2024 NFL Draft, NFL Draft

WR in NFL Draft 2024

Featured Photo Credit: Oct 14, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keon Coleman (4) catches a pass over Syracuse Orange defensive back Jason Simmons Jr. (6) during the first quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports.

These wide receivers, all eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft, are listed by the level of Bills scout visits to that school. The number preceding each name is their November position on the BuffaloFAMBase Big Board, which you can use interactively on the FanSpeak Draft Simulator.

Julian Fleming (4). Credit: © Adam Cairns/Columbus

368 Julian Fleming WR Ohio State [Watch This Play! — #4]
Interview A++
6-2 210 4.5
Best position in NFL: WRS
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 12.1 vs AP in 2022 (12 catches)
https://www.footballdb.com/players/julian-fleming-flemi0046 BIG10
63% catch rate…3rd in YAC on the Buckeyes after Egbuka and MHJ; OL has one of FO’s Top Run-Blocking AND Pass-Blocking Grades. Backs up soph Ballard at “Z”. and is gunner on punt team …Former #1 HS Recruit.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Fair to Good. The roles of gunner and depth at slot might need some competition, but this is a stacked, stocked WR class.


Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) . Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

1 Marvin Harrison Jr. WR Ohio State [Watch This Play! – #18]
Interview A+++
6-4 205 4.46
#18 WR ‘X’
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 17.3 vs AP in 2022 (27 catches)
https://www.footballdb.com/players/marvin-harrison-harri0647 BIG10
64% catch rate, 65% last year going for 1,263 yards at a 16.4 YPC clip. He’s the son of one of the game’s all-time greats. PFF: ” yards after the catch work isn’t a big part of his game”, which is a Beane turnoff. Had shoulder injury in 2nd quarter of the first game.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Poor. He’ll go in the top 4. He’s a generational talent someone will trade a WR1 for.


Emeka Egbuka (2). Credit: © Kyle Robertson.

18 Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio State [Watch This Play! – #2]
Interview A+++
6-1 205 4.42
#2
Best position in NFL: WRS KR
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 11.9 vs AP in 2022 (32 catches)
https://www.footballdb.com/players/emeka-egbuka-egbuk0001 BIG10 Seattle, WA
72%… catch rate is tied for 6th-highest.
Egbuka is your YAC Monster with sure hands who’ll most likely make his living out of the slot. He’s an ideal slot, in fact, who’ll double as a kick returner with 605 yards in his career. Beane speaks about YAC, and in 2022, Egbuka had 526 Yards AFTER Catch. He shows the God-given ability to win vertically, he has natural hands, and Egbuka plays through contact. He tracks the ball well, and has a good size/frame. Will Beane think he has his “slot” in Kincaid? I think he’ll look for a WR in addition to the Dalton and Dawson Show. If Egbuka begins to drop, watch Beane answer these questions with a trade-up.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Very Good. His skillset matches almost everything they’re looking for.


Cornelius Johnson (6). Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

202 Cornelius Johnson WR Michigan [Watch This Play! – #6]
Interview A+++
6-2 208 4.49
#6
Best position in NFL: WR ‘X’
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 25.9 vs AP in 2022 (9 catches)
https://www.footballdb.com/players/cornelius-johnson-johns1086 BIG10 Long Island, NY 60% catch rate…YPR 2021 15.7 (#7) Big Ten,and was #7 last year too, so he’s consistent. ; #3 in WR class in YPC vs AP-ranked…albeit 4 catches for 39 yards. This year’s Nico Collins. Could be the heir to Ronnie Bell. His focus has improved: “I would just say he’s preparing harder,” said cornerback Vincent Gray. “His focus has increased. I feel like walking into that role has been a big time receiver for us who we need to make plays on a consistent basis. I would say he’s locking in a lot more mentally.” Harbaugh: “It’s a big catch range that Cornelius has,” said Jim Harbaugh on Monday. “I think that’s a big complement in our passing game. Also, he’s a tough competitor. He’s really developed his release at the line of scrimmage, gaining separation. Just the motor movements of playing receiver, his hands, catching the football, all those things a receiver has [that] they can improve. You see continuous steady progress there.” Cornelius led the Wolverines (12-1) with 37 catches for 602 yards in 2022 and scored three touchdowns.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Good. The Bills got plenty of looks at Wolverines both this year and last.


