During this preview, I will analyze metrics, production profiles, and film. I will go into the top 15 and do a lightning round with a bit of a fun twist at the end. I will be throwing in some background info:
- Size – As listed on a school website, even though they are known liars.
- Age – Digging for DOBs, I will clearly mark some that are assumptions
- Years removed from HS – This is how NFL Draft eligibility works; you need to be three years removed from high school to declare for the NFL draft early
- Weighted Dominator Rating – I know a few advanced metrics could be used, but I just wanted to show the readers how much of an offense each player accounted for and not overload the reader with a bunch of numbers.
- Yards per Route Run – wDOM can be misleading if there’s an injury, YPRR shows the player impact when they are actually on the field.
- Competition
- Internal – I think it’s important to show those hyperproductive prospects while competing against other top NFL prospects. I do not consider players that have less than a mid-day three grade as internal competition. I also do not consider true freshmen as internal competition. It is extremely rare for true freshmen to be impactful players in Year 1 and take the opportunity away from the already established core.
- External – we all know Power 4 conferences have better defenses than the G5. Succeeding against SEC corners matters far more than succeeding against MAC corners. (I am considering the two remaining PAC-12 members as G5, given that their schedule is mostly against the Mountain West)
- Projections—This is my current assumed NFL draft grade. We have a whole season ahead of us, and things can change.
- Role/Playstyle – How their skillset will contribute to their NFL team. Some Prospects are elite in multiple categories, and others specialize in just one but offer starting ability in other categories. There’s a ton of blurred lines with this, so please take this with a grain of salt
- Possession – Generally, your well-built WR with strong hands and knows how to play the physical game
- Field Stretcher – Elite speed to take the top off the defense with game-breaking ability and keep safeties honest and on their toes
- Traditional X – Physical big man who is athletically gifted, never in the categories of an elite route runner, excels at the 50/50 ball, but also fits in the possession role.
- Route Runner – Technicians in the route tree and separation specialists with footwork and other types of manipulation
- Gadget – WR/HB hybrid-types who are not great at route running, contested catches, or jump balls, but their YAC skillset makes them great on short area routes and could get a few handoffs
If the player is eligible for the draft, then they are eligible for the article, but I will put it in writing if I think they will declare.
WR1 – Luther Burden
- 5’11″ / 208 lbs. / 20.7 yrs
- wDOM: 36.22%
- YPRR: 3.29
- 3rd year
- Competition
- Internal: None
- External: SEC
- Early Draft Projection: Early 1st
- Role: Possession/Gadget
Luther Burden will be one of the best athletes in this class to go along with probably the best YAC skillset in this class. Missouri runs a lot of manufactured plays to get the ball in their best playmakers’ hands. His route running and overall manipulation in his routes still need improvement, but at a minimum, Burden should be viewed as a base level for starting NFL wide receivers. He should take a major step in developing his game from Year 1 to Year 2, and I expect this to continue heading into Year 3 in the same system with the same coaching staff. There are similarities between Burden and DJ Moore’s game. Burden should be a locked-in first-rounder.
WR2 – Evan Stewart
- 6’0″ / 174 lbs. / 20.9 yrs
- wDOM: 15.02%
- YPRR: 2.14
- 3rd year
- Competition
- Internal: Tez Johnson
- External: Big Ten
- Early Draft Projection: Early 1st
- Role: Route Runner
After a sophomore season derailed by injury, Evan Stewart is hailed as one of the best route runners in the class and takes his talent to Oregon, coached under Dan Lanning. Stewart should be the featured piece in an offense that is all gas. His game features the best footwork in this class, and he is a master at manipulation with a quick release and start/stop ability. Stewart’s greatest weakness is his contested catch ability, to be fair, really isn’t apart of his game. Let’s hope his injuries are behind him and that he is truly 100% for the start of the season.
