- 2025 Rookie QB Rankings 3.0 | Tristan Cook
- 2025 Rookie RB Rankings 3.0 | Tristan Cook
- 2025 Rookie WR Rankings 3.0 | Tristan Cook
- 2025 Rookie TE Rankings 3.0 | Tristan Cook
After a few players opted to return to college, the wide receiver class for the 2025 NFL Draft is finally set. The 3.0 version of my WR Rankings will dive into the top 36 receivers in the class. The top of this class has superstar potential with Travis Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan. Where this class excels is in its depth. I believe there are 15-20 receivers deserving of being drafted in the first 3 rounds.
Some may end up falling into the early part of Day 3, which means there will be exceptional value with wide receivers in the middle and late rounds. My 2025 WR Rankings are here to guide you as we inch closer to the NFL Draft and rookie draft season. Let’s break it down…
QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings
Height Measurements: Read the first three digits as a traditional height and the last digit as eighths of an inch. If a player does not have an official height measurement, it will include an asterisk (*).
Ex. A player that measures 6’1’’ and 3 eighths of an inch tall will be listed as 6013. A player who is 5’11.5” would be listed at 5114 for 11 inches and 4/8 of an inch.
2025 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Rankings
TIER 1 | WR Rankings
My three Tier 1 wide receivers are unique talents, in three separate ways. Each of them possess the requisite skills to be a top-end dynasty asset for your team. I considered placing Luther Burden III in Tier 1.5 because he’s a notch lower than the other two, but above the Tier 2 players for me. Ultimately, I decided to keep him in Tier 1 because of the potential that we’ve seen.
WR1 | Travis Hunter | Colorado | 6’1’’* | 185 lbs
Previously Ranked 1
There isn’t much more that I can say about the most unique prospect in my 2025 WR Rankings (and perhaps in the history of the NFL Draft). It may sound hyperbolic, but Colorado’s Travis Hunter has proven to be a unicorn of a prospect. He answered many of the durability questions this year en route to winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy. The only question has been if Travis Hunter will play wide receiver or cornerback—or both? It was announced that he would be participating in defensive back drills at the NFL Combine, so we are still without a definitive answer.
For most of us, we are only interested in offensive players, and Travis Hunter may only be a part-time offensive player at the next level. As I’ve said many times: this ranking is operating under the assumption that he will play the majority of his snaps at wide receiver. If we get word that he’s not going to be utilized as a starting wide receiver, this ranking will be dramatically adjusted down.
As a wide receiver prospect, Hunter has room to grow, but still managed to win the 2024 Biletnikoff Award for the best wide receiver in college football. He creates separation with his quick-twitch movement, has the best contested catch skills in the class, is dynamic after the catch, and has a knack for making big plays. He has cleaned it up a bit, but the biggest area for improvement on offense is with consistency—especially in his route running. Hunter has the highest ceiling of any receiver in this class and if he shows a little more consistency on the offensive side, the sky’s the limit.
WR2 | Tetairoa “T-Mac” McMillan | Arizona | 6’5’’* | 212 lbs
Previously Ranked 2
Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan is the closest thing to a consensus top player at any position. But, I obviously have McMillan as WR2 in the class. That’s more related to the potential of Travis Hunter than a knock on McMillan. In most years (and if Hunter ends up playing defense), he would be the sure-fire WR1 in the class. I completely understand if someone would rather take Tetairoa McMillan as the first WR off the board in rookie drafts because they know he’s not going to line up at DB.
Tetairoa McMillan does everything well. He can line up all over the formation, is a skilled route runner, tracks the ball well, and is a natural hands catcher. Additionally, McMillan has great body control to make spectacular catches look routine as well as good run-after-the-catch ability—especially for someone at 6’5’’. If there’s one area to knock, it’s his top-end speed. If he runs a sub-4.50-second 40-yard dash, I would expect McMillan to be drafted in the top 10 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft.
WR3 | Luther Burden III | Missouri | 5’11’’* | 208 lbs
Previously Ranked 3
I struggle a bit with evaluating Luther Burden III. Not in where to put him in my WR Rankings, but rather which tier is right for him. If you asked me heading into this season, Burden was a lock to be a Tier 1 WR. However, he struggled this year compared to his 2023 campaign. When healthy, Burden is one of the most versatile offensive weapons in the 2025 class. He lines up all over the field for Missouri, and despite defenses knowing he is going to be a focal point of the offense, he still performs.
The biggest concerns I have with Burden are high-end speed and if he’ll get back to his 2023 form. We know he has the talent to be a top-tier receiver, but we only saw it in glimpses this season. Burden is so dynamic after the catch that all he needs is the ball in his hands to be a threat to score. He profiles as a player that will likely start in the slot and in a manufactured-touch role. If he finds a team that wants to utilize Burden similarly to how the San Francisco 49ers used Deebo Samuel in the past, he could excel.
TIER 2 | WR Rankings
My Tier 2 receivers are all players that are flirting with Day 1 NFL Draft capital. It wouldn’t surprise me to see any one of them taken in the back half of the 1st Round. However, depending on how the board shakes out, Day 2 is very much in play. I’d be happy to draft any of them to my team in the 2nd round of rookie drafts.
