2025 NFL Draft: WR Rankings (Preseason Edition)

The Class of 2024 tied an NFL record with seven wide receivers drafted in the first round. Another loaded crop is on the horizon and we break it down in our 2025 NFL Draft WR Preseason Preview.

Volume XXIV Edition IV | 2025 NFL Draft WR Preview

In this edition of the All Access Football Newsletter:

• 2025 NFL Draft Top 50 WR Prospects

• Top 10 First Round WRs Since 2020

• Top 10 First Round WRs From 2010s Decade

• WR Currently At All-Time High Commodity

2025 NFL Draft Preview Series: QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: WR FIRST ROUND PICKS

Welcome to the AAF 2025 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Preview Edition. The wide receiver position has have never been in more hot demand. With the increased emphasis NFL teams have placed on passing the ball, the need for top-plight wideouts has become greater in recent years.

In fact, an average of 5.6 receivers have been drafted in the first round since 2020. By comparison, during the previous decade in 2010 - 2019, there was an average of just 3.4 wideouts selected in round one; a significant increase.

Traditionally, wide receiver had been one position that was known for a high ‘Bust’ factor. However, that point of view has diminished due to the recent ‘Boom’ rate. This may be a result of NFL offenses adapting to the college spread attack, which has infiltrated the league by storm.

When comparing the wideout prospects chosen in round one from the past five years versus the previous decade, amazingly, there has been much more impactful players in the past five years, than the 10 years prior. Which brings us to the question, is the modern-day wideout a more NFL-ready prospect?

We ranked the top 10 players drafted on Day 1 since 2020 and the top 10 first round receivers chosen between 2010 - 2019. Check it out and judge for yourself.

TOP 10 FIRST ROUND RECEIVERS SINCE 2020

1. Justin Jefferson (2020)

2. CeeDee Lamb (2020)

3. Ja’Marr Chase (2021)

4. Marvin Harrison Jr. (2024)

5. Jaylen Waddle (2021)

6. DeVonta Smith (2021)

7. Garrett Wilson (2022)

8. Chris Olave (2022)

9. Zay Flowers (2023)

10. Malik Nabers (2024)

TOP 10 FIRST ROUND RECEIVERS OF 2010’s DECADE

1. Mike Evans (2013)

2. DeAndre Hopkins (2013)

3. Julio Jones (2011)

4. AJ Green (2011)

5. Amari Cooper (2015)

6. Odell Beckham Jr. (2014)

7. Dez Bryant (2010)

8. DJ Moore (2018)

9. Brandin Cooks (2014)

10. Mike Williams (2017)

*Scroll down for our 2025 NFL Draft WR Preseason Big Board Rankings.

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2025 NFL DRAFT PRESEASON BIG BOARD: WR

A record 13 wideouts were selected through the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. Based on latest trends trends, it has become a premium position. Over the past three drafts, at least four wideouts have been selected in the first round each year, a total of 17 have been taken in round one during that span and 96 wideouts were selected in total. The Class of 2025 wideout crop comes in the form of numerous variety.

One of the bigger, more physical wide receiver prospects in this year’s class would be Emeka Egbuka of Ohio State, who returns to Columbus to assume the head honcho role after playing second-fiddle to Marvin Harrison Jr. A vertical threat with 1,857 career receiving yards and and 16 touchdowns, many project Egbuka to be a first round selection but he was marred by injuries for most of last season.

An even larger target is 6-foot-4 Arizona playmaker Tetairoa McMillan who doubled his receiving output from his freshman year (702 yards) to sophomore season (1,402). With his size, explosiveness and speed, he’s the ultimate red zone mismatch. The sky’s the limit!

If it’s speed you need, look no further than Kentucky burner Barion Brown who owns a set of jet turbo boosters. He showed up to the spring with enhanced his route running capabilities, according to his coaches and brings a high level of intensity to the locker room. Brown is a contender to break the modern-day forty-yard dash record set by Xavier Worthy (4.21).

RK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | YEAR | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY

1. Luther Burden III, Missouri, Jr, 5110, 208, 4.40 | (photo credit: Missouri)

An explosive weapon with the ball in his hands, Burden III is a dynamite playmaker who does his best work in the open field. In addition, he demonstrates the ability to run every pattern in the route tree, does a stupendous job of high-pointing the football and thrives in contested catch situations. Yet, his most impressive trait is the ability to pick up yards after the catch and after contact.

Last season, Burden III made the transition from boundary to slot. It resulted in 1,212 receiving yards, along with nine touchdowns, as he did significant damage on bubble screens and end-arounds. When Burden III catches fire, lookout–he enjoyed a consecutive five game stretch a year ago, in which he exceeded 100 receiving yards. 