WR3 – Tetairoa McMillan
- 6’5″ / 210 lbs. / 20.4 yrs
- wDOM: 33.54%
- YPRR: 2.79
- 3rd year
- Competition
- Internal: None
- External: Big 12
- Early Draft Projection: 1st
- Role: Traditional-X
Tet McMillan is this year’s top big man at wide receiver. He’s the best in the class at contested situations but is no slouch as a mover. His first step could be improved, when facing press he can find himself taking a little bit too long to win due to his high hips that hold him back from faster footwork. McMillan’s size/raw athleticism should allow for OCs to find mismatch opportunities. I still believe he could use more strength on his frame to power through jams if he cant win through technique, but this is nitpicking a profile. Tet should be viewed as a first-rounder and immediate contributor.
WR4 – Emeka Egbuka
- 6’1″ / 205 lbs. / 21.8 yrs
- wDOM: 14.83%
- YPRR: 2.01
- 4th year
- Competition
- Internal: Carnell Tate
- External: Big 12
- Early Draft Projection: 1st
- Role: Route Runner / Possession
Emeka Egbuka is the forgotten man when everyone discusses who the top WR in the 2025 NFL Draft class is. He had a poor 2023 campaign derailed by injury but looked back to full speed in the spring game. Egbuka should be debated as one of the better route runners and a decent athlete that’s hard to bring down with the ball in his hands. The concern at the next level is that he might be a slot-only option and possibly a flanker.
WR5 – Isaiah Bond
- 5’11″ / 182 lbs. / 20.5 yrs
- wDOM: 20.8%
- YPRR: 2.01
- 3rd year
- Competition
- Internal: Johntay Cook, Matthew Golden
- External: SEC
- Early Draft Projection: Late 1st – 2nd
- Role: Route Runner / Field Stretcher
The Alabama transfer finds himself in Texas to help build on HC Sark’s already impressive resume. Isaiah Bond has the speed to threaten a team deep but has showcased many nuances of route-running concepts and has an eye for attacking leverage. He doesn’t show a ton of manipulation, but he attacks angles extremely well.
WR6 – Travis Hunter
- 6’1″ / 185 lbs. / 21.3 yrs
- wDOM: 19.76%
- YPRR: 2.17
- 3rd year
- Competition
- Internal: None
- External: SEC
- Early Draft Projection: Late 1st- 2nd
- Role: Possession
Travis Hunter, the highly discussed two-way player, will be a WR at the next level. Hunter has all the intangibles you want in a corner, the issue is that he keeps consistent beat by the more physical WRs, and its not just Elic Ayomanor, this has been a problem for him since high school. The NFL has no shortage of physically built WRs, and this writer doubts that Hunter could operate as an NFL team CB1 or possibly CB2.
Hunter also likes the attention. He’s very active on social media, and let’s be honest, WRs sell more jerseys than CBs. Hunter’s snap count alone proves he’s one of the better athletes, and he’s also an insane playmaker with the ball in his hands. His route running seems mechanical, in a way that he’s just executing the scheme. I want to see him develop more in creating separation on his own. Indication from Hunter’s movement ability as a runner of the catch leads me to believe he has the flexibility to develop/refine his routes. Suppose he accomplishes that; the world is his oyster. Also, it’s EXTREMELY doubtful that he’s 185 lbs. as listed; he’s probably close to 170.
WR7 – Antonio Williams
- 5’11″ / 195 lbs. / 20.1 yrs
- wDOM: 7.6%
- YPRR: 2.21
- 3rd year
- Competition
- Internal: Tyler Brown
- External: ACC
- Early Draft Projection: top50 – 2nd
- Role: Route Runner
Shame on everyone who is letting the stench of his QB rub off on him. Antonio Williams is one of the better route runners in the class. Williams is shifty and explosive, the route tree was minimal due to how Clemson’s offense is run but the expectation is that they will move Antonio out of the slot. Winning the short and intermediate should be easy for him, but his ability to win deep is in question because, well, I haven’t seen it yet. This point should be more on his QBs inability to throw downfield, but it will likely remain a question mark.
Williams has a strong build and is unafraid to use it as a YAC threat. However, the situation is still concerning, as the play calling is bland, and the quarterback talent is lacking at Clemson. Williams will (and could) need to rely on volume to help his production profile. Depending on the team’s overall performance, we may see Williams return for his senior season.
