Harrison at head of class
The 2024 NFL scouting combine is here with 321 football players descending on Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis this week for the annual event.
That means draft season is upon us. Who are the top prospects at their position?
Quarterbacks, wide receivers and offensive tackles are three of the strongest position groups in this year’s draft class and some of those players are among this year’s most fascinating draft prospects.
Where will they land in the first round of the draft?
USA TODAY Sports explores the top five wide receivers in the 2024 NFL draft:
Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr.
⬤ Height: 6-4
⬤ Weight: 205
Ohio State’s official football website calls Marvin Harrison Jr. the most decorated wide receiver in program history. Harrison is the consensus No. 1 wideout in this year’s draft class. He would’ve probably been the first wide receiver selected in last year’s draft.
The 2023 Biletnikoff Award winner is the first in Ohio State history to have two 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
Harrison is a receiver with good athleticism and body control. He has soft hands and has an uncanny ability to get open. Even when Harrison is covered, he uses his frame well and has strong hands to make contested catches. He’s the most NFL-ready wide receiver to come out of the draft in recent years.
Weaknesses: Harrison isn’t a sharp route runner and doesn’t have highend speed to take the top off defenses.
LSU’s Malik Nabers
⬤ Height: 6-0
⬤ Weight: 200
Malik Nabers would be the No. 1 wide receiver prospect in many of the past draft classes. Some NFL scouts even have Nabers rated above Harrison.
Nabers concluded his LSU career as the Tigers’ all-time leader in receptions (189) and receiving yards (3,003). He led the SEC in receptions for two straight years.
He is an explosive wideout who can make game-changing plays with the football. Nabers can accumulate yards after the catch in a hurry. He has good ball skills and tracks the football well in the air.
Weaknesses: Relies on his athleticism in most route concepts and sometimes plays with low energy.
Washington’s Rome Odunze
⬤ Height: 6-3
⬤ Weight: 215
Rome Odunze is a big, physical receiver who uses his body and strength well to create separation. He has a good catch radius, reliable hands and plays under control. He’s a possession receiver who came up big for Washington in crucial moments.
Odunze broke a Huskies record with 1,640 receiving yards, the most in the nation in 2023, and third-most in conference history.
Weaknesses: The Washington product doesn’t have an expansive route tree or explosive speed.
Oregon’s Troy Franklin
⬤ Height: 6-3
⬤ Weight: 187
Troy Franklin has high-level speed and tracking ability. He can take the top off the defense with his explosiveness. He’s capable of running a variety of routes and creates separation with his speed and sharp route running.
Franklin had 81 receptions and led Oregon with 1,383 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. He has a nose for the end zone. He went eight games with at least one touchdown catch.
Weaknesses: Press coverage and playing through contact.
LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr.
⬤ Height: 6-4
⬤ Weight: 205
LSU had the most dynamic wide receiving corps in the country with Brian Thomas Jr. and Nabers. The tandem combined for 157 receptions, 2,746 yards and 31 touchdowns and helped Jayden Daniels win the 2023 Heisman Trophy award. Thomas’ 17 receiving touchdowns led the FBS. He thrives in the red zone.
Thomas can line up inside or in the slot. He has the speed to take the top off opposing defenses and can beat press coverage with his quickness.
Weaknesses: Not great at contested catches and drops appeared on tape.