2024 Dynasty Rookie Draft Primer: Wide Receivers (Fantasy Football)

2024 Dynasty Rookie Draft Primer: Wide Receivers (Fantasy Football)

It’s that time again. Dynasty rookie fever SZN is here! The NFL Draft is now in the rearview, and rookie drafts will start flying daily. Before you dive head-first into our Draft Simulator and run 3,000 rookie drafts in preparation, please read up on this talented prospect class as I roll through my quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end positional primers. Check out our expert consensus dynasty rookie draft rankings as you prepare for your leagues.

Motrin and Tylenol can’t quell this fever. The only medicine is more rookie mock drafts.

2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Guide

2024 Rookie WR Primer

Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 5th
    • PFF receiving grade: 6th
    • YAC per reception: 67th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 7th
    • PFF receiving grade: 3rd
    • YAC per reception: 206th

Scouting Report:

  • Harrison Jr. has the entire tool belt to pull contraptions from to make corners’ lives a living hell on the football field. He has superb route nuance and sneaky afterburners (legit 4.4 speed). If a corner plays off him, he can quickly drop it into fourth and beat them deep or run away from them on a drag route. His route tree isn’t missing any branches.
  • Harrison Jr. has plenty of field stretching reps where he exhibits strong ball tracking. He made a few basket catches at Ohio State that’ll leave your jaw on the floor.
  • He has the skill set to be an elite WR in the NFL for a long time. He can threaten a defense at every level. Harrison can get open off the line with any combination of speed, physicality or footwork. Harrison Jr. is strong at the catch point with high point skills to be a yearly 8-10 touchdown guy.
  • The only small knock on Harrison’s game is that he isn’t a huge yards after the catch (YAC) threat. He amassed only 14 missed tackles at Ohio State and 5.1 yards after the catch per reception. This depressing number can partially be attributed to quarterback play in 2023, which, funny enough, is the best season he had in YAC per reception (6.4). He has the size and speed to produce some YAC but it likely will never be the biggest selling point of his skillset.

Player Comp: A.J. Green

Dynasty Outlook: Harrison lands exactly where plenty of people projected he’d go during the entire draft cycle. He’s now the immediate WR1 on the team and will compete with Trey McBride for the team lead in targets. Harrison is an automatic WR1 in Dynasty and 2024 redraft ranks. Just looking at his outlook for this season, he could easily finish top 12 among wide receivers in targets. Last year, Arizona threw the ball 555 times while also ranking only 25th in neutral script passing rate, so ballparking them for 550 passing attempts isn’t insanity (it’s likely lowballing them). If Harrison can draw a 23% target share (which is a light projection), he would finish with 126 targets, but if he can push for a 25% target share, then we could project him for 137 targets (would have ranked 13th in targets among wide receivers last year). With minimal target competition in Arizona outside of Trey McBride, Harrison should eat in year one as a plug-and-play WR1 in fantasy. Harrison is the 1.01 in 1QB formats and in play at the 1.01 in Superflex leagues.

Malik Nabers (NYG)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 3rd
    • PFF receiving grade: 1st
    • YAC per reception: 58th
    • Missed tackles forced: 4th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 49th
    • PFF receiving grade: 54th
    • YAC per reception: 110th

Scouting Report:

  • It’s not the LSU jersey. I swear. As soon as I turned on the film, I felt like I was watching Ja’Marr Chase as a prospect all over again. Nabers plays with a special blend of power, twitch, and blinding speed. His imposing physical strength at 6-foot-0 reminds me the most of Chase. Nabers can break tackles and churn out YAC.
  • He can win versus zone as he has strong pacing in his routes and sits down in the soft spots. Nabers can also hand fight, get physical and defeat press and man coverage. Last year he was the second-highest graded wide receiver, per PFF, against man while also ranking 20th in Yards per route run against the coverage type (minimum 25 man coverage targets).
  • Nabers can go toe to toe with Marvin Harrison Jr. for the title of  “best route runner” in this class. He weaves together a ton of high-end nuance in his routes from dropping his head to selling a vertical push, varying the tempo in his routes and the raw physical power of his hand fighting and at the catch point. He can snap off a double move in a heartbeat. Against Arkansas, he tossed the corner a double move and when the defensive back didn’t bite, Nabers just ran past him anyway with his blinding speed.
  • Nabers snatches targets with arrogant hands away from this body. He’s a beast at the catch point and adjusts easily to lowly thrown balls. Nabers had only a 5.3% drop rate in each of the past two seasons.

Player Comp: Ja’Marr Chase 2.0

Dynasty Outlook: There will be some small worries about Malik Nabers landing in New York, but I’m not worried about him at all. Nabers is a target hog and an immediate alpha in the NFL. We can talk about what his ceiling is with Daniel Jones under center in 2024, but I have no worries about his short and long-term dynasty value with this landing spot. Nabers should begin feasting on a bevy of targets immediately. There’s no one else on this Giants roster that can draw targets at a strong rate. Last year, outside of Darren Waller, no receiver on the roster drew more than a 16.9% target share. While the volume he accrues in 2024 likely won’t be the most efficient, Nabers should still see all the targets he can handle to produce solid WR2 numbers. Nabers should be gone inside the top three picks in every dynasty rookie draft.

Rome Odunze (CHI)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 18th
    • PFF receiving grade: 8th
    • YAC per reception: 107th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 44th
    • PFF receiving grade: 43rd
    • YAC per reception: 185th
  • 62nd percentile collegiate target share
  • 84th percentile collegiate breakout age

Scouting Report:

  • Odunze makes special plays look easy so often that you have to remind yourself of the difficulties of some of the plays. He adjusted to an underthrown ball against Cal while splitting two incoming defenders like it was just another pitch and catch crosser. His film is littered with back-shoulder supremes and basket catches
  • He has special start/stop ability at his size, which helps him earn quick separation with ease. Odunze doesn’t have the most fluid hips but he has extremely quick feet, which do the heavy lifting when he needs to decelerate.
  • His skillset accesses another level when we discuss his body control and ball tracking. Odunze has an enormous catch radius with the ability to high point as well as easily adjust to poorly thrown balls behind him. There are numerous fade routes where he had to adjust to the ball in the air and he did so marvelously without losing speed using his effortless change of direction.
  • Odunze’s run after the catch skills are a treat as he gets up to top speed quickly. He also shows off his power from time to time, weaving through the interior with the vision and physical presence of a running back. In 2023, he was tied with Malachi Corley for 25th in missed tackles forced.
  • Odunze should be the immediate WR1 for whatever offense he lands with. He has alpha upside with the ability to threaten a defense at all three levels.

