2024 NFL Mock Draft: Record-Breaking WR Class Dominates 1st Round

A loaded crop of pass-catchers could come off the board early and often in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Luke Easterling | Nov 14, 2023

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Record-Breaking WR Class Dominates 1st Round /

The conversations surrounding the 2024 NFL Draft class typically start with an extremely deep quarterback class, and while that's with good reason, the wide receiver group could end up being just as historic.

While this year's crop of top quarterbacks could challenge the modern draft record of six first-rounders, it's the pass-catchers who break their own record in the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports, which has eight wide receivers coming off the board in the first round.

That would break the previous mark held by the 2003 class, which was headlined by future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald.

The first receiver off the board in this projection is the usual suspect, as Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. is sent to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 overall. LSU's Malik Nabers is next, landing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 11 overall. They're quickly followed by Washington's Rome Odunze (No. 13 overall, Denver Broncos) and Florida State's Keon Coleman (No. 15, Indianapolis Colts).

Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze — Washington's Rome Odunze is one of many first-round talents in this year's wide receiver class / Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka (No. 18 overall, Cincinnati Bengals), Washington's Ja'Lynn Polk (No. 29 overall, Baltimore Ravens), Texas' Adonai Mitchell (No. 31 overall, Kansas City Chiefs), and Western Kentucky's Malachi Corley (No. 32 overall, Philadelphia Eagles) all crash the first-round party in this mock.

Four quarterbacks make their way into this projection, starting with USC's Caleb Williams (No. 1 overall, Chicago Bears) and North Carolina's Drake Maye (No. 2 overall, New York Giants). They're joined by LSU's Jayden Daniels (No. 16 overall, Las Vegas Raiders) and Washington's Michael Penix Jr. (No. 19 overall, New Orleans Saints).

To check out the full first-round mock draft at CBS Sports, click here.

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

Published Nov 14, 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