Roman Wilson (1). Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

92 Roman Wilson WR Michigan [Watch This Play! – #14]
Interview A+++
6-0 185 4.29
#14
Best position in NFL: Any, but start him at WRS
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 13.3 vs AP in 2022 (10 catches)
https://www.footballdb.com/players/roman-wilson-wilso0434 BIG10 Honolulu, HI 66% catch rate…born in 2001 in Kihei, Hawaii where his daily school commute required a plane flight to Honolulu, on the island of Oahu (he went to the same school as Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa). Hence the nickname “The Flyin’ Hawaiian”. Wilson was a track star as well in high school, winning the state championship in the 100 meters. Fun Story: Roman Wilson trained with the father of his HS track rival. Wilson: “I really like watching Stefon Diggs, Mike Evans, people who are very sudden with their releases. I feel like that’s something I can add to my game. Knowing how fast I am, trying to improve like my suddenness and my routes.”
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Most Excellent. Speed, suddenness, work ethic. I’d even take him a round earlier.


366 Dante Cephas WR Penn State [Watch This Play! #14]
Interview: None Available
6-0 186 4.5
#14
Best position in NFL: WR ‘X’
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 10.7 vs AP in 2022 (7 catches); 10.3 on 3 catches so far in 2023
https://www.footballdb.com/players/dante-cephas-cepha0001 BIG10 Pittsburgh, PA 66% catch rate…Cephas (“SEE-fiss”) spent his four-year collegiate career at Kent State. During his tenure with the Golden Flashes, Cephas was recognized as a two-time First Team All-MAC receiver in 2021 and 2022. In those two seasons, Cephas combined for 130 receptions for 1,984 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 23 games. In 2021, Cephas became the first Kent State wide receiver since 1997 to eclipse 1,000 yards in a season, tallying 1,240 receiving yards (Fun fact: Eugene Baker did it before Cephas, and the Falcons drafted him. He played for the Bills, Rams, and Panthers after that). Cephas provides the Nittany Lions with a true deep threat that can stretch a defense vertically, and contribute on KR and PR. All of those traits sound like fits. So do there: Excellent athlete, elite jumping ability, high-points very well. The former Golden Flash averaged 15.5 yards per reception last season, which would have only trailed new PSU teammates Theo Johnson and KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Fair to Good. He looked good facing Kent State’s MAC opponents.


544 KeAndre Lambert-Smith WR Penn State [Watch This Play! – #1]
Interview A++
6-1 182 4.5
#1
Best position in NFL: WRS
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 36.4 but only 5 catches in 2022; 8.4 on 14 catches so far in 2023
https://www.footballdb.com/players/keandre-lambertsmith-lambe0027 BIG10 Norfolk, VA 56% catch rate…YPR: 2021 15.3 (#8) Big Ten, #2 in WR class in YPC vs AP-ranked…caught a Rose Bowl-record 88-yard touchdown in the third quarter in Penn State’s 35-21 win over Utah. Lambert-Smith and Cephas are the projected starters for Penn State in 2023. KL-S has the best opportunity to finally have that breakout season in 2023 with Washington and Tinsley moving on from Penn State. James Franklin says KeAndre Lambert-Smith has “earned the respect of the locker room and the coaching staff.” Lambert-Smith recorded 123 receiving yards and 2 TDs in Week 1 after recording 124 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Rose Bowl quite the connection with Allar.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Fair to Good. They’ll be looking earlier than PFA for a WR.


259 Jermaine Burton WR Alabama [Watch This Play! – #3]
Interview A++
6-0 200 4.46
#3
Best position in NFL: WR ‘X’
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 17.3 in 2022
https://www.footballdb.com/players/jermaine-burton-burto0063 SEC Los Angeles, CA Calabasas, CA 64% catch rate…xfer Georgia where he put up pretty decent numbers, particularly in 2021: 26- 497- 19.1, 5 TD…He’s the one Saban covered up for in hitting a young woman. “He was scared”.”most hated transfer this season” going from Bulldogs to the Tide Now second string to JaCoreyBrooks. Nice number of catches vs AP-ranked teams.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: None. You don’t hit a woman. Or any living being, for that matter (except possibly rats).


221 Ja’Corey Brooks WR Alabama [Watch This Play! – #7]
Interview A+++
6-2 195 4.46
#7
Best position in NFL: WR ‘X’
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 16.5 in 2022
https://www.footballdb.com/players/jacorey-brooks-brook0180 SEC Miami, FL Fort Lauderdale, FL 56% catch rate…Part of the Benson, Burton, and Brooks WR Firm! Wonderful catch CuedUp. There just aren’t that many of them given his target share.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Fair. Nice personality and possible Day 3 value, but needs to work that JUGS machine. The Bills need a WR who’s already been there.


