RADIO
Michael F. Florio continues his scouting report series for the 2024 NFL Draft with the WRs outside of his Top 10. Florio explains which rookie wide receivers could surprise in fantasy football.
In case you have not heard yet, this receiver class is very, very deep. We are in the double digits now of receivers I have written up and I still think there are a few left that can make a big fantasy football impact right away. I wrote about the elite three and then the rest of my top 10 if you want to go read those first.
While landing spot is always vital, the deeper you go, the more and more important it becomes. Many of these receivers will go late on Day 2 or Day 3. At that point, teams are drafting not just for need, but to add depth or just get a talented player they like. Plenty of picks in this range get buried on the depth chart for a bit. Their immediate fantasy value is tied to their landing spot.
What happens if a late Day 2 or Day 3 receiver falls into the right spot? Well, that’s exactly what happened with Tank Dell and Puka Nacua last year. Not that you should ever expect Nacua results, but knowing how to value a player and how they will fit within their new offense is a huge part of identifying rookie sleepers.
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NFL/Fantasy Scouting Report for WRs Outside my Top 10
Malachi Corley is the YAC King. All you have to do is watch him play and you immediately see why he earned that nickname. Corley is a beast with the ball in his hands who often turns screens or short routes into chunk plays. Corley is a physical runner who can lower his shoulder and bounce off defenders or just run them over. He can keep his legs moving to break through contact before turning on the jets. He is hard to tackle and should break plenty of arm tackles. Corley is also shifty and can run through a crowd with ease.
Due to his after-the-catch abilities, he should be dangerous in the red zone. While YAC will always be his calling card, he has sneaky downfield ability. His QB play in college held him back in that regard. The entire time watching him I was reminded of three different players: A.J. Brown (but with less downfield capability), Deebo Samuel, and Jayden Reed. All three are excellent fantasy options and Corley should be next in line.
Malachi Corley aka the YAC King - shoutout @SteveSmithSr89
- 709 YAC (2nd among WRs invited to #NFLCombine)
- 8.5 YAC per reception (2nd)
- 15 missed tackles forced (8th)
- 289 rec yards after contact (3rd)
- 6.1 air yards per target, 12.2 yards per catch— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) February 22, 2024
Javon Baker is a prospect I like a lot. Baker can play both in the slot and out wide, just do not expect him to be an X at the next level. He was often used downfield in college and once you watch, you can see why. He can adjust both his speed and his body to track the deep ball. He has great hands and at times shows a really nice ability to jump up and high-point the ball. He not only earned a bunch of deep targets but was also used to help clear things out for his teammates.
While his role was largely as a deep target, Baker can get open at all three levels. He also is shifty and can put up yards after the catch. He just did not get a ton of those opportunities. He also has good instincts and knows how to bail on a set route and just get open when his QB is being flushed. His fantasy value will depend on the role he plays at the next level.
Ideally, he will move both inside and out but he could end up playing a Gabe Davis/Marquez Valdes-Scantling type of clear-out route. He reminds me of Josh Doctson as a player. He also has a shot to be this year’s Tank Dell in the sense of being a player that goes later in the draft and yet breaks out. He also was a standout in the Senior Bowl like Dell was a year ago.
Top Yards per Route Ran vs Press Coverage among #NFLDraft WRs
- Javon Baker, 4.6
- Jalen Coker, 4.3
- Xavier Legette, 3.8
- Troy Franklin, 3.5
- Malik Nabers, 3.2
- Ladd McConkey, 3.2
- Marvin Harrision Jr, 3.1
- Tahj Washington, 3.0
- Rome Odunze, 3.0
- BrIan Thomas Jr, 3.0— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) March 19, 2024
Jermaine Burton is a prospect that is getting a lot of hype as of late. I will admit, on my first watch I did not quite see it. The more I watched, the more I did like him. I still find myself a little lower on him than consensus. Even so, there is a lot he does well. He can play at a high level against man and zone coverage and can beat any defense downfield. He is great at tracking the ball downfield and has the speed to get behind the secondary. Burton can go up and get the ball as well. He is also dangerous after the catch, pairing his speed with a quick cutting ability. If he gets paired with a strong-armed QB, he could be very dangerous at the next level.