Player Comp: Terrell Owens

Dynasty Outlook: Odunze got the draft capital that we all expected (and that he deserved). The landing spot could be problematic, though, for 2024, as Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore will flank Odunze. Allen is a free agent after this upcoming season, so we likely won’t have to wait long for the massive Odunze breakout. Odunze is a stud and will garner targets at a fine clip when he’s on the field, but the ceiling could be limited unless the Bear’s passing rate surprises, which could happen. Since 2021, offenses under coordinator Shane Waldron’s direction have combined to rank eighth in neutral passing rate and fifth in neutral pace. Odunze should be the 1.03 in 1QB leagues and a top-six pick in Superflex rookie drafts.

Troy Franklin (DEN)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 6th
    • PFF receiving grade: 15th
    • YAC per reception: 58th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 59th
    • PFF receiving grade: 80th
    • YAC per reception: 193rd

Scouting Report:

  • Franklin is a double-move demon. He has no issues snatching a corner’s soul with a double move and then pressing the accelerator to the metal as he blows past them for a long gain. His easy and immediate ability to hit the gas shows up all over his film in his routes and after the catch. He transitions from receiver to rusher, seamlessly dodging defenders immediately after the ball is in his hands.
  • He has a fluid change of direction ability, which shows up on his short area routes as he can cut on a dime on stop routes and comebacks. His special burst allows him to deploy a varied release package. He’ll offer corners a change up at times, with his first step or two being exaggerated before exploding into his route.
  • Franklin was utilized in line at times and caught his fair share of screens with some gimmicky usage but don’t let his route-running prowess get lost in that Oregon sauce. He has a route tree with plenty of branches. He has “teach tape” skills when it comes to stacking corners on deep routes. Franklin’s upper body strength and hand fighting serve him well against physical corners.
  • Concerns with Franklin’s drop issues are warranted but will likely be overstated in the process. His nine drops in 2023 are nothing to ignore but some of those were on poorly thrown balls by Bo Nix or in highly contested situations. He does have a few costly drops related to ball tracking and technique that can’t be overlooked but he also has some tough grabs made in the end zone and in traffic that lead me to believe this is a correctable issue at the next level.

Player Comp: Robbie Chosen with route running chops

Dynasty Outlook: I will say I was shocked that Franklin fell all the way to the fourth round of the NFL Draft, but considering the Broncos’ depth chart and being reunited with Bo Nix, we can still have hope for Franklin. Franklin will have to compete for targets with Courtland Sutton (DEN has an out after this season with Sutton with a 9.6 million dead cap if they take it), Josh Reynolds, and last year’s rookie flop Marvin Mims. Don’t be surprised if Franklin is quickly pushing for the WR2 role in Denver by midseason. Franklin should be drafted in the late second or early third round in dynasty rookie drafts.

Xavier Worthy (KC)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 89th
    • PFF receiving grade: 125th
    • YAC per reception: 27th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 135th
    • PFF receiving grade: 146th
    • YAC per reception: 123rd
  • 2021 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 41st
    • PFF receiving grade: 48th
    • YAC per reception: 8th
  • 89th percentile collegiate target share
  • 97th percentile collegiate breakout age

Scouting Report:

  • Worthy is a speed merchant who can win at all three levels. He has some textbook reps on film of stacking corners on go balls with good deep ball tracking. If he had better quarterback play in 2023 with the deep ball, his full-season stat line would have been beefier. There are plenty of reps where he burnt a corner deep only to get underthrown by his quarterback. Many of these resulted in incompletions or would be walk-in touchdowns only counting as long gains in the box score.
  • His speed will steal the show when the real conversation starter for Worthy is his route running. Worthy has crisp gear downs on a dime on comebacks while also flashing easy change of direction on slants and outs. He varies his pacing in routes while also tossing in jab steps mid-route to invite indecision into a corner’s skull. He has a good understanding of leverage. His short-area quickness shows up in conjunction with his blinding straight-line speed. It makes him tough to guard in close quarters as he’ll break off a whip route and leave a corner looking silly.
  • Worthy’s size shows up at times, as corners can give him issues at the catch point. He can be pushed off his routes at times but it’s not consistent as corners have to hang with him to do so.

Player Comp: DeSean Jackson

Dynasty Outlook: The outcome everyone clamored for in their mocks all draft season became a reality on night one of the NFL Draft. The former Longhorn speedster was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Worthy now enters a receiving room where he will have to contend with Marquise Brown this year and Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce over at least the next two years for targets. Even with that being the case, getting tied to Patrick Mahomes isn’t too shabby. This isn’t another Skyy Moore situation, although I know people will have worries and make the lazy connection at times. The Worthy conversation begins at 1.05 in 1QB formats and 1.09 in Superflex.

Javon Baker (NE)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 8th
    • PFF receiving grade: 24th
    • YAC per reception: 35th

Scouting Report:

  • Baker is a well-rounded receiver. Quick feet eat, and Baker has them. Lightning fast in and out of breaks with crisp change of direction. Baker is a strong route runner with a blazing first step who deploys head fakes, subtle changes of direction and jab steps to earn separation.
  • He has good long speed, but it’s not elite speed. On go routes, there are some corners he can run by, but in many instances, he has to earn space with those routes with his savvy, which he does regularly. Since 2022, he has ranked 18th among all FBS wide receivers in explosive plays.
  • He offers some YAC ability with a combination of shifty feet, play strength, and good vision in traffic. Baker offers a nice pairing of quick twitch and toughness.
  • Baker’s strong hands and impressive body control equal a large catch radius. He has plenty of back-shoulder catches made in the air on tape while also sporting some shoestring grabs as well. Last season, among 98 qualifying receivers, he was 20th in contested catch rate. Baker can develop into a high-volume receiver at the next level. He could walk into an NFL offense as the immediate WR2.

