NFL Draft Bible: Wide Receivers

The wide receiver group remains the most unsettled up top.

Out of all the position groups in the Class of 2025, the wide receiver group remains the most unsettled up top. Depending on who you ask, there are a handful of wideout prospects who could stake a claim as the first receiver off the board. However, we don’t anticipate any of them being selected within the top ten overall selections.

The best bang for your buck? That would be Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State. A polished route runner, with physicality, excellent size, soft hands and tremendous championship pedigree. Plus, he hails from ‘WR-U,’ aka Thee Ohio State University. In fact, Egbuka would become the 10th Buckeye wide receiver to currently be on an NFL roster. The list includes the likes of former first-round picks such as Marvin Harrison Jr. (Cardinals), Jaxson Smith-Njigba (Seahawks), Garrett Wilson (Jets) and Chris Olave (Saints), to name a few. Seems like a pretty good tree to pluck a ripe apple from. Shoutout to Ohio State wide receiver coach Brian Hartline, who was just promoted to offensive coordinator!

Many are under the belief that electric playmaker Matthew Golden out of Texas will become the first wideout drafted. No one would argue with the decision, as Golden has staked claim as the fastest player in this year’s draft (timed 4.29 in the 40-yard dash at the combine). The Longhorns' speed demon is able to create separation due to his razor-sharp route running and quickness. However, his most alluring trait might be his ability to create after the catch, as Golden owns premier elusiveness in the open field. He’s a rare athlete who forces opponents to keep their eyes peeled wide open. Otherwise, if the defender blinks, he’s gone for six.

Few entered college with the hype and hoopla as Luther Burden. Considered the highest-rated prospect in Missouri history, the former five-star recruit out of St. Louis spurned the likes of Alabama and Georgia for his hometown Tigers. As a result, he helped elevate the profile of Missouri football immensely, winning just six games upon his first year of arrival, to winning 21 games over the past two years, including an 11-5 record in the SEC. A big part of that is due to the new perception of the program, created by Burden. On the field, he’s as dynamic as any slot wideout in the draft. A slippery runner, who is explosive out of his breaks, Burden can beat you deep, or hurt you underneath in the passing attack.

One of the great mysteries of the draft is where Tetairoa McMillan will land? Deemed by most (us included) to be the consensus top overall wideout prospect in the draft, a series of unfortunate events has cast a huge cloud of doubt over his next-level prospects. Conflicting reports emerged from the Arizona pro day, as to what McMillan was timed in the 40-yard dash, a big area of interest amongst NFL decision-makers due to his immense size. Our sources indicate he ran in the mid-4.5-range, which doesn’t mean doomsday, but it’s not exactly a mark that he wants to hang his hat on. More damaging, is a video that surfaced from several years ago, when McMillan conducted a campus interview and basically claimed that he doesn’t love the game of football. That will weigh heavily amongst NFL Draft war room generals.

The wideout position brings some international flare as well. Stanford receiver Elic Ayomanor is rated the No.3 overall prospect from Canada, according to the CFL Scouting Bureau and carries a third-round grade on our board. He is the highest-rated wide receiver prospect from north of the border since Chase Claypool, aka Mapletron, and is one of several players from ‘The Great White North,’ who seeks to make an NFL impact.

2025 WIDE RECEIVER BIG BOARD

RANK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | HAND | ARM | WING | 40 (10-YD), MPH | VERT | BROAD | SHUTTLE | 3-CONE | PROJ

1. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State, 6007, 202, 0958, 3148, 7658, 4.45 (1.45), n/a, 38”, n/a, 4.12, n/a, Rd1

2. Matthew Golden, Texas, 5110, 191, 0948, 3058, 7638, 4.29 (1.49), 23.57, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd1*

3. Luther Burden III, Missouri, 6000, 206, 0848, 3128, 7648, 4.41 (1.54), 22.80, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd1*

4. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona, 6041, 213, 1000, 3168, 7818, 4.53 (1.58), n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd1*

