2024 NFL draft prospect rankings: Wide receivers

— BONUS: Devontez Walker (Jr., North Carolina, 6-1, 193)

This Kent State transfer made third-team All-ACC and led the Tar Heels in TD receptions (seven) despite missing four games due to an eligibility battle with the NCAA. Walker's speed is undeniable, but he struggled with drops throughout Senior Bowl week. He also runs a very limited route tree, essentially all vertical outside of the occasional screen, but you draft him as a dangerous field-stretcher and hope he can develop into something more. Walker suffered a torn ACL his senior year of high school. Projected: Rounds 2-4

— BONUS: Brenden Rice (Jr., USC, 6-2, 208)

Rice transferred from Colorado in 2022 to play for Lincoln Riley. I feel like I shouldn't have to say Jerry Rice's son has reliable hands, but he does. He also uses his size well. During Senior Bowl week, he displayed the physicality he's capable of bringing to the table, whether it be as a blocker or in a contested-catch scenario. Rice worked mostly with vertical concepts in Riley's offense, so it'll be interesting to see him expand his horizons as a route runner in the NFL, considering his DNA. An impressive 12 of his 45 receptions were for a TD (Almost 27%) of last season. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— BONUS: Luke McCaffrey (Jr., Rice, 6-1, 198)

Christian McCaffrey's brother originally was a three-star quarterback recruit who began his collegiate career at Nebraska, before transferring to Louisville (where he didn't play) and finally to Rice. He didn't switch to receiver (his father Ed's position) until 2022, but the transition went about as smooth as you'd expect considering his bloodline. He's a savvy route runner — he could sell water to a fish — with reliable hands and adjusts well to off-target throws, using his size well in contested-catch situations. He isn't a burner, but this is a pretty good start for someone who has only been playing the position for two years. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— BONUS: Javon Baker (Sr., Central Florida, 6-1, 202)

Baker was buried on the depth chart at Alabama, so he took his talents to Orlando. The athletic play-maker finished second in the nation with 21.9 yards per reception and produced five catches of 50-plus yards last season. Baker has NFL-caliber ball skills, but his hands come and go. He features a nice blend of size, athleticism and physicality, but he needs to fine-tune his route running. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— BONUS: Jalen McMillan (Jr., Washington, 6-1, 197)

McMillan was the No. 11 wide receiver in the 2020 recruiting class and a three-year starter for the Huskies, leading them in receptions (79) and TD receptions (nine) as a sophomore. A nagging MCL sprain hampered his junior year. McMillan is a slot target with good size, big hands and the toughness to work in the middle of the field. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— BONUS: Jermaine Burton (Sr., Alabama, 6-0, 196)

The former four-star recruit and Georgia transfer led the Crimson Tide in receiving yards his last two seasons. Burton played 50 games (39 starts) in the SEC and only had four drops in almost 200 targets, but his production was still lacking — only five career 100-yard games. The production may come if he ends up with a more accurate quarterback in the pros. He has a reputation as an undisciplined players, and Burton wasn't asked to run an extended route tree in college, but he has the traits and ball skills to work all three levels in NFL. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— BONUS: Malik Washington (Sr., Virginia, 5-8, 191)

The senior captain spent four years at Northwestern, before his breakout season with the Cavaliers. Washington set a new ACC-record with 110 receptions and led the FBS with 10 games of 100-plus yards, all coming in his final 11 games. He's undersized, and needs to develop his route tree, but his instincts and feel for the position are off the charts. Plus, he's equal parts quick and tough. He produced 35 forced missed tackles last season, which was first among FBS wide receivers. Washington suffered a torn ACL his junior year of high school. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— BONUS: Jacob Cowing (Sr., Arizona, 5-8, 168)

The former two-star recruit and UTEP transfer is an explosive athlete with sprinter speed. Cowing is undersized and his routes lack continuity, but he finished as a two-time All-Conference honoree in Conference USA and the Pac-12. Over 60% of his receiving yards (1,882) in two seasons with the Wildcats came after the catch. His receptions increased in each of his five collegiate seasons. Cowing is the only FBS player with 85-plus receptions in each of the last two seasons. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— BONUS: Jamari Thrash (Jr., Louisville, 5-11, 188)

Thrash led his team in receptions each of the last three seasons (two at Georgia State, one at Louisville). He's quicker than fast, but he made plays at all three levels for the Cardinals, including two receptions of 70-plus yards last season. Thrash is a savvy route-runner and a friend to his QB when he's forced to scramble outside of the pocket. His play strength could be an issue in the pros. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— BONUS: Johnny Wilson (Jr., Florida State, 6-6, 231)

A former four-star recruit and Arizona State transfer, Wilson features rare size and a wingspan made for the hardwood. He isn't elusive after the catch, but he does break perimeter tackles and rumbles for additional yardage. He doesn't win as many 50-50 balls as you'd expect, and might benefit from a switch to tight end in the pros. Wilson missed most of his freshman season because of a hamstring injury. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— BONUS: Anthony Gould (Sr., Oregon State, 5-8, 174)

