Grading all the first-round wide receivers taken in the past five NFL drafts

The 2024 NFL Draft, held from April 25-27 in Detroit, boasts Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. and LSU's Malik Nabers among what could be one of the deepest wide receiver classes we've seen in recent years. 

While no prospect can be labeled a "sure thing," recent draft history suggests teams can land a star by selecting a wide receiver in the first round more frequently than not. 

With that in mind, here are all 23 first-round wideouts drafted since 2019, accompanied by a grade based on how their NFL careers have unfolded. 

2019 

Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens (25th overall)

KEY NFL STATS: 313 receptions, 3,644 receiving yards, 28 receiving TDs 

Although Brown never emerged as a true No. 1 wideout, he had a productive tenure with the Ravens, leading the team in receiving in 2020 and posting his lone 1,000-yard season in 2021. Baltimore wisely sold high on Brown, trading him in 2022 to the Arizona Cardinals for a first-round pick that was spent on Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, which we're factoring into our grading for the selection of the current Chiefs wideout. 

GRADE: B-

N'Keal Harry, New England Patriots (32nd overall)

KEY NFL STATS: 64 receptions, 714 receiving yards, five receiving TDs

Harry, who spent last season with the Minnesota Vikings, amassed just 598 receiving yards across three years in New England before being traded to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 seventh-round pick. The Arizona State product is one of the biggest busts in Patriots history. New England drafted him ahead of future Pro Bowl WRs Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf. 

GRADE: F

2020

Henry Ruggs III, Las Vegas Raiders (12th overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 50 receptions, 921 receiving yards, four receiving TDs

Ruggs appeared on his way to making a name for himself in the NFL during his second season, exceeding his rookie yardage total in just seven games. In 2021, however, Ruggs made the awful decision to drive drunk,  resulting in a car crash that killed a Las Vegas woman and her dog. Ruggs received a three- to 10-year prison sentence. 

GRADE: F

Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos (15th overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 211 receptions, 3,053 receiving yards, 11 receiving TDs

The No. 8 overall prospect and top-ranked wideout on Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN's 2020 Big Board, Jeudy struggled with drops and inconsistency during his time with the Broncos. After catching just 54 passes for 758 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, Denver dealt Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns for a pair of Day 3 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

GRADE: F

CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (17th overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 395 receptions, 5,145 receiving yards, 32 receiving TDs, 318 rushing yards, three rushing TDs

Not only has Lamb – the third wideout selected in 2020 – developed into a top-three player at his position, but he's on track to become the best receiver in Cowboys history. Over the past two seasons, no player has caught more passes than the three-time Pro Bowler (242). 

GRADE: A

Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles (21st overall)

KEY NFL STATS: 79 receptions, 937 receiving yards, four receiving TDs 

Philadelphia hoped Reagor would become its top pass-catcher, but he only lasted 28 games with the team before being traded to Minnesota, where he played for one season before joining the Patriots. Considering Justin Jefferson was selected with the pick immediately after the former TCU Horned Frog, Reagor is already viewed as a historically bad selection. 

GRADE: F

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (22nd overall)

KEY NFL STATS: 392 receptions, 5,899 receiving yards, 31 total TDs

Despite being the second-leading receiver on LSU's national championship-winning team in 2019, Jefferson has firmly established himself as the NFL's top wideout and could end up an all-time great. Jefferson has set numerous records, including the most career games with 150 receiving yards before turning 25 (11). His 98.3 yards per game are the most in NFL history. 

GRADE: A+ 

Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (25th overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 269 receptions, 3,931 receiving yards, 27 total TDs

One of the most underrated wide receivers in the league, Aiyuk has emerged as a key contributor to San Francisco's star-studded offense, posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons over the past two years. However, while he has been as productive as the team could've hoped, the 49ers could trade Aiyuk if they can't agree upon the contract extension he's seeking. 

GRADE: A- 

2021 

Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (fifth overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 268 receptions, 3, 717 receiving yards, 29 receiving TDs

Cincinnati reunited QB Joe Burrow with his top target from his LSU days with the selection of Chase. The 2019 Biletnikoff Award winner has since developed into one of the league's premier receivers. Facing heightened competition after sitting out the 2020 season didn't prevent Chase from dominating as a rookie, setting the record for the most receiving yards by a first-year player (1,455). That record was subsequently broken by Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua in 2023. 

GRADE: A+ 

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (sixth overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 251 receptions, 3,385 receiving yards, 19 total TDs

The Dolphins followed Cincinnati's blueprint by pairing QB Tua Tagovailoa with his former college teammate, Waddle, a move that has yielded positive results. Since being drafted, Waddle – the former record holder for receptions made by a rookie – ranks 11th among NFL wideouts in receiving yards per game (72). 

GRADE: A

DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (10th overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 240 receptions, 3,178 receiving yards, 19 receiving TDs

The former Heisman Trophy winner continues to prove that his slender frame (6-foot, 170 pounds) doesn't hold him back. In 2021, Smith set the Eagles record for receiving yards by a rookie (916). While Philadelphia's acquisition of A.J. Brown has limited his production, Smith has made a strong case for being considered the NFL's top No. 2 wide receiver. 