Player Comp: Chris Godwin

Dynasty Outlook: Baker is one of “MY GUYS” in this draft class. I’ll be drafting him as much as possible, as he could easily be the WR1 for the New England Patriots by the end of the season. While I would have loved for him to get drafted on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, it was always a distinct possibility that he fell to early Day 3. The small school production and the good but not amazing athletic testing helped to push his draft stock lower than it should have been. With Kendrick Bourne starting on the outside this year and Ja’Lynn Polk likely taking over slot duties, Baker should be able to push for starting reps against Juju Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton. Baker should be gone by the end of the second round of every rookie draft. If he’s not, and we are in a league together, expect a knock at your door.

Ladd McConkey (LAC)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 35 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 8th
    • PFF receiving grade: 34th
    • YAC per reception: 95th

Scouting Report:

  • McConkey is a solid underneath option but lacks the extra gear to take the top off a defense. Corners, even when beat off the line, can close on him downfield. He likely ends up as a 50/50 receiver, with half of his snaps coming as a slot receiver in the NFL.
  • His route-running prowess allows him to get open in the short and intermediate, as he is sudden in his movements and crisp at the top of his stem. He plays through contact well in his routes, using a good swipe and upper body strength to work through press coverage.
  • McConkey runs like a running back in traffic. Good vision in chaos with the shiftiness to break some tackles and provide YAC. He offers some run game utility with 13 collegiate carries for 216 rushing yards (16.6 yards per carry) and four scores.

Player Comp: Jordan Addison

Dynasty Outlook: Everyone has had a good chuckle regarding the Chargers offensive game plan for 2024. “Between Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh…the Bolts will run the ball 500 times. Prepare for the Chargers to chuck it 10 times a game.” Yes, I’m embellishing here a bit, but it’s ok. This is a safe space. I, too, have cracked a few jokes at “Run Game Roman’s” expense. Despite all the humor directed at the run game, the Bolts went out and drafted a wide receiver in the second round. A polished route runner and one of the best separators in this class. McConkey only has to compete with Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Hayden Hurst, and Will Dissly for targets. He could ascend to the top of the target pecking order in short order. Again, it’s fair to question the volume expectations for McConkey, but he could easily lead the team in targets in year one. McConkey is in a long tier of wide receivers that drew late first-round/early second-round NFL draft capital. The conversation for McConkey begins at the 1.05/1.06 in 1QB leagues and the 1.09/1.10 in Superflex.

Johnny Wilson (PHI)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 51st
    • PFF receiving grade: 95th
    • YAC per reception: 226th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 4th
    • PFF receiving grade: 25th
    • YAC per reception: 42nd

Scouting Report:

  • As a receiver, Wilson’s height shouldn’t have the fluidity that he does. His quick feet and smooth hips allow him to be a weapon in the short and intermediate areas. He sinks his hips better than you’d expect from a player with his height. Wilson can get open on a comeback or drag route for days. He has the quicks to get open versus corners and the raw strength to punish them after the catch. The sum of his skill parts allows him to produce YAC either from his surprisingly quick footwork or his upper body strength and leg drive.
  • This is not a knock on Wilson’s ability as a perimeter wide receiver but I want to see him converted to tight end in the NFL. He already has the requisite size with the ability to put on 10 pounds or so without losing his speed and quickness. If there’s a smart NFL franchise out there, they will be handsomely rewarded. Wilson can more than hold his own as a wide receiver. However, he would have ridiculous upside as a tight end. He has the skills to win versus linebackers and nickels all day.
  • Another reason to believe Wilson can make the jump to tight end is his blocking. As a run blocker, he is a dawg. He has the total strength package to drive guys off the mark and anchor them. Over the last three seasons, among all wide receivers with at least 90 run-blocking snaps, he has ranked eighth, 21st and first in Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) run-blocking grade.
  • Wilson has a huge catch radius. He will adjust for low throws while also reaching high-point throws that few defenders can get to because of his size. He has plenty of catches in traffic on film to prove his strong hands. His 40.9% contested catch rate last year isn’t truly indicative of his talent — ball placement on some of his tight-window throws was sketchy at best. We also have to talk about his 12.8% drop rate in college. Wilson has plenty of concentration drops on film but I think this is something he can get cleaned up in the NFL. There are too many instances of him making special catches on his film (i.e., the one-handed grab versus Oklahoma in 2022).

Player Comp: Darren Waller

Dynasty Outlook: Unfortunately, the NFL spoke loudly about Wilson’s skillset as he tumbled to the sixth round of the NFL Draft before the Eagles snatched him up. Wilson’s clearest path to playing time could be if he transitions to tight end, but that doesn’t even appear to be on the radar right now. With A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both securing long-term deals recently, Philadelphia’s passing attack will run through them for the foreseeable future. Wilson should compete in camp for the WR4 role on the team. His particular skillset remains intriguing, and I’ll still take some late fourth-round rookie draft swings with him or pick him up off waivers after the rookie draft. He’s definitely worth stashing on a taxi squad. 

