2024 WR Draft Class

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, Magox said:

 

Of course I’m not nearly as privy as the scouts to who can do what, but based off what I’ve seen, I don’t know if I’m sold on Legette.  His size and speed is incredibly attractive, but his route running is meh, he has struggled to separate in the senior bowl and has a very short track record of good production.

 

At this stage you would be largely drafting him on potential.   And aside from Franklin who may not be there when we draft, I don’t see any other explosive possibilities worth the 28 pick aside from Worthy.

 

However I am beginning to really like McConkey, dude played for a top team, has several years of good production and is a tremendous route running technician who is really twitchy who can separate.   I just get the feeling he is going to end up being a #1.   He reminds me a little bit of Diggs.

 

I just don’t want to miss and I think McConkey has one of the highest floors in the draft at the WR position.

 

McConkey at #28 would depress me. Seriously. And I think he will end up a good player. But that is not a first round football player. 

1 minute ago, DCOrange said:

Started watching All 22 focused on some WRs today. Decided to begin with Xavier Legette and Brian Thomas as they feel like two guys that would fill similar roles.

 

I have heard that Brian Thomas showed off some versatility in the final game of the season when Nabers was out but that is not a game I have film on. I watched two games of each of these guys on All 22, so about 40 minutes on each of them. Thomas definitely looks like a one trick pony, but he is very very good at that one trick. He’s nowhere near the sheer weight that DK was in college, but he’s similarly excellent at beating press coverage and getting behind the defense very quickly. Definitely does not look like the type to get open over the middle of the field, but you put him outside and send him deep and he’ll either draw two defenders and help give our other receivers more space to work with or he’ll be single covered and be open more often than not. He’s simply difficult for DBs to get their hands on and if they don’t get their hands on him, he’s nearly impossible to keep up with. Flat out not good at any other routes right now though with the exception of maybe curls due to the pressure his speed puts on DBs. Also seemed to have okay awareness finding holes to squat down in against the zone. He could definitely be more physical as a blocker but he’ll at least get his hands on someone and will run down the field to help on long runs. 
 

Xavier Legette…I just don’t see it personally. He doesn’t beat press well and is kinda slow out of the gates. Better getting out of breaks than Thomas in my opinion but still not very good. Doesn’t have the game breaking acceleration to put a lot of vertical pressure on the defense. One positive is he’ll pretty much always pick up a couple yards after contact due to his brute strength. Not aware of where the zone coverage is. Disappointing blocker considering his size; he just doesn’t try very hard. Ultimately he seems like someone you’ll have to scheme open and then you can take advantage of the YAC skills but he’s someone I would gladly pass on personally. As some of The Athletic guys have said, if he’s still there in the 3rd or 4th round, that’s a different value proposition but I’d be very disappointed if he was our choice at 28.

 

I still disagree on Legette. I agree his release package needs work, that's a fair criticism. And he is not a good blocker (which would definitely be a factor for the Bills I think). But I like him out of breaks and I think he wins vertically plenty. Too many plays on his tape where he ends up having to wait and come back to the ball that Spencer leaves short IMO. 

[DCOrange]

13 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

McConkey at #28 would depress me. Seriously. And I think he will end up a good player. But that is not a first round football player. 

 

I still disagree on Legette. I agree his release package needs work, that's a fair criticism. And he is not a good blocker (which would definitely be a factor for the Bills I think). But I like him out of breaks and I think he wins vertically plenty. Too many plays on his tape where he ends up having to wait and come back to the ball that Spencer leaves short IMO. 

Rattler certainly does not do those receivers many favors but I just don’t see Legette getting open outside of some crossers and the occasional post. Legette also had one of those plays that we get on Gabe for all the time where he just made no effort to break up an INT against Clemson but it was the only time that type of situation really popped up so no idea if that’s a pattern for him. 
 

One other thing: can’t really speak to it with Thomas because Jayden Daniels almost never throws once he breaks the pocket, but Legette doesn’t seem to really do anything to get open once Rattler starts rolling out to buy time like Allen does a lot.

Edited February 5 by DCOrange

[FireChans]

2 hours ago, SWATeam said:

No way we should take Desean Jackson because we already have a smurf in Roscoe Parrish.  We need to take the giant James Hardy!

