Our Top 10 Wide Receivers entering the 2025 NFL Draft
TRAVIS HUNTER
By John Mesenbrink @JohnMesenbrink
Colorado (JR), WR/DB
The most dynamic player in this year’s NFL draft, Hunter can play both sides of the ball. The Heisman Trophy, Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, Biletnikoff Award (best WR), Bednarik Award (top defender) awards winner, Hunter is a natural football player. But which side will he excel the best? Or both? Some NFL execs admit that he is better at corner and others will tell you he comps out at Marvin Harrison Jr. A pretty good problem to have. On offense in 2024, Hunter ranked top five with 15 receiving TDs and 1,258 receiving yards on 96 receptions. On D, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 CB led the Buffs with 4 INTs, 11 PBUs (pass break-ups), and 32 catches and one TD on 41 targets. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA, Hunter has the smarts — and talent — to succeed at the next level. A day one starter in the NFL, we see him as a top five pick in the draft, with the Browns at pick two showing interest.
Pluses:
• Natural Athlete
• Two-way Player
• NFL Smarts
• Ball Skills/Instincts
• Leaping Ability
• Robust Range
• Defensive Playmaker with Blanket Coverage
Concerns:
• Run Support
• Slight Frame
• Situational WR
TETAIROA MCMILLAN
By John Mesenbrink @JohnMesenbrink
Arizona (JR), WR
The presumptive top WR taken off the board in this year’s draft — sans dual threat Travis Hunter — this productive former Wildcat crushed school records with 1319 yards on 84 catches, finishing his Arizona career with 3,423 yards receiving. Starting all 12 games, Tetairoa finished the 2024 campaign with a respectable with eight receiving TDs, with his junior year filled with spectacular plays, most notably when he went off in the game against New Mexico, where he finished with 304 yards receiving and 4 TDs. This 6’4” receiver plays tall as he might be the best contested ball receiver in this class, which may translate to a good red zone target in the NFL. His ability to catch in tight spaces and go deep makes him an attractive top 15 pick on draft night.
Pluses:
• Size and Fluidity
• Good Hands & Grip
• Body Control
• Solid Possession & Deep Receiver Mix
• Catch Radius
• Route Running
Concerns:
• Average Speed
• Press Coverage Elusiveness
• Yards After Catch
EMEKA EGBUKA
By John Mesenbrink @JohnMesenbrink
Ohio State (SR), WR
In 2024, as a team captain for the Buckeyes, Emeka Egbuka led the team with 81 receptions, 1,011 receiving yards and 10 TDs. Egbuka was fairly consistent throughout his collegiate career — an ankle injury limited his 2023 campaign — posting a school record 205 receptions, 2868 yards and 24 TDs. Projected to be a late round one pick in the NFL draft, many experts slate Egbuka as a day one starter in the slot. As a former outfielder, Egbuka is a versatile receiver who tracks the ball well, and that versatility flashes with his ability to return kicks as well. Where does Egbuka land? He could go to the Chargers at 22, Green Bay at 23 or Washington at 29.
Pluses:
• Route Running
• Leadership
• Electric After the Catch
• Good Hands
• Dual Threat as Kick Returner
• Above Average Speed
Concerns:
• Size vs. NFL Corners
• Durability
• Blocking
MATTHEW GOLDEN
By John Mesenbrink @JohnMesenbrink
Texas (JR), WR
Consistent route runner, the former Longhorn can excel at any of the receiver spots. Starting all 16 games in 2024, he led Texas with 987 receiving yards on 58 receptions and nine receiving TDs. Because of his versatility, he also can be used as a kick returner at the next level. He ran a sub-4.3 40 at the combine, which gave scouts those Xavier Worthy vibes, if not for a second. His stock skyrocketed after he balled out in the big moments, including a 162-yard showing in the SEC Championship game and a 149-yard outing with a late touchdown in the Peach Bowl. Golden did have foot surgery in 2023 but seems to be ready to fly. His deep threat ability will entice a round one flier on this speedster.
Pluses:
• Playmaker
• Quick Feet
• Body Control
• Kick Returner Ability
• Burner/Vertical Explosion
• Route Running
Concerns:
• Dropsies
• Medical Concerns
• Size vs. Physical NFL Corners & Safeties
LUTHER BURDEN III
By John Mesenbrink @JohnMesenbrink
Missouri (JR), WR
This first-team All-SEC, Burden led the Tigers in 2024 with 61 receptions, 676 yards and six TDs. Burden is a dynamic playmaker who has above-average speed, and his yards after catch (YAC) prowess is unmatched in this receiver class. Get this dude in space. Burden is a naturally gifted receiver and can line up at any receiver position yet, at times in 2024 in a run-heavy offense, Burden may have looked disinterested, with one NFL scout saying, “I think he got bored with that offense. His playing style is like Jerry Jeudy but with Amon-Ra St. Brown’s hands and toughness.” (Source: NFL Network) Um, we’ll take that, but what that tells us is that he has the abilities, but he needs to be heavily involved in the offense and go to the right team that will use his skills appropriately. He is a safe mid-to-late round one or early round two pick with a wait-and-see fantasy value.
