2024 Senior Bowl Preview: Wide Receivers

The 2024 Senior Bowl is rapidly approaching, and over 100 prospects have the biggest on-field interview in their careers in front of every team. Once again, the Senior Bowl is going with a multiteam coaching setup, so these prospects must adapt quickly to a collection of new voices. Who will rise to the top and claim their place as early-round draft selections and become the future of the NFL? Which prospects have a chance to improve their stock as sleepers? We’ll be looking at each position by the team they were assigned to in most cases. The pass catchers get the recognition they deserve in this one.

If you missed the previous positional previews, you can find them below

Quarterback

Running Back

American

1. Jha’quan Jackson | 5’10 185 | Tulane

2. Xavier Legette | 6’0 219 | South Carolina

3. Ladd McConkey | 5’11 185 | Georgia

4. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint | 6’1 200 | Georgia

5. Ainias Smith | 5’9 197 | Texas A&M

6. Jamari Thrash | 6’0 181 | Louisville

7. Jordan Whittington | 6’0 204 | Texas

8. Johnny Wilson | 6’6 237 | Florida State

Big Names

Johnny Wilson

These three sound like a law firm that moonlights as college receivers in their spare time. Wilson is a big-bodied athlete who shined during his last two seasons in Tallahassee. He was most effective in 2022, posting 897 yards and five touchdowns on 43 receptions. 2023 was a mixed bag for him as he battled injury and inconsistency as the clear number two option behind Keon Coleman. He has the body type to move to tight end at the next level. While the issue with drops at Arizona State was curtailed at FSU, he had occasional concentration drops. He will need a monster week to alleviate some concerns regarding drops and medical issues. JW has the mentality to win the week with a “my ball” attitude and an enormous wingspan that could block out defensive backs. He could vault himself into the early Day 3 conversation with a solid week.

Jordan Whittington

Whittington signed with Texas as a running back but converted to receiver fairly early in his career. He’s a good route runner and knows how to get open for his quarterback, no matter the situation. The former Longhorn plays much bigger than his listed height of 6’1. He was used in various looks at Texas but was primarily a slot receiver. The production was consistent for an ideal second receiver type behind a superstar like Xavier Worthy. His athleticism is above average, and he quickly bursts into open space. With a good week, he can see himself drafted on Day 2.

Ladd McConkey

McConkey seemed like the prince that was promised for this loaded receiver class, but 2023 was a downer due to injuries. He’s one of the best route runners in class and is filthy in open spaces. 2022 was his highwater mark in production, with 762 yards and seven touchdowns on 58 receptions. Georgia used him some in the run game as well throughout his career. He’s not the most explosive athlete but is technically proficient to make up for it. If he has a solid week as expected, he can be a Day 2 selection, but teams will be wary of his medical history.

Top Prospects

Jamari Thrash

Thrash transferred to Louisville from Georgia State for the 2023 season. He was a productive threat for the Cardinals, posting 858 yards and six touchdowns on 63 receptions. JT produced over 1,900 yards and 13 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Louisville used him in the slot and as an outside receiver, so the dual threat is there for him. He’s a big play threat but is a great route runner who should carry over to Mobile in spades. Thrash possesses a quick burst to accelerate past cornerbacks. It can be argued that he’s the best overall receiver in the middle tier. He currently projects as an early Day 3 selection.

Xavier Legette

Where did the majority of Spencer Rattler passes go in 2023? Legette, of course. Mr. Legette is in the running for best overall receiver in Mobile and could be a top-five candidate for his position before all is said and done. He has immense athletic traits like size, speed, and body control, which should translate nicely to Mobile. One year of production is a little worrisome, however. He could be the best “tools” receiver in the class. XL plays much bigger than his listed size. He’s built like a tall running back and runs like one. The size and speed combination, plus the catching ability, is eerily reminiscent of AJ Brown coming out of college.

Sleepers

Ainias Smith

Smith was that multipurpose weapon in College Station before rookie sensation De’Von Achane burst onto the scene. He’s an explosive athlete with a deep bag of tricky moves to unlock even the best coverages defenses can muster. Had he not gotten injured last season, he would’ve been a solid bet to go higher than expected in the 2023 draft. Speed and lateral agility are not issues with Mr. Smith. While the size will likely limit him to the slot, he can be excellent at the next level in that role. Given the class’s depth, he will need a solid week to vault himself into a Day 2 selection. The positional versatility and special teams aspect will help his chances immensely.