Brian Thomas Jr. (JAC)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 32nd
    • PFF receiving grade: 92nd
    • YAC per reception: 102nd
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 40 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 301st
    • PFF receiving grade: 290th
    • YAC per reception: 184th

Scouting Report:

  • Thomas is a traits-based prospect with a legit 4.4-lifting speed. He can take the top off a defense and burn by a corner in the blink of an eye. Thomas faced a ton of off-coverage in college, with corners afraid to get beat over the top by him. As a field stretcher, he offers solid ball tracking deep and a “my ball” mentality at the catch point. He has good body control for a receiver his size. He’ll be a good fit in an offense built upon creating explosives and with a strong deep ball rate.
  • Thomas was tasked with a limited route tree at LSU. His game logs consisted of a ton of stop routes, go routes and fade routes. He was tasked with running to space against zone. You won’t find many in-breaking routes on his film outside of the occasional crosser.
  • Thomas has a decent gear down for his size with the ability to gain separation on comebacks but he saw hefty cushions in coverage. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles corners pressing him or playing tighter in the NFL. He has the upper body strength and hand-fighting to put up a fight against press but it’s more of a projection since we haven’t seen him do it much.
  • He’s not much of a threat after the catch, with only 5.3 yards after the catch per reception in college. His transition from receiver to rusher is methodical, considering his size. He’s not a twitchy player, as his hips look stiff once he has the ball in his hands and is asked to create after the catch.

Player Comp: Tyrell Williams

Dynasty Outlook: The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired Thomas Jr.’s services after selecting him in the first round of the NFL Draft. Jacksonville made it clear that he will be in the starting lineup in Week 1 after they released Zay Jones. Thomas Jr. had a strong final season at LSU, but he must continue to grow as a wide receiver if he hopes to hit his ceiling. LSU didn’t ask him to run a full route tree. In 2023, he fell below the FBS average, with only 3.1% of his routes being slants (average 5.6%) and 11.8% being crossers (13.6%). 54.8% of his overall route volume in 2023 were either go routes or hitches (per PFF). Thomas Jr. could become the team’s WR1, but look for him to be eased in as the third/fourth option in the passing attack behind Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, and possibly Gabe Davis. Thomas Jr.’s draft slot will vary widely from league to league, from the late first round to the early second round of rookie drafts.

Jermaine Burton (CIN)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 25th
    • PFF receiving grade: 30th
    • YAC per reception: 256th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 113th
    • PFF receiving grade: 101st
    • YAC per reception: 150th

Scouting report:

  • Burton has the speed to burn. His acceleration is one of the first standout traits that jump off the film. He can erase cushions and make defensive backs hate life in an instant with double moves. It’s insane and so much fun to watch. 
  • He’s not just a field stretcher. Burton has big-time route-running chops. He flashes smooth changes of direction and the ability to cut on a dime. He has some red zone whip routes that make corners look absolutely silly. He deploys jab steps, pace variations, and leverage manipulation in his routes. He can win at all three levels. 
  • Burton has top-shelf deep ball tracking. He secured a big-time throw, illuminating this perfectly against Ole Miss in 2023. He also has consistent late hands as he leaves corners guessing. 
  • He needs to improve his boundary awareness, but he displays good body control on back shoulder throws with the ability to sky and secure balls outside of his frame and behind him. 
  • Burton has a strong set of hands at the catch point. He sports only a 2.9% drop rate and a 52.6% contested catch rate in college. Burton also flashes some physicality after the catch with a strong enough base to slip tackles. 

Player Comp: Rashod Bateman

Dynasty Outlook: Off-the-field and locker-room concerns caused Burton to fall into the Bengal’s laps in the third round of the NFL Draft, but he won’t fall that far in any rookie draft I’m in. Burton’s another easy case where the box score numbers don’t match the film nor the deeper analytics. During his final season at Alabama, he was in the 100th percentile in receiving grade while also finishing in the 90th percentile in receiving grade against single coverage and in the 77th percentile in separation percentage (per PFF). Don’t rule out Tee Higgins getting moved before Week 1, but even if he stays on the roster for the 2024 season, he will likely be gone after this year. Burton is already locked into three wide receiver sets and will contend to be the WR3 in the target tree. If Higgins (or when) moves on, Burton’s standing will only improve. Burton is a strong second-round pick in rookie drafts and will be one of my highest-rostered players across my dynasty portfolio.

Roman Wilson (PIT) 

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 29th
    • PFF receiving grade: 22nd
    • YAC per reception: 178th
  • Career
    • In four years at Michigan, he didn’t earn more than 39 targets or finish with higher than 2.3 YPRR until 2023.
    • 59.9% collegiate slot rate

Scouting Report:

  • Wilson can rip zone coverage with hot, nasty speed and fluid hips. He can slice through off coverage as a steady target (2.0% drop rate in 2023).
  • Wilson has a quick first step and speed, which allows him to gain separation on shallow crossers and stop routes. He can stretch a defense vertically but he’s not a YAC threat or a wondrous tackle breaker. Wilson had only nine missed tackles forced and 5.4 yards after the catch per reception in college. He can make plays with the ball in his hands but it’s reliant upon his speed.
  • Wilson needs to continue to hone his releases. Wilson can beat zone coverage but the instances he has faced press coverage have given him fits. He hasn’t exhibited the necessary release package or upper body strength to beat press coverage. Once a corner gets their hands on him, it is game over. Wilson struggles to play through contact during his routes. He should continue to operate as a slot receiver in the NFL.

Player Comp: Devery Henderson

Dynasty Outlook: Wilson should push to start in two wide receiver sets immediately in Pittsburgh. The Steelers drafted him in the third round, and their talented rookie should be in the lineup in Week 1 over Van Jefferson or Calvin Austin unless Mike Tomlin goes the route of veteran deference. Wilson is a strong late second-round/early third-round rookie draft pick in all formats. The biggest hindrance to his short and long-term upside could be Arthur Smith. Since 2021, Smith has directed offenses that had the third-highest neutral rushing rate, and I don’t see that changing in Pittsburgh. As long as Smith is calling the shots, the passing volume will be limited, so Wilson will have to be hyper-efficient with his targets. 

