2024 WR Draft Class

[BillsFanForever19]

1 hour ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Troy Franklin all day my friend.

 

6’3 legit top speed. Unique Long strides.  Already pretty good route runner. Good separation. Elite deep threat. Can play outside and inside

 

Developed QB friendly skills at Oregon. Finds open spaces on scramble ad-lib plays.  
 

2nd behind only Marvin Harrison JR in EPA/Route analytics

 

as of now my favorite WR’s that we have a realistic chance at drafting are 

 

Troy Franklin

Brian Thomas Jr

Xavier Worthy

Adonai Mitchell

Xavier Legette

 

It seems Franklin is the obvious choice.

 

I worry though that if he tests well, as I expect he will, that he'll climb. Especially if the top 3 come off the board within the first 7 or 8 picks. We've already seen a bit of a climb as analysts have really dug into his work and his traits. Every year, a WR with good traits ends up going higher than expected after testing well. For example, last season, Zay Flowers was looked at as a bit of a reach for us where we were. And he ended up being out of reach for us even in a trade up.

 

Here's hoping he stays within striking range.

 

I like what I've seen watching clips of Legette. Really looks like he checks all of the boxes. Height, mass, speed, big play ability. But it seems like a lot of people around here are down on him. Why is that?

 

Worthy looks explosive. But he also seems really small. He also appears to be more of a tweener than a true Outside guy, having played 40% of snaps out of the Slot last season. I don't think he fits the bill as a sure thing fit to stick almost exclusively playing on the end.

 

Maybe he can do it, but I see us looking more at guys with big frames that we're absolutely sure can do that rather than a projection.

Edited February 17 by BillsFanForever19

[Warriorspikes51]

12 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

It seems Franklin is the obvious choice.

 

I worry though that if he tests well, as I expect he will, that he'll climb. We've already seen a bit of a climb as analysts have really dug into his work and his traits. Every year, a WR with good traits ends up going higher than expected after testing well. For example, last season, Zay Flowers was looked at as a bit of a reach for us. And he ended up going before we picked.

 

Here's hoping he stays within striking range.

 

I like what I've seen watching clips of Legette. Really looks like he checks all of the boxes. Height, mass, speed, big play ability. But it seems like a lot of people around here are down on him. Why is that?

 

Worthy looks explosive. But he also seems really small. He also appears to me to be a bit of a tweener and not a true Outside guy, having played 40% of snaps out of the Slot last season. I don't think he fits the bill as a surefire full time guy on the boundary in the NFL.

yea, there’s a decent chance we’ll need to move up a few spots.  I wonder if a team such as Seattle at 16 who has zero need for a WR would move with us for a 2nd next year and 4th this year. This would ensure we’d get our pick of the 3rd or 4th WR in the draft. It’s much more likely we’d only move up to 22- 26 though

with Legette it was said for a while he was 6’3. I think a lot people were disappointed that he’s 6’1. He also only has 1 year of good production right? He’s 23. Other WR’s are 20 or 21.  I like him though. He looks impactful from the clips I saw and the senior bowl one of the days
 

 

Worthy has shown speed that you can feel a few times.  I’d put him in motion and let him fly

Edited February 17 by Warriorspikes51

[NewEra]

7 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

It seems Franklin is the obvious choice.

 

I worry though that if he tests well, as I expect he will, that he'll climb. We've already seen a bit of a climb as analysts have really dug into his work and his traits. Every year, a WR with good traits ends up going higher than expected after testing well. For example, last season, Zay Flowers was looked at as a bit of a reach for us. And he ended up going before we picked.

 

Here's hoping he stays within striking range.

 

I like what I've seen watching clips of Legette. Really looks like he checks all of the boxes. Height, mass, speed, big play ability. But it seems like a lot of people around here are down on him. Why is that?

 

Worthy looks explosive. But he also seems really small. He also appears to me to be a bit of a tweener and not a true Outside guy, having played 40% of snaps out of the Slot last season. I don't think he fits the bill as a surefire full time guy on the boundary in the NFL.