Jha’Quan Jackson

Jackson is another big-time athlete looking to make his mark in Mobile. He’s explosive in short bursts and has immense deep speed to burn defenders over the top. His route-running ability is also solid, and he knows where the sticks are at all times and makes himself available. With a big week ahead in Mobile, he can prove his worth as a dual threat on special teams and burn opposing defensive backs with abandon. If he does well, he can increase his stock into the early Day 3 range.

National

Wide Receivers

1. Javon Baker | 6’1 199 | UCF

2. Malachi Corley | 5’10 211 | Western Kentucky

3. Jacob Cowing | 5’8 157 | Arizona

4. Luke McCaffery | 6’2 198 | Rice

5. Ricky Pearsall | 6’0 188 | Florida

6. Brenden Rice | 6’2 210 | USC

7. Devontez Walker | 6’1 197 | North Carolina

8. Roman Wilson | 5’10 187 | Michigan

Big Names

Devontez Walker

Walker transferred to North Carolina from Kent State prior to the 2023 season. He was then infamously deemed ineligible by the incorrigible, contemptuous NCAA. The organization declared him eligible in October after a constant maelstrom of criticism by everyone involved. On the field, he’s a relatively bigger receiver at 6’1 197 but has athleticism for days. The former UNC man possesses tremendous deep speed and lateral quickness to get away from defenders. He has all the physical prerequisites with great height and length to match the speed. He produced 41 receptions for 699 yards and seven touchdowns during his stay in Chapel Hill. There is little doubt he would’ve reached the 1,000-yard barrier had the NCAA not been foolish. He was close to it in 2022, with 958 yards on 58 catches and 11 touchdowns. With a good week in Mobile, he can reach the heights of the second round.

Brenden Rice

The Colorado transfer increased his production every season in college, culminating in a 12-touchdown campaign in 2023 for USC. If the last name sounds familiar, Brenden is the son of the GOAT receiver Jerry. The younger Rice is a technically savvy route runner who was the best all-around receiver on the Trojans’ roster. Teams will love his physical profile as he’s bigger at a listed 6’2 210 with great ball skills and the speed to beat corners deep. A good week in Mobile could boost his stock into the early to middle Day 3 range. He was taught well and has the bloodlines to make a name for himself in the league. He also provides special teams value, although he didn’t return kicks as much at USC.

Roman Wilson

Wilson came on as a senior as the leading receiver for the newly crowned national champion Wolverines. He’s not the most athletic receiver in the class, but the intangibles are amazing. Athletically, he profiles similar to former teammate Ronnie Bell in that both were not the fastest, but they just got open somehow. The burst off the line won’t surprise any defensive backs caught unaware, but his footwork is very good. He’s a smooth and efficient route runner who’s methodical about setting up defenders. He will need a solid week to improve his stock into the late stages of Day 2.

Top Prospects

Javon Baker

Baker presents an intriguing talent who emerged as a junior after transferring from Alabama. He thrived in Gus Malzhan’s system, posting 1,935 yards and 12 touchdowns in two seasons. The former UCF receiver is a blend of size and deep speed. He’s also a contested catch specialist when challenged by the defensive back. His speed is quite evident, with nearly 22 yards per reception as a senior. If he has a good week, he’ll make teams wonder with a Day 2 selection. The Combine will be interesting for him regarding clocking his true speed.

Malachi Corley

If there’s anyone who could have a Deebo-like impact in Mobile, it’s this dude. Corley is one of the more unheralded receivers in the class with immense productivity. He has a shade over 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns for the Hilltoppers in the past three seasons. His deep speed and acceleration are mesmerizing, and his lateral quickness is up to par with the best. The footwork is a major plus to his game as well. He runs with a ton of power with the ball in his hands. People may not know his name just yet, but they likely will after next week.

Sleepers

Jacob Cowing

After three productive seasons in the entertaining UTSA offense, Cowing transferred to Arizona for two more years. Between the two programs, he has over 4,400 yards and 33 touchdowns to his credit. The portal was hot and heavy after his services, with many of the big power programs in pursuit. He’s on the smaller side at a listed 5’8 157, so he’ll limited as a slot weapon at the next level. Cowing is an electrifying athlete with tremendous speed and lateral agility to make defenders look foolish. How he fares against bigger defensive backs in Mobile will be an interesting watch.

Ricky Pearsall

Pearsall transferred to Florida after three seasons of middling production for a bad Arizona State program. He had his finest season as a senior with a line of 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns. He’s an efficient and technically sound route runner who just gets open, regardless of circumstance. The former Gator product led the team in receptions and yards for an offense that sputtered along, putting Billy Napier’s job in jeopardy. It should be a good time for him in Mobile, showing off the top tier route running and quickness off the line. With a good week, he should hear his name called on Day 3 at the latest.