5. Tre Harris, Mississippi, 6023, 205, 0958, 3178, 7828, 4.54 (1.56), 21.97, n/a, 38.5”, 10-05, n/a, n/a, Rd2

6. Isaiah Bond, Texas, 5105, 180, 0848, 3048, 7548, 4.39 (1.52), 24.17, n/a, 34”, n/a, 4.48, 7.21, Rd2*

7. Jayden Higgins, Iowa State, 6042, 215, 0918, 3368, 8000, 4.47 (1.53), 22.28, n/a, 39”, 10-08, 4.28, 7.05, Rd2

8. Jalen Royals, Utah State, 6001, 204, 0948, 3078, 7378, 4.42 (1.49), 22.55, n/a, 36”, 10-1, 4.25, 6.94, Rd2

9. Jack Bech, TCU, 6012, 214, 0900, 3148, 7500, n/a, n/a, 34.5”, 10-05, 4.21, 6.84, Rd2

10. KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn, 6006, 190, 0918, 3258, 7858, 4.37 (1.53), 23.23, n/a, 34.5”, 10-04, n/a, n/a, Rd2

11. Donte Thornton, Tennessee, 6045, 205, 0958, 3218, 7900, 4.30 (1.51), 23.66, n/a, 33”, 10-06, n/a, n/a, Rd3

12. Elic Ayomanor, Stanford, 6016, 206, 1000, 3268, 7848, 4.44 (1.58), 22.82, n/a, 38.5”, 10-07, n/a, n/a, Rd3*

13. Jaylin Noel, Iowa State, 5102, 196, 0900, 2948, 7368, 4.39 (1.51), 23.18, n/a, 41.5”, 11-02, 4.17, 6.82, Rd3

14. Tory Horton, Colorado State, 6024, 196, 0900, 3058, 7700, 4.41 (1.53), 22.91, n/a, 37.5”, 10-6, n/a, n/a, Rd3

15. Tai’Shar Felton, Maryland, 6011, 183, 0900, 3000, 7238, 4.37 (1.51), 23.43, n/a, 39.5”, 10-10, 4.27, n/a, Rd3

16. Tez Johnson, Oregon, 5097, 156, 0900, 3018, 7400, 4.51 (1.53), 22.58, n/a, 37”, 10-11, 4.15, 6.65, Rd3

17. Sam Brown Jr, Miami, 6022, 200, 0938, 3158, 7778, 4.44 (1.52), 21.95, n/a, 41.5”, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd4

18. Chimere Dike, Florida, 6005, 196, 0918, 3218, 7678, 4.34 (1.51), 23.37, n/a, 38.5”, 10-08, 4.27, 6.82, Rd4

19. Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech, 5096, 191, 0978, 3168, 7728, 4.34 (1.50), 23.27, n/a, 40”, 11-00, 4.12, 6.75, Rd4

20. Kaden Prather, Maryland, 6034, 204, 0928, 3178, 7758, 4.46 (1.53), 22.96, n/a, 30”, 09-06, n/a, n/a, Rd4

21. Jordan Watkins, Mississippi, 5112, 196, 0918, 2938, 7248, 4.37 (1.53), 23.53, n/a, 36.5”, 09-11, n/a, n/a, Rd4

22. Savion Williams, TCU, 6037, 222, 1028, 3248, 8078, 4.48 (1.52), 23.00, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd5

23. Kyle Williams, Washington State, 5105, 190, 0868, 3018, 7300, 4.40 (1.55), 22.88, n/a, 36.5”, 09-11, n/a, n/a, Rd5

24. Da’Quan Felton, Virginia Tech, 6046, 213, 0900, 3228, 7918, 4.50 (1.52), 22.73, n/a, 35”, 10-02, 4.30, 7.10, Rd5

25. Beaux Collins, Notre Dame, 6031, 198, 0948, 3178, 7948, 4.52, n/a, 38”, 10-10, 4.19, 7.13, Rd6

26. Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas, 6035, 214, 1000, 3118, 7668, 4.43 (1.51), 22.95, n/a, 39.5”, 10-09, 4.05, 6.85, Rd6

