- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 432,228
- Reaction score
- 44
The 2025 wide receiver class is among the weakest in the NFL draft. The class doesn’t have a lot of top-end talent and lacks depth on day two. It’s not a good opportunity for teams wanting to revitalize their passing game. All hope isn’t quite lost. The class has more high-floor role players than in previous years. There are a lot of experienced players with specialized roles. They could develop into useful receivers in the league.
The Browns are among many NFL teams looking to recreate their receiver room. The team will likely select Travis Hunter with their first pick. The team plans to play him primarily as a receiver, which will help with their middling offense. The Browns could still use some extra talent at the position. There are may experienced prospects at the X and slot position. The Browns could wait till day three to select one.
Here is a list of my top 20 wide receiver prospects in the 2025 NFL draft.
Travis Hunter is the best player in the NFL draft. He’s a unicorn – the best player at two positions. Hunter is the easiest second overall pick ever. He’s a gigantic green flag, who wants to play football at two of the most expensive positions, on a rookie contract. Hunter has the best hands in the class, he has the best body control, it is what makes him the best cornerback. He’s the best athlete in the class, even if we don’t have the data to prove it. Hunter is a kinetic route-runner, he makes hard cuts on a dime. He could better tempo his routes, but he’s solid there. Hunter is an elite receiving prospect. Andrew Berry said the Browns will use the full shot clock to make their choice, but he should be tripping over the Titans’ shoes to get the pick in ASAP.
[IMG alt="April 13, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) catches a pass for the scarlet team during the first half of the LifeSports Spring Game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday."]https://media.zenfs.com/en/clevelan...es_724/e7080b1118fa8a82970265f12fe654fc[/IMG]
Emeka Egbuka is the latest professional wide receiver produced by Ohio State. Egbuka never got the shine he deserved at Ohio State due to subpar quarterback play, but he won’t complain. He’s a hard worker and a true craftsman. He’ll play over a decade in the league and could become a franchise’s most prolific receiver. Egbuka is a great athlete who has excellent body control. He’s smooth in and out of routes. He can contort his body at the catch point. Egbuka is a real professional who can play at every receiver spot. He’ll probably do his best work in the slot, where he can block and lose defenders at the second and third level. Egbuka is one of the 15 best players in the draft.
Tetairoa McMillan is more of a black hole than a receiver. McMillan was the University of Arizona’s offense for the past two seasons. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound player uses his size and quickness to beat cornerbacks consistently. He doesn’t have the physicality traditionally associated with his size. He belongs to the agile, basketball-style wide receivers like Drake London and Courtland Sutton. McMillan can set cornerbacks up and break free at the top of his route. He is a traditional X who could thrive as a power slot. McMillan is worth a first-round pick.
Luther Burden III had a rough final season at Missouri. The Missouri native stayed home as a five-star prospect, hoping to turn Missouri into a powerhouse. Since his arrival, Missouri ascended near the top of the SEC, but it hit the ceiling hard last season. Burden’s frustration boiled over to the field, and his draft stock has tanked. Burden is a talented receiver and a threat with the ball in his hands. However, he’s an undisciplined route-runner. Burden is a first-round talent, but the 21-year-old receiver must approach the game professionally if he wants to succeed in the NFL.
Matthew Golden is one of the smoothest receivers in the draft class. The 5-foot-11, 191-pound receiver is a slippery route-runner. He is a fantastic athlete with strong hands. Golden is a natural receiver. During his three seasons in college, Golden never produced at the level of a first-round receiver. Golden has never had a season with more than 1,000 receiving yards. Golden projects as a strong number two option in the NFL. He is a late first-round talent. Golden must prove he can become an alpha receiver if he’s selected in the top half of the first round.
Jack Bech is one of the most physical receiving prospects in the draft. Bech is 6-foot-1, 214-pounds, with good strength and acceleration. Bech lacks an extra gear to make him a deep threat, but he works the rest of the field well. He is a crafty route runner who uses his strength and a shimmy to get open during the route. Bech has strong hands and is great at the catch point. He struggles to get open against press coverage, and it might force him into the slot at the next level. Bech is a good high-floor prospect deserving of a second-round pick.
Jalen Royals was the engine of Utah State’s offense. He’s 5-foot-11, 210-pounds of muscle and is great after the catch. Royals was predominantly used on the left side of the formation and ran a limited route tree. He is a crafty route-runner, incorporates head fakes and moves at the top of the route. Royals can’t rely on manufactured touches in the NFL. He must dedicate himself to improving his release packages and route running. Royals is a good lottery ticket on day three of the NFL draft.