Malik Washington (MIA)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 11th
    • PFF receiving grade: 2nd
    • YAC per reception: 67th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 168th
    • PFF receiving grade: 110th
    • YAC per reception: 132nd

Scouting report:

  • Washington is a dynamic player in the open field. He can slip tackles like a running back and has good vision in traffic. Last year, he was fifth in missed tackles forced. His low center of gravity helps with breaking arm tackles and his twitchy change of direction ability. 
  • He has immediate burst with the ball in his hands. Washington’s fluid hips allow him to uncover quickly and transition seamlessly to running after the catch. 
  • Washington was utilized in the slot in college (87.9% slot rate in 2023). He’ll likely work inside at the NFL level. Washington has a good feel for finding the soft spots in zone. He was heavily utilized on screens and stop routes. Washington needs to continue to add nuance to his routes (mid-route), but he does display good footwork in his releases and bend in his routes to believe that he can continue to evolve in this area at the next level. 
  • His size can show up during his routes as he can get pushed off his line against physical corners, but he plays bigger at the catch point. He flashes good body control, snagging plenty of balls outside of his frame with adjustments to high throws and ankle biters. 

Player Comp: Demario Douglas

Dynasty Outlook: Unfortunately, the NFL didn’t seem as high on Washington’s skill set as I have been. He fell all the way to the sixth round before the Dolphins called his name. Washington is buried on the Miami receiving depth chart, and he’ll be fighting just to make the roster for Week 1 behind Tyreek Hill, Odell Bekcham Jr., Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft, Braylon Sanders, and more. Washington’s talent is real, and he’s still worth stashing on your taxi squad this year. You can snag him in the final round of your rookie draft, but he may fall to waivers in plenty of leagues. 

Keon Coleman (BUF)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 175th
    • PFF receiving grade: 148th
    • YAC per reception: 72nd
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 107th
    • PFF receiving grade: 79th
    • YAC per reception: 206th

Scouting Report:

  • Coleman relies upon being a catch-point bully. He is saved at the catch point by his ridiculous wing span and strong hands. He is adept at corralling high-point balls but doesn’t display the ability to adjust well to low throws or passes that might be behind him, which hinders me from saying he has a huge catch radius. It also has to be stated that he dealt with poor ball placement from his quarterbacks in 2023.
  • He has a lot of rounded routes, lacking suddenness and nuance on his ledger. Coleman doesn’t display the route running or release package skill set at this juncture to look at him as a consistent separator off the line or during his stem. Corners have no issues hanging with him on most routes. He doesn’t have the raw speed to stack corners, but he flashes strong ball tracking downfield.
  • Coleman should translate as a red zone weapon to the NFL. With his size and high point skills, that should be an avenue of usage from Day 1. He also boxes out defenders well, like a power forward going up for a rebound.
  • He’s not a consistent YAC threat. Coleman doesn’t have the quick twitch or raw speed to do a ton after the catch with screens. He can break tackles, though, simply because of his upper body strength, especially against smaller defenders.

Player Comp: Poor man’s Kenny Golladay\

Dynasty Outlook: Coleman didn’t land first-round draft capital, but he was snatched up quickly by Buffalo in the second round of the NFL Draft. Coleman should start in two wide receiver sets immediately. This talented receiver has been a polarizing prospect during this draft cycle. While his overall analytical profile borderlines the stuff of nightmares, he did garner 20% and 23.5% target shares over his final two collegiate seasons. While I’m not in the camp that believes wholeheartedly that Coleman becomes a target vacuuming X receiver in the NFL, there’s the possibility that I’m wrong. The landing spot and draft capital alone will ensure that Coleman is selected somewhere in the second round of most rookie drafts. 

Ricky Pearsall (SF) 

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 86th
    • PFF receiving grade: 53rd
    • YAC per reception: 131st

Scouting Report:

  • Pearsall has nuanced route running using head fakes, jab steps, and leverage to his advantage. He is a versatile receiver who can play the slot and perimeter and is one of the best route runners in this class. He has a good feel and pacing in his routes against zone coverage as a quarterback-friendly target. 
  • Pearsall can win at all three levels. He has fluid change of direction and long speed to get open on anything from a five-yard out to a go ball. His route-running chops help his speed play up. 
  • He has plus body control and catch radius. He’s no stranger to acrobatic catches in the air or one-handed grabs. His highlight tape is some of the sickest reps in this class. Pearsall has good ball tracking on deep balls with some nice basket catches and textbook stacking.

Player Comp: explosive Adam Thielen

Dynasty Outlook: Pearsall shocked many by making it into the first round of the NFL Draft, but if you turned on his film and peered at his deeper analytical profile, it shouldn’t be shocking at all. Pearsall is one of the best route runners in this class, and he’s a DAWG at the catch point with some of the sickest highlight reel moments in college football. While Pearsall didn’t stuff the box scores last year, his analytical profile is bonkers. In his final season at Florida, Pearsall was in the 89th percentile in receiving grade, 91st percentile in receiving grade versus single coverage, 90th percentile in separation percentage, and 81st percentile in separation percentage against single coverage (per PFF). Brandon Aiyuk is an unrestricted free agent after this year, so while the road looks blocked for Pearsall right now, that could change quickly, especially if the team does move him in a trade before the 2024 season. Also, don’t rule out Deebo Samuel getting moved before Week 1. Either outcome would send the dynasty community into a frenzy as they clamor for Pearsall’s services. Pearsall is a first-round rookie draft pick, regardless of format.

Xavier Legette (CAR)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 11th
    • PFF receiving grade: 18th
    • YAC per reception: 68th
  • Career
    • 73.6% of his snaps as a boundary receiver

Scouting Report:

  • Legette is a long-striding boundary receiver. He plays bigger than his listed size suggests. He has superb back-shoulder ball skills and body control in the air. Legette has a big catch radius as he high points the ball well with a pair of strong hands.
  • He is a developmental wide receiver who needs to improve on the little things of the position. Legette has good deceleration at the top of his stem for his size but it can be inconsistent. He’ll have a few routes where he sharply drops his hips and decelerates, leaving corners searching, and then he’ll be lax and get clunky with his footwork at the top of his stem.
  • Legette needs to sell his vertical push more consistently. Many routes look strong but then he’ll sneak in some reps where he’s telegraphing his intentions. The need for consistency bleeds over into other areas of his game. He lacks consistent spatial awareness against zone drifting on some routes where he should put the brakes on in space.
  • His releases need work. Legette opts for speed releases on many routes, but he needs to continue to hone his footwork and add more release tactics to the tool bag. His footwork has to continue to improve if he hopes to gain separation off the line in the NFL, especially on short-area and intermediate routes. He plays bigger than his size would indicate, which is a plus in some areas, but it’s not here as he runs and has the footwork speed of a bigger-bodied wide receiver.

