Ranking the Top 50 Wide Receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft

Patriots Football Now continues to provide updates and rankings on potential New England Patriots targets in the 2024 NFL Draft. There have several NFL mock drafts so far and “Weekley Wednesday” seven-round Patriots mock drafts.

Wide Receiver is a position of strength in this year’s draft. It is also a position the Patriots will likely try to target early. They reportedly made a strong effort to sign Calvin Ridley in free agency, so there is no question Eliot Wolf is looking to bolster the unit. Although taking a wide receiver at No. 3 overall would be a shock, nearly nothing beyond that would be.

Several wide receivers will hear their names called early on Thursday night. But others will be available on Day 3 or as undrafted free agents who are capable of making a name for themselves as professionals. A look at the various tiers of wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft…

Top 10 Overall Prospects

Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State), Rome Odunze (Washington), Malik Nabers (LSU)

These three players are all listed among my Top 10 overall prospects. Some years top receiver prospects have incredible athleticism or great production in college. These three receivers are all the total package in that regard. Harrison Jr. has been on people’s draft radar for so long that some have picked him apart to the point of falling out of love with him. He remains WR1 on this board. Odunze’s strength gives him a slight edge over Nabers here, though all could be gone in the first six picks overall. Nabers was the best wide receiver in college football last season. They are all elite and any of them would be the No. 1 wide receiver on draft boards in most years.

Round 1 Prospects

Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU), Adonai Mitchell (Texas)

Thomas Jr. and Mitchell grade a notch above the next tier. Both should be solidly in Round 1. Either would be a Day 1 starter in the NFL. If either (Michell in all likelihood) falls toward the bottom of Round 1 the New England Patriots will seriously consider a trade up from No. 34 to add the Longhorns receiver.

Round 2 Prospects

Xavier Legette (South Carolina), Troy Franklin (Oregon), Roman Wilson (Michigan), Ladd McConkey (Georgia), Ricky Pearsall (Florida), Keon Coleman (Florida State), Jermaine Burton (Alabama)

The gap from the top to the bottom of this list is a bit wider. While there is a chance some of these players could be unavailable when New England is on the clock at No. 34, others could still be available in Round 3. All of these players received second-round grades here. Legette borders on a Round 1 grade, though having only one good season (albeit a great one) is a bit scary. Franklin has the requisite production and measurables, but his slim physique is cause for concern. Again, any of these wideouts will make someone happy in Round 2, but they all come with questions preventing them from being bumped up a tier. If any is still on the board in Round 3 it is a potential steal for somebody.

Round 3 Prospects

Xavier Worthy (Texas), Ja’Lynn Polk (Washington), Malachi Corley (Western Kentucky), Javon Baker (UCF), Brenden Rice (USC), Jalen McMillan (Washington), Devontez Walker (North Carolina)

Several recent mocks by national draft experts have had players from this list going significantly higher. Both Worthy and Polk were taken in Round 1 of nationally syndicated mocks just last week. This list is not suggesting they won’t go higher, just stating where they are ranked here. Worthy’s speed is unbelievable, though his hands leave something to be desired. That is always a red flag for a wide receiver. Baker has been in for a Top 30 visit with the Patriots, so he could be a possibility for them here.

Round 4-5 Prospects

Johnny Wilson (Florida State), Malik Washington (Virginia), Tahj Washington (USC), Luke McCaffrey (Rice), Ainias Smith (Texas A&M), Jacob Cowing (Arizona), Jamari Thrash (Louisville)

If New England looks to double-dip at the wide receiver position, this group would all be solid second options. Hopefully the Patriots sake they have drafted or traded for another receiver before arriving at this group. This would be the start of Day 3 of the NFL Draft. At this stage getting a player who can definitely make the roster and potentially contribute would be the goal. With the groups further up the board teams are expecting anything from stars to starters to solid producers out of the gate. Expectations are lower here, but there are some solid options with good upside. Tahj Washington is one player likely higher here than on many boards.

Round 6-7 Prospects

Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (Georgia), Joshua Cephus (UTSA), Ryan Flournoy (SE Missouri State), Jalen Coker (Holy Cross), Drake Stoops (Oklahoma), Bub Means (Pittsburgh), Isaiah Williams (Illinois), Anthony Gould (Oregon State), Cornelius Johnson (Michigan) 

This group is in the same category as the earlier Day 3 picks, but there is a gap here. This group is a combination of players with measurables worth taking a chance on, and productive college players worth gambling can repeat their production at the NFL level merely by being solid football players. Late picks are always gambles, so these are the ones worth taking a chance on as opposed to letting others bring them in as priority undrafted free agents.

Undrafted Free Agents

In addition to the 35 wide receivers listed above, there are another 15 players the New England Patriots should consider bringing to training camp as undrafted free agents if their names are not called during the NFL Draft.

Jha’Quan Jackson, Tulane
Ledeatrick Griffin, Mississippi State
Jordan Whittingham, Texas
Hayden Hatten, Idaho
Xavier Weaver, Colorado
Sam Pinckney, Coastal Carolina
Kamdyn Benjamin, Tulsa
Lawrence Keys III, Tulsa
Kaedin Robinson, Appalachian State
Jadon Janke, South Dakota State
Brennan Presley, Oklahoma State
Steven McBride, Hawaii
Khaleb Hood, Georgia Southern
Ty James, Mercer
Jalon Calhoun, Duke