Don’t take it out on me cause James Hardy sucked

[DCOrange]

2 hours ago, DCOrange said:

Started watching All 22 focused on some WRs today. Decided to begin with Xavier Legette and Brian Thomas as they feel like two guys that would fill similar roles.

 

I have heard that Brian Thomas showed off some versatility in the final game of the season when Nabers was out but that is not a game I have film on. I watched two games of each of these guys on All 22, so about 40 minutes on each of them.
 

Thomas definitely looks like a one trick pony, but he is very very good at that one trick. He’s nowhere near the sheer weight that DK was in college, but he’s similarly excellent at beating press coverage and getting behind the defense very quickly. Definitely does not look like the type to get open over the middle of the field, but you put him outside and send him deep and he’ll either draw two defenders and help give our other receivers more space to work with or he’ll be single covered and be open more often than not. He’s simply difficult for DBs to get their hands on and if they don’t get their hands on him, he’s nearly impossible to keep up with. Flat out not good at any other routes right now though with the exception of maybe curls due to the pressure his speed puts on DBs. Also seemed to have okay awareness finding holes to squat down in against the zone. He could definitely be more physical as a blocker but he’ll at least get his hands on someone and will run down the field to help on long runs. 
 

Xavier Legette…I just don’t see it personally. He doesn’t beat press well and is kinda slow out of the gates. Better getting out of breaks than Thomas in my opinion but still not very good. Doesn’t have the game breaking acceleration to put a lot of vertical pressure on the defense. One positive is he’ll pretty much always pick up a couple yards after contact due to his brute strength. Not aware of where the zone coverage is. Disappointing blocker considering his size; he just doesn’t try very hard. Ultimately he seems like someone you’ll have to scheme open and then you can take advantage of the YAC skills but he’s someone I would gladly pass on personally. As some of The Athletic guys have said, if he’s still there in the 3rd or 4th round, that’s a different value proposition but I’d be very disappointed if he was our choice at 28.

Watched a few Keon Coleman games. He definitely is not the separator type of receiver that I would prefer, but I can see how he could be a valuable player. If he pans out, he’ll be the type of WR that you feel comfortable throwing it too when the defense is holding everyone and we’re all frustrated that it isn’t being called. Hold him all you want, but Allen can just throw it back shoulder to him, and there’s nothing you can really do to stop that. He beats press coverage pretty well to the point that most DBs give up trying to press him, but unfortunately just doesn’t have the speed to pull away. I do think with his size, strength, and ability to box out DBs, he can potentially be a solid vertical threat but it’ll definitely look different than it does for a speedster like Thomas, Worthy, etc. He’s better after the catch than you expect; he has underrated flexibility and agility with the ball in his hands. He also does a nice job of seeing the QB roll out and trying to give him somewhere to throw to which is something we may miss when Gabe likely leaves this offseason. Also similar to Gabe, he is a very willing run blocker. At Michigan State, they’d pull him across the formation to be a lead blocker like you see teams do with their guards. On top of that, he also does a nice job selling fake run blocks and then leaking behind the defense for potential cheap yards. Ultimately, I liked his tape more than I expected. We’ll have to see how I feel when I finish scouting the rest, but for now, Coleman is someone I could be okay with at 28 even if he isn’t who I am hoping for. 

Edited February 5 by DCOrange

[GASabresIUFan]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

McConkey at #28 would depress me. Seriously. And I think he will end up a good player. But that is not a first round football player. 

Ladd isn't going in the first.  I've watched him play in person over 20 times and he is an amazing WR.  He runs great routes, can line up anywhere, has the moves to make players miss, and has good speed and great hands.  What he doesn't have is size although he is 6' and he has a long injury history.  Those two factors will knock him to the 2nd round and depending on how well he runs at the combine or his pro day, he could even slip into the 3rd.  That said he will make any team that drafts him immediately better.  He knows how to get open and almost always makes the big catch.  He and Bowers were a devasting combo.  They were so good Burton transferred to Bama, because he knew he wouldn't be the focus of the offense at Georgia.   

 

Here are some typical Ladd highlights

 

 

Ladd;s crazy TD at 6:25

[starrymessenger]

2 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Ladd isn't going in the first.  I've watched him play in person over 20 times and he is an amazing WR.  He runs great routes, can line up anywhere, has the moves to make players miss, and has good speed and great hands.  What he doesn't have is size although he is 6' and he has a long injury history.  Those two factors will knock him to the 2nd round and depending on how well he runs at the combine or his pro day, he could even slip into the 3rd.  That said he will make any team that drafts him immediately better.  He knows how to get open and almost always makes the big catch.  He and Bowers were a devasting combo.  They were so good Burton transferred to Bama, because he knew he wouldn't be the focus of the offense at Georgia.   