711 Jyaire Shorter WR Auburn [Watch This Play!]
Interview A+++
6-2 218 4.58
#14
Best position in NFL: WRS
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 24 but only 2 catches in 2022
https://www.footballdb.com/players/jyaire-shorter-short0019 SEC Austin, TX 50% catch rate…58/117 over 4-season, 29 GP career, xfer North Texas, Shorter was one of the best deep threats in CFB last year, averaging 27.3 yards per catch on 23 receptions, 11 of them touchdowns. No relation to Bills’ Justin Shorter. Cubelic: “Big physical target. Great in traffic attacking the football. Can separate downfield. Limited in what he was asked to run. Tiny inconsistencies with easy balls. But he’s the outside player that [Auburn] needs.” The second-heaviest to Johnny Wilson, and slowest WR at a school scouted by Bills more than once. https://x.com/SkyeUnderwood/status/1658553877778530306?s=20
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Poor to Fair. We have enough Shorters on the practice squad, and ours is a Faster Shorter.


596 Rara Thomas WR Georgia [Watch This Play! – #0]
Interview None Available
6-1 200 4.53
#0
Best position in NFL: WR ‘X’
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 15.1 in 2022
https://www.footballdb.com/players/rara-thomas-thoma0550 SEC Columbus, AL Dothan Airport 64% catch rate……15.1 YPC vs AP-ranked on 18 catches…former Mississippi State wide receiver, Police alleged Thomas stood in front of a dorm room door, blocking the exit, and telling a female she could not leave, but Stephens said it was dropped primarily because there wasn’t enough evidence to support that. The battery charge stood, though, for bruising the alleged victim’s bicep and causing abrasions to her shin. Thomas had to serve 40 hours of community service, complete an anger management class and pay a $500 program fee.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: None. See Jermaine Burton above.


Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (1). Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports.

412 Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint WR Georgia [Watch This Play! – #1]
Interview A++
6-2 195 4.56
#1
Best position in NFL: WR ‘X’
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 12.6 but only 9 catches in 2022
https://www.footballdb.com/players/marcus-rosemyjacksaint-rosem0004 SEC Miami, FL Fort Lauderdale, FL 66% catch rate…Backs up Rara. Had one of the best catches you’ll see this year, just inches under the crossbar for a TD. Watch both views in CuedUp. Read this about MR-J’s attitude: Basically, Jacksaint stepped up when Adonai Mitchell went down…SI: “Typically, you will find Rosemy-Jacksaint on the boundary blocking his back end off…” Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Good, if you mean RD6-7 or Priority Free Agent. I can’t get this reception out of my head, and the idea of a downfield blocker just fits.


Ladd McConkey (84). Credit: Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun.

45 Ladd McConkey WR Georgia [Watch This Play! – #84]
Interview A+++
6-0 185 4.52
#84
Best position in NFL: WRS
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 13.8 in 2022
https://www.footballdb.com/players/ladd-mcconkey-mccon0018 SEC Atlanta, GA …His 74% catch rate is 5th-highest……Trevor Sikkema has this 0-star Z-receiver as his 7th ranked WR. Watch #19 Brock Bowers blocking for him and you’ll see how McConkey gets his TDs. The idea of a slot receiver who’s productive is an attractive one.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Good to Very Good at RD2, Good in RD1.


Dominic Lovett (6). Credit: Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun.

165 Dominic Lovett WR Georgia [Watch This Play! – #7]
Interview A+++
5-9 185 4.46
#7
Best position in NFL: WRS WR ‘Y’
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 13.9 in 2022
https://www.footballdb.com/players/dominic-lovett-lovet0020 SEC Belleville, IL
Lovett’s 76% catch rate is 3rd-highest of top 79 WRs eligible for 2024. PFF lists Lovett, a former four-star recruit, as the No. 1 returning SEC wideout, so the conference matches with Beane’s favorites. Lovett’s 83.9 grade after leading the Tigers in receiving last season with 56 catches for 846 yards and three touchdowns…Lovett led Missouri in receiving last season, and believe it or not, GA hasn’t had a 1000-yard receiver in a while. Mizzou didn’t effectively use Lovett’s talents (their coach even admitted that he tried moving him around too much). It was a great decision by Lovett to move on to a Final Four team.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Very Good to Excellent, especially if he ends up RD4 or later.


Ja’Varrius Johnson (6). Credit: © Jake Crandall via Imagn Content Services, LLC.

414 JaVarrius Johnson WR Auburn [Watch This Play! – #6]
Interview A+++
5-9 165 4.34
#6
Best position in NFL: WR ‘H’ WRS
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 12.3 but only 10 catches in 2022
https://www.footballdb.com/players/javarrius-johnson-johns1090 SEC Birmingham, AL 54% catch rate.…4th-Fastest WR in draft class… Auburn’s wide Receiver of the Year in 2022: 26 catches for 493 yards, 3 TD for season. He doesn’t have much meat on the skeleton, but he’s a jitterbug –a jitterbug who can fly. Think John Ross.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Very Good. Underutilized but not unscouted, and the Bills scouts haven’t been to Auburn very often in recent years.


