The wide receiver position in this year’s draft class, a need for the Indianapolis Colts, received the highest grade among all position groups for its overall depth and talent from PFF.
In a recent article from Sam Monson, he provided a grade for each of the position groups in this year’s draft class. At the top of the list was wide receiver, receiving – pun intended – an A+. Here is what Monson had to say:
“The “Big-Three” of Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze would each be the top receiver in most draft classes while the next wave is absurdly deep. There are 23 wideouts or tight ends in the consensus top 100 players, meaning almost a quarter of the best 100 players in this draft are pass catchers.
“The depth doesn’t drop off after those early rounds and you can be deep into this group and still come away with receivers that can make an immediate NFL impact.”
The Colts’ first opportunity to add to the receiver room could come with their first-round pick at 15th overall. Chances are the aforementioned top three receivers will be off the board, but Brian Thomas Jr. from LSU is a name to watch, as is tight end Brock Bowers, who has been available in some mock drafts.
However, if the Colts go a different direction with that first selection, as Monson points out, with how deep this receiver class is, the opportunity to add an impact receiver on Day 2 and maybe even into Day 3 will still be available.
Below are the top 10 wide receivers in this year’s class, according to PFF, along with their overall ranking:
2. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
4. Malik Nabers, LSU
6. Rome Odunze, Washington
28. Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
31. Adonai Mitchell, Texas
33. Ladd McConkey, Georgia
39. Troy Franklin, Oregon
47. Roman Wilson, Michigan
49. Ricky Pearsall, Florida
52. Jermain Burton, Alabama
The Colts are already in a good position at receiver but could use an additional playmaking presence. This offseason, they signed Michael Pittman to a new deal, while Josh Downs had a productive rookie season from the slot, totaling 771 yards and two scores.
Alec Pierce, a 2022 second-round pick, provides a downfield target, but with that, naturally, comes some inconsistency. Pierce averaged over 16 yards per catch in 2023 but has caught only 52 percent of his career targets.
Beyond those three is quite a bit of inexperience, and that is where the opportunity lies coming into the draft to not only build out the depth but to upgrade the position as a whole, giving second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson an additional weapon or two to work with.
Along with receiver, adding to the secondary at both cornerback and safety, along with edge rusher, are other positions that the Colts will have to address at some point as well.