I think it’s so obvious that he doesn’t make it, unless someone takes a Jaelon Reagor.  I can’t see less than 5 WRs taken in the top 27 picks and I think Franklin is clearly a top 5 in this class.  Wr is a premier position and there are several teams in need.  Plus, I think the lack of edge rushers in this class will push WRs even higher up.  Our best chance at him slipping involved 8-10 OTs being taken before our pick

[Warriorspikes51]

3 minutes ago, NewEra said:

I think it’s so obvious that he doesn’t make it, unless someone takes a Jaelon Reagor.  I can’t see less than 5 WRs taken in the top 27 picks and I think Franklin is clearly a top 5 in this class.  Wr is a premier position and there are several teams in need.  Plus, I think the lack of edge rushers in this class will push WRs even higher up.  Our best chance at him slipping involved 8-10 OTs being taken before our pick

or us pulling a blockbuster trade with Houston at 23 for Diggs. Then leaving Thursday night with Franklin + Brian Thomas Jr.  😈

[Warriorspikes51]

I do wonder if Joe Brady’s connection to LSU will increase the chances of us liking Nabers enough to take a big swing. Or at the very least increasing the chances of taking Brian Thomas

[BillsFanForever19]

49 minutes ago, NewEra said:

I think it’s so obvious that he doesn’t make it, unless someone takes a Jaelon Reagor.  I can’t see less than 5 WRs taken in the top 27 picks and I think Franklin is clearly a top 5 in this class.  Wr is a premier position and there are several teams in need.  Plus, I think the lack of edge rushers in this class will push WRs even higher up.  Our best chance at him slipping involved 8-10 OTs being taken before our pick

 

Yeah, I tend to agree. The more I look at it, I feel like Harrison, Nabers, and Odunze are all coming off the board before Pick 10. The odds that only 1 other WR is taken in the next 20 picks or so seems like a Pipe Dream.

 

I do think Beane does move up this year a little higher than usual. But even then, I see it being more like 5-8 picks instead of the normal 2-3. Will it be enough to land the 5th WR on the board? Here's hoping.

 

50 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

yea, there’s a decent chance we’ll need to move up a few spots.  I wonder if a team such as Seattle at 16 who has zero need for a WR would move with us for a 2nd next year and 4th this year. This would ensure we’d get our pick of the 3rd or 4th WR in the draft. It’s much more likely we’d only move up to 22- 26 though

with Legette it was said for a while he was 6’3. I think a lot people were disappointed that he’s 6’1. He also only has 1 year of good production right? He’s also 23. Other WR’s are 20 or 21.  I like him though.  Worthy has shown speed that you can feel a few times.  I’d put him in motion and let him fly

 

Ah, okay. Yeah, a guy with only 1 year of production and being a bit older of a prospect would turn people off. I agree, I still like what I saw. 

 

I don't know, I'm out on Worthy. I really think we need a big body amongst our core and he just doesn't fit the bill to me. He's at my minimum for height and way below what I'm looking for in a frame. And his college usage doesn't fit the bill for me either. 

 

To me, it would easily be Mitchell if it's a Texas WR. 3" taller and 20+ pounds more in mass.

 

45 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

or us pulling a blockbuster trade with Houston at 23 for Diggs. Then leaving Thursday night with Franklin + Brian Thomas Jr.  😈

 

 

39 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

I do wonder if Joe Brady’s connection to LSU will increase the chances of us liking Nabers enough to take a big swing. Or at the very least increasing the chances of taking Brian Thomas

 

Nabers isn't happening. While I expect a Trade Up, we won't give up what it would cost to get that high. And the likelihood that someone would want to drop 20+ picks is slim to none even if we were inclined to give that much up.

 

A move up for Thomas represents the absolute most that we would do. And if the first 3 are gone by Pick 8, like I expect, and Thomas is the next WR to come off the board - even that seems unlikely to me. Save for an unexpected fall and/or someone like Franklin hopping him. WR5 is where we're realistically looking.

Edited February 17 by BillsFanForever19

[John from Riverside]

I’m just not a fan of moving up. Troy Franklin is my guy too but if I have to move up to get him, there are too many other good wide receivers that can be taken at 28.
 