Elic Ayomanor is a physical receiver out of Stanford. Ayomanor is a long 6-foot-2, 206-pounds. Ayomanor uses his size, strength, and speed to win on the sidelines. He is a great blocker, driving defensive backs down the field. He isn’t a skillful route-runner and struggles to catch the ball. The 21-year-old has all the tools to develop into a starting X-receiver. He has one of the highest ceilings in the class. Ayomanor is a good option in the third round of the draft.
Jayden Higgins is a big-bodied receiver. He stands at 6-foot-4, 217-pounds. Higgins uses his size and agility to win throughout the route. He does a great job tracking the ball and going up strong at the catch point. Higgins doesn’t play with strength throughout the route and struggles to beat press coverage. Higgins can get knocked off his route path easily. He lacks the top-end speed to threaten defensive backs. He must learn to defeat press coverage to thrive on the outside consistently. Higgins is a third-round talent.
Kyle Williams is a deft wide receiver from Washington State. The 5-foot-10 182-pound receiver is an explosive playmaker. He jets off the line of scrimmage and fires out of his cuts. Williams must get stronger in the NFL. He struggles to play through his route and break tackles. Williams projects as a slot-only receiver, but his inability to block could keep him off the field. Williams is a skilled receiver, but physical limitations could keep him from succeeding in the NFL. He is a good option between the third and fourth rounds.
Tre Harris is one of the most physical receivers in the class. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver is strong during the route, at the catch point, and after the catch. Harris is a rudimentary route-runner with a limited route tree. Harris is a broad target who struggles to battle through press coverage. He is a powerful receiving threat who needs refinement at the next level. He has the tools to be a good outside option but needs to play with proper technique. Harris is a developmental prospect and a top 100 talent.
Jaylin Noel was a missile for Iowa State. The 5-foot-10 wide receiver is a speedster from the slot. Noel is a good route runner with a variety of release packages. He plays with a lot of physicality at the catch point. His athleticism doesn’t translate to his after-the-catch abilities. Noel doesn’t break many tackles or big gains. Noel is a skillful receiver, but he could struggle to adapt to the physicality of the NFL. He should go in the first 100 picks.
Tory Horton battled through injuries during his final season at Colorado State. The 6-foot-2, 196-pound wide receiver doesn’t have the length or strength his size suggests. He has 31-inch arms and a small catch radius. Horton is a speedster with great agility. He runs with a lot of urgency when he should be working patiently through his route. Horton claps-attacks the ball and struggles to bring the ball in. Horton must get stronger to see the field consistently. He’ll need time to develop into a wide receiver, but could make an impact as a return man. Horton is a good lottery option in the fourth round.
Tai Felton was a great deep threat at Maryland. The 6-foot receiver does a great job of stacking defensive backs. Felton is explosive with the ball in his hand. Felton isn’t strong or physical. He can be knocked off his route and struggles to beat man coverage. Felton lacks creativity at the top of the route to get open. Felton is a big-play threat and a developmental prospect. He could see the field immediately as a return man. Felton is a fourth-round talent.
Jackson Meeks is one of the most underrated wide receivers in the draft class. He’s incredibly physical throughout the route. The 6-foot-2, 216-pound receiver is the nephew of former Browns’ defensive end Za’Darius Smith. Meeks is fearless and strong going over the middle and does a good job of making contested catches. Meeks claps attacks the ball, which could lead to drops down the line. He isn’t a fast athlete or a great route runner. Last season with Syracuse was his only productive season after sitting on the bench at Georgia for three seasons. Meeks has the makings of a good possession receiver and special teams ace. He’s a high-floor option in the fifth round of the NFL draft.
Savion Williams is one of the few unicorns in the NFL draft. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound receiver is a former quarterback who does his best work as a running back. Williams is tall, strong, and fast. He breaks tackles with ease and erases pursuit angles with a few steps. Williams was most productive as the wildcat quarterback for Texas Christian University. As a receiver, Williams isn’t one. He tips his routes with his stances, he doesn’t break well, and he struggles to catch the football. He’s a playmaker in the mold of Josh Cribbs or Cordarrelle Patterson. Williams is good for a few manufactured touches and returns every game. He’s a good lottery ticket on day three of the draft.
