Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.Rich Storry/Getty Images
To be encapsulate how the rookie wide receiver class is faring, tight end Brock Bowers leads the leagues first-year targets in receiving yardage.
This isnt to say his contemporaries are disappointments. Instead, theyve been wildly inconsistent with huge games one week and disappearing acts the next. The distance between those two points is the difference between the years top rookie receivers and those who have struggled.
The midseason reevaluation of the Bleacher Report Scouting Departments predraft scouting reports continues with a look at the wide receivers chosen among this years top 50 draft picks.
Ten different prospects heard their names called between the fourth and 37th overall selections. Each of them have contributed early in their careers, though significant variance exists.
When evaluating the wide receiver position, an understanding arises that some individuals take time. They need to learn the system, establish a rapport with the starting quarterback and develop in some of the nuanced areas in order to consistently separate against professional defenses.
Some have already been more successful than expected, while others need a little more time.
Lets look back at B/Rs evaluations and see if they were on-point or require further scrutiny.
Miss: Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
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Pre-draft Grade: 9.7Overall Ranking: 1st
Marvin Harrison Jr. was billed as the best wide receiver prospect since at least Calvin Johnson.
Bleacher Report graded him as the 2024 NFL draft class No. 1 overall prospect, with the highest grade the sites scouting department handed out in its first four years of existence:
Harrison is a slam-dunk prospect. He is a twitched-up athlete with polished route-running ability and elite ball skills. Its so easy to see how his game translates right away. Harrison would be an instant No. 1 WR for most offenses.
Harrison hasnt been the instant hit B/R projected him to be, even though hes played extremely well in spurts. Currently, tight end Trey McBride leads the Arizona Cardinals in receptions and receiving yardage.
To be fair, MHJs six touchdown catches double the Cards next highest output and top all rookies.
By definition, this particular evaluation being designated a miss is nitpicking based on the high expectations placed on arguably the most polished wide receiver prospect ever.
Yes, Harrison already delivered a couple big games, but hes contributed fewer than 50 receiving yards in six of his 11 appearances.
Technically, he hasnt translated right away. Either the Cardinals arent doing enough to get him the ball, or Harrison isnt doing the little things to consistently get open.
Either way, a perceived instant impact hasnt been anywhere near the level of what many thought it could have been.
Hit: Malik Nabers, New York Giants
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Pre-draft Grade: 8.8Overall Ranking: 8th
Malik Nabers made a splash on the NFL scene with the type of play that warranted early Offensive Rookie of the Year discussion through the first month of the season.
However, he suffered a concussion that prevented him from playing in two games, and he hasnt been the same explosive option upon returning to the New York Giants offense.
In Nabers first four appearances, he caught a league-leading 35 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns. Over the Giants last four contests, he provided 26 receptions for 221 yards and zero scores.
The dramatic swing feels quite like what was described in the 21-year-olds scouting report:
As for areas of improvement, Nabers needs to clean up his releases off the line of scrimmage. He too often wastes steps early in the route and doesnt get upfield with each step as much as he could. Thats especially true when he faces press coverage.
Nabers also isnt a reliable ball-winner right now. Hes excellent at tracking the ball as a vertical threat and reaching for passes outside his frame, but he does not consistently win in traffic or in the air.
Overall, its easy to see how Nabers could make an instant impact in the NFL. His combination of speed, quickness and yards-after-the-catch skills will translate into explosive plays right away. Nabers can be a twitchy, field-stretching Z from day one with the potential to grow into a more well-rounded player.
Obviously, quarterback issues remain an issue for Big Blue, but Nabers can do more with whats been seen as of late.
Hit: Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
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Pre-draft Grade: 8.9Overall Ranking: 6th
On paper, the Chicago Bears looked like they had the leagues best wide receiver corps after adding the reliable Keenan Allen and this years ninth overall pick, Rome Odunze, to a room that already featured D.J. Moore.
Currently, the Bears field the leagues 30th-ranked pass offense.
Some of the issues stem from a rookie quarterback whos feeling his way through his first NFL season. The system definitely didnt help matters, hence Shane Waldrons midseason dismissal as offensive coordinator. The offensive line had its share of struggles as well.
But Odunze hasnt been the physical presence many expected, either. At least, not completely.
The rookie leads his team with 479 receiving yards. He does average 14.1 yards per catch, which ranks fifth among first-year players with 20 or more receptions. Basically, he is what he is: A physical, downfield target whos a ball-winner:
Where Odunze falls short is explosive ability Though hes a strong contested-catch weapon down the field, Odunze isnt really a burner. His speed on film is average. He has enough to get it done; no more and no less.
