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2025 NFL Draft: Wide Receiver Rankings – Tetairoa McMillan, Luther Burden III & Matthew Golden Lead a Balanced Class

Writer: Brandon LundbergBrandon Lundberg

The 2025 NFL Draft wide receiver class lacks a true top-five prospect but offers a diverse mix of skill sets that can contribute early in the NFL. At the top, Tetairoa McMillan is a contested-catch specialist with elite body control and strong hands, making him a natural WR1 for a vertical attack. Luther Burden III is the most dynamic playmaker, excelling after the catch with explosive burst and versatility. Matthew Golden offers a well-rounded skill set, blending route-running precision with deep-threat ability, while Emeka Egbuka is a smooth, technical slot receiver who thrives in timing-based passing offenses.


2025 NFL Draft: Wide Receiver Rankings – Tetairoa McMillan, Luther Burden III & Matthew Golden Lead a Balanced Class

While this WR class lacks the high-end talent of previous years, it boasts solid depth across all rounds. Teams in need of possession receivers, deep threats, or versatile playmakers will have plenty of options. However, many of the top prospects have one or two missing elite traits, making their NFL ceilings more scheme-dependent. Expect value picks on Days 2 and 3, where teams can find complementary pieces to round out their passing attacks.


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2025 NFL Draft: Wide Receiver Rankings


Near Elite Tier - 1st Round Projection


1) Tetairoa McMillan | Arizona | Ht: 6'5" | Wt: 210 lbs

Player Comparison: Mike Evans

Analysis: McMillan is a big-bodied WR1 with elite catch radius, body control, and ball-tracking ability. His ability to win contested catches and make plays downfield makes him an ideal fit for a vertical passing offense. Lacks elite speed but separates effectively with his route savvy and size.



High-End Starter Potential - 2nd/3rd Round Projection


2) Luther Burden III | Missouri | Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 208 lbs

Player Comparison: Deebo Samuel

Analysis: Burden is a dynamic, explosive playmaker with elite YAC ability and route-running versatility. His quickness and balance make him a nightmare in space, and he fits best in a motion-heavy system that allows him to operate from multiple alignments.



3) Matthew Golden | Texas | Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 195 lbs

Player Comparison: Calvin Ridley

Analysis: Golden is a polished route runner with explosive burst and deep-ball tracking ability. His footwork and quickness create separation at all three levels, and his ability to thrive as a vertical threat makes him a natural fit in spread offenses.



4) Emeka Egbuka | Ohio State | Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 205 lbs

Player Comparison: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Analysis: Egbuka is a technically refined slot receiver with natural hands, smooth route transitions, and strong ball-tracking ability. He thrives in West Coast or rhythm-based passing offenses and offers instant-impact reliability as a possession receiver.




5) Elic Ayomanor | Stanford | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 210 lbs

Player Comparison: Allen Robinson

Analysis: Ayomanor is a physical route-runner with strong hands and ball-tracking skills. He wins with size, strength, and technical precision but needs refinement in his release package. Best suited as an X-receiver in a power-based or vertical offense.



6) Xavier Restrepo | Miami | Ht: 5'9.5" | Wt: 198 lbs

Player Comparison: Hunter Renfrow

Analysis: Restrepo is a high-floor slot receiver with elite route-running and hands. Limited by size and athleticism, but he wins with football IQ, toughness, and third-down reliability.



7) Tez Johnson | Oregon | Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 160 lbs

Player Comparison: Tank Dell

Analysis: Johnson is an electric slot receiver with elite quickness, separation ability, and YAC upside. His speed and agility make him a dangerous weapon in space, but his size limits him to a slot-only role.



8) Jalen Royals | Utah State | Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 205 lbs

Player Comparison: Robert Woods

Analysis: Royals is an intelligent route-runner with great separation skills and strong hands. He excels against zone coverage and fits best in a West Coast or spread system. Lacks elite explosiveness but is a polished, reliable target.




9 Jack Bech | TCU | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 215 lbs

Player Comparison: Puka Nacua

Analysis: Bech is a tough, physical possession receiver with elite hands and ball skills. He excels in contested catches and underneath routes but lacks top-end speed. Best suited as a big-slot or WR3 in a run-heavy offense.



Mid-Level Starter Potential - 4th/5th Round Projection


10) Tre Harris | Ole Miss | Ht: 6'3" | Wt: 210 lbs

Player Comparison: DeVante Parker

Analysis: Harris is a vertical threat with excellent size, strong hands, and ball-tracking ability. Needs refinement in short-area routes and release technique, but has WR2 upside in a vertical offense.



11) Savion Williams | TCU | Ht: 6'5" | Wt: 225 lbs

Player Comparison: A.J. Brown

Analysis: Williams is a versatile big-bodied WR with elite physicality and RAC ability. Needs route refinement, but his size-speed combination makes him a dangerous hybrid weapon.



12) Jimmy Horn Jr. | Colorado | Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 170 lbs

Player Comparison: Tutu Atwell

Analysis: Horn is a speedy slot receiver and return specialist with quick twitch athleticism and separation ability. Needs more consistency with contested catches, but fits as a rotational WR and special teams weapon.



13) Isaiah Bond | Texas | Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 182 lbs

Player Comparison: T.Y. Hilton

Analysis: Bond is an explosive deep threat with elite acceleration and YAC ability. He thrives in vertical and West Coast systems but needs better route detail and contested catch improvement.



14) Jayden Higgins | Iowa State | Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 215 lbs

Player Comparison: Kenny Golladay

Analysis: Higgins is a long, fluid possession receiver with contested-catch ability and great route intelligence. Lacks elite explosiveness, but is an ideal X-receiver in a timing-based passing attack.



15) Jaylin Noel | Iowa State | Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 200 lbs

Player Comparison: Golden Tate

Analysis: Noel is a shifty, quick-footed slot receiver with great special teams value. Needs improvement in handling physical corners, but his agility and route-running make him a dependable WR3.



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