Everyone keeps saying the 2024 class was a once-in-a-generation group. Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze—it was heavy at the top and deep in the middle. But honestly? If you’re looking at the wide receivers in 2025 draft circles, we might actually have something more interesting brewing. It isn't just about three superstars this time. It's about a massive shift in how NFL teams are valuing specific archetypes of pass-catchers.
The 2025 group is weird.
In a good way.
You’ve got guys who look like track stars and others who look like small forwards. It’s a mix-and-match year. Scouts I've talked to are split down the middle on who the real "WR1" is, and that’s usually a sign that the talent level is high enough to spark genuine debate.
The Tetris Pieces: Luther Burden III and Tetairoa McMillan
If you follow college ball even a little bit, you know these two names. They are the polar opposites of the position. Luther Burden III out of Missouri is basically a human joystick. He’s 5'11", maybe 208 pounds, but he plays like he’s 230. He’s the king of the "yards after catch" (YAC) metric. Missouri used him everywhere—screens, slots, out wide. He’s got that Deebo Samuel or DJ Moore vibe where you just get the ball in his hands and get out of the way.
Then there’s Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona.
He’s huge. 6'5".
McMillan is what people call a "catch radius" monster. He makes those contested catches look like he’s just reaching for a box of cereal on the top shelf. What’s wild about him isn’t just the height; it’s the fluidity. Usually, guys that tall are a bit stiff in their breaks. He isn’t. He’s got some snap to his routes that makes him a nightmare for smaller corners who try to get physical with him.
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If a team needs a "X" receiver who can win on the boundary every single time, they’re taking McMillan. If they want a creative weapon who can take a five-yard slant 70 yards to the house, it's Burden.
Why Speed is the 2025 Theme
Last year was about polished route running. This year? It feels like the wide receivers in 2025 draft talks are dominated by pure, unadulterated speed.
Take a look at Isaiah Bond. He moved from Alabama to Texas and immediately showed why Steve Sarkisian wanted him. He’s a vertical threat that forces safeties to play 20 yards off the ball. You can’t teach that kind of gravity. When a guy is that fast, he opens up the entire intermediate part of the field for everyone else.
Then there's Emeka Egbuka. He’s the "old man" of the group. He stayed at Ohio State when he probably could have been a first-rounder last year. He’s not the fastest, and he’s not the biggest. But he’s probably the most "pro-ready." He understands zones. He knows how to sit in a pocket of space and give his QB an easy window. He’s the safety blanket. Every NFL locker room needs an Emeka Egbuka.
The Risers Nobody Noticed Until Now
- Travis Hunter (Colorado): Okay, calling him a "sleeper" is a lie. He’s the biggest star in the country. But the debate is whether he’s a CB or a WR. Honestly, he might be both in the NFL. His ball skills are literally elite—better than some full-time receivers.
- Tre Harris (Ole Miss): If you want a guy who just produces, Harris is the one. He put up video game numbers in Lane Kiffin’s offense. He’s got size and a very high floor.
- Tez Johnson (Oregon): He’s small. Like, really small. But he’s lightning. In a league that is becoming obsessed with the "Tank Dell" archetype, Johnson is going to go much higher than people think.
The "Size Problem" and Modern Scouting
There’s this old-school thought that you can’t win with small receivers. That’s dead. Totally buried. When we look at the wide receivers in 2025 draft board, a lot of the top talent sits under 6'0".
NFL coordinators have figured out how to protect these guys. They use "stacks" and "bunches" to give them free releases. If you don't have to fight through a press-corner's jam at the line of scrimmage, your size matters way less. What matters is: Can you separate?
The 2025 class can separate.
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Evan Stewart is another name to watch here. He’s had a journey—Texas A&M to Oregon—but the raw talent is undeniable. He’s lean, but his stop-start quickness is top-tier. Scouts are obsessed with his "twitch." It’s that ability to change direction without losing speed. That’s what creates the windows for NFL quarterbacks who are throwing into tight spaces.
Addressing the "Bust" Potential
Look, not everyone is going to be Justin Jefferson.
One of the biggest risks in this specific draft class is the "system" factor. A lot of these guys come from ultra-productive college offenses that don't ask them to run a full route tree. At Ole Miss or Tennessee, you might only run three different routes. When these wide receivers in 2025 draft prospects get to an NFL camp and have to learn a 400-page playbook, some of them are going to struggle.
The difference-maker is usually football IQ.
That’s why scouts are so high on Egbuka and Burden. They’ve shown they can handle complex reads. They aren't just athletes; they’re football players. It sounds like a cliché, but it’s the truth.
Evaluating the Top 5 (The Realistic View)
If I’m sitting in a GM’s chair, the ranking isn't about "who is best," it's about "what do I need?"
- Tetairoa McMillan: The safest bet. You can't teach 6'5" and hands like glue. He’s a WR1 in any system.
- Luther Burden III: The highest ceiling. If you use him like the 49ers use their weapons, he’s an All-Pro.
- Travis Hunter: The wild card. If he commits to WR, he could be the best of the bunch. His athleticism is 1-of-1.
- Isaiah Bond: The deep threat. Every team needs a guy to take the lid off the defense.
- Emeka Egbuka: The high-floor starter. He’s a 10-year pro from day one.
How to Watch These Prospects Like a Pro
Stop watching the ball.
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I know, it sounds counterintuitive. But if you want to see which of these wide receivers in 2025 draft candidates will actually succeed, watch them when the ball isn't going to them.
Do they dog it on backside blocks? Do they run their routes with the same intensity when they know they aren't the primary target? NFL coaches watch that stuff on "All-22" film religiously. A guy like Burden stands out because he’s a dog in the run game. He likes hitting people. That translates to the pros.
Also, watch the feet.
The best receivers don't take extra steps. They are efficient. At the top of a route, you want to see them "plant and go." If a guy takes three or four little pitter-patter steps to turn around, an NFL corner is going to jump that route and take it for a pick-six. McMillan is surprisingly good at this for a big man.
Actionable Scouting Insights for Fans
If you're trying to get ahead of your dynasty league or just want to sound smart at the bar, keep these three things in mind about the 2025 class:
- Don't overvalue 40-times: In the modern NFL, "game speed" matters more. Look at GPS data if you can find it. A guy like Burden might run a 4.45, but he plays like a 4.3.
- Look at the target share: If a receiver is getting 35% of his team's targets, he’s drawing the double teams and still winning. That’s a massive green flag.
- The "Slot" label isn't a demotion: Some of the best receivers in the league (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Cooper Kupp) play mostly in the slot. Don't dock points from guys like Tez Johnson or Egbuka just because they aren't lining up on the boundary every snap.
The next few months are going to be a whirlwind of highlights and Combine measurements. Just remember that the tape doesn't lie. These wide receivers in 2025 draft discussions will shift, but the core talent is there. This isn't a "weak" year. It's a "different" year. And different usually means someone is going to find a superstar in the middle of the first round while everyone else is looking for the next Marvin Harrison Jr.
Pay attention to the guys who win in the red zone. That’s where the money is made. McMillan and Burden are the gold standard there, but keep an eye on the second-tier guys who can high-point a ball in traffic. That’s the skill that keeps you in the league for a decade.