Odunze also doesnt have much pop when changing directions. His flexibility allows him to smoothly turn and not lose speed, but he doesnt really explode out of breaks. That could be an issue versus smarter, quicker DBs.
Odunze is a quarterbacks best friend. Hes a reliable route-runner with good size and an accuracy-erasing catch radius.
Hit: Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
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Pre-draft Grade: 8.1Overall Ranking: 18th
Brian Thomas Jr. shined as major college footballs leader with 17 receiving touchdowns despite playing on the same LSU team as a unanimous All-American in Malik Nabers.
Thomas, meanwhile, didnt even make first-team All-SEC.
None of what transpires in college matters in the NFL. Evaluators are looking for traits. Thomas is a big-bodied, downfield speed merchant, which makes a him a significant vertical threat for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
His success isnt a surprise after being evaluated as the nations best deep target:
Thomas has the big-play potential to be a weapon in the NFL. Its hard to find players with his size, speed and instant burst. While he may not yet be the most complete receiver, Thomas has plenty of good traits to work with and is still a growing, developing young receiver. Thomas would be best served in a vertical offense that unlocks his field-stretching ability.
This years 23rd overall draft pick leads all rookie wide receivers with 689 receiving yards. Unsurprisingly, his average of 16.4 yards per catch leads all receivers with 40 or more catches by nearly a full yard.
The 63, 209-pounder with 4.33-second 40-yard-dash speed is already Trevor Lawrences favorite option. Its a promising connection, even during whats become a lost season.
At this point, Thomas has surpassed expectations, as well as the play of others who were drafted higher and arrived with more fanfare.
Hit: Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
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Pre-draft Grade: 7.4Overall Ranking: 50th
The same muttering could be heard all around NFL circles after the Kansas City Chiefs chose Xavier Worthy with this years 28th overall draft pick: How could the other 31 teams allows the Chiefs of all teams to select the fastest player in combine history?
In truth, his field-tilting speed must always be taken into account after running a record 4.21-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. But he is far from a complete target for all-world quarterback Patrick Mahomes, as noted prior to the draft:
In the NFL, Worthy will be an auxiliary pass-catcher used to stretch the field and stress defenses horizontally at the line of scrimmage. However, given Worthys lack of size and overall inconsistency (especially with his hands), he has a high-risk, high-reward profile that may not be for everyone.
Even on a squad screaming for anyone to step up as its top threat, Worthy has specific packages in which he contributes. Hes far from a complete option. Hes managed more than three catches and 50 receiving yards in only two games so far.
To understand the Chiefs situation, he is tied for the lead among the teams wide receivers with 24 catches. Rashee Rice also has 24 receptions despite playing in only four games before suffering a season-ending surgery to repair his LCL and hamstring.
Mahomes is simply more comfortable targeting Travis Kelce, of course, the running backs out of the backfield and now DeAndre Hopkins.
TBD: Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers
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Pre-draft Grade: 7.2Overall Ranking: 66th
Its unfair to tell whether San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver is a hit or miss based on B/Rs evaluation considering the extenuating circumstances he underwent prior to the start of the regular season.
Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery on Sept. 1. Miraculously, this years 31st overall draft pick has returned to play this season. However, he missed the Niners first six games.
The wide receiver played in San Franciscos last four contests and contributed 11 receptions for 132 yards and a score. However, hes still working his way into the lineup and trying to establish a role after enduring a rather scary situation.
As the season progresses, the 49ers should expect more from this years first-round draft pick. Until then, heres a look at his skill set, per his scouting report:
Pearsall is a vertical slot receiver with the speed and ball skills to be a weapon.
Pearsall is on the skinnier side at 60 and 193 pounds, which is why Florida often deployed him from the slot and put him in motion. The Gators did their best to keep hands off Pearsall at the line of scrimmage.
Doing so helped unlock Pearsalls speed. He does not have the instant top gear that elite speed threats do, but he keeps a great pace once he gets to stride out. That should be enough to make Pearsall dangerous on seams, posts and deep crossing routes in the NFL.
Hit: Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
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Pre-draft Grade: 7.1Overall Ranking: 71st
The Carolina Panthers are trending in the right direction after a disastrous start.
A 1-7 opening included the benching, then reinsertion into the lineup of last years No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. Over the last two weeks, though, some of the rosters younger performers are starting to show theyre capable during back-to-back victories.