So what didn’t I like? He was inconsistent against physical corners in college. At times, you see him use his hands to fight back against physical play, and at others, he gets pushed around. Physical DBs also can knock the ball out of his hands at the catch point. He also showed flashes of being able to break tackles, but not consistently. Most of the players with his size and measurables end up being slot receivers in the NFL, but he has primarily been an outside option in college. I think his floor is Nelson Agholor, but his ceiling is Mike Wallace.
Xavier Legette is a fascinating prospect as for years he looked like just a guy before breaking out. Once you put on his tape, his size stands out and he knows how to use it. He can go up and get the ball, has good hands, and brings a huge catch radius to his next team. He is the type of receiver who can erase QB mistakes and make them look good. Legette can play both outside and in the slot. He is best utilized downfield as a field-stretcher due to his explosive speed and size. His 40 is one of the best weight adjusted ever.
He is kind of limited in that regard though as he is not much of a YAC receiver. He is also a great run-blocker. I know I have said players could play in this type of role before, but to me, Legette reminds me of Gabe Davis. He is dangerous downfield and will run lots of clear-out routes. His blocking capabilities will keep him on the field. He will likely be boom or bust for fantasy purposes. Like Davis, he would be much more valuable to his real-life team.
Roman Wilson is a smaller receiver, but he does not play like one. He can line up in the slot or out wide and while he can win at all three levels, his vertical ability is what truly stands out. Not only that, but he was a consistent force for Michigan in the red zone. He has a knack for finding paydirt. That is a quality that we can see carry over to the NFL. Wilson can win after the catch as well. He can line up all over the field and is not afraid to get popped going over the middle.
For fantasy, winning downfield and in the red zone is exactly the traits you want in a receiver. I see similarities between Wilson and Tank Dell. Both are smaller receivers who consistently won in the red zone in college. They also both have field-stretching abilities. But due to their size, those talents will be questioned at the next level. In a good offense, Wilson has breakout potential at the NFL level.
Deeper WR Options in 2024 NFL Draft
Malik Washington is a sleeper for me in this class. He has the speed to win both downfield and after the catch as he can just burn DBs either way. He tracks the deep ball well, is tough to tackle, and will run through arm tackles. He creates quick separation at the line and can get open at all three levels. He can stop on a dime and just change directions, is a good route runner, and has strong hands. Due to that, he could be sneaky good in the red zone. He is a really good football player, but he has size concerns. My favorite comp for him, though, is Tutu Atwell.
2023 Leaders while lined up in Slot (among #NFLCombine WR invites)
- PFF Grade: Malik Washington, 98.9
- Targets: Washington, 120
- Rec: Washington, 95
- Rec Yds: Washington, 1,150
- TDs: Malik Nabers, 12
- YAC: Wzshington, 537
- Yards After Contact: Washington, 296— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) February 26, 2024
Ja'Lynn Polk is a big option who could play as a flanker or in the slot in the NFL. He has the speed to win downfield and can track the long ball very well. He flashed nice hands and an ability to go up and get the ball at times. He also is shifty and has enough speed to win after the catch. I think he is best suited as a big slot receiver in the NFL and we know that could be a very favorable role in fantasy. He could be a Romeo Doubs style of player. I think he has some Rashee Rice in his game, just a lot less physical and athletic as a runner.
Jalen McMillan is another receiver who projects to primarily be a slot option at the next level. McMillian should rely heavily on YAC in the NFL. He is a quick, fluid mover who is shifty and has a great start-and-stop ability. He also can run through tackles at times. He can win deep from the slot but does have average speed and explosiveness. Still, he should be able to use his size to beat nickels. He reminds me of Josh Downs when I watch him play.
Devontez Walker is a fast receiver who gets going in a hurry. He uses that to consistently win downfield. Walker tracks the deep ball over his shoulder well and can go up and get the ball if he has to. I do have some concerns if physical NFL corners will be a problem for him. Still, Walker could play that Gabe Davis/MVS role I keep referencing. That one brings a lot of upside but often is boom or bust for fantasy purposes.
Jacob Cowing brings a lot of quickness and after-the-catch abilities, but will likely be limited to slot duties due to his size. He can win downfield out of the slot but was largely used on screens and shorter routes. On those, he can use his speed to pick up yards in chunks. He also repeatedly won in the red zone for Arizona and his quick-cutting abilities could help that translate to the next level. I did come away thinking that he could struggle against NFL corners and he had too many hand drops. He has a Calvin Austin III floor and Khalil Shakir ceiling.
