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The wide receiver position is always highly coveted during the NFL draft. A total of 35 wide receivers were selected in the 2024 draft, including seven in the first round.
How many wideouts will be picked in the first round during the 2025 NFL draft? Defending Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter might get his wish to play both ways in the NFL. Matthew Golden’s sped up draft boards after running a 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Then there’s Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan who many scouts have ranked as the best receiver prospect in this year’s draft.
Where will the top wide receivers be selected during April’s draft? USA TODAY Sports explores the best landing spots for the highest-rated wideouts in the 2025 draft.
NFL MOCK DRAFT: Expert predictions following major moves in free agency
Best landing spot: New England Patriots
Hunter capped off one of the most decorated individual seasons in college football history, winning eight major awards.
Hunter has let it be known he desires to play both sides of the ball. It’s hard to argue with him when you watch his athleticism on tape. He’s a fluid and smooth route runner with excellent hands. As a cornerback, he diagnoses routes quickly and possesses tremendous ball skills. He played over 86% of Colorado’s offensive snaps and 82% of the team’s defensive snaps.
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is the best cornerback and arguably the top wide receiver in this year’s draft. He caught 96 percent of his catchable passes and only accounted for three dropped passes. Pro Football Focus gave Hunter a 90.3 coverage grade, the second-highest grade for a cornerback with at least 400 snaps.
The Patriots had the worst total offense in the AFC and finished 22nd in the NFL in total defense last season. Hunter can upgrade New England in both areas.
NFL DRAFT: Stock up, stock down for these players following pro day workouts
Best landing spot: Dallas Cowboys
The 6-foot-4 wideout has the size and catch radius to win 50-50 balls. He’s a linear runner who uses his size to his advantage.
McMillan tallied 84 catches for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. His 3,423 career receiving yards rank first in Wildcats history. He also had 26 career touchdowns, good enough for third in program history.
The Cowboys need an X receiver who can play on the outside while CeeDee Lamb spends much of his time in the slot. Lamb’s 101 receptions were more than double Dallas’ next top wide receiver. McMillan lined up out wide on 588 snaps to just 117 in the slot for the Wildcats in 2024.
COWBOYS NFL DRAFT OPTIONS: Breaking down first round WRs Dallas could target
Best landing spot: Houston Texans
The Texans lost Stefon Diggs in free agency and Tank Dell is expected to miss the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury. Houston traded for Christian Kirk, but he’s a slot-possession receiver. The club is going to miss Dell’s ability to stretch the field.
Golden has the speed to take the top off of the defense. His wide receiver-best 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL combine raised eyebrows.
The speedy wideout led Texas with 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He can play out wide or in the slot. Nico Collins is Houston’s top target, but Golden would give C.J. Stroud a vertical threat they’re missing without Dell.
Best landing spot: Los Angeles Rams
Many scouts ranked Burden as the top wide receiver prospect after he produced 86 catches and 1,212 receiving yards in 2023. But rocky quarterback play contributed to a precipitous decline in production last season.
Still, Burden’s acceleration and playmaking ability make him an intriguing prospect. He’s best suited as a slot receiver. He played 462 snaps in the slot in his final season.
The Rams parted ways with Cooper Kupp after eight seasons. Los Angeles added Davante Adams, but he primarily plays out wide. Burden could thrive in Los Angeles playing inside while Adams and Puka Nacua line up outside.
Best landing spot: Arizona Cardinals
Could two Buckeyes reunite in the desert?
Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr. were teammates for three seasons at Ohio State. Each of them had over 1,100 receiving yards in 2022.
Egbuka has the versatility to play inside or out wide. However, he’s probably best suited as a slot receiver in the NFL. He lined up in the slot for 548 snaps last year in Columbus.
Egbuka would fit right in as a slot receiver with the Cardinals, while Harrison lines up as the X receiver.
Tight end Trey McBride and Harrison were the only two Arizona pass catchers with more than 50 receptions. The Cardinals averaged the fewest passing yards per game (214) in the NFC West last year.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NFL draft: Best fits for each first-round WR prospect
Continue reading...