WR8 – Germie Bernard
- 6’1″ / 209 lbs. / 20.8 yrs
- wDOM: 7.56%
- YPRR: 1.90
- 3rd year
- Competition
- Internal: None
- External: SEC
- Early Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd
- Role: Possession / Gadget
Germie Bernard transfers to Alabama, making this his third team in three years. This is usually a massive red flag, but this has the context of following his HC Kalen Deboer, who just got done putting three WRs in the top 100 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft. Bernard has seen limited action and has been used solely as a rotation piece until this year.
Alabama is talent-starved at WR, making Bernard the clear WR1. He is a great athlete with rushing ability to go along with his pass-catching. It’s still a mystery how developed his route running is, but he’s excellent at reading zones and using his body to create last-minute separation. Bernard excels in the physical game but has the speed to pair well with QB Jalen Milroe’s propensity to throw the long ball. Bernard is set up for a big season, and at a minimum, he has a basic route tree but plays physically and showcases a high level of athleticism.
WR9 – Barion Brown
- 6’1″ / 166 lbs. / 20.8 yrs
- wDOM: 18.87%
- YPRR: 1.80
- 3rd year
- Competition
- Internal: Dane Key
- External: SEC
- Early Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd
- Role: Field Stretcher / Special Teams
It’s a tough profile after a bad 2023 season. Barion Brown’s role expanded, but the Kentucky offense couldn’t get anything going. Running an expanded route showed a lot of flaws in Barion’s game, including a hands issue. He’s one of the fastest players in college and has a very successful kick return profile that will be appealing if the next kickoff rules stick in the NFL. Brown has the speed to be a deep threat, and the athleticism will be appealing to be schemed touches close to the line. Brown needs to take a step in his route running to become the elite asset he has the potential to be. In the worst-case scenario, an NFL team is drafting the best special team asset. In the best case, they have a player with on-field speed that will draw a comparison to Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill.
WR10 – Matthew Golden
- 6’0″ / 195 lbs. / 21.0 yrs
- wDOM: 16.16%
- YPRR: 1.64
- 3rd year
- Competition
- Internal: Isaiah Bond, Johntay Cook
- External: SEC
- Early Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd
- Role: Possession
Golden is becoming an afterthought for many, but the flashes show us the elite upside. He shows us very quick movements in the short area and knows how to adjust his routes based on defense positioning. He needs to improve his overall catch technique, not body catching, and be more efficient at high-pointing. Golden has a tough mentality and is not afraid of contact, but he needs to start translating that into more wins. Golden joins a very crowded room in Texas with the likes of Bond and Johntay Cook. This offense does spread the ball around, but it might not be enough for NFL recognition. Golden was also limited during the spring practices, so he still needs to earn that starting spot. The skillset is here to be elite, but it might take an extra season. I expect Golden to contribute to the offense but not as the primary read.
WR11 – Elic Ayomanor
- 6’2″ / 210 lbs. / 21 yrs
- wDOM: 39.89%
- YPRR: 2.33
- 3rd year
- Competition
- Internal: None
- External: ACC
- Early Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd
- Role: Possession
Ayomanor never saw the field as a true freshman, suffering from an ACL, MCL, and Meniscus injury. His second year was a true breakout. Ayomanor is an insane athlete with a good release package. His route tree is limited, and there is little manipulation or even snappiness in short, quick movements. Ayomanor’s play style is more of the physical ball mentality, which helps him excel in contested scenarios. However, the NFL has gone away from that play style. This profile is very interesting because these types of players end up being nothing, or they can be reliable WR2s for an NFL team with no in-between. I’m very excited to watch Ayomanor in his third year
WR12 – Elijhah Badger
- 6’2″ / 210 lbs. / 22 yrs
- wDOM: 30.1%
- YPRR: 2.00
- 5th year
- Competition
- Internal: Eugene Wilson
- External: SEC
- Early Draft Projection: 3rd-5th
- Role: Possession / Gadget
Versatility is his game. Elijhah Badger was a short-area YAC machine for Arizona State but has now transferred to Florida. It’s almost the same system, just in a different time zone. Florida runs this short-area passing offense with schemes that optimize YAC abilities. This suits Badger, but most of us would like to see him expand his route tree and answer those questions. The SEC stage is an improvement, but he will need to beat out established second-year stud Eugene Wilson for targets.