Franklin, Thomas Leggette these guys are all gonna be studs in the NFL

[BillsFanForever19]

10 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

I’m just not a fan of moving up. Troy Franklin is my guy too but if I have to move up to get him, there are too many other good wide receivers that can be taken at 28.
 

Franklin, Thomas Leggette these guys are all gonna be studs in the NFL

 

The more I look at things, the more I seem to think it's very unlikely either Thomas or Franklin are sitting there at 28. It's going to require a move up for either of them. If one is on the board come pick 21 or 22, I almost expect he will strike to secure one.

 

I don't see it as likely he just stands pat and hopes his guy falls to him. Even if he does fall in love with someone like Mitchell or Legette from that next tier, I don't see him letting someone like KC possibly hop ahead of him and steal them. Unless he loves them both and is willing to take one or the other and neither goes before 27.

Edited February 17 by BillsFanForever19

[Aussie Joe]

16 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

I’m just not a fan of moving up. Troy Franklin is my guy too but if I have to move up to get him, there are too many other good wide receivers that can be taken at 28.
 

Franklin, Thomas Leggette these guys are all gonna be studs in the NFL

I would even think about moving down if Thomas and Franklin are gone …Im not as sold on Leggette at 28….think he might end up going around 40…

 

I am becoming more intrigued with McConkey … he obviously isn’t as flash as a couple of others … but I think he can come in here and is a Day 1 contributor…. I love his separation and hands …obviously something we lacked last year …could see him getting Josh’s trust very quickly …

 

Edited February 17 by Aussie Joe

[BillsFanForever19]

20 minutes ago, Aussie Joe said:

I would even think about moving down if Thomas and Franklin are gone …Im not as sold on Leggette at 28….think he might and up going around 40…

 

.i am becoming more intrigued with McConkey … he obviously isn’t as flash as a couple of others … but I think he can come in here and be a Day 1 contributor…. I love his separation and hands …obviously something we lacked last year …could see him getting Josh’s trust quickly …

 

 

McConkey to me doesn't have the adequate size or speed. He screams Slot at the next level, even though he was used less there last season than the season before. He's really small at 5'11" and is more quick than fast, timing out at about 4.6.

 

We'll be looking at guys with height, mass, speed, and is without a doubt a true Outside WR. McConkey doesn't come remotely close to checking enough of those boxes.

Edited February 17 by BillsFanForever19

[Aussie Joe]

11 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

McConkey to me doesn't have the adequate size or speed. He screams Slot at the next level, even though he was used less there last season than the season before. He's really small at 5'11" and is more quick than fast. We'll be looking at guys with height, mass, speed, and is without a doubt a true Outside WR. McConkey doesn't check enough of those boxes.

He looks quick enough to me … but agree size is a concern…

 

He isn’t on the table at 28….But if the big 5 are gone then who you picking ? I know you want to move up,,, I think this is one year Beane doesn’t do it..

[BillsFanForever19]

15 minutes ago, Aussie Joe said:

He looks quick enough to me … but agree size is a concern…

 

He isn’t on the table at 28….But if the big 5 are gone then who you picking ? I know you want to move up,,, I think this is one year Beane doesn’t do it..

 

McConkey reportedly runs a 4.59 40. He may appear to play faster, but that's too slow to be a consideration. Especially with a 5'11" stature.

 

It isn't so much a "want" to trade up, as it is a necessity if he wanted Thomas or Franklin. This was an interesting watch:

 

 

In it, Joe Buscaglia said "if Brandon Beane is breathing, he's thinking about trading up" 😂 

 

Also, to your point of Beane deciding to stay pat as opposed to other years, Sal brought up a counter point. One in which his trade up in both 2022 and 2023 were a result of him missing out on who he really wanted at CB and WR. He predicts this year, rather than staying pat and making a small move, he'll make a bigger move up the board (more like 5-10 picks instead of 2-3) to ensure he gets who he truly wants this time.

 

Right now, the list of people I think he would consider taking would be:

 

Brian Thomas Jr - LSU

Troy Franklin - Oregon

Adonai Mitchell - Texas

Keon Coleman - Florida State

Xavier Legette - South Carolina

 

Though I haven't yet fully dug into everyone - I have eliminated Xavier Worthy and Ladd McConkey as fits, IMO.