 

Here are some typical Ladd highlights

 

 

Ladd;s crazy TD at 6:25

Agree with what has already said regarding his not being a first round pick though that's where some mocks have him. Some have also suggested that he can play on the outside because of his speed. Maybe in college but not at the next level imo. Also, as you mention, he's a smaller guy with injury history (was it four games just last year?). He's a good route runner and can absolutely be an immediate contributor somewhere in the slot. Not what we are looking for.

[GASabresIUFan]

2 minutes ago, starrymessenger said:

Agree with what has already said regarding his not being a first round pick though that's where some mocks have him. Some have also suggested that he can play on the outside because of his speed. Maybe in college but not at the next level imo. Also, as you mention, he's a smaller guy with injury history (was it four games just last year?). He's a good route runner and can absolutely be an immediate contributor somewhere in the slot. Not what we are looking for.

He is the same size as Diggs and Shakir.  He be will successful in the NFL even if used on the outside.  

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, GASabresIUFan said:

He is the same size as Diggs and Shakir.  He be will successful in the NFL even if used on the outside.  

 

I think he HAS to be a move receiver. He isn't Shakir who really can't play outside. But he isn't Diggs who is going to be a primary outside guy who just does the slot a bit. McConkey is a guy you have to do a heavy dose of slot with and really mix up slot and outside. He can make plays in the NFL. He isn't the uy who transforms this offense though. 

[Aussie Joe]

20 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Ladd isn't going in the first.  I've watched him play in person over 20 times and he is an amazing WR.  He runs great routes, can line up anywhere, has the moves to make players miss, and has good speed and great hands.  What he doesn't have is size although he is 6' and he has a long injury history.  Those two factors will knock him to the 2nd round and depending on how well he runs at the combine or his pro day, he could even slip into the 3rd.  That said he will make any team that drafts him immediately better.  He knows how to get open and almost always makes the big catch.  He and Bowers were a devasting combo.  They were so good Burton transferred to Bama, because he knew he wouldn't be the focus of the offense at Georgia.   

 

Here are some typical Ladd highlights

 

 

Ladd;s crazy TD at 6:25

Geez .. would definitely have him at 60… I think he going to be a good player from the start ..

[BADOLBILZ]

43 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Ladd isn't going in the first.  I've watched him play in person over 20 times and he is an amazing WR.  He runs great routes, can line up anywhere, has the moves to make players miss, and has good speed and great hands.  What he doesn't have is size although he is 6' and he has a long injury history.  Those two factors will knock him to the 2nd round and depending on how well he runs at the combine or his pro day, he could even slip into the 3rd.  That said he will make any team that drafts him immediately better.  He knows how to get open and almost always makes the big catch.  He and Bowers were a devasting combo.  They were so good Burton transferred to Bama, because he knew he wouldn't be the focus of the offense at Georgia.   

 

Here are some typical Ladd highlights

 

 

Ladd;s crazy TD at 6:25

 

 

 

I remember the first time I heard the name McConkey playing for Georgia and........also being a WR...........I just assumed he was related to former NY Giant WR and Buffalo native Phil McConkey (Canisius High grad) who starred in the Giants first SB win.    Tracked a little young to be Phil's son but figured must be a nephew or cousin or something.  

 

After never hearing anything about it on any broadcasts I finally looked it up in 2022 and apparently they are not related.   Not a common name and to both be receivers......

 

 

[MiracleAtRich1393]

4 hours ago, 2003Contenders said:

Wouldn't it be great if Shorts could somehow be that guy? I guess we can dream.

Guessing he wouldn't have remained on IR if that were indeed the case but who really knows until probably August. I'm certainly not counting on it and I hope the FO isn't either 

[Peter]

PFF has us taking:

 

Troy Franklin, Oregon 

[section122]

8 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

The MOST I can see Beane trading up would be 4 spots up to the Dallas pick at #24.  It would have to be someone he REALLY wanted.

Dallas isn't picking a WR.

