The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy gives his top 10 wide receivers in this year’s NFL draft, based on evaluations and conversations with people around the league:
1. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State, 6-3, 209 pounds
Take all great parts of his Hall of Fame father’s game — smooth routes, great feet, etc. — and put them in Larry Fitzgerald’s bigger body. Physicality for contested catches, speed for big plays. Two-time All-American opted out of all combine-style training and drills.
2. Rome Odunze, Washington, 6-3, 212
Knows how to use size to his advantage, absorbing big hits and winning 75 percent of 50/50 balls en route to FBS-best 1,640 yards last season. Rare ability to contort body mid-air and catches everything he gets his strong hands on. Radiates stardom.
3. Malik Nabers, LSU, 6-0, 199
LSU’s all-time leader in catches (189) and receiving yards (3.003) was a big-play machine. Why? Tackle-breaking and speed to gain easy separation and take the top of a defense. Majority of production from the slot. Arrested for illegally carrying a weapon (charge dropped).
4. Brian Thomas, LSU, 6-2, 209
FBS-best 17 touchdown catches to go with 17.3 yards per catch last season. Speed poses problems for press-coverage cornerbacks. Slot or perimeter formation versatility. Just scratching surface on a high ceiling. Other tools need sharpening, particularly the top of routes.
5. Adonai Mitchell, Texas, 6-2, 205
Lanky playmaker gets vertical with ease. Tracks the deep ball well. Big catch radius leads to some red-zone jump-ball highlights. Two-touchdown game against Alabama left scouts excited. Developing route-runner. Wasn’t a big factor in two years at Georgia.
6. Xavier Worthy, Texas, 5-11, 165
Fastest 40-yard dash time in NFL Combine history (4.21 seconds). Cut his drops from 10 in 2022 — when he had an injury — to five on 114 targets. Runs crisp routes but thin frame is a concern. Dynamic punt returner.
7. Ladd McConkey, Georgia, 6-0, 186
A quarterback’s best friend, who is a technician about uncovering. Bag of tricks includes head fakes, start-and-stop moves and manipulating body leverage. Polished route-runner who slips away after the catch to move the chains — not a deep threat.
8. Troy Franklin, Oregon, 6-2, 176
Catch-and-run weapon, especially on slants, who turns on the jets with the ball in his hands. Will draw safety help away from other receivers. Totaled eight 40-yard catches and 14 touchdowns last season. Some concentration and fail-to-secure-the-catch questionable drops.
9. Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky, 5-11, 215
Nicknamed “The YAC King” for yards-after-catch ability. Quick first read on many plays, leading to 269 offensive touches from 2021-23, but questions about downfield route-running. Physical style and in-motion handoffs draw Deebo Samuel comparisons. Runs through tackles.
10. Ricky Pearsall, Florida, 6-1, 191
Made arguably 2023’s One-Handed Catch of the Year against Charlotte — typical of his stickiness. Smooth getting in and out of breaks. Never takes a play off — even if the ball is far away. Could struggle against press coverage.
Late Riser
Xavier Legette, South Carolina, 6-1, 221
Quick off the snap and snares the ball in traffic. Good fit for a team that values run-blocking receivers — just one area that his play strength pops off the screen. Only one big season out of 53 career games played.
Falling Fast
Keon Coleman, Florida State, 6-3, 213
Disappointing 40-yard dash time (4.61 seconds) overshadowed his 38-inch vertical jump and 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump. Master of the one-handed catch and high-pointing jump skills — an important skill because he doesn’t create much separation.
Small-school wonder
Luke McCaffrey, Rice, 6-2, 198
Brother of Christian and son of Ed, both NFL players. Former quarterback still learning position’s finer points but knows how to find holes in zones. Can be a rushing weapon, too. Oozes toughness, believing every contested catch should be his.
