It’s not just Keon Coleman. The 2024 wide receiver draft class is rounding into form as one of the worst in NFL history relative to the expectation teams had of them as prospects.
From Marvin Harrison at fourth overall to zero actual “steals” so far out of 28 receivers drafted on days 2 and 3, the 2024 class could soon flood the trade and waiver wire market, potentially catching the attention of the receiver-needy Los Angeles Rams.
In fact, it’s already started.
WRs drafted in the top-100
Out of 16 receivers drafted in the top-100
of the 2024 NFL Draft, four players (picks 37, 52, 65, and 80) have already been let go by their original teams. Ja’Lynn Polk and AD Mitchell were traded as practical giveaways, while Malachi Corley and Jermaine Burton were released; Burton has not found a new team yet, just two years after being a third round pick.
When you review those first round picks, Malik Nabers is probably the only one who is as good as advertised … and even he’s got some question marks after tearing his ACL badly in 2025.
The Cardinals might be willing to trade Marvin Harrison, Jr. this year if they’re sellers at the deadline, as expected. With Michael Wilson turning out to be Arizona’s real number one receiver and Trey McBride rounding into form as an All-Pro level tight end, the Cardinals could be open to trading Harrison for a good draft pick in 2027.
Harrison has caught just 54% of his targets in two seasons and has been blamed for nine drops. He hasn’t been anything close to the “Sure thing” he was advertised as in 2024.
Brian Thomas Jr., despite being the clear breakout star of the class as a rookie, has already been embroiled in trade rumors for six months. Is he a victim of Trevor Lawrence’s average quarterbacking or was 2024 just a fluke?
Xavier Legette has been every bit as bad as guys like Coleman and AD Mitchell. The Panthers might just have to waive him if he doesn’t make the team at final cuts. Drafting Chris Brazzell felt like the last sign that Legette is gone.
The 49ers need a receiver to step up, but Ricky Pearsall can’t stay healthy and hasn’t caught a touchdown in 18 months. He played 42 snaps in San Francisco’s playoff loss this year and caught 0-of-2 targets.
Rome Odunze isn’t even catching 50% of his targets from Caleb Williams and seems to have no chemistry with Ben Johnson. Xavier Worthy is a “Chiefs receiver” in all the expected ways and that’s not a good thing. Even Ladd McConkey took a major step back with the Chargers in 2025.
It’s not outlandish to say that out of 10 receivers drafted in the top-37, over half will not make it to the end of the third season with their original team. Polk is already out of New England, while Legette and Coleman aren’t far behind. Throw in BTJ and Pearsall, maybe there’s 50% of those picks.
2024 is aiming to be the most overrated receiver class in history.
Jordan Whittington is relatively good
The 30th receiver drafted in 2024, Whittington’s 464 receiving yards isn’t bad. The receiver drafted just ahead of him, Tejhuan Palmer, has only played in one game and has 0 targets.
Of the 12 receivers drafted directly ahead of Whittington, only one has more career yards than him: Miami’s Malik Washington has 72 catches for 540 yards.
That’s not that great in terms of yards per catch. Seems like a lot of little dump passes with zero YAC.
Consider that Whittington was pick 213, whereas Javon Baker was pick 110 by the Patriots and he’s currently a free agent with 12 career yards. In fact, the Patriots picked Polk AND Baker and neither of them made it to the their second season with the Patriots.
Whittington also has more career yards than day two picks Polk, Corley, Burton, Roman Wilson, and Luke McCaffrey.
With a wide receiver class THIS BAD, the Rams can hang their hat on the fact that they got a decent number 3/4 option outside of the top-200.
Should Rams pick anyone up?
Harrison isn’t going to be traded in the division, neither is Pearsall, and Legette is nobody you want to go anywhere near.
Thomas Jr. is still the name that makes the most sense for a few reasons, but saving Rome Odunze from Chicago could be a huge move for Les Snead.
Odunze could be a lot better than the numbers suggest on the Bears, an offense heavily reliant on Caleb Williams as he low-key continues to struggle staying within a structure and Johnson’s system. However, working with McVay and Matthew Stafford, Odunze could become the star he was supposed to be as a top-10 pick.
Don’t get me wrong, the Bears are not in a hurry to trade Odunze. But if Luther Burden has a breakout season and Chicago leans on second-year tight end Colston Loveland, he might be a surprise move eventually.
With a class that has yet to show out so far, pretty much anything is possible.