How many wideouts will be picked in the first round during the 2025 NFL draft? Defending Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter might get his wish to play both ways in the NFL. Matthew Golden’s sped up draft boards after running a 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Then there’s Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan who many scouts have ranked as the best receiver prospect in this year’s draft.
Where will the top wide receivers be selected during April’s draft? USA TODAY Sports explores the best landing spots for the highest-rated wideouts in the 2025 draft.
NFL MOCK DRAFT: Expert predictions following major moves in free agency
NFL Draft: Best fits for top first-round WRs
Travis Hunter CB/WR, Colorado
Best landing spot: New England Patriots
Hunter capped off one of the most decorated individual seasons in college football history, winning eight major awards.
Hunter has let it be known he desires to play both sides of the ball. It’s hard to argue with him when you watch his athleticism on tape. He’s a fluid and smooth route runner with excellent hands. As a cornerback, he diagnoses routes quickly and possesses tremendous ball skills. He played over 86% of Colorado’s offensive snaps and 82% of the team’s defensive snaps.
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is the best cornerback and arguably the top wide receiver in this year’s draft. He caught 96 percent of his catchable passes and only accounted for three dropped passes. Pro Football Focus gave Hunter a 90.3 coverage grade, the second-highest grade for a cornerback with at least 400 snaps.
The Patriots had the worst total offense in the AFC and finished 22nd in the NFL in total defense last season. Hunter can upgrade New England in both areas.
NFL DRAFT: Stock up, stock down for these players following pro day workouts
WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Best landing spot: Dallas Cowboys
The 6-foot-4 wideout has the size and catch radius to win 50-50 balls. He’s a linear runner who uses his size to his advantage.
McMillan tallied 84 catches for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. His 3,423 career receiving yards rank first in Wildcats history. He also had 26 career touchdowns, good enough for third in program history.
The Cowboys need an X receiver who can play on the outside while CeeDee Lamb spends much of his time in the slot. Lamb’s 101 receptions were more than double Dallas’ next top wide receiver. McMillan lined up out wide on 588 snaps to just 117 in the slot for the Wildcats in 2024.
COWBOYS NFL DRAFT OPTIONS: Breaking down first round WRs Dallas could target
WR Matthew Golden, Texas
Best landing spot: Houston Texans
The Texans lost Stefon Diggs in free agency and Tank Dell is expected to miss the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury. Houston traded for Christian Kirk, but he’s a slot-possession receiver. The club is going to miss Dell’s ability to stretch the field.
Golden has the speed to take the top off of the defense. His wide receiver-best 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL combine raised eyebrows.
The speedy wideout led Texas with 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He can play out wide or in the slot. Nico Collins is Houston’s top target, but Golden would give C.J. Stroud a vertical threat they’re missing without Dell.
WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
Best landing spot: Los Angeles Rams
Many scouts ranked Burden as the top wide receiver prospect after he produced 86 catches and 1,212 receiving yards in 2023. But rocky quarterback play contributed to a precipitous decline in production last season.
Still, Burden’s acceleration and playmaking ability make him an intriguing prospect. He’s best suited as a slot receiver. He played 462 snaps in the slot in his final season.
The Rams parted ways with Cooper Kupp after eight seasons. Los Angeles added Davante Adams, but he primarily plays out wide. Burden could thrive in Los Angeles playing inside while Adams and Puka Nacua line up outside.
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Best landing spot: Arizona Cardinals
Could two Buckeyes reunite in the desert?
Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr. were teammates for three seasons at Ohio State. Each of them had over 1,100 receiving yards in 2022.
Egbuka has the versatility to play inside or out wide. However, he’s probably best suited as a slot receiver in the NFL. He lined up in the slot for 548 snaps last year in Columbus.
Egbuka would fit right in as a slot receiver with the Cardinals, while Harrison lines up as the X receiver.
Tight end Trey McBride and Harrison were the only two Arizona pass catchers with more than 50 receptions. The Cardinals averaged the fewest passing yards per game (214) in the NFC West last year.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NFL draft: Best fits for each first-round WR prospect
Continue reading...