27. LaJohntay Wester, Colorado, 5095, 163, 0858, 2968, 7258, 4.46 (1.53), 22.80, n/a, 32”, 10-01, n/a, n/a, Rd6

28. Ja’Corey Brooks, Louisville, 6020, 184, 0900, 3168, 7668, 4.68 (1.56), n/a, 30”, 9-8, 4.35, 7.18, Rd6

29. Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas, 6036, 202, 0958, 3218, 7948, 4.51 (1.53), 22.42, 11, 37.5”, 10-04, 4.18, 6.97, Rd6

30. Isaiah Neyor, Nebraska, 6042, 218, 0948, 3438, 8258, 4.40 (1.51), 22.60, n/a, 38”, 11-01, n/a, n/a, Rd7

31. Antwane Wells, Mississippi, 6006, 201, 0878, 3148, 7718, 4.58 (1.53), 22.38, n/a, 34”, 10-04, HPFA

32. Dominic Lovett, Georgia, 5102, 186, 0928, 3148, 7558, 4.40 (1.53), 23.36, n/a, 33.5”, 10-00, 4.27, HPFA

33. Ricky White, UNLV, 6011, 184, 0928, 3168, 7600, 4.44 (1.55), 22.14, n/a, 36”, 10-03, n/a, n/a, HPFA

34. Daniel Jackson, Minnesota, 5106, 193, 0938, 3100, 7468, 4.63 (1.60), 11, n/a, 38.5”, 4.07, 6.78, HPFA

35. Jordan Moore, Duke, 6000, 188, 0900, 3048, 7438, 4.48, n/a, 36”, 10-3, n/a, n/a, HPFA

36. Kyren Lacy, LSU, 6020, 215, 1000, 3368, 8048, 4.60, n/a, 33.5”, n/a, 4.43, n/a, n/a, HPFA

37. Xavier Restrepo, Miami, 5097, 202, 0918, 2938, 7158, 4.86 (1.69), n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, 4.21, 6.83, HPFA

38. Elijhah Badger, Florida, 6013, 200, 0948, 3218, 7858, 4.43 (1.53), 22.47, n/a, 35.5”, n/a, n/a, n/a, HPFA

39. Bru McCoy, Tennessee, 6024, 209, 1000, 3218, 7848, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, HPFA

40. Pat Bryant, Illinois, 6022, 204, 0948, 3118, 7800, 4.61 (1.56), 21.82, n/a, 37.5”, 10-04, n/a, n/a, HPFA

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PLAYER PROFILE KEY (How to read the prospect header):

RK. LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | SCHOOL | POSITION | JERSEY # | YEAR | HOMETOWN | PROJECTION | VALUE

HEIGHT | WEIGHT | HAND | ARM | WINGSPAN | FORTY (10-YARD SPLIT), MPH | BENCH | VERT | BROAD | SHUTTLE | 3-CONE

**Note** Heights of players are measured to the nearest eighth of an inch – for example, “6003” would stand for 6 ft. and 3/8 inches tall. (The first number refers to the feet, the second two numbers refer to the inches, and the last number refers to eighths of an inch.). Arm, hand, and wingspan are written differently – 3012 would mean 30 1/2 inches, 0934 would mean 9 3/4 inches, and 7558 would mean 75 5/8 inches.

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TIER 1 PROSPECTS -- FRANCHISE TALENT

N/A

TIER 2 PROSPECTS -- PRO BOWL TALENT

1. EGBUKA, EMEKA | Ohio State | WR | #2 | rSr | Steilacoom, WA | Pro Bowl Talent | Round 1

Combine: 6007| 202 | 0958 | 3148 | 7658 | 4.45 (1.45) | n/a | 38” | n/a | 4.12 | n/a

One-Liner: A quick accelerator with an added turbo-boost gear, Egbuka plays fast, physical, aggressive and thrives in traffic.