WR13 – Xavier Restrepo
- 5’10″ / 198 lbs. / 22.4 yrs
- wDOM: 31.26%
- YPRR: 2.76
- 5th year
- Competition
- Internal: None
- External: ACC
- Early Draft Projection: 3rd-5th
- Role: Route Runner
Thick, stoutly built Xavier Restrepo choose not to declare after a breakout season with Miami. He is poised to repeat the performance with a whole new QB. Restrepo is one of the most reliable options in college football. His route running is decent, but there is not a lot of manipulation. Restrepo relies on movement efficiency and always finds a way to get open. He’s tough to tackle as a YAC threat and shows good tackle-shredding ability for a wide receiver. The big concerns are his athletic testing numbers. Restrepo surely won’t wow at the combine with his short, thick build as a WR, but the on-field tape does not showcase that as a problem. Restrepo will be a slot-only option at the next level, and that’s not always bad.
WR14 – Colbie Young
- 6’3″ / 215 lbs. / 22.1 yrs
- wDOM: 17.78%
- YPRR: 1.79
- 5th year
- Competition
- Internal: Dillon Bell
- External: SEC
- Early Draft Projection: 3rd-5th
- Role: Traditional-X
Colbie Young escapes Miami, where they’ve misused him. Young has that size/speed combination wanted in a traditional X, yet Miami insisted on using him in the short area. THROW THIS MAN SOME ENDZONE FADES. Don’t get me wrong, it was cool to see a guy his size take a screen to the house, but please plan around your player’s skills instead of making them fit your scheme.
Young transfers and early reports from Georgia have been raving about his ability. Every off-season, we get good news; last year, it was about how far Young has come physically. It is time to bring it all together. Georgia has the best QB it’s ever seen in Carson Back, who threw the ball over 3.5K yards in the regular season with a rotation of injured players. Young is set up to succeed with his size, athleticism, offensive scheme, target vacancy, and WR room ambiguity; all he needs is the production profile
WR15 – Deion Burks
- 5’9″ / 190 lbs. / 21.6 yrs
- wDOM: 29.19%
- YPRR: 1.46
- 4th year
- Competition
- Internal: None
- External: SEC
- Early Draft Projection: 3rd-5th
- Role: Possession
Deion Burks is your classic small guy who plays like he’s big. Honestly, he has shades of Marvin Mims in him. Burks is more of a linear player with a fast release and no problem as an accelerator. His hands are inconsistent with a mix of perfect body adjustments, and he plucks the ball out of the air. The next worry will be the occasion concentration drop. Burks has plenty of highlight reel grabs, but I am slightly disappointed in his separation ability, given his size. Perhaps he’s more suited for a slot-only role at the next level. Oklahoma has an exciting new QB, and the lack of high-end talent leads to the assumption that Burks will be heavily featured.
Lightning Round
I typically go 15 deep because that’s the average number of WRs who get drafted on Day 2 or earlier. This could be a fun class. I’m going to stay optimistic at the moment, and I’m a bit of a spoiler, but I do have a lot of early tentative day-three grades with players who could fall on either side of the coin. Let’s do a lightning projection round with a pessimistic twist, and I’ll give a line or two about why I don’t see a high ceiling.
WR16 – Jeremiah Hunter
- Early Draft Projection: 3rd-5th
I’ve always been a fan of Hunter’s game; he’s a decent athlete and fits the bill of an NFL-level possession WR. He’s been a victim of sub-par QB play at Cal for three years and answered my prayer about transferring. Landing in Washington appears to be precisely the same in terms of the quality of the supporting cast as he had in Cal, with the bonus of internal pressure from projected breakout player Denzel Boston. Hunter’s NFL future will likely hinge on a Senior Bowl invite and performance.
