The 49ers could be primed to take a receiver early in the 2024 NFL Draft.
It’s draft day, and the rumor mill is churning regarding the San Francisco 49ers, who currently hold the No. 31 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, with reports suggesting that they could look to make a move up, potentially even into the Top 10 with a trade.
Ultimately, one position that seems like an increasing desire to take is receiver, even though the 49ers have Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and Jauan Jennings all currently under contract.
Aiyuk is currently amid contract extension negotiations, Samuel has two years left on his deal, and Jennings is a free agent after the year, so there could be some movement in the room over the next year for the 49ers, which brings us to receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Many have noted how the receiver class is strong once again in this upcoming draft, with the top-end talent being as good as in years past, while the depth is there as well, at least over the first three rounds.
As a result, it feels like a realistic possibility that San Francisco could target the position with one of their first two selections, so let’s evaluate my top 12 receivers in the class and gauge their fit with the 49ers.
Honorable Mentions: Roman Wilson, Troy Franklin, Jermaine Burton, Ricky Pearsall, and Ja’Lynn Polk
These five players missed out on the top 12, with me having a late second-round grade on Wilson as my 13th-best receiver in the class.
12: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley
Corley has been connected to the 49ers through the draft process, as he reminds many of Deebo Samuel as a shorter, but built receiver who accelerates well and does a ton of damage after the catch.
The speed for Corley is clearly there, and he works well when in motion, allowing him to get a head start on his route. Additionally, Corley is good at finding open space and works well against zones, while playing physically after the catch, which the 49ers have coveted with their receivers.
However, Corley can struggle against physicality, as his hands in press coverage are inconsistent, while he also isn’t a polished route-runner. Overall, Corley also struggled with drops at times, lowering my grade on him.
He’s a good player in certain systems, and will add value to a team looking for a versatile threat, but I have him as a mid-to-late second-rounder in this class.
If the 49ers are looking to replace Samuel with a similar player, Corley could fit that role, although I’d argue that the former’s acceleration is better than the latter’s.
11. South Carolina WR Xavier Leggette
Leggette is one of the more intriguing receivers in the class, as he stands at 6’1, 225 pounds, while running a 4.39 40-yard dash.
To me, he can serve the role of a true deep threat, as he works the field well on crossers and posts as his long strides and good acceleration help him gain separation in the open field.
Additionally, Leggete’s catch radius stands out, complementing his high-end speed well, but he’ll need to improve as a route-runner to become the full package as a receiver.
Leggette isn’t the best when it comes to breaking routes in either direction, as he’s stiffer coming out of those routes, allowing cornerbacks to keep up, but he could be good in a Deebo-esque role for the 49ers, while having the potential to be one of the top receivers in this class.
Additionally, Leggette shows to be a willing blocker, which will come in handy at his frame for San Francisco.
It ultimately depends on how his route-running continues to develop as he becomes more experienced, but the tools are there to be a strong all-around receiver, potentially even top-five in the class, while the floor is a quality-level deep threat.
I have him with a mid-second-round grade.
10. Georgia WR Ladd McConkey
McConkey is an interesting evaluation because he has the feel of a pure slot receiver, even at 6’0, 187 pounds.
Still, he’s a pretty fluid mover in space, showcasing good speed and the ability to break into routes well as he picks up speed, which is crucial.
Now, the biggest issue when it comes to McConkey is the struggles against physicality, which is why I don’t see him as an outside receiver at the next level, but his separation ability will be helpful as a security option out of the slot.
McConkey doesn’t have the feel of a top receiving option in the NFL, but should serve well as a good complementary piece in a receiving core, and has the capability to run a number of routes out of the slot.
Additionally, he showed a willingness to be a blocker, which will be important in his role at the next level.
I’m not the biggest fan of him for the 49ers as an early-round selection, given the preference for a more vertical threat to assume the No. 2 role, but he could be a good fit for a team such as the Carolina Panthers to take a role similar to Adam Thielen in 2023.