GRADE: A

Kadarius Toney, New York Giants (20th overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 82 receptions, 760 receiving yards, four total TDs

The Giants moved back in the draft once they failed to land DeVonta Smith and addressed their need at receiver with Toney, only to trade him to Kansas City in the middle of his second season. Toney was a hero in the Chiefs' Super Bowl LVII win, though poor play, injuries and off-field drama resulted in him being made inactive for the team's latest championship run. 

GRADE: F

Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (27th overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 93 receptions, 1,167 receiving yards, four receiving TDs 

Bateman played just 18 games (including nine starts), over his first two seasons due to injuries. Even when he has been healthy, he hasn't been a viable weapon for two-time MVP QB Lamar Jackson. It seems unlikely Baltimore will exercise Bateman's fifth-year option, setting up a potential make-or-break season for the ex-Golden Gopher in 2024. 

GRADE: D- 

2022 

Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (eighth overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 141 receptions, 1,771 yards, six receiving TDs

London led the Falcons in receiving yards in each of his first two NFL seasons and is overall a solid player, but it's fair to say he shouldn't have been the first receiver off the board. Nonetheless, Atlanta upgraded at quarterback this offseason with its signing of Kirk Cousins, potentially paving the way for the big-bodied wideout (6-foot-4, 213 pounds) to enjoy a breakout season. 

GRADE: C+

Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (10th overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 178 receptions, 2,145 receiving yards, seven receiving TDs

The most talented receiver in the 2022 draft class, Wilson became the first Jets wideout to surpass 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, a particularly impressive feat in light of New York's dismal quarterback situation. With QB Aaron Rodgers set to return from his Achilles injury this fall, expect Wilson to reach new heights in 2024 and perhaps earn his first career Pro Bowl nod. 

GRADE: A

Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (11th overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 159 receptions, 2,165 receiving yards, nine receiving TDs 

A two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, Olave has been in a similar (though not as dire) situation as his former Ohio State teammate Wilson in the sense that he would be far more successful with better quarterbacking. If Saints QB Derek Carr improves, Olave could emerge as a top-15 receiver in the NFL, in part because he ranked second in unrealized air yards last season (1,145), per Fantasy Life. 

GRADE: A

Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (12th overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 25 receptions, 395 receiving yards, four total TDs

Injuries and a four-game suspension for gambling have limited Williams to 18 appearances over his first two NFL seasons. Still, when Williams is on the field, his blazing speed has added a valuable dimension to the Lions offense. As long as his health permits, he'll be an integral part of the team for years. 

GRADE: B-

Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders (16th overall)

KEY NFL STATS: 84 receptions, 1,041 receiving yards, 11 receiving TDs

Dotson flashed upside as a rookie in 2022, when he reeled in seven touchdowns in 12 games, but his performance drastically declined during his second season. Even so, Washington bolstered its offensive line in free agency and is expected to select a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. Those factors could lead to Dotson bouncing back this season. 

GRADE: C- 

Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans (18th overall)

KEY NFL STATS: 49 receptions, 665 receiving yards, one receiving TD 

Tennessee selected Burks with the draft choice it netted in the deal that sent A.J. Brown to Philadelphia. That decision remains as baffling in retrospect as it was at the time. Now that the Titans have signed free-agent WR Calvin Ridley, Burks is nothing more than a third option. If he doesn't thrive in that role, it wouldn't be surprising if the team cuts ties with him next offseason. 

GRADE: D- 

2023

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (20th overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 63 receptions, 628 receiving yards, four receiving TDs

A hamstring injury that held him out of all but three games in 2022 attributed to Smith-Njigba sliding in the draft and while his rookie stats weren't spectacular, he showed glimpses of high potential. With veteran Tyler Lockett on the wrong side of 30, it won't be long until he takes a back seat in the offense to Smith-Njigba.

GRADE: B

Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (21st overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 38 receptions, 431 receiving yards, two receiving TDs

The 6-foot-4, 216-pounder was the most polarizing wideout in his draft class and he showed why many doubted his capabilities during his lackluster rookie season, finishing 13th among first-year receivers in receptions and yards. Following Mike Williams' release and the trade that sent Keenan Allen to Chicago, Johnston must prove he can be a trustworthy No. 1 option or his Chargers career could end sooner than later. 

GRADE: D

Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (22nd overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 77 receptions, 858 receiving yards, six total TDs

The Ravens appeared to have finally landed a budding star wideout with their selection of Flowers, the team’s leading receiver last season. Playing alongside a fully healthy tight end Mark Andrews, coupled with the arrival of running back Derrick Henry, could lead to an even more productive year from Flowers, who QB Lamar Jackson calls “Joystick.”

GRADE: A-

Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (23rd overall) 

KEY NFL STATS: 70 receptions, 911 receiving yards, 10 receiving TDs

If his stints at Pittsburgh and USC weren't enough evidence, Addison proved as a rookie that no matter who throws him the ball, he'll be successful. (In 2023, he had separate 100-yard receiving outings with Kirk Cousins and backup Nick Mullens.) Addison's dynamic route-running perfectly complements the skills of Jefferson and tight end T.J. Hockenson, so the 22-year-old should remain a reliable weapon for whoever Minnesota starts at quarterback.

GRADE: A-