Player Comp: David Givens

Dynasty Outlook: The Carolina Panthers moved into the first round of the NFL Draft to select Legette. He enters a now seemingly crowded receiving depth chart alongside Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen. Legette should be the immediate WR3 for the team and the likely field stretcher with Johnson and Thielen operating underneath. Legette could be the team’s WR1 as soon as 2025. Johnson is a free agent after the 2024 season, and the team can move on from Thielen after 2024 (5 million dead cap hit if he’s cut). Thielen is a free agent in 2026. There are a lot of worries about Legette’s overall profile, but he displayed a high ceiling in his final season in South Carolina. If (it’s a big IF) he hits his ceiling, it should be impressive. Legette is a swing from your heels second-round pick in rookie drafts. He’s an “Adam Dunn” type of prospect. The two most probable outcomes are he’s either a moonshot home run or a bone-chilling strikeout. 

Devontez Walker (BAL)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 71st
    • PFF receiving grade: 177th
    • YAC per reception: 271st

Scouting Report:

  • Field stretcher. Walker finished his collegiate career with 16.8 yards per reception and a 17.1 average depth of target (aDOT). He was a limited route tree player, with the majority of his opportunities coming on stop routes and go balls with some screens and posts tossed in. I would have loved to have seen Walker utilized on slants more where he could take advantage of his size and strong hands in traffic.
  • Walker must continue to add to his bag of tricks as a receiver. He will round off his routes and routinely leaves corners unstacked on nine routes, which leads to issues at the catch point. Walker’s strong mitts and solid ball placement by Drake Maye helped to mitigate corners at the catch point but this will be an issue for him in the NFL. He does have some good reps, exhibiting good body control and the ability to play above the rim.
  • Walker needs to continue to improve his gear down and sink his hips on comebacks and curls. He’s a long strider with build-up speed that plays better with downfield assignments. Walker likely slots in as a situational deep threat in the NFL unless he can continue to improve in these other areas.

Player Comp: Jalin Hyatt

Dynasty Outlook: Walker is a field-stretching-only option. The Ravens drafted him in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Unless Walker can unseat either Rashod Bateman or Nelson Agholor (unlikely), he’s likely staring at a part-time role in year one. Walker is a deep league taxi squad option only. 

Adonai Mitchell (IND)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 179th
    • PFF receiving grade: 98th
    • YAC per reception: 260th

Scouting report:

  • A boundary field-stretching speed demon. Mitchell’s wheels are evident immediately when you turn on the film. He can eat up a cushion in the blink of an eye. Mitchell doesn’t lose speed with subtle changes in direction, but he does have issues with throttling down during routes. It’s noticeable on double moves as he will have issues getting back to full throttle, and it affects his pacing on these routes. 
  • Mitchell adds subtle movements and changes of direction to his downfield routes, but he needs to continue to add to that tool bag. He relies a lot on a stutter step and direction change to get corners to bite, but if corners are diligent in their film study at the NFL level, they won’t bite on this after seeing it religiously. 
  • Mitchell can eat up off coverage, but corners can give him fits once they get their hands on him. Corners that can run with him and also have decent play strength can hang with him and give him problems at the catch point. He can get pushed off his line. 
  • Mitchell relies upon speed to generate YAC. He won’t force many missed tackles (only nine in college) and isn’t a twitchy player. 
  • He displays good ball tracking on deep patterns with late hands. Mitchell has no problems with securing balls outside of his frame. He had only one drop over the last two seasons. 

Player Comp: D.J. Chark

Dynasty Outlook: Mitchell should be the downfield receiver in this Indy passing attack, with Michael Pittman operating as the traditional X receiver. Shane Steichen’s passing attack fuels downfield explosive plays, and that should be Mitchell’s role. He’ll carry massive weekly upside, but I’m concerned about his ability to draw a hefty target share. Mitchell never garnered more than a 19.4% target share in any collegiate season. Mitchell will be a second-round pick in rookie drafts in all formats. I’ll let him slip into the late second or early third round in my drafts before pressing the draft button. Simply put. There are just other wide receivers that I like more in this class. 

Luke McCaffrey (WAS) 

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 95th
    • PFF receiving grade: 26th
    • YAC per reception: 84th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 77th
    • PFF receiving grade: 58th
    • YAC per reception: 179th

Scouting Report:

  • A savvy player who could carve out a long career in the NFL, McCaffrey’s background as a quarterback serves him well as a receiver. He has good situational awareness in the red zone, making catches near the boundary and finding soft spots in zone coverage.
  • McCaffrey has a slender build with easy speed and a fluid change of direction. He will be a quarterback’s best friend in the NFL with his strong hands. He had only a 4.1% drop rate last year and came down with plenty of tough catches in traffic while taking huge hits. He has a nice catch radius with the ability to adjust to targets over his head, as well as ankle biters in the red zone.
  • McCaffrey isn’t a burner but he can be utilized downfield. He has strong ball tracking and displays late hands consistently.

Player Comp: Jakobi Meyers

Dynasty Outlook: McCaffrey was scooped up in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders, which was earlier than many had projected him. McCaffrey is a savvy player who continues to add skills to the toolbelt yearly after making the switch to wide receiver. Jahan Dotson has been an underwhelming player in the NFL. This new regime has no allegiances to him, so don’t be surprised if McCaffrey wins the WR2 role opposite Terry McLaurin in camp. McCaffrey should be selected in the late second round or early third round of rookie drafts. 