First-round wide receiver Xavier Legette is getting there, with 11 receptions for 107 yards and two scores over the last three. But hes been outplayed by undrafted rookie Jalen Coker.
For the Panthers, two rookie wide receivers growing together alongside Young is a good thing. As an evaluation, its not as great.
This years 32nd overall pick took a different path than most top prospects. Legette didnt become a legitimate threat in the passing game until his fifth year on campus. He spent a lot of time as a special teams standout for the South Carolina Gamecocks.
He may need time to find his place with the Panthers, as his scouting report indicated:
Legette is an intriguing prospect with size, adequate speed and ball skills. The concern is that Legette is not a dynamic mover, and he is still a work in progress when it comes to the finer parts of the position. Legette would be best in a play-action heavy system that enables his vertical ability and ball skills.
As Carolina continues to build its roster, Legette can become a more functional piece along the way.
Hit: Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
Set Number: X164637 TK1
Pre-draft Grade: 8.0Overall Ranking: 22nd
Keon Colemans draft status took a significant hit as his final season on campus continued through the predraft cycle.
He would disappear in some games and didnt test well prior to the April event. Even questions about his maturity came to light.
Yet Colemans natural abilities were always present:
Physicality and ball skills are the name of the game for Coleman. At 64 and 215 pounds, he always has his way with defensive backs. He excels at fighting through press at the line of scrimmage, as well as using his length and strength to buy space at the top of route breaks. Coleman is even a pretty chippy blocker.
Coleman also rocks with the ball in his hands. His raw blend of size and speed is threatening enough, nevermind that Coleman also has a little more wiggle to him than most 210-plus-pound receivers.
For teams looking for a top target outside the numbers, he fits the bill. Colemans physicality and ball skills give him a high floor, and he has just enough pop down the field and with the ball in his hands to be a real difference-maker.
When the Buffalo Bills drafted the 21-year-old at the top of the second round, the front office did so with the intent of getting bigger and more physical at wide receiver. But the organization also placed undue pressure on the rookie after trading away its WR1, Stefon Diggs, to the Houston Texans.
Coleman really came on strong in Weeks 7 and 8 before suffering a wrist injury in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins.
Miss: Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
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Pre-draft Grade: 7.3Overall Ranking: 54th
Certain prospects are viewed in a specific manner no matter what their actual skill set says about their game.
With this in mind, Ladd McConkey looked like another stereotypical slot receiver, even though he was capable of far more, as mentioned in his scouting report:
McConkey can be a good slot/Z type in the NFL. He can play both inside and out, he is a highly effective route-runner and his hands are reliable enough. With that said, McConkeys lack of size and strength will likely limit him to being a complementary piece rather than a core part of his future offense.
The mistake in this particular evaluation had everything to do with calling him complementary piece.
The Los Angeles Chargers chose to pass on a wide receiver in Aprils first round in favor of a offensive tackle Joe Alt to solidify the teams offensive line. Instead, Jim Harbaugh and Co. selected McConkey with the 34th overall pick.
At first blush, the Chargers wide receiver corps didnt look like much entering the season after releasing Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen. But McConkey has turned into a legitimate top target.
Over the last four weeks, McConkey produced 350 yards. More importantly, hes become Justin Herberts most trusted option in the passing game. When the Chargers needed to make plays late in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, the rookie provided the necessary chunk plays that led to the victory.
Miss: JaLynn Polk, New England Patriots
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Pre-draft Grade: 7.4Overall Ranking: 48th
The New England Patriots feature the NFLs worst skill position group. The team did its best in the draft to try to improve upon this specific area by selecting quarterback Drake Maye with the the third overall pick followed by wide receiver JaLynn Polk in the second round.
Maye already looks like the future of the franchise, but Polk hasnt provided much despite what looked like a defined role upon entering the professional ranks:
Polk is a ball-winning No. 2 WR in the NFL. He can dunk on DBs down the field and in the red zone, as well as serve as an underneath bully type on the outside to help move the chains. Polk may not be the star in an NFL offense, but he can be a reliable high-level contributor.
Clearly, the Patriots had their issues offensively prior to Maye entering the lineup. Even with the rookie quarterback now leading the way, Polk isnt providing much of anything.
This years 37th overall pick hasnt had more than one reception in a contest over the last six weeks. He has all of 11 catches for 80 yards on a squad in dire need of someone to make plays. Hes not a No. 2 target right now. Hes barely even noticeable.