Top 20 wide receivers in the NFL Draft

Two positions on offense have very deep classes this year: quarterbacks and wide receivers. So any offense that needs help in their passing game has many great players to choose from. Here, our CommRadio analysts look at the top 20 receivers available.

Malik Nabers - LSU

Arguably the most explosive receiver in the draft, Malik Nabers possesses the ability to be a clear-cut “X” receiver while also demonstrating the qualities of a slot receiver. The former tiger has shown his remarkable YAC ability alongside crisp route running.

Nabers checks all the boxes off a playmaker needs and will be a sure thing impact for any NFL team. While he shows off many strengths there are very few weaknesses including long route separation and a limited route tree. Nonetheless, these reasons shouldn't shy away teams as he is still a receiver to long for.

- Aidan Nolan

Marvin Harrison Jr. - Ohio State

The son of NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison is going to be a stud like his father. The 6-foot-3, 209-pound wideout has shown time and time again that his abilities will translate to the next level.

Many strengths in his game are similar to his father's. His ability to sell routes and play at a consistent speed allows him to deceive defenders and get open. His scramble ability when plays break down is also tremendous, something that will come in handy depending on what team he gets drafted to.

- Brennan Kirkpatrick

Rome Odunze - Washington

The wide receiver from Washington is a powerhouse. With a school record of 1,640 receiving yards, it shows he can move. If that did not prove it, his 40-yard dash was 4.45 seconds. This finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which is for the nation's top wide receivers, is surely top of this huge class of wide receivers.

- Cora Rodriguez

Xavier Worthy - Texas

Worthy was one of, if not the best playmaker for the Longhorns throughout his three years there. This included last year in which he had 1,014 yards to help lead Texas to the College Football Playoff. He also had the fastest 40-yard dash time in over 20 years making him a lethal weapon and one of the top talents in the draft.

- Jacob Rudy

Adonai Mitchell - Texas

A two-time national champion from his years at Georgia, Adonai Mitchell contributed with seven touchdowns and 560 receiving yards as a Bulldog before exploding on the scene with Texas by racking up 845 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Mitchell flashes great speed and ball skills with the frame to become a lethal NFL receiver.

- Jake Irwin

Brian Thomas Jr. - LSU

The 6-foot-3 wide receiver has the desirable markers to be set up for success in the league. His size, speed, and vertical threat have scouts everywhere circling his name on their boards.

With that being said Thomas lacks some physicality that wideouts with his stature obtain. As well as some question marks around his route-running capabilities. Last season, he still put up 1,117 yards with 17 touchdowns which leaves him as a high-upside receiver.

- Aidan Nolan

Troy Franklin - Oregon

Franklin projects to be a tall, linear receiver with plus speed in the NFL. He has the speed to beat press coverage but lacks the overall strength to make the desired contested catches. His speed downfield allows the bottom to open up for his receivers underneath.

Franklin would be a great piece to add to a team with an established WR1 or a team that needs a vertical target downfield. However, he may struggle if he is called upon to be the number 1 guy.

- Brennan Kirkpatrick

Keon Coleman - Florida State

This Florida State wide receiver led his team with 50 receptions, 658 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns. Even though he transferred from Michigan State in 2022 and he only played three collegiate years, he is still a force to be reckoned with. One of his strengths is punt returns. He was ranked third in punt return yards with 300 yards. Based on watching him, he is extremely hard to bring down after he is running from a punt return.

- Cora Rodriguez

Ladd McConkey - Georgia

McConkey has flown under the radar, but he is a two-time national champion at Georgia. He doesn’t have great size, but he uses his great route running to create separation, and his speed and quickness make him a big run after the catch threat.

- Jacob Rudy

Roman Wilson - Michigan

When J.J. McCarthy was delivering strikes on the field for the national champion Michigan Wolverines, he was often looking for Roman Wilson. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Hawaii native started each of Michigan’s 15 games this past season and posted the ninth most touchdowns in the FBS with 12. Wilson’s field-stretching abilities and ability to blaze past defenders make him an intriguing pick for any team searching for solid depth to their receiving room.