Tez Johnson could end up being pound-for-pound the most physical receiver ever, at least since World War 2. The 5-foot-9, 154-pound receiver loves to go over the middle of the field. Johnson is a quick-twitch receiver who can accelerate and speed away in the blink of an eye. He’s a creative runner with the ball in his hands. He’s willing to embrace contact, while defenders expect him to juke. Tez isn’t a crafty route-runner, and his lack of strength could prevent him from surviving throughout routes. Johnson is very small, an outlier in size. He’s a solid lottery ticket at the end of day three.
Ricky White III is the top special teams ace in the NFL draft. The 6-foot, 180-pound receiver also holds most of UNLV’s receiving records. White is a shifty route-runner who gets open at the release and the top of the route. White has horrible hands. He lets the ball get into his body or claps attack it. White must get stronger to play special teams in the NFL. White is a promising player with major but fixable flaws. He should go near the end of day three.
Isaiah Bond is going through a horrible pre-draft process. The wide receiver turned himself in for a sexual assault warrant and is now suing his accuser for defamation. The situation will go through the legal proceedings, and we’ll see a conclusion, then the NFL could act on the conclusion. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound wide receiver has all the tools to succeed in the NFL, but never truly applied himself at the collegiate level. He coasted to success at Alabama and Texas. Bond could be worth a pick in the seventh round or be a priority undrafted free agent.
Pat Bryant is a solid playmaker who lined up everywhere for Illinois. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound receiver is a powerful athlete. He’s very strong at the point of attack and catches the ball well. Bryant is solid after the catch, but he’s not running away from defenses. Bryant needs to develop his route running to succeed in the NFL consistently. He is a brilliant player and will find a way onto the field. Bryant is a good lottery ticket at the end of day three.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Crash Course: Top 20 receivers to watch in the NFL draft
Continue reading...
The Browns are among many NFL teams looking to recreate their receiver room. The team will likely select Travis Hunter with their first pick. The team plans to play him primarily as a receiver, which will help with their middling offense. The Browns could still use some extra talent at the position. There are may experienced prospects at the X and slot position. The Browns could wait till day three to select one.
Here is a list of my top 20 wide receiver prospects in the 2025 NFL draft.
1. Travis Hunter, Colorado
You must be registered for see images
Travis Hunter is the best player in the NFL draft. He’s a unicorn – the best player at two positions. Hunter is the easiest second overall pick ever. He’s a gigantic green flag, who wants to play football at two of the most expensive positions, on a rookie contract. Hunter has the best hands in the class, he has the best body control, it is what makes him the best cornerback. He’s the best athlete in the class, even if we don’t have the data to prove it. Hunter is a kinetic route-runner, he makes hard cuts on a dime. He could better tempo his routes, but he’s solid there. Hunter is an elite receiving prospect. Andrew Berry said the Browns will use the full shot clock to make their choice, but he should be tripping over the Titans’ shoes to get the pick in ASAP.
2. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
[IMG alt="April 13, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) catches a pass for the scarlet team during the first half of the LifeSports Spring Game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday."]https://media.zenfs.com/en/clevelan...es_724/e7080b1118fa8a82970265f12fe654fc[/IMG]
Emeka Egbuka is the latest professional wide receiver produced by Ohio State. Egbuka never got the shine he deserved at Ohio State due to subpar quarterback play, but he won’t complain. He’s a hard worker and a true craftsman. He’ll play over a decade in the league and could become a franchise’s most prolific receiver. Egbuka is a great athlete who has excellent body control. He’s smooth in and out of routes. He can contort his body at the catch point. Egbuka is a real professional who can play at every receiver spot. He’ll probably do his best work in the slot, where he can block and lose defenders at the second and third level. Egbuka is one of the 15 best players in the draft.
3. Tetairoa McMillan, University of Arizona
You must be registered for see images attach
Tetairoa McMillan is more of a black hole than a receiver. McMillan was the University of Arizona’s offense for the past two seasons. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound player uses his size and quickness to beat cornerbacks consistently. He doesn’t have the physicality traditionally associated with his size. He belongs to the agile, basketball-style wide receivers like Drake London and Courtland Sutton. McMillan can set cornerbacks up and break free at the top of his route. He is a traditional X who could thrive as a power slot. McMillan is worth a first-round pick.
