Multiple teams will be interested in selecting a wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, but not all WR needs are created equally.
Let’s run through 10 clubs with a more-than-passing interest in drafting a wide receiver in 2024 and rank them based on their level of need at the position. We’ll factor in each franchise’s existing WR depth chart, future draft capital, salary cap situation, and competitive window as we assess how badly they’ll need to consider a wide receiver in this year’s draft.
Which Teams Need WRs in the 2024 NFL Draft?
10) Kansas City Chiefs
Top 3 WRs: Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, Justin Watson
While the Chiefs have tried to overhaul their wide receiving corps since trading Tyreek Hill in 2022, the results have been mixed, at best.
Rice posted a breakout rookie season in 2023 but subsequently caused a multi-car crash in March 2024 and could be suspended to begin the upcoming campaign. Kansas City traded a third-round pick for Kadarius Toney at the 2022 trade deadline, but he’s been a problem on and off the field. Former second-round pick Skyy Moore, meanwhile, has managed 50+ receiving yards in two of his 33 games as a Chief.
K.C. could be interested in a late-first-round WR like Georgia’s Ladd McConkey or Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk at No. 32. The Chiefs might also need a starting left tackle to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blindside, meaning GM Brett Veach will need to weigh his roster’s two primary needs in Round 1.
9) Jacksonville Jaguars
Top 3 WRs: Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, Zay Jones
After failing to re-sign free agent Calvin Ridley, the Jaguars seem likely to target a wide receiver in the draft’s first two rounds. LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. or Texas’ Adonai Mitchell might be options if they’re still on the board at pick No. 17, while Keon Coleman (Florida State) stands out as a Round 2 option.
Although Kirk and Davis can be valuable contributors, Trevor Lawrence lacks a true WR1. Does Jacksonville think Thomas or Mitchell can be that guy? If so, don’t be surprised to see the Jags slightly move up the board to grab their preferred pass catcher.
8) Indianapolis Colts
Top 3 WRs: Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Josh Downs
It’s probably time for the Colts to give Anthony Richardson another weapon. Indy extended Pittman this offseason, but he’s more of a glorified WR2, while Pierce and Downs remain relative unknowns.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard could sit tight and hope TE Brock Bowers falls to pick No. 15. However, Peter Schrager of Fox Sports recently suggested that Indianapolis could be a candidate to trade into the top 10 in an attempt to land one of the draft’s top WR prospects.
7) Carolina Panthers
Top 3 WRs: Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo
The Panthers are trying to make Bryce Young’s life a little easier in 2024 after his disaster of an NFL debut. Carolina hired offensive whiz Dave Canales as head coach, then stole Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a March trade.
But there’s more work to be done. Johnson is heading into a contract year, while Thielen tailed off after a hot 2023 start and turns 34 years in August. Even if the Panthers liked the flashes they saw from Mingo last season, they have to consider another wideout at pick Nos. 33 and 39, where Texas’ Xavier Worthy or Oregon’s Troy Franklin could be available.
6) Pittsburgh Steelers
Top 3 WRs: George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins
Pittsburgh is the last team on our list with a true WR1 candidate on its roster. Pickens led the league with 18.1 yards per reception and ranked 18th in yards per route run (2.05) while dealing with mostly atrocious quarterback play. He might genuinely ascend in 2024 now that Johnson is no longer around to siphon targets.
Still, Johnson’s absence means Pittsburgh has one of the worst WR2-4 situations in the NFL. The Steelers have a long track record of drafting and developing Day 2 receivers, so they might not feel pressured to grab a first-round wideout. But it will be beyond surprising if Pittsburgh emerges from Round 3 without another pass catcher.
5) Buffalo Bills
Top 3 WRs: Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins
After trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and letting Gabe Davis walk in free agency, the Bills might be pigeonholed into drafting a wide receiver at the end of Round 1. Being forced to select any one position is never ideal, but Buffalo chose a good year to need a wideout.
While Samuel and Shakir can handle the short and intermediate areas of the field, Josh Allen needs a speed threat who can win on downfield shots. That could lead the Bills to consider options like Worthy, Mitchell, and Xavier Legette at No. 28.
Don’t put it past Buffalo to double-dip from 2024’s outstanding WR crop.
4) New England Patriots
Top 3 WRs: Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn
The Patriots’ WR situation is so dire that it’s forced many to wonder if New England should even consider adding a rookie quarterback like Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels to its offensive environment. Will playing with such lackluster pass-catching options break a first-year QB?
MORE: Which Teams Need a QB in the 2024 NFL Draft?
Bourne, Douglas, and Osborn are capable receivers, but they’re WR3s at best. Assuming the Pats follow through and draft a signal-caller at No. 3 overall, it feels like we can almost pencil in a receiver at No. 34. New England also needs OT help, but its WR need is too glaring to ignore.
3) New York Giants
Top 3 WRs: Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson
Big Blue has tried to paper over its subpar WR corps by adding mid-round selections like Hyatt and Robinson in the draft or boosting their TE production by acquiring veteran Darren Waller.
No more half-meaures. While the Giants still might try to trade up for a quarterback, they’re overwhelmingly likely to nab an elite wide receiver prospect if they stay at No. 6.
Marvin Harrison Jr. might be a pipe dream, but New York should have its shot at Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze.
2) Los Angeles Chargers
Top 3 WRs: Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis
Harrison might not be a realistic choice for the Giants at No. 6 because the Chargers may pick him at 5. Sure, Jim Harbaugh can’t stop talking about potential offensive line additions, but Los Angeles already has a workable front five.
What the Bolts don’t have is an NFL-caliber receiving corps. Palmer has flashed throughout his career but is best suited as a complementary option. The Chargers drafted Johnston ahead of Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison, Rice, and others before watching him face-plant during his rookie season.
Trading back might be the play for Los Angeles, which is rebuilding and can use all the additional draft capital it can find. However, it’s difficult to imagine the Chargers passing on Harrison at No. 5 given the state of their WR depth chart.
1) Arizona Cardinals
Top 3 WRs: Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zach Pascal
Assuming quarterbacks go 1-2-3, the Cardinals should be able to grab Harrison with the fourth pick. Dropping PFN’s No. 1 overall prospect into a moribund Arizona WR room is beyond tantalizing. Still, most reports suggest GM Monti Ossenfort will accept a massive haul from a QB-needy team to trade out of No. 4.
KEEP READING: Which Teams Need an RB in the 2024 NFL Draft?
Even then, the Cards would own pick Nos. 27, 35, 66, 71, 90, and 104 in addition to the package they receive for the fourth overall selection. Arizona would have more than enough ammunition to move back up the board — as they did in 2023 for OT Paris Johnson Jr. — to land Nabers or Odunze in the top 10.
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s all-new Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls — lone wolf or with your friends!