The former three-star recruit was recruited as an athlete because most schools believed he was too small to play wide receiver. Gould features electric speed and shiftiness. He has experience at all three receiver positions for the Beavers, but he only had 100-plus yards twice in the 43 collegiate games (20 starts) he played. His return talent will likely get him on the field first in the pros. Gould was an All-American punt returner his junior season, and led the FBS with 18.3 yards per return, including a pair of touchdowns. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— BONUS: Ryan Flournoy (Sr., SE Missouri State, 6-0, 202)

The former no-star recruit spent two years in Division II and another two years in JUCO, before leading the Redhawks in receiving each of the last two seasons and being elected a two-time team captain. Flournoy was only the third player in Southeast Missouri State history invited to the NFL combine. He was No. 47 on Bruce Feldman's 2023 "Freaks List." Flournoy partially tore the ACL in his right knee in 2019 before totally tearing the same ACL in 2021. He turns 25 in October. Projected: Rounds 4-6

— BONUS: Ainias Smith (Sr., Texas A&M, 5-9, 190)

There are some off-the-field and durability concerns that need to be cleared up, but the five-year starter was a dynamic playmaker for the Aggies. He blends elusiveness and power with the ball in his hands, becoming the the only 2,000-yard receiver in SEC history to also produce at least 250 yards on rushing attempts, punt returns and kickoff returns. He's one of better punt returners in this draft class, averaging 10.2 yards per return with a pair of TDs. Projected: Rounds 4-6

— BONUS: Tahj Washington (Sr., USC, 5-9, 174)

Despite playing for four different head coaches in his five collegiate seasons, Washington was productive when on the field for Memphis and the Trojans. The two-time honorable mention All-Pac-12 honoree is small, there's no way around it, but he's also speedy, athletic and fearless. He makes contested catches underneath that others his size can't. Washington was one of six Pac-12 wide receivers to eclipse 1,000 yards last season, while leading the conference with five receptions of 50-plus yards. He's an explosive punt and kick returner who also possesses talent as a gunner. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— BONUS: Jalen Coker (Sr., Holy Cross, 6-1, 208)

A former no-star recruit, Coker possesses NFL-caliber size and ball skills. He faced four FBS opponents in his collegiate career and held his own. He produced an FCS-best 15 TD receptions last season. LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. was the only Division I player with more TD catches (17). Projected: Rounds 5-7

— BONUS: Isaiah Williams (Sr., Illinois, 5-9, 179)

A former four-star recruit at quarterback, Williams switched to wide receiver in 2021 and led the Big Ten in receptions (82) last season, becoming the conference's first player in almost two decades to post back-to-back seasons of 80-plus receptions. The two-time team captain plays bigger than his size, and is capable of using a defender's leverage against him while varying the speeds of his routes. Williams had 10 fumbles in his collegiate career, including three muffed punt returns. Projected: Rounds 6-7

— BONUS: Tulu Griffin (Sr., Mississippi State, 5-10, 181)

Griffin was the No. 8 athlete in the 2020 recruiting class. He's dangerous on reverses and manufactured touches, but he's undersized and his targets primarily came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. Griffin's speed and talent in the open field will attract suitors. He averaged 29.3 yards per kick return in college, including two return TDs of 90-plus yards. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Jordan Whittington (Sr., Texas, 6-0, 205)

The former five-star recruit has an extensive injury history that started in high school. The senior captain makes tough catches in traffic and gets after opponents as a run blocker. Injuries have zapped a lot of the premium athletic traits that got him highly recruited, but Whittington finds a way to contribute every time he steps on the field. Projected: PFA

— BONUS: Xavier Johnson (Sr., Ohio State, 6-0, 202)

Johnson was elected team captain as a senior after starring on special teams in each of his five seasons with the Buckeyes, finishing his collegiate career with an impressive 14 tackles. He also played running back and receiver during his time in Columbus. Projected: PFA

— BONUS: John Jiles (Sr., West Florida, 6-2, 219)

Jiles blocked three kicks (two field goals, one punt) during his two seasons at Division II Virginia Union before transferring to Pensacola, where he produced 66 receptions for 1,255 yards and 16 TD receptions. Projected: PFA

— BONUS: Cole Burgess (Sr., SUNY Cortland, 6-0, 192)

Burgess dominated Division III with 124 receptions, 2,191 yards and 27 TD receptions his last two seasons and helped lead the Red Dragons to their first national title last season. He's a potential three-level threat with kick-return value if he can handle the leap in competition. Projected: PFA

— BONUS: Tejhaun Palmer (Sr., UAB, 6-1, 210)

Palmer led the Blazers in receiving yards (838) and TD receptions (seven), earning invites to the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl. He's an explosive athlete with impressive ball skills. Palmer was No. 89 on Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List" last season. Projected: PFA