Top 10 Wide Receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft

By Jason Bolton April 21, 2025 11:43

The 2025 NFL Draft’s wide receiver class lacks a clear-cut alpha but brims with high-ceiling talent, headlined by Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan—a 6’4” contested-catch phenom drawing Tee Higgins comparisons. From polished route-runners to raw athletic projects, here’s how the top 10 pass-catchers stack up based on film, stats, and scouting insights.

1. Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona)

McMillan’s 6’4”, 219-pound frame and vice-grip hands made him the focal point of Arizona’s offense, with scouts praising his “fisherman’s net catch radius.” Though stats from his junior year remain unofficial, his 2023 season (90 receptions, 1,402 yards) highlighted elite body control and post-catch physicality. “He’s a top-10 lock if he runs even a 4.5,” an NFC executive told The Athletic. Concerns about occasional focus drops are overshadowed by his ability to dominate 50-50 balls.

2. Travis Hunter (Colorado)

Hunter’s two-way prowess (721 receiving yards, five TDs in 2024) makes him the draft’s wildcard. As a receiver, his 4.4 speed and crisp route breaks create separation, while his contested-catch ability (2024 Biletnikoff Award winner) thrives in traffic. “He’s the best playmaker in this class—on either side of the ball,” Bucky Brooks noted. Teams drafting him must decide whether to utilize him as a full-time WR or hybrid weapon.

3. Luther Burden III (Missouri)

Burden’s 2023 breakout (86 receptions, 1,212 yards) showcased his slot dominance, though his 2024 production dipped (one 100-yard game). At 6’0” and 206 pounds, his 4.41 speed and sharp cuts make him a nightmare on shallow crossers. “He’s Jarvis Landry with more juice after the catch,” an SEC coach told Yahoo Sports. Expanding his route tree beyond short-area targets remains key.

4. Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)

Egbuka’s reliability (Ohio State’s all-time receptions leader with 205) stems from precise route-running and soft hands. His 4.48 speed and clean releases off press coverage project him as a high-floor WR2. “He’s NFL-ready today—just don’t expect DK Metcalf explosiveness,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid said. A lack of elite size (6’1”, 202 lbs) caps his ceiling.

5. Matthew Golden (Texas)

Golden emerged as Texas’ WR1 late in 2024, leveraging 4.38 speed and sudden cuts to torch secondaries. His quick-twitch agility creates separation, though concentration lapses (eight drops in 2024) raise eyebrows. “He’s this year’s Tank Dell—undersized but unguardable on deep posts,” a Big 12 coordinator told NFL.com.

6. Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)

Higgins’ 6’4”, 210-pound frame and polished route tree (career 15.2 yards per catch) make him a red-zone threat. While his 4.55 speed lacks explosiveness, his footwork and spatial awareness compensate. “He’s a possession receiver who’ll move chains for a decade,” PFF’s Trevor Sikkema noted.

7. Elic Ayomanor (Stanford)

Ayomanor’s 6’2”, 210-pound build and acrobatic grabs (68% contested-catch rate in 2024) evoke DeAndre Hopkins comparisons. Inconsistency (three games under 30 yards) stems from uneven quarterback play. “He’s a Day 2 steal if he tests well at the combine,” a Pac-12 scout said.

8. Jack Bech (TCU)

Bech’s 6’1”, 205-pound frame and vice-like hands (two drops in 2024) shine in traffic. Though not a burner (4.52 speed), his nuanced releases and YAC toughness project him as a chain-mover. “He’s Adam Thielen with better quicks,” a Cowboys staffer told The Athletic.

9. Tai Felton (Maryland)

Felton’s 6’0”, 186-pound build and crisp routes (4.47 speed) allowed him to torch Big Ten secondaries. His 15.3 yards per reception and body control in tight windows make him a Day 3 gem. “He’s the best route technician outside the top five,” a Big Ten Network analyst noted.

10. Jalen Royals (Utah State)

Royals’ 6’3”, 210-pound frame and physicality (3.2 yards after contact per catch) suit West Coast schemes. Limited burst (4.59 speed) confines him to possession duties, but his sure hands (three drops in 2024) offer reliability.

The Verdict
This class thrives on scheme-specific fits rather than universal stars. As one NFC general manager summarized: “You’re drafting traits or polish—rarely both.” McMillan and Hunter offer Pro Bowl upside, while Day 2 picks like Higgins and Ayomanor could outplay their draft slots.