4. Luther Burden III, Missouri
You must be registered for see images
Luther Burden III had a rough final season at Missouri. The Missouri native stayed home as a five-star prospect, hoping to turn Missouri into a powerhouse. Since his arrival, Missouri ascended near the top of the SEC, but it hit the ceiling hard last season. Burden’s frustration boiled over to the field, and his draft stock has tanked. Burden is a talented receiver and a threat with the ball in his hands. However, he’s an undisciplined route-runner. Burden is a first-round talent, but the 21-year-old receiver must approach the game professionally if he wants to succeed in the NFL.
5. Matthew Golden, Texas
You must be registered for see images attach
Matthew Golden is one of the smoothest receivers in the draft class. The 5-foot-11, 191-pound receiver is a slippery route-runner. He is a fantastic athlete with strong hands. Golden is a natural receiver. During his three seasons in college, Golden never produced at the level of a first-round receiver. Golden has never had a season with more than 1,000 receiving yards. Golden projects as a strong number two option in the NFL. He is a late first-round talent. Golden must prove he can become an alpha receiver if he’s selected in the top half of the first round.
6. Jack Bech, TCU
You must be registered for see images attach
Jack Bech is one of the most physical receiving prospects in the draft. Bech is 6-foot-1, 214-pounds, with good strength and acceleration. Bech lacks an extra gear to make him a deep threat, but he works the rest of the field well. He is a crafty route runner who uses his strength and a shimmy to get open during the route. Bech has strong hands and is great at the catch point. He struggles to get open against press coverage, and it might force him into the slot at the next level. Bech is a good high-floor prospect deserving of a second-round pick.
7. Jalen Royals, Utah State
You must be registered for see images
Jalen Royals was the engine of Utah State’s offense. He’s 5-foot-11, 210-pounds of muscle and is great after the catch. Royals was predominantly used on the left side of the formation and ran a limited route tree. He is a crafty route-runner, incorporates head fakes and moves at the top of the route. Royals can’t rely on manufactured touches in the NFL. He must dedicate himself to improving his release packages and route running. Royals is a good lottery ticket on day three of the NFL draft.
8. Elic Ayomanor Stanford
You must be registered for see images attach
Elic Ayomanor is a physical receiver out of Stanford. Ayomanor is a long 6-foot-2, 206-pounds. Ayomanor uses his size, strength, and speed to win on the sidelines. He is a great blocker, driving defensive backs down the field. He isn’t a skillful route-runner and struggles to catch the ball. The 21-year-old has all the tools to develop into a starting X-receiver. He has one of the highest ceilings in the class. Ayomanor is a good option in the third round of the draft.
9. Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
You must be registered for see images
Jayden Higgins is a big-bodied receiver. He stands at 6-foot-4, 217-pounds. Higgins uses his size and agility to win throughout the route. He does a great job tracking the ball and going up strong at the catch point. Higgins doesn’t play with strength throughout the route and struggles to beat press coverage. Higgins can get knocked off his route path easily. He lacks the top-end speed to threaten defensive backs. He must learn to defeat press coverage to thrive on the outside consistently. Higgins is a third-round talent.
10. Kyle Williams, Washington State
You must be registered for see images attach
Kyle Williams is a deft wide receiver from Washington State. The 5-foot-10 182-pound receiver is an explosive playmaker. He jets off the line of scrimmage and fires out of his cuts. Williams must get stronger in the NFL. He struggles to play through his route and break tackles. Williams projects as a slot-only receiver, but his inability to block could keep him off the field. Williams is a skilled receiver, but physical limitations could keep him from succeeding in the NFL. He is a good option between the third and fourth rounds.
11. Tre Harris, Ole Miss
You must be registered for see images
Tre Harris is one of the most physical receivers in the class. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver is strong during the route, at the catch point, and after the catch. Harris is a rudimentary route-runner with a limited route tree. Harris is a broad target who struggles to battle through press coverage. He is a powerful receiving threat who needs refinement at the next level. He has the tools to be a good outside option but needs to play with proper technique. Harris is a developmental prospect and a top 100 talent.
12. Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
You must be registered for see images attach
Jaylin Noel was a missile for Iowa State. The 5-foot-10 wide receiver is a speedster from the slot. Noel is a good route runner with a variety of release packages. He plays with a lot of physicality at the catch point. His athleticism doesn’t translate to his after-the-catch abilities. Noel doesn’t break many tackles or big gains. Noel is a skillful receiver, but he could struggle to adapt to the physicality of the NFL. He should go in the first 100 picks.