Keon Coleman (4). Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports.

56 Johnny Wilson WR Florida State [Watch This Play! – #14]
Interview A+++
6-7 235 4.42
#14
Best position in NFL: WR ‘X’
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 15.7 in 2022
https://www.footballdb.com/players/johnny-wilson-wilso0440 ACC Los Angeles, CA Calabasas, CA 54% catch rate, xfer Ariz State (scouted heavily there by Bills), now in first year at FSU, leads Florida State in receiving with 20 catches for 357 yards and two TDs as of Week 7… mismatch-huge. Wilson’s YPR in 2022 was 19.7 (#2 ACC). He’s not a speedster, but is technically sound. Watch his outside shoulder work here. Wilson hasn’t exactly exploded stats-wise, but he had a strong junior season with 900 yards and 5 TDs, and is now averaging over 100 yards a game in his senior campaign.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Excellent, especially Day 2. Beane is still looking for his D.K. Metcalf.


14 Keon Coleman WR Florida State [Watch This Play! – #0]
Interview A+++
6-3 215 4.5
#0
Best position in NFL: WR ‘X’
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 17.4 in 2022
https://www.footballdb.com/players/keon-coleman-colem0186 ACC New Orleans, LA 65% catch rate…A Michigan State transfer who’s top 3 vs AP-ranked teams.…Coleman was fifth in the Big10 in receiving yards last year (798; 66.5 ypg), notching 7 touchdown catches. He led Michigan State in receptions (58) as well. Coleman said one of the reasons he came to MSU was to play in cold weather. He and Johnny W are going to be a handful to defend. The draft will love this physical WR, who adores working across the middle, Keon makes the contested catches, using focus and strong hands when high-pointing the ball.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Excellent, and may be out of reach in RD1. I’d even pay a RD3 pick or player to go up and get him.

Keon Coleman (4). Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports.

294 Tre Harris WR Ole Miss [Watch This Play! – #9]
Interview A+++
6-2 205 4.5
#9
Best position in NFL: WR ‘X’
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 14 but only 4 catches in 2022
https://www.footballdb.com/players/tre-harris-harri0615 SEC Lafayette, LA 66% catch rate in 2022 …xfer Louisiana Tech (3), I think Jaxon Dart elevates Harris more than the other way around. Watch their first game of the season and see what I mean. Tre’s catch rate has dipped this year to 52.5%. Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Fair to Poor.

248 Zakhari Franklin WR Ole Miss [Watch This Play! – #4]
Interview A++
6-0 185 4.52
#4
Best position in NFL: WRS
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 9.6 in 2022
https://www.footballdb.com/players/zakhari-franklin-frank0108 SEC Dallas, TX Cedar Hill, TX 66% catch rate …400 targets is top 3, although yds vs AP is relatively low. A transfer from UTSA who had 93 Receptions for 1,128 Yards & 15 TDs last season. The SEC may be a different row to hoe. Franklin’s best trait is his ability to win at the catch point. He has great balance; he’ll gets bounced around when he gets hit over the middle and still, somehow, stays up (remember Weebles?). A search for his highlights shows multiple one-handed highlight grabs on his resume, and I’m not surprissed he made the PFF Preseason All-SEC Team.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Very Good in RD6-7. I loved Weebles.

595 Winston Wright WR Florida State [Watch This Play! – #1]
Interview A+
5-10 183 4.48
#1
Best position in NFL: WRS KR
YPC vs AP-ranked teams: 11.2 in 2022
https://www.footballdb.com/players/winston-wright-wrigh0229 ACC Savannah, GA Hilton Head, GA Pooler, GA 71% catch rate is tied for 7th-highest…129 catches of 182 targets…xfer WVU after 4 years there, In the 1000 Club for KR =>https://youtu.be/5fcHeRtCrKE?t=55 , he’s 4th among draftables in return yards, and the #1 WR in return yards. He’s easy to like: close to his grandparents, confident, even brash (“I can line up anywhere and make a name for myself. I can play outside, inside, return kicks, return punts, I envision myself making a name for myself”), with work ethic and on-field skills, Returned with Nolan Smith to their Savannah roots to give back to community with free football camps. Wright still gives a below-average interview, but lots to like about this young man.
Chance of Being Drafted By Bills: Fair in UDFA only; the interview does not compute with Wright’s confidence and work ethic.

Editor’s babble: Dean Kindig’s tireless work is like a gift when we get depressed about the current status of our team. We are so grateful for his many contributions to our blog. You can also find Dean on Xwitter @TCBILLS_Astro.

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