- Jake Irwin

Ricky Pearsall - Florida

Some of the craziest catches that college football has seen have been caught by the hands of Pearsall. With that being said the former Gator may not be a first-rounder but still can be a jack of all trades.

Pearsall has an elite route running that allows him to create separation. He could be seen as a great special teamer which only adds to his resumé. However, his speed and size are a bit lackluster.

- Aidan Nolan

Ja’Lynn Polk - Washington

Polk will shine when the ball is in the air. His frame and strong hands allow him to be great at catching contested throws. He also has a plus ability to carve out space near the boundary and can track the ball when it is thrown deep at a high level.

Polk however lacks the suddenness to get in and out of his breaks as a route runner. He also can be too gradual in getting into the top of the route. Because of this, Polk projects as a late day 2 pick.

- Brennan Kirkpatrick

Jamari Thrash - Louisville

This wide receiver is good. Yes, if he had stayed at Georgia State, he would have been higher but he took his last year of eligibility at Louisville. In the 2023 season, he led the team with 63 receptions, 858 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. Compared to the year prior, he decreased in each one of those stats. He does deserve some credit because those stats are good but not top-tier quality.

- Cora Rodriguez

Jalen McMillan - Washington

McMillan was part of a three-headed monster that was the receiving corps at Washington last year. He was limited last year due to injury, but he still had 559 yards in just seven games. He’s a good route runner and has good acceleration to make him a threat for yards after the catch.

- Jacob Rudy

Xavier Legette - South Carolina

Xavier Legette was an absolute machine last season with his 1,255 receiving yards that ranked him eighth in the FBS. Legette’s body control and strength are his strongest attributes, and his ability to make difficult contested catches is a bonus. On top of his receiving game, the South Carolina product can run block. Legette holds a lot of potential for the next level.

- Jake Irwin

Malachi Corley - Western Kentucky

Given the nickname of “YAC King'' Corley has displayed his elite ability to avoid defenders. He stands at 5”11 and weighs in at 215 while still showing off some decent speed. Not only does he show speed but he also obtains the physicality to break tackles.

Corley displays great aggressive catching paired with YAC leaving defenses not knowing how to stop him. One thing that could stop him is his limited route tree and route running. He will need to refine this while transitioning to the next level.

- Aidan Nolan

Brenden Rice - USC

The son of another NFL Hall of Famer is eligible to be drafted. Rice plays big and physical and will challenge any defensive player is up against. He does, however, lack the speed to cleanly beat defenders when being pressed and has not shown the ability to separate on short routes.

Regardless, he should have no problem getting a headstart in the NFL thanks to his father. While the upside is definitely there, Rice projects to be a backup with slight upward mobility.

- Brennan Kirkpatrick

Johnny Wilson - Florida State

This Californian coming out of Florida State fell a lot over his collegiate career due to injuries. Before he transferred to Florida State from Arizona State, he missed some midseason games due to a hamstring injury. Then he missed some games in the 2023 season due to another injury. Even with these injuries, he led his team in receiving yards.

- Cora Rodriguez

Malik Washington - Virginia

He may be undersized at 5-foot-9 and have short arms, but he led the FBS last season and broke the ACC single-season record with 110 catches. He was also in the top five with 1,426 receiving yards. He’s fast, quick, and has good acceleration to get to his top speed quickly. He can also work out of the slot which could make him a valuable, versatile option.

- Jacob Rudy

Devontez Walker - North Carolina

Devontez Walker began the 2023 season with a suspension that limited his full potential, but he still posted stellar numbers with his 699 yards and seven touchdowns in just eight games. Walker made a tremendous difference for the Tar Heels and has frequently displayed the speed, size and ability to make clutch plays. He struggled with catching passes at times, but some further development with his hands could make Walker a solid depth piece.

-Jake Irwin

Cora Rodriguez is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email cir5381@psu.edu.

Jake Irwin is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jpi5089@psu.edu.

Aidan Nolan is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email ajn5882@psu.edu.

Brennan Kirkpatrick is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email blk5545@psu.edu.

Jacob Rudy is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jar7371@psu.edu.