Tahj Washington is a small but elusive receiver who will primarily win after the catch but has a sneaky downfield ability. He is quick and elusive and uses that ability to pick up yards in chunks with the ball in his hands. However, he will not break many tackles in the NFL. While he can moonlight out wide, he projects to largely be a slot receiver and should help on special teams. My biggest concern was that he could get pushed around and physical cornerback play would be an issue for him. He could have a Mecole Hardman Jr.-type of impact on his new team.
2023 Leaders on Deep Passes (among #NFLCombine WR invites)
- PFF Grade: Malik Nabers (97.8)
- Targets: Rome Odunze, 60 (no one else >36)
- Rec: Odunze, 24
- Yards: Odunze, 815
- TDs: Brain Thomas Jr, 12
- YAC: Tahj Washington, 191
- YPRR: Washington, 33.1— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) February 27, 2024
Anthony Gould is a player that I liked his film a lot, but the obvious concern is his size. Gould is blazing fast and his speed jumps out at you. He is a strong route runner with good hands who could win at all three levels in college. He tracks the deep ball well and can adjust both his body and speed to get under the throw. He consistently won deep in college. He is a great athlete. Just like (Malik) Washington above, his best-case scenario is a Tutu Atwell type of role.
Worthy had a 1.49 10-yard split - tied with Anthony Gould for the best in this class https://t.co/mnZQ5GSYo1
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) March 2, 2024
Luke McCaffrey is an excellent route runner who can moonlight out wide but projects to be a full-time slot receiver in the NFL. He has great hands will come down with anything he touches and excels against zone coverage. However, he does not have his brother's speed or explosiveness. He is not the sharpest cutter and at times he rounds out his routes a little too much for my liking. I wrote, “The only way you’d know he is related to CMC is by the name on the back of the jersey.” He could have a Jamison Crowder or Hunter Renfrow type of career in the right spot.
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint will catch anything that goes his way even if he has to go up high to get it. He is quick and agile and able to get open in a flash. He does not have the best downfield speed, so he may be limited a bit in the NFL. Still, he could be a reliable chain mover.
Cornelius Johnson is a big, strong receiver with good hands. He knows how to use his size and can go up, high point, and win contested catches. He can run block, which could help him stay on the field. He does not have blazing speed and is not very elusive. He could split time out wide and as a big slot at the NFL level.
Jalen Coker is a big receiver who uses his hands extremely well. Not only does he catch anything he touches, but he also knows how to use his hands to create space against physical DBs. He can high point the ball, tracks it well, and in college excelled both downfield and in the red zone. That is the type of receiver you typically want for fantasy football purposes. One weakness is he struggles after the catch and against press coverage. I also question if he is fast enough to consistently win deep in the NFL. I was reminded of Jalen Tolbert’s film -- who I liked a lot in college but it did not translate against tougher competition at the next level.
Yards Per Route Ran leaders among WRs invited to #NFLCombine
1. Malik Nabers, 3.51
2. Marvin Harrison Jr, 3.41
3. Jalen Coker, 3.40
4. Troy Franklin, 3.26
5. Ladd McConkey, 3.24
6. Xavier Legette, 3.06
7. Malik Washington, 3.05
8. Javon Baker, 3.02
...
10. Rome Odunze, 2.80— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) February 22, 2024
Ainias Smith is a small but physical receiver who could also be used as an extension of the run game. Not only is he dangerous after the catch on screens or short targets, but he has a lot of experience as a straight-up running back. He even received some goal-line carries in college. He is a type of weapon that helps open up the playbook. He can make defenders miss and then pick up yards. He does have limited downfield capabilities, which will make him a limited fantasy asset. He reminds me of Rondale Moore as a player.
Brenden Rice is the son of the greatest receiver of all time (Jerry Rice). He has a nice size and knows how to use it. He has pretty good speed for his size, but he does not change direction well. He is better against zone than man as he struggles to create separation at times.
Johnny Wilson is huge. He provides QBs with a huge target and has good speed for someone as physically imposing as him. Still, he is not the cleanest route runner and will have to learn to use his size more consistently in the NFL. There certainly is potential there and he could be a force in the red zone.
Xavier Weaver is a small receiver who shifts after the catch and can break tackles in college. He knows how to get open and has the speed to win deep, but after the catch will always be his calling card. He is slippery after the catch but due to his size and his struggles against physical DBs, could find himself in a limited role in the NFL.
Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.
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