Ja’Lynn Polk (NE)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 70th
    • PFF receiving grade: 75th
    • YAC per reception: 127th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 153rd
    • PFF receiving grade: 215
    • YAC per reception: 201st

Scouting report:

  • Polk has the look of a big slot at the NFL level. He played in the slot on 37.3-41.1% over the last two seasons while drawing 43.5% of his target volume via the slot in 2023. 
  • He needs to continue to refine his releases and route running. Polk faced off coverage or was schemed with off coverage looks off the line with motion or bunch formations. His feet can get away from him at the top of his stem or off the line. He has to increase the efficiency of his movements at these points in his routes. 
  • Polk has an average burst, which shows up in his routes consistently, with corners able to hang with him without issues. It’s especially noticeable when tasked with out-and-ups, as corners don’t bite. He’s not the most dynamic or twitchy player in space, with only 5.2 yards after the catch per reception in college. He was able to force 15 missed tackles in 2023, many of them as a result of his strong base or his upper body strength. 
  • Polk is a clasher during this routes and at the catch point. He does a fair job of creating late separation, but he usually has company at the catch point. This is where his strong hands show up. Polk has no problems corralling passes outside of his frame or in traffic. He has only a 5.3% drop rate in college and has secured at least 53.3% of his contested targets over the last two seasons. 

Player Comp: Marquez Callaway

Dynasty Outlook: Polk’s selection in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Patriots was one of the most head scratching picks of the draft. Polk will be selected in the second round of rookie drafts, but I won’t consider him on my board until round three. Polk should serve as a solid underneath weapon for Drake Maye, but I don’t see a high ceiling here. I’d rather take the home run swings on other players than try to hit a ground rule double with Polk. 

Jalen McMillan (TB)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 68th
    • PFF receiving grade: 144th
    • YAC per reception: 67th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 66th
    • PFF receiving grade: 56th
    • YAC per reception: 126th

Scouting report:

  • McMillan profiles as a big slot in the NFL after at least 89.2% of his snaps from the slot over the last two years. He isn’t a burner with build-up speed. He was slower in close quarters in 2023 as he dealt with injuries, but he showed some flashes of a second gear in 2022. McMillan isn’t a quick-twitch player, which is reflected in his 56th-percentile 3-cone drill and 61st-percentile 20-yard shuttle. 
  • McMillan is at his best, working against off-coverage underneath. He doesn’t have the raw speed or route nuance to be utilized as a consistent deep threat. When he was tasked with out and ups at Washington, he was always blanketed. McMillan can separate on posts via his build-up speed. 
  • McMillan doesn’t play well through contact in his routes or at the catch point. He only secured 20% of his contested targets in college. He also has some technique and concentration drops (7.9% drop rate). 

Player Comp: Marqise Lee

Dynasty Outlook: McMillan will compete with Trey Palmer for the starting slot role for Tampa Bay in 2024. The Buccaneers are thinking ahead, as Chris Godwin is a free agent after this year. While McMillan isn’t assured of a starting spot this season, if Godwin walks, he should be a weekly starter in 2025. Polk and McMillan, in many ways, are like the Spiderman gif. McMillan should be a solid NFL starting slot receiver, but he doesn’t have the look of becoming a high-impact target earner. McMillan is a late-third-round/early fourth-round pick in rookie drafts.

Malachi Corley (NYJ)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 22nd
    • PFF receiving grade: 26th
    • YAC per reception: 9th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 27th
    • PFF receiving grade: 10th
    • YAC per reception: 3rd

Scouting Report:

  • Corley is built like a running back. He has a compact, thick frame and a sturdy lower half. He utilizes his strong frame and low center of gravity to break arm tackles in the open field.
  • A true slot receiver. Western Kentucky tried to get the ball in his hands in any way possible with screens, pop passes and handoffs. He was utilized on a ton of screens, slants and quick-outs. Corley offers some YAC upside with a decent second gear. He has a good feel for attacking zone coverage and finding good areas to sit down in coverage.

Player Comp: Discount Rondale Moore

Dynasty Outlook: Corley is the new shiny model of an archetype of receiver that we have seen struggle in the NFL. Corley is just Rondale Moore 2.0. We’ve seen Nathaniel Hackett assist a franchise in spending third-round draft capital on a receiver like this (Amari Rodgers). I don’t have high hopes that this go-around will be any better than the first time. Corley will be an uninspiring late third/early fourth-round rookie draft pick in most formats. 

Jamari Thrash (CLE) 

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 59th
    • PFF receiving grade: 46th
    • YAC per reception: 57th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 14th
    • PFF receiving grade: 28th
    • YAC per reception: 53rd

Scouting Report:

  • Smooth operator. Looks like he is gliding on the field. Easy change of direction laterally. His superpower and how he wins is with his quick feet, specifically gearing down on intermediate routes. Thrash can drop his hips easily on a comeback and leave a corner spinning.
  • Thrash has some nuance to his routes with jab steps and head fakes. He has a good understanding of leverage and how to set up corners. Thrash has good body control, especially when adjusting to low throws. He is not the strongest at the catch point, though, with only a 32.6% contested catch rate in college.
  • He’s not a burner. He’s a one-speed guy. I question his ability to stretch the field and get on top of corners deep. Could settle in as a possession wide receiver/ WR3 for an NFL team.

Player Comp: Russell Gage

Dynasty Outlook: Thrash is buried on the Browns depth chart as the likely backup slot option and WR5/6. Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore are free agents after this season, so Thrash may walk into 2025 as the team’s starting slot receiver or WR3. While I don’t foresee a high ceiling for Thrash, if he gets into the Browns’ starting lineup, he should, at the very least, offer some flex apparel. Draft him in the late fourth round of your rookie drafts and stash him in on the taxi squad. 

Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (WAS)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 40 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 45th
    • PFF receiving grade: 98th
    • YAC per reception: 201st

Scouting Report:

  • Rosemy-Jacksaint should settle in as a dependable WR4/5 in the NFL. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him convert to a big slot or a 50/50 slot/outside player at the next level and carve out a long career. He has solid feet with the ability to gear down and turn on a dime, but his explosive ability and raw speed are questionable.
  • Rosemy-Jacksaint isn’t an above-the-rim player, but he’s an intermediate possession receiver that coaches and quarterbacks will love. He excels at slants/crossers and comebacks.
  • Rosemy-Jacksaint has vice-grip hands. He extends and plucks the ball out of the air away from his body. He had only two drops across 105 collegiate targets and a 63.6% contested catch rate in his final season.
  • He’s not a YAC threat. Rosemy-Jacksaint runs upright and is easy to bring down in the open field with only four missed tackles and 4.1 YAC per reception in four years of college.
  • Coaches will love him in the run game. He can seal the edge and consistently stands up defenders and anchors well. Over the last two seasons, among 249 and 265 qualifying wide receivers, he was 11th and 14th in PFF run blocking grade (minimum 200 run blocking snaps).

Player Comp: Zach Pascal

Dynasty Outlook: Rosemy-Jacksaint signed a UDFA deal with the Washington Commanders. Rosemy-Jacksaint could easily win a roster spot out of camp, but it’s up in the air. I’m not rushing to draft him or roster him in any dynasty league, but I fully believe that he can have a long NFL career. He will do the dirty work and be a better NFL player than fantasy option.

Ainias Smith (PHI)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 72nd
    • PFF receiving grade: 39th
    • YAC per reception: 47th
  • Career
    • 70.1% collegiate slot rate

Scouting Report:

  • The former running back weaves through traffic like a back. Smith has easy speed and quick twitch after the catch, with the ability to earn yards after the catch.
  • Fluid hips and nimble feet allow him to win against corners in the short areas of the field. Smith was a slot option in college and projects for the same work in the NFL.
  • Smith operated with a healthy dose of stop routes, manufactured touches, and slants where he was asked to run to daylight versus zone.

Player Comp: Demetric Felton

Dynasty Outlook: Smith was drafted by the Eagles in round five. The former collegiate running back could fill a variety of roles for Philly, especially on special teams as a kick or punt returner. He could see some slot snaps, but he’ll have to earn them, so don’t expect much playing time with the offense this season. Smith is taxi squad viable in only the deepest of dynasty leagues (14 or 16 teamers). 

Jalen Coker (CAR)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS/FCS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 9th 
    • PFF receiving grade: 9th
    • YAC per reception: 258th
  • 2022 (among all FBS/FCS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 18th
    • PFF receiving grade: 40th
    • YAC per reception: 150th

Scouting report:

  • Coker utilizes variations in pacing in his routes, head fakes, and jab steps to invite indecision into corner’s skulls. 
  • Coker has good hip sink for his size. His start/stop ability serves him well on double moves. Coker isn’t a burner with 4.5 speed, but he can get deep with his route nuance and savvy doing the heavy lifting.
  • He has good body control in the air, and he has some nice back-shoulder catches in his film. Coker is strong at the catch point with solid hands. He only had two drops last year. One occurred on a poorly located ball, and the other against Lafayette in the rain. 
  • The former Holy Cross superstar plays through contact well in his routes. He has the upper body strength to fight through press and deal with physical corners attempting to push him off his routes. 
  • Coker isn’t a YAC gawd, but he can break some tackles with the ball in his hands. He makes a smooth transition to run after the catch with good vision in traffic. The ball placement on many of his targets at Holy Cross limited his YAC opportunities. This is something he could showcase more in the NFL if he lands with an accurate passer. 

Player Comp: Rashee Rice Lite

Dynasty Outlook: I was shocked that Coker fell out of the draft. That shouldn’t have happened, but it did. Coker landed a UDFA deal with Carolina. He’s a fantastic taxi squad stash right now. Depending on how many rounds your rookie draft goes, he’s worth a final-round pick or, as a priority, added off the waiver wire after the draft. 

Brenden Rice (LAC)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 25th
    • PFF receiving grade: 39th
    • YAC per reception: 127th
  • 2022 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 143rd
    • PFF receiving grade: 123rd
    • YAC per reception: 74th

Scouting Report:

  • Average burst off the line. Rice needs to continue to add to his release package. He doesn’t have the raw speed to rely only on his wheels as he doesn’t have the raw juice to run by corners.
  • Rice can get pushed off his routes by physical corners or jammed up mid-route. He doesn’t flash the speed or route running/release chops to get behind corners deep consistently. He’s not a fluid mover, as he looks lumbering at times to get up to top speed. His change of direction can get clunky.
  • Rice is a decent underneath target with ok hands. He has issues at the catch point with physical corners — 48.6% career contest catch rate. His lack of play strength shows up here. Many times, 50/50 balls for Rice are 35/65 balls. Drops have not been a huge issue, though.

Player Comp: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Dynasty Outlook: Rice almost fell out of the draft before the Chargers picked up the phone in the seventh round. With an underwhelming analytical profile and draft capital, I’m okay with bypassing him in rookie drafts. Rice should compete for the Chargers’ WR5 role behind Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, and D.J. Chark.

Jordan Whittington (LAR)

Stats:

  • 2023 (among all FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
    • Yards per route run: 218th
    • PFF receiving grade: 208th
    • YAC per reception: 101st

Scouting Report:

  • Slot receiver with plenty of gadget usage. Whittington was utilized out of the backfield on angle and wheel routes, with screens, handoffs, etc. He is an upright runner who looks like a throw-back power back in the open field. He doesn’t run with that type of gusto, though. Whittington’s upright running style can be brought down relatively easily if he doesn’t have a head of steam built up.
  • Out of the slot, Whittington has a ton of rounded routes. He lacks suddenness at the top of his stem. There are plenty of reps where he looks like he’s running half-speed. His short-area quickness is nice at times, though, which makes it head-scratching because he has multiple whip routes on film where he leaves defenders flailing at the air.

Player Comp: Laviska Shenault with a low battery

Dynasty Outlook: The Los Angeles Rams selected Whittington in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. Whittington will compete for the WR5 spot on the depth chart with Ben Skowronek. Whittington is a manufactured touch type of receiver that can make some plays with the ball in his hands, but overall, I’m less than enamored with his game. If you’re in a 14 or 16-team dynasty league, then he’s taxi squad viable, but in most 12-team leagues, I won’t be dropping a player so I can get him on my roster.


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