2025 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Prospects: Early Fantasy Football Rookie Preview

February 27, 2025

Take an early look at the top 2025 NFL Draft wide receiver prospects and their fantasy football impact. Find out which rookie WRs to target in fantasy drafts.

Last year’s wide receiver rookie draft class was one of the best in recent memory. Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze were top 10 picks.

Meanwhile, Brian Thomas Jr., Xavier Worthy, Ricky Pearsall, and Xavier Legette were first-round selections. While some of the first-round picks had poor fantasy rookie seasons, Nabers and Thomas finished as top-seven fantasy football wide receivers last year.

The 2025 wide receiver draft class lacks the upside of last year’s group. However, the unit has some star potential prospects. Here are my top 10 wide receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Wide Receivers No. 10-6

10) Jack Bech, 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.

9) Xavier Restrepo, Miami

Miami’s passing attack took off with Cam Ward under center. One of the biggest benefactors from the quarterback’s arrival was Restrepo. He had 69 receptions for 1,127 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last season, leading the Hurricanes in every category. Furthermore, the star wide receiver led the ACC in receiving yards and touchdowns.

Cam Ward to Xavier Restrepo TD pic.twitter.com/WrxS7aD8rj

— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) August 31, 2024

By comparison, Restrepo had 85 receptions for 1,092 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2023. Scouts love that he had productive numbers in back-to-back seasons with different quarterbacks. The former Miami star lacks size. However, Restrepo is an impressive route runner.

8) Elic Ayomanor, Stanford

While Stanford struggled in 2024, posting a 3-9 record, Ayomanor was one of the bright spots for the team. He had 63 receptions for 831 receiving yards and six touchdowns last season, leading the team in every category despite poor quarterback play.

Furthermore, the former Stanford star has had at least 62 receptions for 800 receiving yards and six touchdowns in back-to-back years. Ayomanor has experience playing in the slot and outside. His ability to track deep ball throws will help him make downfield plays in the NFL.

7) Jayden Higgins, 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 last season. 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.

6) Isaiah Bond, 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. Many expect the former Texas star to run one of the fast 40-yard dashes of the draft class.

Isaiah Bond loses his mouthpiece, readjusts his helmet mid-route, and makes the TD grab pic.twitter.com/yjG7TnV7eq

— Justin Graver (@titansfilmroom) August 31, 2024

Wide Receivers No. 5-1

5) Tre Harris, 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.

4) Emeka Egbuka, 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.

3) Matthew Golden, 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.

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

2) Luther Burden III, Missouri

Most NFL Draft evaluators have Burden as their No. 2 wide receiver. However, some have the former Missouri star as their top pass catcher. 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. Burden could be the NFL’s next Deebo Samuel Sr.

1) Tetairoa McMillan, 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.

WOWWW!!

Huge TD for @ArizonaFball 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/z49jPt9EUP

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2024

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