Expanded 12-team College Football Playoff? Nah, give me early 2025 NFL Draft positional rankings. From No. 1 to No. 10 — plus five more names to know — here are our 2025 NFL Draft WR rankings.
2025 Draft WR Rankings | 10-1
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let me answer one question. “Where is Travis Hunter?” Not here. That’s because I view him as a cornerback prospect who can moonlight as a WR in packages — roughly 10-20 snaps per game. It is simply too much information to intake and too much stress on the body to start both ways at the NFL level.
However, Hunter’s exclusion doesn’t diminish the talent littered throughout the 2025 NFL Draft WR rankings.
WRs Just Outside the Top 10
- Savion Williams, TCU
- Jalen Royals, Utah State
- Jack Bech, TCU
- Pat Bryant, Illinois
- Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
10) Kyren Lacy, LSU Tigers
Kyren Lacy might not dazzle with elite athleticism, but he compensates with a polished release package, creative route running, and an intriguing size/speed profile. While he doesn’t generate separation at an elite level, his chemistry with Garrett Nussmeier was impossible to miss and adds to his reliability.
Lacy’s ceiling might not match some of the prospects ranked behind him, but he’s the type of receiver QBs trust when throwing into tight windows or in high-stakes situations, bringing consistent value even without top-tier explosiveness.
9) Jayden Higgins, Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State’s offense features two NFL-caliber wideouts in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. At 6’4″ and 215 pounds, Higgins pops off the screen — and not just for his contested-catch ability. He’s a relatively fluid mover who has impressive control over his body, both on the ground and in the air.
Higgins profiles well as a perimeter receiver but showed this season that he can also win from the slot, adding versatility to his game. His adaptability and contribution in different roles make him a valuable piece in a crowded 2025 draft class.
What separates Higgins is his dependability at the catch point and route running at his size. He’s a steady target that allows QBs to say, “F it, he’s down there somewhere.”
Much was made about Oregon’s addition of Evan Stewart this offseason, but Tez Johnson is a YAC monster who easily creates separation from the slot due to his searing short-area speed and acceleration. In 2023, he set Oregon’s single-season record with 86 receptions, racking up 1,182 yards and 10 TDs.
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Johnson’s 78-866-10 receiving line isn’t as impressive this season, but he’s seen his usage outside increase while his average depth of target also dropped by a couple of yards. Of course, his diminutive size limits his ceiling and role in the NFL, but there will always be a need for WRs who can win vertically and horizontally on a consistent basis.
7) Xavier Restrepo, Miami Hurricanes
There is only one Cooper Kupp, but Xavier Restrepo can thrive in a similar role. The Miami marvel is a scrappy and reliable run blocker, using his compact frame and surprising density to hold his own against bigger defenders.
As a route runner, Restrepo’s shiftiness and improvisation make him a nightmare to cover. Whether it’s a third down or a broken play, he’s the kind of weapon that can turn chaos into opportunity and become a QB’s go-to safety valve — just ask Cam Ward.
6) Elic Ayomanor, Stanford Cardinal
Elic Ayomanor’s talent has been overshadowed by Stanford’s struggling offense, but his flashes show why he’s a name to watch in the draft.
He brings a unique blend of density, power (still has room to grow), and athleticism to the table, and his track background makes him a legitimate vertical threat. While he has the tools and football IQ to be an NFL-caliber playmaker, his change of direction and stop/start ability are rather average, and he needs to lower his drop rate (8.7% across two seasons).
5) Tre Harris, Ole Miss Rebels
Tre Harris doesn’t possess elite athleticism and wasn’t asked to run an expansive route tree in Ole Miss’ offensive system. Yet, what stands out is his positioning, suddenness, and strength off the line, traits that could make him a go-to red-zone target in the NFL.
Harris combines flexibility to pivot at speed with crisp footwork that allows him to snap back to the ball and keep defenders guessing. He’s also a physical finisher, shrugging off first-contact tackles with impressive toughness. However, Harris isn’t the cleanest route runner and hasn’t showcased a deep bag of releases, which he’ll need to thrive in the NFL.
4) Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State Buckeyes
Injuries slowed Emeka Egbuka in 2023, but he’s come back with a vengeance. With 13 receptions and 217 yards the rest of the playoff, he’d break Ohio State’s career receiving records.
Egbuka just knows how to get open and has the strong hands to reel in the football and turn upfield. While he has the size (6’1″, 205) to win on the outside, Egbuka’s technical precision was meant for the slot, where he can fully showcase his route-running mastery.
3) Isaiah Bond, Texas Longhorns
Isaiah Bond offers a tantalizing blend of traits reminiscent of Alabama’s DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. While he doesn’t fully match Waddle’s post-catch dynamism or Smith’s route-running precision, he comes close enough to both — a rare combination.
Bond’s natural flexibility, agility, and explosiveness make him tough to cover, even without top-tier nuance. However, he’s made strides as a route runner since his time at Alabama, honing the finer details needed to win consistently. He’s not as fast as Xavier Worthy, but he should still post a sub-4.40 time. What’s more impressive? He maintains that speed while changing direction.
2) Luther Burden III, Missouri Tigers
L.B.III.
Luther Burden is the definition of a natural playmaker and is one of the most impressive all-around athletes in the class. His post-catch explosiveness makes him a threat to take any touch to the house, stressing defenses vertically and horizontally.
The Deebo Samuel comps will come throughout the pre-draft process due to the similar body types and play style, but Burden could have an even higher ceiling. Early on, though, he’ll need a creative offensive coordinator to move him around the formation and utilize motion.
1) Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona Wildcats
With Noah Fifita slinging him the rock, Tetairoa McMillan exploded for 1,402 yards and 10 scores last fall and came right back for another 84-1,319-8 receiving line this year.
The 6’5″, 210-pound skywalker obviously has contested-catch appeal due to his size and length, but he is actually quite flexible as a route runner — watch McMillan’s Week 1 tape vs. New Mexico to glimpse his ceiling (10-304-4 line).
MORE: Take the College Football Network Mock Draft Simulator for a spin!
McMillan is smooth and technical as a route runner, has long strides that eat up space, and owns goalie glove-sized hands that make footballs disappear like few others.
Is he a bona fide NFL No. 1? No, largely due to his lack of post-catch creativity and true explosiveness. But McMillan doesn’t need either trait to succeed on the outside and should have no issue moving the chains routinely in the league.
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