Considered to be the most heralded recruit in school history, Burden III has learned to prepare like a pro, dropping about 15 pounds over the past two seasons due to an improved diet regime. It’s rare to see a slot wideout be the first receiver chosen but that just may be the case this year, as Burden III has earned the title as the most electrifying player in college football.

2. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona, Jr, 6040, 210, 4.45

3. Rara Thomas, Georgia, Sr, 5117, 212, 4.49

4. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State, Sr, 6006, 204, 4.50

5. Evan Stewart, Oregon, Jr, 5112, 175, 4.35

6. Nic Anderson, Oklahoma, rSo, 6035, 209, 4.50

7. Barion Brown, Kentucky, Jr, 6004, 166, 4.35

8. Tre Harris, Mississippi, Sr, 6015, 212, 4.52

9. J.Michael Sturdivant, UCLA, rJr, 6022, 205, 4.38

10. Bru McCoy, Tennessee, rSr, 6021, 218, 4.50

11. Antwane Wells, Mississippi, rSr, 5110, 215, 4.50

12. Tory Horton, Colorado State, rSr, 6017, 187, 4.50

13. Sam Brown, Miami, rSr, 6017, 194, 4.45

14. Tez Johnson, Oregon, Sr, 5100, 160, 4.38

15. Kaden Prather, Maryland, Sr, 6040, 211, 4.50

16. Jalen Royals, Utah State, Sr, 5114, 193, 4.45

17. Isaiah Bond, Texas, Jr, 5106, 182, 4.42

18. Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech, Sr, 5091, 192, 4.39

19. Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma, rJr, 5096, 195, 4.42

20. Noah Thomas, Texas A&M, Jr, 6046, 200, 4.45

21. De’Corian Clark, UTSA, Sr, 6021, 214, 4.48

22. KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn, Sr, 6003, 183, 4.29

23. Beaux Collins, Notre Dame, Sr, 6025, 210, 4.55

24. Moose Muhammad III, Texas A&M, Sr, 6002, 205, 4.55

25. Elic Ayomanor, Stanford, rSo, 6016, 210, 4.42

26. Roc Taylor, Memphis, Sr, 6020, 222, 4.45

27. Xavier Restrepo, Miami, Sr, 5095, 199, 4.55

28. Da’Quan Felton, Virginia Tech, rSr, 6041, 215, 4.42

29. Will Sheppard, Colorado, rSr, 6030, 199, 4.60

30. Theo Wease, Missouri, rSr, 6030, 205, 4.57

31. Joshua Lane, Virginia Tech, rSr, 5086, 192, 4.39

32. Donovan Greene, Wake Forest, rSr, 6021, 205, 4.48

33. Jaylin Noel, Iowa State, Sr, 5096, 196, 4.46

34. Jayden Higgins, Iowa State, Sr, 6036, 212, 4.50

35. Dominic Lovett, Georgia, Sr, 5100, 185, 4.50

36. Savion Williams, TCU, Sr, 6036, 228, 4.60

37. CJ Daniels, LSU, rSr, 6015, 199, 4.50

38. Jared Brown, South Carolina, rJr, 5116, 190, 4.48

39. Julian Fleming, Penn State, Sr, 6015, 210, 4.48

40. Ricky White, UNLV, rSr, 6006, 173, 4.55

41. Andrel Anthony, Oklahoma, Sr, 6010, 183, 4.45

42. Silas Bolden, Texas, Sr, 5080, 152, 4.40

43. Tai’Fell’on, Maryland, Sr, 6007, 181, 4.40

44. Ja’Corey Brooks, Louisville, Sr, 6020, 190, 4.46

45. Dymere Miller, Rutgers, rSr, 5112, 180, 4.49

46. Elijah Sarratt, Indiana, Jr, 6016, 210, 4.54

47. Konata Mumpfield, Pittsburgh, Sr, 5112, 184, 4.50

48. Daniel Jackson, Minnesota, Sr, 6000, 200, 4.55

49. Ali Jennings, Virginia Tech, rSr, 6010, 200, 4.50

50. Chris Tyree, Virginia, Sr, 5090, 192, 4.45

ALL ACCESS FOOTBALL FRIDAY ZOOM ROOM NETWORK

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GRID CAMPS PRO FREE AGENT SHOWCASE | 7.21.24

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LINDY’S 2024 PREVIEW MAGAZINES NOW ON SALE

Now Available: AAF founder Ric Serritella was grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Lindy’s Annual Football Preview Magazines once again. Get your copies of the longest running football guides still published. Available on newsstands across America, or order here.

ALL ACCESS FOOTBALL ARCHIVES

07.09.24 — 2025 NFL Draft: RB Rankings (Preseason Edition)

07.08.24 — 2025 NFL Draft: QB Rankings (Preseason Edition)

07.04.24 — Happy Independence Day! Buckle Up For Football