Zak Drapeau's Top 10 Wide Receivers 2025 NFL Draft
- Zak Drapeau
- Apr 3
- 6 min read
After one of the greatest rookie classes of Wide Receivers we've ever seen entered the league last year, this class will be major focus and somewhat of a disappointment as well.
Not to say this class doesn't have several players that could make an immediate impact but most of the top receivers have a ceiling of a WR2 in the NFL. This year's class is filled with players around 6-feet and 200 pounds with good quickness and soft hands.
Most of the players in this Top-10 will have a great skillset for a Slot Receiver at the next level even though they will be used primarily on the outside right away.
The class as a whole is incredibly deep, (16 in my Top-125 Prospects List) with many players having good floors with good to great ceilings. That will be the catalyst of this positional class, the amount of players that are roster-worthy but may only ever be a WR3. Nothing wrong with earning a roster spot but there will likely be few players outside of the 3rd round that will make a major difference to an NFL team.
Still, this is one of the better positions of this class with many noteworthy players with different skill sets and potentials involved. In my particular Top-10, there may be a few surprises and differences in my rankings compared to consensus. So let's talk about it:
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1. Tetairoa McMillan
Arizona 6'4" 219 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 7
The obvious #1 WR of the class, McMillan's size athleticism and run-after catch ability separates him and makes him a borderline blue-chip prospect in this class. Separation issues have been a point of contempt for him but McMillan's athleticism and soft hands will more than make up for it. Not quite up to par with the top WRs from last years' class, T-Mac will still be a WR1 in the league and with NFL coaching could improve his release and even possibly be a Top-10 WR in the league.
Pro Comp: Keenan Allen
Draft Projection: Top-20 Picks
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2. Luther Burden III
Missouri 6'0" 206 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 27
More of a slot WR, Burden's hands and sharp cuts will make him dangerous on any offensive scheme. His 4.42-40 time at the combine was better than expected and even though he has been falling in many draft boards to WR 3-5, I continue to see him as WR2 due to his explosiveness and skill after the catch. After a dominant sophomore season with a 86-1212-9 statline, Burden didn't quite follow through this year but still had 61-676-8 in a prominent role at Mizzou that saw many double teams. Burden's one of the High-Floor, Medium Ceiling guys in this draft which could deter some First Round suitors, but his High Floor may be the highest floor in this entire class.
Pro Comp: Deebo Samuel Sr.
Draft Projection: Late 1st-Early 2nd
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3. Matthew Golden
Texas 5'11" 191 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 28
Golden's route running and great hands were enough to make him a Top-5 receiver in the class. Add a positional-best 4.3-40 at the NFL Combine and Golden has become WR2 on many boards and is talked about as high as 12 on some mock drafts. The potential is very high for Golden as an in-and-out receiver who has flashes of Tyreek Hill but will be closer to Cris Olave for his slot tendencies. Golden's ability to turn a 2-yard route to a long TD may be the best in the class but his smaller size will limit any true potential as an outside receiver which is why I have him just behind Burden.
Pro Comp: Chris Olave
Draft Projection: Late 1st-Early 2nd
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4. Emeka Egbuka
Ohio State 6'1" 202 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 30
For those keeping track of my Big Board, this is now 3 receivers between spots 27-30 and even though he's third, Egbuka is a true talent. Evident by his 3 years starting at Wide Receiver U - Ohio State, Egbuka is a great talent and a high character player. In his two season as a starter that he was healthy for, he averaged 77-1081-10 and was a consistent route running wizard with great hands and knowledge of defensive schemes. He falls just below Burden and Golden due to being a bit of a worse athlete than the two. Still, having great IQ, awareness and technique will make him terrific on and off the field wherever he goes.
Pro Comp: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Draft Projection: Round1-2
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5. Jayden Higgins
Iowa State 6'4" 214 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 48
Another player I am bigger on than most, Higgins has the size and athleticism NFL scouts dream about but like McMillan, has some agility questions. Higgins will be best used as an outside, single-cut receiver who can exploit his size and jumping ability. Another strength of his is using his size inside the numbers, with his wingspan and weight allowing him to make contested catches with looming hits or closing DBs. Pretty much, as long as the NFL team doesn't mind him NEVER being a slot option unless on Red Zone fades, Higgins should be a long time option in the NFL.
Pro Comp: Quentin Johnston
Draft Projection: Round 2-3
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6. Isaiah Bond
Texas 5'11" 180 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 51
Bond's stock as a burner took a drop after a 4.39-40 time at the NFL Combine but his worth at the next level is still legit. His ability as an NFL outside burner may be limited but his skill separating within 10 yards and run-after catch ability gives him a promising slot role in the NFL. Bond's only season in Texas showcased his skill with the ball in his hands, evident by multiple handoffs for 25+ yards this season. A style similar to Deebo Samuel but without the size, Bond would thrive in a multiple set offense with creative ways to get him the ball at all 5 levels, but his floor on a team without creativity is too low for me to have him in my Top-5.
Pro Comp: Zay Flowers
Draft Projection: Round 2-3
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7. Jack Bech
TCU 6'1" 214 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 54
Bech is another high-ceiling, low-floor player with great hands and decent route running for his size. Bech was recently praised for a spectacular catch that became one of the biggest highlights at the Senior Bowl, a feat that wasn't uncommon in his Senior season at TCU. In his first season as a starter, Bech took full advantage with a 62-1034-9 statline. With a traditional outside, route running style and build, Bech can be a WR2 with a solid floor and likely a long career ahead of him, but will probably never be a 1,500-yard a season receiver.
Pro Comp: Puka Nacua
Draft Projection: Round 3-4
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8. Xavier Restrepo
Miami 5'9" 209 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 61
If I were to rank every receiver based on Slot ability, Restrepo might be 2 or 3 on that list if you include TE Colston Loveland. Restrepo will be too small and perhaps not athletic enough to ever be a full-time outside WR in the NFL but his skill inside the hash and IQ to fit in between zones is extremely valuable. With only 2 drops this past season, Restrepo is as consistent and dependable as a safety net as you'll find in this draft. In the right system Restrepo will be a dangerous Top-5 slot in the league. Being slot-dependent and unable to line up outside kept him from the Top-50 of the class but with a great potential ahead of him still.
Pro Comp: Julian Edelman
Draft Projection: Round 3-4
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9. Elic Ayomanor
Stanford 6'2" 206 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 68
Ayomanor's production this season may have dipped from last year's campaign but he showed his skill as an outside receiver just the same. With intense jump ball ability even at a modest 6'2", Ayomanor is a dangerous red zone threat and even shows strength when going through the middle of the field. I have Ayomanor lower on the list because of his moderate potential due to his route running. He will be a great outside receiver and a threat within the 20 but he won't be a WR1 without a major improvement in his footwork and agility.
Pro Comp: Romeo Doubs
Draft Projection: Round 3-4
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10. Jalen Royals
Utah State 6'0" 205 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 73
Another burner in this class, Royals was by far the best player on his team at Utah State but his season was cut short this season by a foot injury. His time at Utah State may have masked his true potential by being surrounded by a subpar team and getting double-teamed often. Even with these setbacks, Royals was improving every game this season and before his injury was on pace for a 100-1500-10 season. Despite his injury, Royals will still be an impactful receiver at the next level with great foot speed and good hands. His weak competition may be cause for concern as he gets used to an NFL workload against NFL defenses along with any residual effects of his injury, but Royals is in the low-floor, high-ceiling class and if brought up well on the right team could be a serious threat at the next level.
Pro Comp: Jayden Reed
Draft Projection: Round 3-4
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