2025 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Rankings: Top 5 Rookies

March 17, 2025

Mike Fanelli gives a thorough breakdown of the top wide receiver prospects of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Last year’s wide receiver class was one of the best in recent history, totaling three top-10 picks and seven prospects coming off the board in the first round. Many have called this year’s class a massive downgrade compared to last year’s unit.

Yet, the 2025 wide receiver draft class has several impressive prospects. There might not be a wide receiver selected in the top 10 picks this year. However, don’t be surprised if four or five wide receivers come off the board on Day 1.

Let’s look at my top five wide receiver prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. To show how deep this draft class is, let’s start with three of my favorite wide receivers who just missed the top-five cut.

Honorable Mentions

Jack Bech, WR, TCU

Bech had an excellent week at the Senior Bowl. The former TCU star scored the game-winning touchdown, honoring his brother, who died in the terrorist attacks in New Orleans in early January. While he didn’t have eye-popping numbers in college, Bech had an impressive final year at TCU.

The Senior Bowl star had 62 receptions for 1,034 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2024, leading the team in every receiving category. Bech is a bigger-body receiver who can use his strength to win contested catches. Despite his bigger frame, Bech is a solid weapon after the catch.

Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas

Bond had a productive career at Alabama, totaling 65 receptions for 888 receiving yards and five touchdowns in two years. However, the explosive playmaker transferred to Texas before the 2024 season, taking over as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver. While he missed time with injuries, Bond had a productive year.

The explosive wide receiver had 34 receptions for 540 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 14 games. Furthermore, Bond impacted the run game, totaling four rushing attempts for 98 yards and a touchdown last season. While the former Texas star failed to break Xavier Worthy’s 40-yard dash record, Bond ran a solid 4.39 40-time at the NFL Combine.

Texas WR Isaiah Bond runs a 4.41u in his first 40 attempt.

📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/VS3e59NLnn

— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2025

Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss

Ole Miss has produced several elite wide receivers, including DK Metcalf and A.J. Brown. Harris could be the next Ole Miss wide receiver to shine in the NFL. He missed five games last season. Yet, the star wide receiver had 60 receptions for 1,030 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Despite missing nearly 40% of the games last year, Harris led the Rebels in receptions and receiving yards while ranking second in touchdowns. Some believe the former Ole Miss star has the best hands among the wide receivers in the draft class, making several impressive receptions in college.

The Top Five Wide Receivers

5) Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State

Last year, Iowa State had two of the top wide receivers in college football. Jaylin Noel and Higgins both finished in the top four in receiving yards. Higgins had a breakout year, totaling 87 receptions for 1,183 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, leading the team in receptions and touchdowns.

More importantly, the former Iowa State star improved from 2023 to 2024. Higgins had 34 more receptions, 200 more receiving yards, and three more touchdowns from his junior to senior year. Scouts love his high football IQ, believing he can play all over the field. Meanwhile, Higgins ran a solid 4.47 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine despite being one the bigger wide receivers in the draft class.

4) Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Most NFL Draft evaluators have Burden as their No. 2 wide receiver. However, some have the former Missouri star lower in their rankings. He didn’t have massive numbers in 2024, recording 61 receptions for 676 receiving yards and six touchdowns, leading the Tigers in receptions and scores.

Some scouts believe Burden can have the biggest impact among the wide receiver class as a rookie because of his dual-threat abilities. The former Missouri star had 34 rushing attempts for 234 yards and four touchdowns in college, including nine for 115 and two last season. He had an impressive official 4.41 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Burden could be the NFL’s next Deebo Samuel Sr.

Missouri WR Luther Burden III posts a 4.42u.

He's No. 33 on @MoveTheSticks' Top 50 prospects list.

📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/TMos52rhzy

— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2025

3) Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

While Jeremiah Smith was the star of Ohio State’s passing attack despite being a freshman, Egbuka had a massive role last season. The veteran wide receiver had 81 receptions for 1,011 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the Buckeyes in receptions while ranking second in yards and scores behind Smith.

More importantly, Egbuka was someone Will Howard could trust in the critical moments of a game. He is an impressive route runner who can track and adjust to off-target throws. Don’t be surprised if Egbuka is the next elite wide receiver to come out of Ohio State.

2) Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Golden was a mid-round prospect heading into the 2024 season. He spent his first two years at Houston, totaling 76 receptions for 988 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 20 games. While Isaiah Bond was the star of Texas’ offseason transfer portal, Golden was the team’s best wide receiver last season.

The explosive receiver had 58 receptions for 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, leading the SEC in scores. Furthermore, Golden led the Longhorns in receiving yards and touchdowns while ranking second in receptions behind Gunnar Helm.

He made play after play for Texas during their College Football Playoff run. Meanwhile, Golden had the second-fastest 40-yard dash time of any player at the NFL Combine this year, ranking first among wide receivers (4.29).

Matthew Golden is a highlight machine.

His draft stock has exploded, averaging 95 yards per game in the last 6 games.

He displays awesome burst, speed, and body control as a route runner and pass catcher. Creates easy separation.

He will likely be a day 2 pick in April. pic.twitter.com/ISsWAxtkJE

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 13, 2025

1) Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

While the 2025 wide receiver class lacks an elite guy like last year’s group, McMillan is the closest thing to a top-tier prospect. He has had back-to-back outstanding seasons at Arizona. The former Arizona star had 90 receptions for 1,402 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games in 2023.

Last year, McMillan had 84 receptions for 1,319 receiving yards and eight scores in 12 games. Many scouts have compared him to Mike Evans or Drake London for his size and ability to win 50-50 balls. Yet, McMillan also does an excellent job of working his way back to the quarterback during scramble drills.

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