2024 NFL Draft: Loaded WR Class Could Break 1st-Round Record

This year's draft class could see history made when it comes to first-round wide receivers.
2024 NFL Draft: Loaded WR Class Could Break 1st-Round Record
2024 NFL Draft: Loaded WR Class Could Break 1st-Round Record /

In the 2004 NFL Draft, future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald headlined a record-breaking class that saw seven wide receivers come off the board in the first round.

The 2024 NFL Draft has a legitimate chance to reset the bar, and it's got a potential Hall of Famer of its own.

Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. is the top prize in this year's receiver class, and widely regarded as the best overall prospect in the entire draft, regardless of position. His dad already has a bust in Canton, but the younger Harrison looks the part of a future gold jacket owner.

He's not likely to be alone as a top-10 selection, either. Washington's Rome Odunze and LSU's Malik Nabers could both come off the board in that range, as complete players who could immediately be No. 1 receivers at the next level.

Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is the top prize in a loaded 2024 receiver class / Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

After that top trio, there's a long list of receivers in this class who could end up landing in the first round. Florida State's Keon Coleman, South Carolina's Xavier Legette, Texas' tandem of Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, Oregon's Troy Franklin, and LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. are all commonly found in first-round mock drafts at the moment.

If all of those names are called on Day 1 of this year's draft, it would shatter the first-round record with nine wide receivers among the top 32 picks.

The talent doesn't stop there, either. Day 2 should be loaded with more promising receivers such as North Carolina's Tez Walker, Western Kentucky's Malachi Corley, and Washington's Ja'Lynn Polk, just to name a few.

When April finally rolls around, we might see history made with this year's loaded receiver class.


LOOK | Latest 3-Round Projections for the 2024 NFL Draft



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Luke Easterling
LUKE EASTERLING

Luke Easterling (he/him) has been covering college football and the NFL for more than two decades, with a particular focus on the nexus of both, the NFL Draft. Writing for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in sports media, Luke's experience and expertise in evaluating potential NFL prospects and evaluating team needs/fits has earned the appreciation of his readers, and the respect of his peers. Luke cut his sports journalism teeth at The Tampa Tribune before spending two years at Bleacher Report as a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luke then spent nearly seven years at USA TODAY Sports Media Group as editor of Draft Wire and Bucs Wire, building both into authoritative destination sites for their respective audiences. Now at The Arena Group, Luke covers the NFL and college football for Athlon Sports, and runs Sports Illustrated's FanNation site for the NFL Draft. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Luke has been a featured guest on ESPN Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, SiriusXM and more.  Based in Tampa, Florida (the true home of the Cuban sandwich), Luke plays the drums, loves 2000s pop-punk, watches way too many British murder mystery shows, and channels the energy of his deep-south Grammy and his full-Italian Nana in the kitchen. Twitter: @lukeeasterling Email: luke.easterling@si.com