 

Green Bay has a ton of picks, so they won't be trading down from #25.  If anything, they may trade up.

 

If it looked like Arizona at #27 wanted a WR (which they need right now before FA) Beane might try to trade with Tampa Bay at #26.

It would cost him his 4th (#129).

 

Beane has 2-5ths and 3-6ths.  He could then try to get back into the 4th with bundling some of those picks.

Just thinking out loud.

 

 

Arizona is taking marvin harrison jr at 4 barring something crazy.  Depending on what happens with higgins i can see 18 being the last wr taken before the Bills pick.  It's going to be an interesting game of chicken between buffalo and kc as I think they will both be targeting a wr.

[ColoradoBills]

1 minute ago, section122 said:

 

Arizona is taking marvin harrison jr at 4 barring something crazy.  Depending on what happens with higgins i can see 18 being the last wr taken before the Bills pick.  It's going to be an interesting game of chicken between buffalo and kc as I think they will both be targeting a wr.

 

I was myopic and forgot their #4.  I agree with the KC thing.

[Billever76]

10 hours ago, OldTimer1960 said:

I think speed matters some as they have Kincaid in intermediate range with size and hands and Diggs & Shakir have good hands, but aren’t deep threats.

 

i also think 6’1” 220+ qualifies as good size (Leggette).

Legette is my pick at 28 ....would love brian thomas Jr but I think he will be gone

[HappyDays]

3 hours ago, DCOrange said:

Watched a few Keon Coleman games. He definitely is not the separator type of receiver that I would prefer, but I can see how he could be a valuable player. If he pans out, he’ll be the type of WR that you feel comfortable throwing it too when the defense is holding everyone and we’re all frustrated that it isn’t being called. Hold him all you want, but Allen can just throw it back shoulder to him, and there’s nothing you can really do to stop that. He beats press coverage pretty well to the point that most DBs give up trying to press him, but unfortunately just doesn’t have the speed to pull away. I do think with his size, strength, and ability to box out DBs, he can potentially be a solid vertical threat but it’ll definitely look different than it does for a speedster like Thomas, Worthy, etc. He’s better after the catch than you expect; he has underrated flexibility and agility with the ball in his hands. He also does a nice job of seeing the QB roll out and trying to give him somewhere to throw to which is something we may miss when Gabe likely leaves this offseason. Also similar to Gabe, he is a very willing run blocker. At Michigan State, they’d pull him across the formation to be a lead blocker like you see teams do with their guards. On top of that, he also does a nice job selling fake run blocks and then leaking behind the defense for potential cheap yards. Ultimately, I liked his tape more than I expected. We’ll have to see how I feel when I finish scouting the rest, but for now, Coleman is someone I could be okay with at 28 even if he isn’t who I am hoping for. 

 

Yeah I have come around on Coleman too. Maybe not for every team, but I like him as a fit with Josh Allen specifically because of how easily he boxes out defenders and highpoints the ball at every level of the field. I initially dismissed him because contested catch specialists are not my style of receiver at all, but he has more nuance to his game than I first gave him credit for. I highly value the ability to beat press coverage and as you said he erases press just with pure strength. He has more YAC ability than I would have expected too, he is a bully with the ball in his hands.

 

As far as realistic options it is still Franklin #1 for me, by a wide margin, but I'm surprised to say Coleman has creeped up to #2.

[KingBoots8]

I’m pretty firmly on the Thomas/Franklin train as realistic options near 28. Would be willing to move a few spots forward or backward if they are there. I would love to move back a few spots but if either of those guys are there at 28 you run to that podium.

[DCOrange]

5 hours ago, DCOrange said:

Watched a few Keon Coleman games. He definitely is not the separator type of receiver that I would prefer, but I can see how he could be a valuable player. If he pans out, he’ll be the type of WR that you feel comfortable throwing it too when the defense is holding everyone and we’re all frustrated that it isn’t being called. Hold him all you want, but Allen can just throw it back shoulder to him, and there’s nothing you can really do to stop that. He beats press coverage pretty well to the point that most DBs give up trying to press him, but unfortunately just doesn’t have the speed to pull away. I do think with his size, strength, and ability to box out DBs, he can potentially be a solid vertical threat but it’ll definitely look different than it does for a speedster like Thomas, Worthy, etc. He’s better after the catch than you expect; he has underrated flexibility and agility with the ball in his hands. He also does a nice job of seeing the QB roll out and trying to give him somewhere to throw to which is something we may miss when Gabe likely leaves this offseason. Also similar to Gabe, he is a very willing run blocker. At Michigan State, they’d pull him across the formation to be a lead blocker like you see teams do with their guards. On top of that, he also does a nice job selling fake run blocks and then leaking behind the defense for potential cheap yards. Ultimately, I liked his tape more than I expected. We’ll have to see how I feel when I finish scouting the rest, but for now, Coleman is someone I could be okay with at 28 even if he isn’t who I am hoping for. 