WR17 – Malachi Fields
- Early Draft Projection: 3rd-5th
Freak List’s Malachi Fields had a derailed sophomore season due to a broken leg and started as the WR2 in a new offense during his Year 3 campaign. He now finds himself stepping into the WR1 role for UVA. This big-bodied WR has some of the best hands, and if the production profile comes, Fields should have no problem putting up NFL numbers at the combine to continue the attention from NFL teams looking to add a player with a traditional X skillset.
WR18 – Daniel Jackson
- Early Draft Projection: 3rd-5th
A post-hype sleeper. Jackson was talked about early in his career but fell off until his recent breakout stretch at the end of the 2023 season. In his final six regular season games, Jackson produced 545 yards and 3 TDs with some of the worst QB play in the Power 5. Let’s see if Jackson can build onto that success with what should be upgraded QB play and continued development from PJ Fleck, who has a history of putting WRs into the NFL.
WR19 – Dillon Bell
- Early Draft Projection: 3rd-5th
Bell has a nice, robust build and a gadget-type skillset. He has been sprinkled into game plans since he stepped on campus, and now he is slated to be a starter and potentially featured piece in the exciting UGA passing offense. Let’s see Bell’s skillset in an expanded role. If he doesn’t lead the team in terms of production, I would assume he returns to school
WR20 – Elijah Sarratt
- Early Draft Projection: 3rd-6th
Sarratt is a possession WR entering his third year and another step up in competition. He’s dominated the SWAC and CUSA during his time at JMU, and now he finds himself following HC Curt Cignetti to Indiana and the Big Ten. At the very least, Sarratt is one of the best blockers at WR in the NCAA.
WR21 – Denzel Boston
- Early Draft Projection: 3rd-7th
There is much discussion about Boston being a breakout candidate for Washington in their early rebuild. The spring game is the only thing to go off of, and defense showed us a lot of man and pressure at the line. Boston looks like he could be the real deal WR1 for Washington. Being the first year of his starting makes it extremely doubtful for him to declare, but Boston has some of the widest ranges of outcomes.
WR22 – Eric McAlister
- Early Draft Projection: 3rd-7th
The Boise transfer was in a hurry to leave school and did not finish the season. McAlister committed to Sonny Dykes at SMU and his rich history of successful WRs in the NFL. There is a ton of volume in this passing offense, and choose a good coaching staff to help develop him. McCalister is poised for a breakout, but so far, there has not been a lot of early buzz from camp. He’s on the watchlist with a very wide range of outcomes.
WR23 – Antwane Wells
- Early Draft Projection: 4th-6th
I don’t know what to do with Wells. He’s been injured, and clearly, there was some setback during his recovery because it’s been a while, and there’s hardly any news. Wells is already an older prospect at 23 and will be 24 before the NFL Draft. When healthy, his skill set is that of a possession WR who’s a decent athlete. He runs a basic route tree and is one of the tougher players to bring down with the ball in his hands. When healthy, I believe he can be a rotational piece in the NFL. When healthy.
WR24 – Squirrel White
- Early Draft Projection: 4th-6th
White is an undersized field stretcher that’s entering Year 3. Tennessee and HC Josh Heupel are not known for developing diverse WRs, but at a minimum, White should be viewed as a field stretcher or potential special teamer at the next level
WR25 – Dane Key
- Early Draft Projection: 4th-6th
Key is an SEC possession WR who has yet to put up those gaudy raw numbers to grab attention. It’s hard to pinpoint what Key does from a skillset perspective that makes him special and separates him from the other prospects in the class. Nevertheless, Key is a reliable option in the SEC, and he should find himself on an NFL team with the upside of being a rotational piece.
WR26 – Chris Bell
- Early Draft Projection: 4th-6th
The drum beat is heavy for Chris Bell to take over as the WR1 in a Jeff Brohm offense. He is a physical and build-up speed player; he lacks quick footwork but makes up for it in toughness. I have been high on Bell since he was a recruit, but there are shades of Treylon Burks. Regardless, if Bell becomes the WR1, his name will be called, and he’ll have the opportunity to become a rotational piece in the NFL. However, even if he wins the WR1 role, I believe he will return to college to raise draft capital.