I have a mid-second-round grade on McConkey, with his ceiling being the reason why he doesn’t crack inside the Top 10 here.
9. Washington WR Jalen McMillan
One of my favorite receiver prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jalen McMillan comes in at No. 9 on the list.
At 6’1, 197 pounds, McMillan is a good mover and has long strides, which translates to his route-running, as he maintains speed on his movements, while his short-area quickness is present, helping him separate early on routes.
Be it in the slot or on the outside, McMillan was one of the best route-runner I watched in the class, which should translate well to the second level. His get-off and fluidity work in his favor when in man coverage, while the Washington wideout knows how to find open space in zones.
Is McMillan elite in any single category? Not necessarily. But, he’s a technician with good enough speed that, in my opinion, should be able to work both as an inside and an outside receiver at the next level.
Concentration drops were an issue for McMillan at times, but he also showcased the ability to make some impressive catches, while sporting 10-inch hands.
I especially like McMillan as a No. 2 receiver for the 49ers, as he’s a route runner who should fit well with an expansive route tree in their system, with interchangeability between the outside and the slot.
The floor seems safe, which is why I have a second-round grade on McMillan, even if the ceiling may not be as high as others in the class.
8. Texas WR Xavier Worthy
Arguably the most electrifying receiver in the class, Worthy impressed at the combine with a 4.21 40-yard dash, and his speed is seen all over his tape.
Despite being 6’1, 170 pounds, Worthy was a playmaker, and his speed doesn’t get lost while he runs routes. He can hit breaks well while using his speed, working well with an expanded route tree.
Worthy can separate, especially when giving the space, while being used in a number of roles, as he had production at all three levels of the field.
The biggest concern with Worthy comes against press coverage, as his separation can get mitigated when guarded tightly, diminishing some of his capabilities.
As a result, he’d be best used in a system that keeps him moving and working with space ahead of him, such as with the Miami Dolphins in their motion game.
As for the 49ers, I could see him being used as an all-around weapon, but his size hurts the blocking capabilities that San Francisco asks of their wideouts. Still, if the 49ers were to change parts of their offense to involve a player of Worthy’s caliber in the slot, he could be an electric player that only adds to an evolving passing game.
Worthy is a slot-exclusive player at the next level due to his size, which minimizes contested catch opportunities, but has a number of uses and is a good route runner with his speed.
If placed in the right system, he could be a very productive player, which is why I have an early second-round grade on the Texas product.
7. UCF WR Javon Baker
Another personal favorite in the class, I was really impressed when watching Javon Baker play.
At 6’1, 202 pounds, Baker has good speed and looks more like a 4.4 guy than the 4.54 40-time he posted at the combine, with the versatility to both play in the slot and on the outside.
Baker’s forte is his route running, as he maintains his speed in his movements, while excelling in the intermediate range of the field, showcasing short-area quickness out of breaks both and and inside.
At the line of scrimmage, Baker releases well, which will help him beat man coverage, while his route-running abilities afterwards help him create separation.
Additionally, the UCF receiver is a good contested catcher and a willing blocker, making him not only an extremely complete receiver, but also a strong fit for what the 49ers want from an outside wideout.
Baker isn’t the best deep route-runner, as he tends to take too many steps and not challenge defenders enough vertically, but excels in all other categories and is one of the most underrated wideouts in the class.
I’d pound the table for San Francisco to trade up for him in the second round, and have an early second-round grade on him.
6. Florida State WR Keon Coleman
Keon Coleman is another intriguing receiver in the 2024 class, as he stands out as the best-contested catcher in the class.
Coleman ran a 4.64 40-yard dash at the combine, but moves faster than that on tape, seeming more like a 4.5s type of runner with good acceleration.
The Florida State wideout isn’t the smoothest route runner or the best separator, as he tends to take extra steps on comebacks, while not being as crisp on slants, but he makes up for the inconsistencies with a good release package and change-of-direction ability in his movements.
