Last year’s wide receiver class did not produce prospects on the level of the drafts from 2020-22, but this year’s crop is poised to supply a few teams with cornerstone talent.
Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers lead the way, but Rome Odunze also qualifies as a wideout with a clear path to becoming a top-10 pick. Odunze has already visited the Giants; the Washington product has more meetings lined up. This includes a return to the Big Apple for a Jets summit, with ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson adding the Cardinals and Bears are also set to host Odunze.
[RELATED: Jets, Cardinals Meet With Malik Nabers]
Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN.com big board places Harrison, Nabers and Odunze at Nos. 3-5, illustrating the talent available for WR-needy clubs. Evaluators are high on this year’s WR class, per ESPN’s Jordan Reid, who floats the possibility of a seven-wideout first round. That would eclipse the 2020 class’ six first-round receivers. Quarterback value has long been expected to prevent any of these players from becoming a top-three selection, barring something unexpected, which would leave the door open for some teams that have the QB box checked to exit Round 1 with some pass-catching value.
The Cardinals and Jets qualify, with the Bears on the doorstep of doing so due to their imminent Caleb Williams partnership. Arizona had negotiated an extension with Marquise Brown, but months after cutting DeAndre Hopkins, the Cardinals lost Brown in free agency. They did not make a major addition, setting the stage for a receiver investment likely early in this draft. The Bears and Jets did make veteran moves, courtesy of the Chargers, with Chicago adding Keenan Allen and the Jets signing Mike Williams. Drafting a first-round wide receiver would create formidable depth charts for either team.
Arizona holds the No. 4 overall pick (though, the team has been connected to moving down once again), while Chicago’s own selection sits at No. 9 (eight spots after the Panthers-obtained pick set to go to Williams). The Jets are stationed at No. 10. New York chose a wideout 10th overall two years ago, taking Garrett Wilson. The Cardinals have 2023 third-rounder Michael Wilson, but of these teams, their depth chart is weakest at the position.
Kiper viewed Odunze’s final season as the difference between him being a Day 2 pick and having the chance to go in this year’s top 10. After an 1,145-yard 2022 slate, the 6-foot-3, 212-pound pass catcher broke through for a 1,640-yard, 13-touchdown showing to help Washington to the national championship game. Odunze produced 10 100-yard games last season, including five straight to lift the Huskies into the national title game.
Bringing size and plus run-after-catch ability to the equation, Odunze has not been mentioned as a player capable of leapfrogging Harrison — as Nabers has — but the recent Michael Penix Jr. target should be expected to be chosen early.
As a Bills fan – Odunze to the Jets…I hate it so much.
AR doesn’t need to be MVP AR. He can be just a guy, and the rest if the Jets roster can all be better.
An OL pick is probably the safe and logical choice, but Odunze, Mike Williams and Garrett Wilson is really scary.
Im not writing off the Jets. They are gonna compete. They are already a tough out with a pathetic offense.
All of this, but Brock Bowers.
Odunze is arguably the best receiver in the draft, and he definitely has the coolest name!
AZ loves Odunze. Larry Fitz work ethic. I anticipate a trade back & up to grab Odunze
Moore, Allen and Odunze would be wonderful for Caleb. But Poles may go OL.
The Bears will go best player available at 9.