WR27 – Kyren Lacy
- Early Draft Projection: 5th-7th
This G5 to P5 transfer has been accumulated to the game speed and play strength of P4 football. Lacy is a projected breakout and the only one with positive reports coming from LSU. We love LSU WRs, but I will need to see a big step in Lacy’s development. The production profile feels like a safe bet with possibly the best O-line in college, a quarterback who loves to sling it, and a defense that’s so poor that the game script should always stay positive.
WR28 – Ricky White
- Early Draft Projection: 5th-7th
I’m surprised that Ricky White did not declare after his 2023 breakout, with his team losing their starting quarterback and Head Coach. White has NFL speed but lacks a high-end translatable skillset. I’m intrigued by him, but G5 WRs tend to struggle to translate to the NFL.
WR29 – Tez Johnson
- Early Draft Projection: 5th-7th
The skinny slot-only WR from Oregon, Johnson, has a great production profile, but I fail to see the skillset translation. His production profile should continue to grow, but I want to see him more as a technician. The skinny/small WRs path to the NFL is to develop as a route runner or be a field stretcher, and from what I’ve seen, Johnson is better at executing a scheme than creating space on his own. Jury is still out for me, this is a tentative grade.
WR30 – Tory Horton
- Early Draft Projection: 5th-7th
Tory Horton is the most productive WR at the G5 level. His running route has wasted movement and lacks sharpness, making him one of the best possession WRs in the G5. Paired with his middling athleticism, I believe Horton would be more of a middling talent on a Power 4 scale. I’m currently not interested in Horton on an NFL scale, but I will continue to monitor him, as many people I respect are interested in his career path.
WR31 – Kobe Hudson
- Early Draft Projection: 5th-7th
It erupted early in 2023 but quickly disappeared. Kobe Hudson is a Y1Z but has flashed route running ability and NFL-level athleticism. Hudson should be the WR1 for this UCF offense, but I am concerned with his ability to translate to the NFL.
WR32 – Jayden Higgins
- Early Draft Projection: 5th-7th
Iowa State has a type: Xavier Hutchinson, Jalen Hurd, Allen Lazard, and Jayden Higgins’s name will soon be added to the list. He’s slated for the WR1 and destined to be a sub-par athlete who is a stiff mover but excels in contested situations—a skillset that is no longer highly valued by the NFL.
WR33 – Rashod Owens
- Early Draft Projection: 5th-7th
Owens is a physical, bully-ball style wide receiver with an unrefined route tree that brings back memories of other Oklahoma St prospects of the past. Owens has some bad weight that must be addressed before the Combine, but this writer believes Owens will take over the WR1 role for the Cowboys.
WR34 – Tre Harris
- Early Draft Projection: 5th-7th
The Ole Miss WR room is somewhat of a mystery today. There are many potential players, but the safest bet to be the top producer is Tre Harris. Similar to the guys above him, his skillset is unremarkable. He’s the run-of-the-mill possession WR who can play physically, but he will do it in the SEC. Harris will get drafted and find himself on practice squads with the opportunity to play in a rotational role.
WR35 – Noah Thomas
- Early Draft Projection: 5th-UDFA
Thomas should be the lead receiver for Texas A&M, and his playstyle, with his body comp, will be a deterrent for NFL teams. He has a skinny and lanky frame that will be bulling at the next level. Thomas does not play with finesse or route-running ability to avoid contact and not be hit on his routes.
WR36 – Kelly Akharaiyi
- Early Draft Projection: 6th-UDFA
The G5 to P4 transfer finds himself on the SEC stage during Miss St’s first year of rebuilding under new HC Jeff Lebby. The spring game heavily featured Akharaiyi as the primary WR, and honestly, who else are they going to throw to? An SEC + production profile from being force-fed the ball is enough for NFL attention. Akharaiyi’s skillset has never intrigued me, and this player likely finds success largely against inferior defenses. He’s a watchlist type of player but will most likely be forgettable by this time next year.
WR37 – Brennan Presley
- Early Draft Projection: 6th-UDFA
Presley is an undersized jitterbug slot player in college. He will play against G5 competition in his final season and is likely a special team contributor at the next level. He has the upside to be a rotational slot piece.