Xavier Worthy: Basically the opposite reaction compared to when I watched Coleman film. Went in expecting to like Worthy and have crossed him off my list entirely. He’s very fast and has a knack for double moves. That’s about the only nice thing I have to say. Mel Kiper talked about how he’s a dog that played through a broken hand and doesn’t care if he’s the #1 option as long as he helps his team win, but he looks like someone that just doesn’t like football to me. I thought Legette was bad in terms of half assing it when the play wasn’t designed for him…Worthy quarter asses it. Maybe he figures it out when he’s in the pros, but this is the kind of prospect where I would much rather not take him and end up being wrong than taking him.

[DCOrange]

1 hour ago, DCOrange said:

Xavier Worthy: Basically the opposite reaction compared to when I watched Coleman film. Went in expecting to like Worthy and have crossed him off my list entirely. He’s very fast and has a knack for double moves. That’s about the only nice thing I have to say. Mel Kiper talked about how he’s a dog that played through a broken hand and doesn’t care if he’s the #1 option as long as he helps his team win, but he looks like someone that just doesn’t like football to me. I thought Legette was bad in terms of half assing it when the play wasn’t designed for him…Worthy quarter asses it. Maybe he figures it out when he’s in the pros, but this is the kind of prospect where I would much rather not take him and end up being wrong than taking him.

Last one for tonight: Troy Franklin. I like him. Of the 5 I’ve watched All 22 of, he’s probably #2 on my list. His differentiator compared to the other 4 is he does a nice job using stutter steps and head fakes to set up his slants and curls; kinda reminiscent of Stevie a little bit. The other thing is he just understands his assignment. On in breaking routes, he’ll do whatever it takes to make sure he has inside leverage. He’ll eagerly run interference/picks to free up his teammates. When Nix had the option to keep the ball and bounce it outside, Franklin would lead his defender towards the middle of the field to give Nix more running space. Definitely not as explosive getting deep as Brian Thomas and more susceptible to getting slowed down by handsy DBs, but still pretty good vertical threat and definitely runs a more versatile route tree than a Thomas. He did unfortunately have a few concentration drops in the two games I watched. 

[NastyNateSoldiers]

22 hours ago, Magox said:

 

Of course I’m not nearly as privy as the scouts to who can do what, but based off what I’ve seen, I don’t know if I’m sold on Legette.  His size and speed is incredibly attractive, but his route running is meh, he has struggled to separate in the senior bowl and has a very short track record of good production.

 

At this stage you would be largely drafting him on potential.   And aside from Franklin who may not be there when we draft, I don’t see any other explosive possibilities worth the 28 pick aside from Worthy.

 

However I am beginning to really like McConkey, dude played for a top team, has several years of good production and is a tremendous route running technician who is really twitchy who can separate.   I just get the feeling he is going to end up being a #1.   He reminds me a little bit of Diggs.

 

I just don’t want to miss and I think McConkey has one of the highest floors in the draft at the WR position.

When it comes to any of these Wrs that should be there when we draft at #28 none of them are finished products. We heard the same talk for Deebo, AJ Brown & DK when they were coming out and that's part of the reason they were 2nd Rd picks. 

 

Leggette has massive potential and even though he's not a finished product by any means he can still be a huge part of our offense as a rookie . Really it just depends on Brady and knowing when and how to use him. Obviously u want to start him out with the things he can do which are Wr Screens , Vertical routes and slants get him in space and let his talents take over. A player of Leggette talent won't hit his peak till around year 3 but by then he can reasonably be a top 10 Wr in the NFL. Leggette reminds alot of Eric Moulds when he was coming out bk in 96 it took him a couple yrs to really get going but once he did he was top 5 in the league. The Bills need to swing big we need Alpha dogs and Leggette can be that guy.