Evaluation: A refined route runner who displays an innate ability to win 50/50 jump balls due to his vertical prowess, Egbuka demonstrates reliable hands, keen sideline awareness, along with the ability to break tackles after the catch. He does an excellent job of deflecting hits and displays tremendous concentration when tracking the ball. His footwork, route running, special teams experience and versatility are what place him amongst the best prospects in the nation. Ohio State has had an incredible run of churning out first-round picks such as Marvin Harrison Jr. (Cardinals), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks), Garrett Wilson (Jets) and Chris Olave (Saints), to name a few. The versatile Egbuka has largely been overshadowed, but he is next up in the Ohio State pipeline and possesses the overall skill-set to become one of the premier slot playmakers in the NFL.

Quotable: “Quick background on the room I stepped into. There was Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Julian Fleming, Jameson Williams, Kamryn Babb, Marvin Harrison Jr. That’s probably one of the craziest rosters I’ve ever heard in my life. Some of you can picture what that room was like. That was one of the reasons I decided to go to Ohio State. I didn’t want to go to a place where I wasn’t going to be challenged by my peers. I wanted to go somewhere I could grow at an exponential rate because they were growing as well.” -- Emeka Egbuka on why he chose Ohio State

Background: A decorated career at Ohio State, having capped it off with a National Championship. Endured an ankle injury in 2023, which required surgery and caused him to miss three games; combined with inconsistent play at quarterback, his production dipped. Received NFL-style coaching with Buckeyes offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and wide receiver coach Brian Hartline. Averaged 29 yards per kick return on 20 attempts (580 yards) as a freshman at Ohio State; also handled punt return duties as a sophomore. A consensus five-star recruit and 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Washington; accounted for 61 career touchdowns, including three punt returns for touchdowns and was also a star outfielder in baseball. Parents are Henry Egbuka and Rhonda Ogilvie; stepfather is Eric Ogilvie, has a younger brother, Keanan, and a younger sister, Eva.

2. GOLDEN, MATTHEW | Texas | WR | #2 | Jr | Houston, TX | Pro Bowl Talent | Round 1

Combine: 5110 | 191 | 0948 | 3058 | 7638 | 4.29 (1.49), 23.57 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a

One-Liner: A natural separator with excellent athletic traits and elite-level speed.

Evaluation: Big-time players***premium*** make big-time players in big-time moments, that’s exactly what Matthew Golden does. He possesses a premier combination of agility and fast footwork, which makes it difficult for pressing corners to pin down. Golden owns sudden deceleration and re-acceleration, worth scheming touches for, along with excellent burst off the line, plus top-shelf speed to blow past off-man defenders. The Houston native looks to punish defensive backs who take steep angles against him and owns fantastic ball-tracking skills with the ability to make the over-the-shoulder grab look easy. His arm length might meet thresholds but falls far short of elite. He also had four drops this past season. He needs to add weight to prepare for NFL-caliber physicality. Overall, Golden possesses the speed and sudden burst to create big plays and has the agility to separate with sharp route running. In addition, he’ss an experienced kick returner who took two kicks back for scores in 2023. Many of his best athletic traits show up on special teams and schemed touches. Golden’s long speed consistently shows up and he is a willing blocker. However, he’ll need to fill out his release package and become stronger to combat NFL physicality, in order to have long-term sustainability.

Quotable: “Knowing I can play inside and out. You can move me anywhere. I can get open at any phase, at any level. I’m reliable on special teams also. So I feel I can change the game in any way.” -- Matthew Golden on why he's the best wideout in the class

Background: Missed final three games in 2023 (turf toe surgery). Missed two games in 2022 with a rib injury. Transferred from Houston to Texas during the spring of 2024. A four-star recruit out of Klein Cain High School, where he also competed in track and field. Invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.