2025: Wide Receivers

Comparing the receivers this year, it’s a choose your own adventure. There isn’t necessarily clear cut better prospects, just different flavors and roles each top prospect can fill. Matthew Golden has the best speed. Luther Burden has the size and YAC ability – though they all have some YAC ability. Hunter has the best ball skills. And McMillan has the best size.

Travis Hunter – WR/CB – Colorado – 98

I’ll be the first to admit, I was skeptical. Can he really be great at both receiver and cornerback. Turns out, yes, there’s a reason he won the Heisman. Hunter is exceptional at the catch point both on offense and defense, contact does not impact his concentration or playmaking ability. Outstanding football intelligence and field awareness to get open against zone on offense and to read and react on defense. High level athlete with size and speed, though not off the charts in either. YAC ability is a plus but not elite. Seems like a cornerstone defensive piece and a positive piece on offense. How much of both will he do is going to depend on the volume of information he can process and still play fast. You have to be impressed with his conditioning. How much do you value an every down corner back and part time wide receiver? Or an every down receiver and hope he can keep his concentration for a part time role on defense? I don’t care, he’s an upper level starter both ways and you can’t argue with that.

Luther Burden III – WR – Mizzou – 93

What a sneaky dice roll prospect. He looks good on film, particularly with the ball in his hands, but doesn’t necessarily pop. The scouts are saying Mizzou didn’t maximize his potential which I believe, but how far can you project his progress? I’m inclined to believe in the projection, he was a top 10 recruit nationally, but I can’t put him in the top half of the first without seeing it consistently in college, even though he has number 1 receiver upside. Think Chris Godwin with more strength after the catch.

Tetairoa McMillan – WR – Arizona – 92

Stretch receiver on the outside that’s drawing Drake London comparisons galore. I was high on Drake’s ability at the catch point, Tet reminds me of more of a playmaker along the sidelines and with slow drag routes. I’d love to sit here and comp him to Brandon Marshall or Terrell Owens but he doesn’t have strength or explosiveness, respectively, of those two guys. McMillan has short legs for his height which limits his long speed, and I don’t see enough above the rim ability to put him in the top half of round 1.

Matthew Golden – WR – Texas – 91

Golden moved on up in the state of Texas going from Houston to UT and he did not disappoint when he arrived in Austin. His numbers aren’t gawdy, but it became clear by the end of 2024 that he was the Longhorns go to guy. Golden is rising up draft boards because of the speed upside clocking a blazing 4.29 in the 40, although I don’t think he quite plays that fast. Many people comp Chris Olave, but I’ve got a sturdier built Marquise Brown – not a true number 1 but a great complement.

Jack Bech – WR – TCU – 85

Big strong kid who can make plays and plays hard. I see a high compete level both with and without the ball that will bring dividends in the running game and 3rd downs specifically. I see a Puka Nacua comp here which is probably all the rage these days. Side note on Puka – how great is it that an average size, average speed, unheralded receiver is one of the best in the game? I’ve seen Puka play a dozen times and be one of the best guys on the field and I still can’t figure out how he does what he does.

Emeka Egbuka – WR – Ohio State – 83

Bigger slot receiver, the Buckeyes continue to pump out receiving talent. I hear all the Jaxon Smith Njigba comps which are too easy. Egbuka doesn’t have the same fluidity and is mostly successful against zone concepts. He’ll be a contributing third down player, but won’t reach JSN or Keenan Allen levels.

Jayden Higgins – WR – Iowa State – 81

I’m typically very hard on this type of prospect. He’s got good size but does not get separation and doesn’t play above the rim. How are you going to get the ball in Jayden’s hands and let him work after the catch? I don’t know, but Michael Pittman Jr. fit that bill and he’s turned into a productive player. I still can’t bring myself to recommend Higgins, but I think there’s value in the late 2nd because I’m doubting myself.

Isaiah Bond – WR – Texas – 78

Calling it right now, he’ll be drafted higher than expected and by the Dolphins. New age speed receiver in a tiny body, although at 180 pounds he’s not as light as some guys. I like Bond, think he plays to the 4.39 speed. But he’s not elusive or explosive in his cuts which will limit separation and YAC ability. He’s like a one cut running back when you wish he could break a guy down and make him miss.

Jalen Royals – WR – Utah State – 65

I don’t see it. He looks like a guy at a smaller program that has measurables to be at a bigger program, but that’s it. Worth a project pick on day 3.