[The Ringer] Who Is the Best Wide Receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft? Depends on What You’re Looking For.
April 9, 2024
Really liked this article. It laid out a bunch of top WR’s that the Bears are probably in on. A guy to watch in the late rounds could be Malik Washington. Used to be okay at NU, then blew up at Virginia and is flying under the radar a little.
12 comments
People who are in deep on Worthy or Rice need to read this because it lays out pretty clearly the limitations to both players. They will be drafted and may see game time, but they are low ceiling low floor players. This draft really tanks hard outside the top 20 or so players.
i know the answer without reading. The best WR in the draft is whoever da bears draft.
This class is just amazing. There are certainly landmines out there (the Xavier’s, AD, BTJ all potential ones) but Keon Coleman, who reeks of being a more pro-ready Mike Williams, is a complete after thought because this class is just that good. And, the top three are phenomenal. They’d be easy top-3, easy first pick WR in classes that didn’t have Ja’Marr Chase or Garrett Wilson (so, like 60% of your draft classes). Odunze is generally being slotted decidedly below Maserati and Nabers and he is just phenomenal. Go look at his film and you’ll see a guy routinely turning off target throws into long completions without it even being noticeable. IMO, he carried that team to the NC game. And, there are two other guys people have no concerns about putting a rung above him!
Malachi Corley is by far my favorite under the radar player (for those who haven’t been paying too much attention to the draft). Though it’s not a ranking order, I’m happy to see the article show his play & mention him right below Harrison/Nabers so he gets some much deserved face time. Dude is Deebo 2.0.
Malik Washington’s fantastic. Short but well built, decently long, and explosive. Don’t know if the NU connection helps but that pick would make me ecstatic. Think he goes in the 3rd Round tho.
Couldn’t help but read the first sentence of this articles in Bill Hader’s voice for Stefon…
“This wide receiver draft class has *everything*…”
I’m not sure I’d put as much value as he does into the entire college career. Brian Thomas Jr had a hell of a season, to talk about his ‘lack’ of production and targets. He was a freshman and sophmore on a team with an NFL WR and a guy who is going to be a top 10 pick. His Jr. when Boutte was finally gone and his QB play was better he was incredible. Career numbers are fine, but you have to look at the player they are now, guys take leaps, Joe Burrow was a very different guy his last year. I know we’re all scared of the one year wonders from Mitch, but I’m not worried about Brian Thomas Jr. target rate, I’m more worried that he is a deep threat only and that he won’t win as easy vertically against NFL players. Still late round 1 early round 2 guy.
We’ve drafted how many fast guys with bad route running, bad hands, and questionable separation?
If a 6’3 215 4.4 40 9.7 RAS guy who catches everything is available at 9, take him.
You’re literally getting a top 2 non-QB in most drafts in either Nabers or Odunze at #9 just take them.
Should have tanked. They had top 2 picks locked up until the stupid late “run”
I would trade 9 and next years first for MHJ.
L A D D M C C O N K E Y
Bears are going to draft one of usc wrs for CW in the later round even if they take a wr at 9. I got that feeling
12 comments
People who are in deep on Worthy or Rice need to read this because it lays out pretty clearly the limitations to both players. They will be drafted and may see game time, but they are low ceiling low floor players. This draft really tanks hard outside the top 20 or so players.
i know the answer without reading. The best WR in the draft is whoever da bears draft.
This class is just amazing. There are certainly landmines out there (the Xavier’s, AD, BTJ all potential ones) but Keon Coleman, who reeks of being a more pro-ready Mike Williams, is a complete after thought because this class is just that good. And, the top three are phenomenal. They’d be easy top-3, easy first pick WR in classes that didn’t have Ja’Marr Chase or Garrett Wilson (so, like 60% of your draft classes). Odunze is generally being slotted decidedly below Maserati and Nabers and he is just phenomenal. Go look at his film and you’ll see a guy routinely turning off target throws into long completions without it even being noticeable. IMO, he carried that team to the NC game. And, there are two other guys people have no concerns about putting a rung above him!
Malachi Corley is by far my favorite under the radar player (for those who haven’t been paying too much attention to the draft). Though it’s not a ranking order, I’m happy to see the article show his play & mention him right below Harrison/Nabers so he gets some much deserved face time. Dude is Deebo 2.0.
Malik Washington’s fantastic. Short but well built, decently long, and explosive. Don’t know if the NU connection helps but that pick would make me ecstatic. Think he goes in the 3rd Round tho.
Couldn’t help but read the first sentence of this articles in Bill Hader’s voice for Stefon…
“This wide receiver draft class has *everything*…”
I’m not sure I’d put as much value as he does into the entire college career. Brian Thomas Jr had a hell of a season, to talk about his ‘lack’ of production and targets. He was a freshman and sophmore on a team with an NFL WR and a guy who is going to be a top 10 pick. His Jr. when Boutte was finally gone and his QB play was better he was incredible. Career numbers are fine, but you have to look at the player they are now, guys take leaps, Joe Burrow was a very different guy his last year. I know we’re all scared of the one year wonders from Mitch, but I’m not worried about Brian Thomas Jr. target rate, I’m more worried that he is a deep threat only and that he won’t win as easy vertically against NFL players. Still late round 1 early round 2 guy.
We’ve drafted how many fast guys with bad route running, bad hands, and questionable separation?
If a 6’3 215 4.4 40 9.7 RAS guy who catches everything is available at 9, take him.
You’re literally getting a top 2 non-QB in most drafts in either Nabers or Odunze at #9 just take them.
Should have tanked. They had top 2 picks locked up until the stupid late “run”
I would trade 9 and next years first for MHJ.
L A D D
M C C O N K E Y
Bears are going to draft one of usc wrs for CW in the later round even if they take a wr at 9. I got that feeling