2024 NFL Mock Draft: Star-Studded WR Class Dominates 1st Round

It's looking like a great year to need a star wide receiver at the top of the NFL Draft.

Luke Easterling | Sep 26, 2023

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Star-Studded WR Class Dominates 1st Round /

Much of the early conversation surrounding the 2024 NFL Draft class has centered on a deep quarterback class, but it might be the wide receivers that end up dominating next year's first round.

That's what plays out in the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from The Draft Network, which has a whopping eight pass-catchers coming off the board among the top 32 picks, three of them landing in the top 10.

That run starts as expected, with Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. (No. 2 overall, Arizona Cardinals). LSU's Malik Nabers is next off the board (No. 8 overall, New England Patriots), followed by Florida State's Keon Coleman (No. 9 overall, New York Giants).

LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers — Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

After a decent wait, receivers come off the board fast and furious in the back third of this projection: Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka (No. 20 overall, Atlanta Falcons), Florida State's Johnny Wilson (No. 24 overall, Cincinnati Bengals), Texas' Adonai Mitchell (No. 28 overall, Dallas Cowboys), South Carolina's Xavier Legette (No. 29 overall, Buffalo Bills), and Texas' Xavier Worthy (No. 30 overall, Philadelphia Eagles).

Perhaps the biggest surprise of this mock is seeing eight first-round receivers, but Washington's Rome Odunze not being among them. Odunze is a top-10 talent overall in this draft, and has been putting up huge numbers again this season for the Huskies.

Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze — USA TODAY Sports

The top quarterbacks are still well-represented in this early first-round forecast, starting with USC's Caleb Williams (No. 1 overall, Arizona Cardinals). North Carolina's Drake Maye is next off the board (No. 3 overall, Chicago Bears), followed by Texas' Quinn Ewers (No. 6 overall, Las Vegas Raiders), Washington's Michael Penix Jr. (No. 12 overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and Washington State's Cameron Ward (No. 14 overall, Minnesota Vikings).

To check out the full first-round mock draft at The Draft Network, click here.

Published Sep 26, 2023

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