Pluses:
• Creates Separation
• Position Versatility
• YAC Burst
• Good Hands
• Strong Playmaker
Concerns:
• Blocking
• Work Against Press Corners
• Concentration Dropsies
JAYDEN HIGGINS
By Brandon Lane
Iowa State (SR), WR
A former two-star recruit, Higgins began his collegiate career by playing two seasons at Eastern Kentucky before transferring to Iowa State University. It was during his time at Iowa State that he began to attract attention, particularly in his senior season, when he recorded 87 receptions, 1,183 yards, and nine touchdowns.
Higgins is a big-bodied boundary receiver known for his reliable hands and ability to make contested catches. His size and speed suggest he could excel as an X receiver, but his capability to succeed in short-to-intermediate routes also makes him a strong candidate for the power slot position. During the Senior Bowl practices I attended, I was particularly impressed by his ability to beat press coverage with his fluid release and use his wingspan to win in various situations on the field.
Pluses:
• Speed (4.47 40-yard dash)
• Size (6’4”, 214 1bs)
• Ball tracking skills/Good at catch point
• Hands, he does not drop balls
Concerns:
• Lacks aggressiveness at times
• Could be better suited as a secondary option vs Alpha
• Blocking
JAYLIN NOEL
By Brandon Lane
Iowa State (SR), WR
A three-star recruit, Noel committed to Iowa State and proved to be useful as both a special-teams expert and a slot receiver. He was productive all four years as a Cyclone, but it was his senior year that stood out, as he recorded 80 catches for 1,194 yards and scored eight touchdowns. Due to his size, he will likely be a slot-only player, but he does have the ability to win successfully downfield. He was the standout receiver for me at this year’s Senior Bowl, where he was nearly impossible to cover in one-on-one drills. The player who impressed me similarly last season was Ladd McConkey, and I see some similarities in their games. This route-running specialist will catch coaches’ eyes, and his skills on special teams should allow him to make an immediate impact in the NFL.
Pluses:
• Speed (4.39 40-yard dash)
• Fluid runner
• Acrobatic at the catch point
• Route specialist
• Special teamer
Concerns:
• Frame restricted
• Physicality
• Lacks YAC
• Small hands/drop issues
TRE HARRIS
By John Mesenbrink @JohnMesenbrink
Mississippi (SR), WR
Harris led the Rebels with 60 catches, 1,030 receiving yards, and 7 TDs, all while missing a chunk of time in 2024. That’s the good news and bad news wrapped up in one — what could have been vs. does this guy have the injury bug? Nevertheless, in eight games played last season, Harris had 100+ receiving yards in five of them, and played consistently well against SEC-caliber corners, rising up to the level of competition. We see Harris as a second-rounder in the upcoming NFL Draft, and at 6’2”, he has the size and speed to be a productive receiver at the next level. Getting Tee Higgins/Alshon Jeffrey vibes here, and what team wouldn’t want that?
Pluses:
• Size and Speed Combo
• Good Hands
• Red Zone Target
• Ball Tracking
• Physical Blocker
Concerns:
• Injury Bug
• Route Running Polish
• Line Burst vs. Press Coverage
JALEN ROYALS
By Brandon Lane
Utah State (SR), WR
A multisport athlete in high school, Royals excelled in high jumping and basketball. He began his collegiate career at Georgia Military College before transferring to Utah State. A late bloomer, it was not until his junior season that his game started to click, recording 71 receptions for 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns. Royals was on a similar trajectory in his senior year before suffering a season-ending foot injury in Week 8, finishing with 55 receptions, 834 yards, and six touchdowns.
As a shifty and elusive receiver with quick acceleration, he utilizes his speed and route-running skills to win downfield, combining his basketball skill set to excel at the catch point. Despite rehabilitating from his injury, Royals participated in the Senior Bowl, and even at 85% capacity, he was still able to perform effectively against defenders. It was reported that Royals ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash during his audition at Utah State, although he recorded a 4.42-second time at the NFL Combine, which may be attributed to his recovery process. Nevertheless, Royals possess the speed to succeed at the next level.
Pluses:
• Speed/Acceleration
• Body control
• Illusive after the catch
• Trajectory to improve with experience
Concerns:
• Late bloomer with only two full years as a full-time player
• Played against lesser competition
• Can struggle vs press
JACK BECH
By Brandon Lane
TCU (SR), WR
Bech began his collegiate career at LSU, where he played for two seasons but experienced minimal success. This lack of performance may have been influenced by how he was utilized in the offense or the competition for targets at LSU. As a result, he decided to transfer to TCU for his junior year. In his senior season, he found his rhythm, breaking out with 62 receptions for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns. He was one of my top risers at the Senior Bowl this year, showing improvement each day of practice. He consistently showcased his speed and acceleration, excelling both in the slot and on the outside. His smooth movements and ability to make contested catches were particularly impressive. It will be interesting to see how he is utilized at the next level, but he is likely to establish himself as a power-slot in the NFL.
Pluses:
• Route running/Ball-tracking
• Physicality
• Quick feet/shifty
• Solid blocker
• Physical Blocker
Concerns:
• Questionable speed
• Can he win outside in the NFL?
• Physical cornerbacks can be troublesome
