2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Overvalued Wide Receivers (Fantasy Football)

In an absolutely loaded wide receiver class, there are a few players who stick out right now as overvalued based on their current prospect profiles and their expected fantasy football average draft position (ADP). After the top three or four pass catchers in this class, the following two tiers look to be composed of upwards of eight different wide receivers.

While all of social media focuses on which of these rookies is going to be the best, it’s arguably more important to know which of them is more likely to bust. No one wants to be the manager in their league who invests that first-round pick in the Treylon Burks or the Jalen Reagor of the class.

Below, we will take a look at two players who, while they profile somewhat differently, currently fit the criteria to be the busts of the 2024 WR class at their cost.

2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Overvalued Wide Receivers

Keon Coleman (WR – Florida State)

Keon Coleman is a difficult evaluation. He has good-to-OK production between his time at Michigan State and Florida State. He also has probably the best highlight reel of anyone in the class. The issue is what Coleman does between those highlights.

When evaluating his tape, Coleman shows he can run a basic route tree with above-average competency. He needs to get more consistent in this area and improve some of his footwork and hip flexibility. Coleman is a physical player who can come down with 50/50 balls, but he relies on his physicality often, which he won’t always be able to do at the NFL level.

His size and athleticism are a significant part of his game, so the upcoming NFL combine will be integral for him to continue to impress as an athlete. He is likely to be a player who will struggle to separate on Sundays, reminiscent of a thicker-framed George Pickens. I want to see him land with a team that is willing to take the time to develop him as a true wide receiver rather than an elite athlete who plays wide receiver before I ultimately buy in.

Current Draft Projection: Pick 26 – 32

Where He Should Go: Pick 43 – 52

Ideal Landing Spot: New Orleans Saints — The Saints’ new offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, comes straight from the 49ers, where he served as their passing game coordinator. He would be the perfect coach to help Coleman’s playstyle succeed in the NFL. Coleman also provides a nice compliment to Chris Olave, who is primed to be the go-to pass catcher for New Orleans in 2024.

Xavier Legette (WR – South Carolina)

Xavier Legette is a favorite for many people, but I don’t see it when watching his tape. He is an incredibly raw prospect who relies on his athleticism. The positives for Legette are in his versatility and how well he can navigate open spaces. After that, you see a player who can make the highlight reel from time to time but largely leaves you wanting more. He has instances where he plays with a significantly smaller catch radius than you would expect for a player with his frame.

He measured in at the senior bowl at 6-foot-1, which is two full inches shorter than he was listed as in college. Not only that, but his hand size came in at the 12th percentile and arm length below the 40th percentile. I am not here to be the hand-size police, but these measurements matter when you take them into account, along with the rest of his profile. He had his breakout season and one season of major college production in his fifth year in school.

He needs to improve as a route runner and his consistency at the catch point to be a reliable option for NFL quarterbacks. Ultimately, if Legette doesn’t improve his football IQ and situational awareness, he may not see much time on the field. He needs the right scheme to see early career success, or he may never find it. I am lower than consensus on him right now, and I don’t know how that will change much during the rest of the offseason process.

Current Draft Projection: 2nd Round

Where He Should Go: Early to Mid 3rd Round

Ideal Landing Spot: Miami Dolphins — The Dolphins forfeited their third-round pick this year, but Legette would have a path to success in Mike McCarthy’s system. He would immediately bring some physicality to a team that has been most known for its track stars Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Learning and adapting his game to this system would bode well for his career longevity.

Legette would have a shot to become McCarthy’s East Coast. Deebo Samuel.