4 late-round wide receiver prospects Commanders could draft in 2024

Which late-round wide receivers could the Washington Commanders potentially target on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft?

I don’t think the Washington Commanders will spend one of their many picks on Days 1 and 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft on a wide receiver. Not with so many other glaring holes on the roster. And not with such a deep menu of prospects available this year.

That depth is becoming a yearly occurrence. As NFL offenses become increasingly dependent on game-breaking wide receivers, the feeder system is adjusting to meet demand. It is becoming routine to find multiple players over six feet tall who run in the low 4.4s - the Justin Jefferson model - or guys under six feet with lightning quickness, such as Tyreek Hill.

With the NFL Scouting Combine now in the rear-view mirror, scouts have a lot more data points to evaluate. Of course, 40-yard dash times often dominate those analyses.

Pure speed may matter more at wideout than at any other position, but a lot more goes into being a productive NFL pass-catcher. Just look at the receiver prospects who have gone under 4.3 seconds at the combine over the past 20 years. Jacoby Ford, J.J. Nelson, Marquis Goodwin, Jerome Mathis, John Ross. Not a lot of professional success among the lot. Hill wasn’t invited to the combine but ran a 4.29 on his pro day.

Xavier Worthy, who provided one of the high points of this year’s combine by breaking Ross’ record in the 40-yard dash, will no doubt move up some boards as a result. That means he will be over-drafted based on other key factors, like his size, durability, and college production. He might turn out to be the exception and have a Pro Football Hall of Fame career, but I wouldn’t pick him - not where he is likely to be selected.

I can be as seduced by speed as much as anyone. But if I’m waiting for Day 3 - as I think the Commanders will - then I understand sacrificing one or two-tenths of a player’s time is likely. If I do find someone with 4.4-speed still on the board at this stage, there’s a good chance he will have other issues.

He may have a slight build or an injury history. But I guarantee you there will be prospects at receiver on Day 3 who will be productive NFL players - like Puka Nacua in 2023 or Romeo Doubs in 2022.

With that said, here are four late-round wide receiver prospects the Commanders should take a long look at.