Edited February 17 by BillsFanForever19

[Aussie Joe]

3 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

It isn't so much a want, as a necessity if he wanted Thomas or Franklin. This was an interesting watch:

 

 

In it, Joe Buscaglia said "if Brandon Beane is breathing, he's thinking about trading up" 😂 

 

Also, to your point of Beane deciding to stay pat as opposed to other years, Sal brought up a counter point. One in which his trade up in both 2022 and 2023 were a result of him missing out on who he really wanted at CB and WR. He predicts this year, rather than staying pat and making a small move, he'll make a bigger move up the board (more like 5-10 picks instead of 2-3) to ensure he gets who he truly wants this time.

 

Right now, the list of people I think he would consider taking would be:

 

Brian Thomas Jr - LSU

Troy Franklin - Oregon

Adonai Mitchell - Texas

Keon Coleman - Florida State

Xavier Legette - South Carolina

 

Though I haven't yet fully dug into everyone - I have eliminated Xavier Worthy and Ladd McConkey as fits, IMO.

Interesting .,,

 

The bottom  of the third round pick probably gets them up 4-5 spots … so if he is giving up more than that …, it’s very brave in my view when there are a lot he needs to get done in this draft and the next 

[DCOrange]

27 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

McConkey to me doesn't have the adequate size or speed. He screams Slot at the next level, even though he was used less there last season than the season before. He's really small at 5'11" and is more quick than fast, timing out at about 4.6.

 

We'll be looking at guys with height, mass, speed, and is without a doubt a true Outside WR. McConkey doesn't come remotely close to checking enough of those boxes.

My guess is McConkey is closer to 4.40 than 4.60. I think he’ll be a good NFL player but not someone for us to take in the first round IMO. 
 

To me, I’m trading down or taking a different position if one of Thomas, Franklin, and Coleman are not there. 
 

I do tend to think one or two of them will make it to 28 though. 

[Dr. Who]

1 minute ago, DCOrange said:

My guess is McConkey is closer to 4.40 than 4.60. I think he’ll be a good NFL player but not someone for us to take in the first round IMO. 
 

To me, I’m trading down or taking a different position if one of Thomas, Franklin, and Coleman are not there. 
 

I do tend to think one or two of them will make it to 28 though. 

Are you ruling Mitchell out of consideration at #28 because of lack of speed? I still think he is going to be good.

 

And personally, I would take McConkey in the second, and it wouldn't shock me if someone takes him late first. (I am biased, because I am an UGA fan, but I think McConkey plays beyond his measurables. I also think he is more capable of playing on the outside than many are crediting.)

[DCOrange]

18 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

Are you ruling Mitchell out of consideration at #28 because of lack of speed? I still think he is going to be good.

 

And personally, I would take McConkey in the second, and it wouldn't shock me if someone takes him late first. (I am biased, because I am an UGA fan, but I think McConkey plays beyond his measurables. I also think he is more capable of playing on the outside than many are crediting.)

I just don’t view Mitchell as a first rounder. To me he’s a consideration if he makes it to our 2nd round pick or maybe a slight trade up from there. 

[DJB]

I’ll keep saying it A Mitchell is not getting enough talk around here. 
 

One of the best route runners in the class, great separation and gets up to speed in his cuts really quickly.

 

Definately curious in his 40 and his height

[Dr. Who]

9 minutes ago, DJB said:

I’ll keep saying it A Mitchell is not getting enough talk around here. 
 

One of the best route runners in the class, great separation and gets up to speed in his cuts really quickly.

 

Definately curious in his 40 and his height

Yes, that is my sense of it, but most of the folks whose opinion I trust appear to disagree with me.

[Aussie Joe]

36 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

 

And personally, I would take McConkey in the second, and it wouldn't shock me if someone takes him late first. (I am biased, because I am an UGA fan, but I think McConkey plays beyond his measurables. I also think he is more capable of playing on the outside than many are crediting.)

He won’t make it past 45  … so he will be long gone by our second 👎

[Dr. Who]

5 minutes ago, Aussie Joe said:

He won’t make it past 45  … so he will be long gone by our second 👎

For sure, it would have to be a situation where we traded back from #28.