The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine is fast approaching. With the Senior Bowl officially in our rearview mirror, the NFL Combine represents the next opportunity for prospects to improve their pre-draft stock ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. Every year, outstanding athletic testers elevate themselves a full round or two due to exiting the NFL Combine as a point of conversation.
With that in mind, we've identified five wide receivers who could raise their draft stock at the NFL Combine.
RYAN FLOURNOY, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE
Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Ryan Flournoy is one of 15 players from the sub-FBS level to receive an invite to the NFL Combine. Expect the small-schooler to maximize his opportunity by putting on an absolute spectacle. Flournoy possessed the largest hands (10”) of any receiver at this year's Senior Bowl.
Flournoy is going to be a massive workout warrior in Indianapolis. He's previously vertical-jumped 41 inches, according to Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List." Flournoy has also run the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds according to hand-laser time, and ran the L-drill in 6.66 seconds—which is awfully close to Jaxon Smith-Njigba's 2023 Combine-leading time of 6.57. Flournoy is going to soar up draft boards.
BUB MEANS, PITT
Pitt Panthers wide receiver Bub Means is a physical specimen. Means attended the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he provided verified measurements of 6-foot and 222 pounds. Means also possesses hands larger than 10 inches and arms longer than 33 inches.
Means was a big-play threat this season, averaging 17.6 yards per catch (41 receptions) with 721 yards and six touchdowns. A former defensive back at Tennessee and receiver at Louisiana Tech, Means is expected to run in the low-to-mid 4.3s with a vertical jump that approaches or surpasses 40 inches.
JOHNNY WILSON, FLORIDA STATE
Is Florida State's Johnny Wilson a wide receiver or tight end at the next level? That's the question that continues to swarm his pre-draft process. The debate gained steam at the Senior Bowl, where Wilson was asked to practice and play at both positions. Perhaps the NFL Combine will provide additional clarity.
Wilson has previously posted a 35.5-inch vertical and a 10-5 broad jump, per Feldman. Wilson has also reached a max speed of 21.23 MPH with a personal-best acceleration of 5.26 m/s. That would insinuate Wilson can stick at receiver.
MALACHI CORLEY, WESTERN KENTUCKY
Malachi Corley is one of my favorite receivers in a deep class. His outstanding run-after-catch ability makes Corley an incredibly explosive playmaker. Across the previous three seasons, Corley has recorded 253 receptions for 2,968 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Corley will solidify his second-round status after putting his athletic abilities on display in Indianapolis. Corley should run the 40-yard dash in the low 4.4s at worst and has reached 23 MPH on the GPS, per Feldman. A position-leading shuttle time is also within the realm of possibility.
JAVON BAKER, UCF
Few receivers made consistent plays throughout Senior Bowl practices like UCF's Javon Baker did. Baker tracks the football well, changes direction effortlessly, and is a high-level route-runner. Baker will be a smooth operator throughout pass-catching drills, perhaps the most underrated event wideouts participate in at the NFL Combine.