Coleman’s catch radius, though, is insane, and teams for that lone reason should look to target him in the early second round of the draft, as he consistently comes down with contested catch opportunities, serving as a strong red zone option and safety blanket for quarterbacks.
Additionally, Coleman is great after the catch, which makes him an intriguing fit for the 49ers should they look for a similar player to take over the Deebo Samuel role.
I have Coleman ranked higher than initially expected, as he is only 20 years old with room to grow in all departments, while also having a good floor already with his hands. I see him as another early second-round player in this class.
5. LSU WR Brian Thomas
At 6’4, 210 pounds, Thomas has the most unique profile of the top receivers in this class, as he ran a 4.34 40-yard dash at the combine.
Thomas’s route-running ability is underrated, as he’s smooth in movements on post routes where his elite speed is shown, while also serving as a solid short-field option with good breaks going into slants.
Thomas can fit a multitude of roles, being a deep threat as a boundary receiver, as he releases well at the line of scrimmage, complementing his speed, while attacking press-bail corners and their leverage before making his move as a route-runner.
Now, Thomas does struggle with physicality, as he looks to beat press coverage with his speed rather than technique, while also being an occasional body catcher, but he works well in a number of other roles, and can even be a weapon after the catch with his high-end acceleration.
Thomas has all the tools to be an elite receiver in the NFL and may be more boom-or-bust than other options, but I see the value he provides, and have him as a late first-rounder in this class.
Ultimately, Thomas could be a great fit opposite of Brandon Aiyuk as a vertical threat, developing in Year 1 before taking over in a bigger role in Year 2.
4. Washington WR Rome Odunze
Many have touted Odunze as one of the top three receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft class, but I actually have him as the fourth-best option.
Odunze was used in a versatile role at Washington, seen a lot in motion, on the outside, and even in the slot. The Washington standout is a pretty fluid mover, showcasing good route running on in-breaking routes, while working inside leverage well before breaking out on other routes as well.
Odunze is a former track runner, but isn’t the best separator on vertical routes and seems a little stiffer on double moves. Additionally, his speed isn’t in the elite category, which makes his inconsistencies against press coverage a little more eye-opening.
Additionally, Odunze is a good player after the catch, where he breaks tackles and accelerates pretty well, fitting the 49ers system.
As a contested catcher, Odunze especially impresses, as he’s able to consistently win 1-on-1 routes, adding to his profile as a complete receiver.
The questions for Odunze for me come more with his route-running and ability in press, but this is still a player I have a mid-first-round grade on and someone that should fit the 49ers system well with the amount of motion they use and the ability after the catch.
However, to obtain Odunze, the 49ers would likely need to execute a massive trade up, which may involve Aiyuk or a significant compensation package.
3. Texas WR Adonai Mitchell
Mitchell is my favorite receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, as he presents the whole package at 6’2, 205 pounds.
One of the faster receivers in the draft, Mitchell’s route running is among the best in the class, and the most important aspect is that he maintains his speed throughout his whole route tree. The Texas wideout moves smoothly on breaks, hits double moves on a dime, and separates at an elite level for a player of his size.
Mitchell’s base at the line of scrimmage for his release package is good, while his top-end speed can usually win 1-on-1 opportunities.
Additionally, Mitchell is able to win contested catch opportunities more often than not, making him the complete package, as he has a pretty wide catch radius.
Ultimately, the two biggest issues when it comes to Mitchell are his effort, which was on film much more than I anticipated, and his diabetes, which has reportedly prompted other teams to take the wideout off their boards.
Still, with the way he would complement Aiyuk as an outside receiver, Mitchell would be the best option for the 49ers at wideout in the first round, although it may require a trade up to acquire his services. I have an early-to-mid first-round grade on Mitchell.
As for Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison, I don’t see a realistic scenario as to how the 49ers could obtain either player, with both expected to be gone by No. 6 overall, but both are talented wideouts who have elite-level potential, as well as high-level floors.
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