13. Tory Horton, Colorado State
You must be registered for see images attach
Tory Horton battled through injuries during his final season at Colorado State. The 6-foot-2, 196-pound wide receiver doesn’t have the length or strength his size suggests. He has 31-inch arms and a small catch radius. Horton is a speedster with great agility. He runs with a lot of urgency when he should be working patiently through his route. Horton claps-attacks the ball and struggles to bring the ball in. Horton must get stronger to see the field consistently. He’ll need time to develop into a wide receiver, but could make an impact as a return man. Horton is a good lottery option in the fourth round.
14. Tai Felton, Maryland
You must be registered for see images attach
Tai Felton was a great deep threat at Maryland. The 6-foot receiver does a great job of stacking defensive backs. Felton is explosive with the ball in his hand. Felton isn’t strong or physical. He can be knocked off his route and struggles to beat man coverage. Felton lacks creativity at the top of the route to get open. Felton is a big-play threat and a developmental prospect. He could see the field immediately as a return man. Felton is a fourth-round talent.
15. Jackson Meeks, Syracuse
You must be registered for see images attach
Jackson Meeks is one of the most underrated wide receivers in the draft class. He’s incredibly physical throughout the route. The 6-foot-2, 216-pound receiver is the nephew of former Browns’ defensive end Za’Darius Smith. Meeks is fearless and strong going over the middle and does a good job of making contested catches. Meeks claps attacks the ball, which could lead to drops down the line. He isn’t a fast athlete or a great route runner. Last season with Syracuse was his only productive season after sitting on the bench at Georgia for three seasons. Meeks has the makings of a good possession receiver and special teams ace. He’s a high-floor option in the fifth round of the NFL draft.
16. Savion Williams, TCU
You must be registered for see images
Savion Williams is one of the few unicorns in the NFL draft. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound receiver is a former quarterback who does his best work as a running back. Williams is tall, strong, and fast. He breaks tackles with ease and erases pursuit angles with a few steps. Williams was most productive as the wildcat quarterback for Texas Christian University. As a receiver, Williams isn’t one. He tips his routes with his stances, he doesn’t break well, and he struggles to catch the football. He’s a playmaker in the mold of Josh Cribbs or Cordarrelle Patterson. Williams is good for a few manufactured touches and returns every game. He’s a good lottery ticket on day three of the draft.
17. Tez Johnson, Oregon
You must be registered for see images
Tez Johnson could end up being pound-for-pound the most physical receiver ever, at least since World War 2. The 5-foot-9, 154-pound receiver loves to go over the middle of the field. Johnson is a quick-twitch receiver who can accelerate and speed away in the blink of an eye. He’s a creative runner with the ball in his hands. He’s willing to embrace contact, while defenders expect him to juke. Tez isn’t a crafty route-runner, and his lack of strength could prevent him from surviving throughout routes. Johnson is very small, an outlier in size. He’s a solid lottery ticket at the end of day three.
18. Ricky White III, UNLV
You must be registered for see images
Ricky White III is the top special teams ace in the NFL draft. The 6-foot, 180-pound receiver also holds most of UNLV’s receiving records. White is a shifty route-runner who gets open at the release and the top of the route. White has horrible hands. He lets the ball get into his body or claps attack it. White must get stronger to play special teams in the NFL. White is a promising player with major but fixable flaws. He should go near the end of day three.
19. Isaiah Bond, Texas
You must be registered for see images
Isaiah Bond is going through a horrible pre-draft process. The wide receiver turned himself in for a sexual assault warrant and is now suing his accuser for defamation. The situation will go through the legal proceedings, and we’ll see a conclusion, then the NFL could act on the conclusion. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound wide receiver has all the tools to succeed in the NFL, but never truly applied himself at the collegiate level. He coasted to success at Alabama and Texas. Bond could be worth a pick in the seventh round or be a priority undrafted free agent.
20. Pat Bryant, Illinois
You must be registered for see images
Pat Bryant is a solid playmaker who lined up everywhere for Illinois. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound receiver is a powerful athlete. He’s very strong at the point of attack and catches the ball well. Bryant is solid after the catch, but he’s not running away from defenses. Bryant needs to develop his route running to succeed in the NFL consistently. He is a brilliant player and will find a way onto the field. Bryant is a good lottery ticket at the end of day three.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Crash Course: Top 20 receivers to watch in the NFL draft
Continue reading...
