Coaches Corner: Top 5 Wide Receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft.

By Michael Stewart@TheTruthNYG

This will be part 3 in a series of 13 as we breakdown the wide receiver position in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft. The projection of the wide receiver position has roughly 17-20% of the top 100 picks being wide receivers. The Giants are certainly one of many teams looking to add more talent at the wide receiver position. Here are my top 5 wide receivers in the 2024 NFL draft. 

1. Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State) 6’4/205: Harrison is he crème of the crop among the wide receivers in the upcoming draft. Harrison possesses the speed, soft hands, superior route running and the ability to catch the ball in traffic makes him a lethal weapon. Harrison stat line of 67 receptions/1211 yards/14 TDS/18.1 per catch will ensure that he is the 1^st wide receiver off board. Projected Top 5.
2. Malik Nabers (LSU) 6’0/195: Harrison might get most of the headlines, but Nabers is an elite talent at the wide receiver position and is projected to be the #2 receiver off the board on draft night. Nabers compiled an impressive stat line of 86 receptions/1546 yards/14TDS/18.0 per catch. Nabers ability to separate and run crisp routes enables him to have a high success rate in yards after the catch. Projected Top 10. 
3. Rome Odunze (Washington) 6’3/201: Odunze enjoyed an successful season for the Huskies in 2023 as the primary target for Michael Penix Jr. with a stat line of 81 receptions/1428 yards/13TDS/17.6 per catch. Odunze was lethal as a deep threat, but he is also capable of being affective on slant plays. Odunze has a broad catch radius with soft hands and usually wins the 50/50 matchup. Projected Top 15.
4. Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU) 6’4/205: Thomas might play in the shadows of teammate Malik Nabers, but he is not over looked by NFL teams. Thomas stat line is impressive (60 receptions/1079 yards/15TDS/18.0 per catch) when you consider he was not the primary target in LSU high powered offense. Thomas has WR#1 talent and could be the surprise of the draft in the right system. Projected mid to late Round 1.
5. Tony Franklin (Oregon) 6’3/178: Franklin long and lean frame enables him to move smoothly in his routes with deceptive speed. Franklin compiled an impressive stat line of 81 receptions/1383 yards/14TDS/17.1 per catch. Franklin has soft hands and isn’t phased catching the ball in traffic. Franklin can cause damage anywhere on the field, but is especially lethal on deep routes. Projected early Day 2.

The 2024 Wide Receiver class is arguably the deepest class in recent years and more than likely the deepest position in this draft. I left out many talented prospects that could become solid contributors in the NFL. If the Giants were to pass on a quarterback in RD1, they could look at a wide receiver instead as one of their options.  Regardless, I expect the Giants to select a wide receiver with 1 of their first 3 picks in this draft. Keep an eye out for part 4 as I project my Top 5 Running Backs in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft.