed. He can win contested throws but gives too many away when he's not imposing his size on the coverage. Means could struggle with a route tree requiring him to gear up and down getting in and out of breaks. The production has been fairly average, but his ability to lengthen and widen out the field could make him a Day 3 pick with a shot to become an NFL backup.

Proficient route runner with solid play speed and an ability to run a more expanded route tree. Weaver uses his hands and feet to slip the press and has early acceleration to get the jump down the sideline. He’s capable of uncovering at the break points over the first two levels but loses catch concentration at times when working into traffic. He doesn’t have a big second gear to run down the deep ball and too often allows coverage to take over the catch space downfield. Weaver is a complementary wideout with above-average punt-return ability and he could end up competing for a WR4/5 spot in the future.

The evaluation for Coker boils down to balancing his pro-caliber size and ball skills against his level of competition and potential lack of NFL quickness and speed. His focus, ball-tracking and timing give him distinct advantages that other receivers lack, and his catch radius and hand strength helped him make mincemeat of Ivy League coverages near the goal line. Coker's deep speed appears to be average, so he will need to refine his route running to become better equipped to beat NFL defenders in space and open up workable windows for his quarterback. Coker is talented and productive, but the testing numbers will be huge for his draft slotting and chances in the league.

Playmaking slot prospect who will face questions about his ability to win against NFL size and athleticism. Holmes is a fun watch with a nitrous kick in his accelerator that allows him to separate from coverage on his way to scoring touchdowns. While his route-running needs polish, he has the explosiveness and agility to challenge pro coverage and can be used as a gadget guy capable of creating chunk plays with the ball in his hands. He won’t be for everyone, but creative offensive minds in need of some juice from the slot could see Holmes as a hidden gem who could use some polish.

Cephus might lack the run-away speed to stretch the field, but he's long and plays with an instinctive feel for the position. He might need stacked releases or pre-snap motion to avoid press corners, but once inside the route, he's careful to disguise intentions and has enough snap to create some separation. He struggled with contested-catch success in 2023 but generally catches all easy throws with sure hands and competes hard for 50/50 catch space. He might not wow evaluators with testing numbers, but he's a smooth possession slot with a chance to become a WR5.

Productive multi-year starter with the size, toughness and talent to compete for a backup job as an NFL slot. Janke plays fast and uses gear shifts to make himself seem faster than his timed speed. He's unfazed when working into traffic, but small hands and short arms limit his contested-catch success. He's a tempo-driven route-runner with the balance and footwork to run a more expanded route tree that can span over all three levels, but he must rely on savvy over twitch to separate. He's elusive and willful with the ball in his hands, which could give him a leg up in becoming a "make-it" prospect.

Outside receiver with good size but below-average career production to lean on. Washington plays with physicality at the catch point and at the top of the route but lacks the foot quickness to elude press and beat coverage in and out of breaks. He catches with an extended radius and is capable of finishing catches through contact. He doesn’t outrun corners on deep throws and might not have the separation talent to make a roster.

A height-weight-speed prospect, White doesn’t have eye-catching production, but he flashes enough as a pass catcher to explore his potential further. He will need to prove he can slip press coverage, but he runs with strong vertical push into routes and has the ability to snap off routes when he’s focused. He does too much cradle catching but has the catch radius and quick hands to pull in tough catches. He’s raw and played against a lower level of competition but might have developmental upside to cultivate on a practice squad.

Breezy slot target with the silky hips and steady feet to run a more robust route tree as an NFL slot. Robinson is quicker than he is fast but has good burst at the break point and is capable of doing some damage over all three levels of the field. Ball skills come naturally, whether he's plucking fastballs on the move or tracking and adjusting to throws downfield. He lacks the size and play strength to post a high success rate on contested catches, but he's a very capable catch-and-run option in the quick game or in space. Robinson might be better than his average career production and should compete for a WR4/5 spot in the pros.

Functional as either an outside receiver with some route-running polish or as a big slot able to create matchup concerns for static coverages. Vele won’t win with quickness or speed, but his attention to detail as a route runner and willingness to utilize his play strength helps create advantages. He has a great catch radius, but his production was stymied by inconsistent catch finishing and below-average quarterback play. Vele has draftable talent and could compete for a roster spot.

Smallish slot target who spent two seasons playing in junior college and two seasons with Sacramento State. Hill will need to lean on a solid 2023 and impressive testing numbers at his pro day to make it into a camp. He’s smooth and athletic with a chance to improve his route-running with additional time if a team gives it to him. He’s an instinctive pass catcher with plus ball skills but might not have the accelerator to free himself from NFL man coverage frequently enough. More development is needed, but Hill’s flashes and athletic profile could give him a chance.

Johnson lacks a definable position and is likely to make a camp as a special-teamer who will need to prove he can also fit into a role on offense. He has good size but average speed and explosion. He had enough field vision to handle kick returns and some carries at Ohio State, and his best position might be at running back instead of receiver. Either way, he’s not polished enough to make a team as a backup skill-position player alone, so he must become an ace on special teams to play on Sundays.

While Janke has good size and solid ball skills, he’s missing the speed to threaten NFL cornerbacks and is sluggish getting out of his breaks. With defenders sitting on his routes, he might have to become a top-flight contested catch specialist, as he’s unlikely to uncover often enough to make an impact otherwise. Janke could face a move inside as a big slot receiver, but he might need to prove himself as a special-teamer to make a squad.

A big slot target with excellent toughness, Whittington lacks the explosiveness typically associated with competing in the league. His value comes with his consistency and willingness to do any dirty work necessary. He can be found making tough catches in traffic or getting after opponents as a run blocker. While he shows attention to detail as a route runner, he’s neither fast nor sudden, which is likely to force him into tight work cubicles against NFL coverages. Whittington’s intangibles work in his favor but making a roster will be a challenge.

With a good build and great length, Palmer generally plays to size. He lacks suddenness, so getting off press coverage and separating against tight man coverage will be challenging. He has a terrific catch radius and has proven himself a willing combatant with contested catches. Palmer’s size and build-up speed paired with route limitations could make him a late-round pick or undrafted target for a team that runs a West Coast offense.

Undersized slot target whose chances for success will rest squarely on where he goes to compete for a job. Victor drops too many throws, won’t win enough contested catches and benefitted from quick-game catches that helped pad his stats. However, he’s effective using foot quickness and route leverage to uncover on possession catches and is a pain for defenses to deal with once the ball is in his hands. There is talent to work with for teams looking to develop a possession slot receiver.

Brown’s short-area elusiveness can make him a fun watch on receiver screens and jet sweeps. His smallish frame will be an issue for teams concerned with long-term durability, though. He can run with separation speed vertically but isn’t built to win contested catches on any of the three levels. Brown displayed ability as a punt returner in 2022 and he might be pigeonholed as a “gadget guy” and punt returner if he makes a team.

Jiles has arms like vines and showed off his ridiculous catch radius on more than one occasion during his college career. Despite playing against smaller foes, he has a lighter win rate on contested catches than he should, as he fails to bully and wall off opponents at the catch point. He’s a sloppy route-runner and lacks NFL long speed. Jiles will need to become more aggressive and consistently competitive to prove he can win possession catches and rise to the challenge of much stiffer competition.