2024 NFL Draft: Former general manager’s WR tiers, pro comps, draft locations and best fits for loaded class

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Many NFL teams don’t just look at draft prospects in order of who is better individually, but rather in tiers or clusters because that allows front offices to figure out where and when to draft a player at a certain position.

It’s time for us to do that here at CBS Sports with the help of our CBS Sports HQ NFL analyst Rick Spielman, who spent 16 seasons (2006-2021) as the general manager of the Minnesota Vikings. First position group up in this series that will go through all the various position groups prior to the 2024 NFL Draft is wide receivers. 

Spielman has been able to find elite receiving talent in the later rounds of the draft; he selected four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He’s also hit in the first round, selecting 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Below you will see the top four tiers of receivers in the upcoming draft along with where they could fly off the board and some of their best team fits. Spielman’s remarks are compiled from the “With The First Pick” podcast episode that aired on March 18. Each prospect will also have additional analysis provided by yours truly. 

A couple receivers below have been identified as top fits for the Buffalo Bills, a team that will certainly be looking to take a receiver high after trading away Diggs to the Houston Texans on Wednesday. 

Tier 4  

Ricky Pearsall (Florida)

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 189 poundsAccolades/notable statistics: 65 receptions, 965 receiving yards in 2023 (both led team and ranked sixth in SEC)

 Pro comp: Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

“I think he’s a good route runner,” Spielman said. “I just love this kid’s competitiveness. I think he had the highlight catch of the year with the one-hander between everybody. I just think this guy is a good football player. He tested well. I think that really helped…

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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-draft-former-general-managers-wr-tiers-pro-comps-draft-locations-and-best-fits-for-loaded-class/

Author : Garrett Podell

Publish date : 2024-04-03 19:01:34

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