The Senior Bowl staff recently released The Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List. The expansive list includes over 700 names, including 96 wide receivers.
Why is it important to Green Bay Packers fans? Over the past three NFL Drafts, Brian Gutekunst has selected six wide receivers who competed during Senior Bowl Week. In 2021, Gutekunst selected Amari Rodgers. The following year Green Bay’s general manager selected Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. This past April, Gutekunst selected Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Grant DuBose.
Depending on the growth of five of those six players, the Packers may or may not be in the market for a wide receiver when the 2024 NFL Draft rolls around. If they are, it’s a safe bet that a player they could target is on this list. Let’s take a look at 20 of the wide receivers that were listed by the Senior Bowl staff.
Rome Odunze, Washington
The Husky wide receiver enjoyed a breakout season under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, recording 75 receptions for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns. Odunze passes the eye test with his size and athleticism. He’s able to vary his route speed to keep defensive backs off balance and has a lot of branches on his route tree.
Rome Odunze, a former track athlete was No. 57 on Bruce Feldman's Freaks List.
The Washington WR is a name for Packers fans to keep tabs on this fall. Check out the other names Packers fans should get to know from the Freaks List.
https://t.co/Sm2jjqIFD3 pic.twitter.com/yDtm5834FI— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) August 17, 2023
Zakhari Franklin, Ole Miss
A UTSA transfer, Franklin has an easy accelerator off the line of scrimmage and is able to win vertically. He has strong, reliable hands and tracks the ball well. He’s a good route runner who’s made a killing on turning slants into big plays with his YAC ability. It will be fun to see him in Lane Kiffin’s offense.
Jalen McMillan, Washington
Like Odunze, McMillan enjoyed a breakout season under DeBoer. McMillan finished the season with 79 receptions for 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns. The Husky wide receiver is an explosive playmaker, finishing the season with 29 receptions of 15-plus yards. He has sharp footwork breaking in and out of his routes.
A good time to get to know some of the 2024 NFL Draft prospects.
Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington. Former track athlete (10.67 100). According to PFF he had 29 catches of 15-plus yards last season.
That Husky passing offense will be must-watch TV this fall. https://t.co/FKRMwwx9xU pic.twitter.com/R80POQFSyH
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) June 14, 2023
De’Corian Clark, UTSA
In nine games last season, Clark reeled in 51 receptions for 741 yards and eight touchdowns. Standing at 6-3, Clark plays big and does a great job of playing above the rim. He’s an explosive leaper who plays with a my-ball mentality.
Reasons why UTSA WR De’Corian Clark is one of fastest-rising prospects for @seniorbowl and among NFL scouts:
☑️ 6’2”
☑️ 215 lbs
☑️ over 33” arms
☑️ 24’9” long jump in HS
☑️ RZ target hangs in air
☑️ big, strong hands#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/3gvNie4XcC— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) October 15, 2022
Roman Wilson, Michigan
A former track athlete, one word to describe Wilson is explosive. His speed keeps defensive backs off-balance. He accelerates instantly off the line of scrimmage and has outstanding long-speed.
When Roman Wilson scored Michigan’s first touchdown of the year at the hottest game I’ve even been to pic.twitter.com/vyHQ2jK0wi
— Josh Augdahl 〽️ (@UMFanAugdahl) August 18, 2023
Julian Fleming, Ohio State
Fleming is the forgotten wide receiver in Ohio State’s loaded wide receiver room. It’s understandable why the former five-star recruit is overlooked when he shares the field with Marvin Harrison Jr and Emeka Egbuka, both of whom are likely Top 30 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Fleming is no slouch. He’s a refined route runner who has the ability to play inside and outside.
C.J. Stroud to Julian Fleming for the 36 yard TD🔥
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 1, 2022
Brenden Rice, USC
The son of the great Jerry Rice is probably going to run a faster 40-time than his father. A former track athlete, Rice is sudden off the line of scrimmage and showcases downfield burst to create late separation. During his first season at USC, Rice recorded 39 receptions for 611 yards and four touchdowns. He also brings special teams experience as a return man.
BRENDEN RICE: YAC MONSTER💨
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 12, 2020
Savion Williams, TCU
A former track athlete, Williams is an explosive mover on the gridiron. He’s dynamic in space and can soar above the heavens with his leaping ability. He has long strides and speed to quickly chew up grass. With the departures of Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis, and Taye Barber, Williams could be in store for a monster season under Sonny Dykes.
Max Duggan ➡️ Savion Williams
TCU strikes first against Oklahoma!
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 1, 2022
Jaxon Janke, SDSU
Janke is a smooth operator. He’s a precise route runner and catches everything. The Jackrabbit wide receiver has recorded 132 receptions for 2,033 yards and 14 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Janke brings special teams value as a return specialist and enters his final season at SDSU with a 12.2 punt return average and one punt return touchdown.
Jaxon Janke is arguably the best small school WR this season, having the ability to take the top off of defenses and win 50/50 balls. @DraftDiamonds are found at the #HulaBowl @GoJacksFB @jaxonjanke pic.twitter.com/WSSencKl4k
— Hula Bowl (@Hula_Bowl) October 15, 2022
Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Return of the YAC. Corley is a terror with the ball in his hands. According to Pro Football Focus, Corley racked up 975 yards after the catch last season and has 1,373 yards after the catch over the past two seasons. Corley has outstanding contact balance and is hyper-competitive with the ball in his hands.
Western Kentucky has a good one in Malachi Corley😎@WKUFootball pic.twitter.com/CIVvJgrHy4
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 14, 2023
Tory Horton, Colorado State
A Nevada transfer, Horton finished his first season at Colorado State with 71 receptions for 1,131 yards and eight touchdowns. Horton has good quickness off the line of scrimmage and has the speed to win vertically.
Senior Bowl is getting into Group-5 evals and Colorado State WR Tory Horton safely projects as draftable prospect.
To that point, many NFL teams we’ve spoken to have @CSUFootball designated as an “A-level” school, which means area scouts will visit at least twice, so Horton… pic.twitter.com/Islln1DpJ8
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) June 16, 2023
Bub Means, Pittsburgh
Means began his collegiate career at Tennessee where he played defensive back. He then transferred to Louisiana Tech before landing with the Pitt Panthers last fall. Means finished his first season at Pitt with 27 receptions for 401 yards and two touchdowns. With his size (6-2, 215 pounds) and speed, Means could be worth a look on day three of the draft.
Bru McCoy, Tennessee
A USC transfer, McCoy finished his first season as a Volunteer with 52 receptions for 667 yards and four touchdowns. Those numbers should jump with the departures of Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman. At 6-3, McCoy is a large-framed target with a huge catch radius.
Bru McCoy gives the Vols the lead‼️ pic.twitter.com/P6KSnpxI78
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 31, 2022
Jadon Janke, SDSU
Can’t have one Janke twin without the other. Jadon Janke will have special teams coordinators pounding the table for him on day three of the draft. He brings value as a return specialist and has also played on punt and kickoff coverage units. Janke is no slouch as a wide receiver either, hauling in 92 receptions for 1,399 yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons for the Jackrabbits.
Keep an eye on Jadon Janke, he has a knack for getting open and making big plays @DraftDiamonds are found at the #HulaBowl @GoJacksFB @JadonJanke pic.twitter.com/4c4alGNSKo
— Hula Bowl (@Hula_Bowl) October 15, 2022
Moose Muhammad III, Texas A&M
Is this article making you feel old yet? The son of long-time Carolina Panther wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad finished last season with 38 receptions for 610 yards and four touchdowns for the Aggies. He has strong hands and is comfortable making catches in a crowd over the middle of the field.