WR4 | Emeka Egbuka | Ohio State | 6’1’’* | 205 lbs
Previously Ranked 4
Emeka Egbuka had a rather quiet 2024 season. But, I have seen enough on the field to know what he can be at the NFL level. As a prospect, Egbuka profiles best as a slot receiver. He is a well-polished route runner who can find the holes in a defense and excels after the catch. Egbuka is quicker than he is fast, but can surprise you with his smooth running style. If he tests well leading up to the draft, he could sneak into the bottom of Tier 1 of my 2025 WR Rankings.
WR5 | Matthew Golden | Texas | 6’0’’* | 195 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
The highest ranked Texas receiver in my WR Rankings is Matthew Golden, not Isaiah Bond. Golden emerged in 2024 as the top wideout for Quinn Ewers and the Texas Longhorns. Golden jumped up draft boards after becoming the primary receiver late in the season. He is a good route runner, but where Golden is special is his playmaking. He has the quick-twitch ability that makes him difficult to cover. While Matthew Golden has good hands and is an intriguing prospect, concentration drops and durability are his major concerns.
WR6 | Tre Harris | Ole Miss | 6’3’’* | 210 lbs
Previously Ranked 5
In my initial WR Rankings, I said that Ole Miss’ Tre Harris could end up as a Tier 2 wide receiver, and he has done exactly that. Harris’ production slowed down a bit in the second-half of the season due to injury, but that doesn’t concern me. His best trait remains his ability to make contested catches. Unfortunately, as I’ve noted, being a contested-catch receiver at the collegiate level isn’t all good. My biggest concern is his ability to separate. He sometimes struggles at the collegiate level, so the NFL will be a big challenge. If he can run a 4.55-second 40-yard dash or better, I think Harris will hear his name called on Day 1 of the draft.
WR7 | Jalen Royals | Utah State | 5113 | 210 lbs
Previously Ranked 7
Despite not playing the back half of the 2024 season, Utah State’s Jalen Royals, is holding strong as a Tier 2 receiver in my 2025 WR Rankings. Instead of attempting to come back this season from the aforementioned foot injury, Royals decided to focus on his pre-draft preparation. He possesses an intriguing combination of speed and ball skills. Royals gets up to speed quickly and is a polished route runner. He catches the ball easily and does a good job gaining yards after the catch. If he runs fast, expect the hype train to take off.
TIER 3 | WR Rankings
Tier 3 of my 2025 Wide Receiver Rankings is a cluster of prospects who all have exciting traits as well as minor, but notable concerns. Any of these players could move up into Tier 2 with good play and strong athletic testing. Or, if they struggle to produce or test poorly, they could find themselves falling down my rankings.
WR8 | Tai Felton | Maryland | 6005 | 186 lbs
Previously Ranked 10
Tai Felton continues to move up my WR Rankings with each update. Felton is a very good route runner that can create separation all over the field and get open against both zone and man-to-man coverage. With the ball in his hands, Felton is a nightmare to bring down. He also excels in contested-catch situations, showing great body control and strong hands at the catch point. The more I watch Tai Felton, more I am convinced he’s going to off the board in the mid-2nd round of rookie drafts.
WR9 | Elic Ayomanor | Stanford | 6’2’’* | 210 lbs
Previously Ranked 12
Elic Ayomanor is a tough prospect to evaluate. As I have discussed before, he has some of the most impressive highlight plays you’ll see from a college wide receiver in a game. However, he also disappears in games. Despite not appearing to have elite speed or quickness, Ayomanor reliably finds ways to get open. His draft capital (fair or not) will probably come down to how fast he runs in the 40-yard dash.
WR10 | Xavier Restrepo | Miami (FL) | 5093 | 200 lbs
Previously Ranked 9
Xavier Restrepo is the prototypical slot wide receiver at the NFL level. His short-area quickness allows him to consistently beat defenders in man coverage and his natural feel for defenses helps him find soft spots in zone coverage. As I’ve said before: If Restrepo goes to a team that heavily targets the slot, he could be a fantasy monster, and I’ll be getting as many shares as I possibly can.
WR11 | Tez Johnson | Oregon | 5092 | 156 lbs
Previously Ranked 14
Without a doubt, the biggest conundrum of this wide receiver class is Oregon’s Tez Johnson. The biggest question mark heading into the Senior Bowl was his size. Johnson measured in at barely over 5’9’’ and 156 pounds. Then, he proceeded to tear up the defensive backs during the practice all week. His chances at success will come down to how well he can hold up at this size and if he puts on weight. As a prospect, he has game-breaking speed and quickness, runs good routes, catches the ball with ease, and is lethal after the catch. I’m going to let the 2025 NFL Draft help me with Tez Johnson’s value.
WR12 | Isaiah Bond | Texas | 5’11’’* | 180 lbs
Previously Ranked 8
Another undersized receiver is former Alabama turned Texas wideout, Isaiah Bond. He has game-changing speed but struggled to show it on the field this year. In fact, Bond has fallen down my rankings in each of the updates. When healthy and playing well, he combines quickness in and out of breaks with insane deep speed. My biggest concerns for Bond continue to be his contested-catch skills and his occasional over-reliance on his speed. If Bond cleans up his route running, he could be a dynamic weapon in the NFL.
TIER 4 | WR Rankings
The players in Tier 4 all offer something slightly different than one another. They each come with some notable red flags as far as prospect profiles, but could become valuable fantasy assets in the right situation. It wouldn’t surprise me if all of these players are off the board before the end of Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
WR13 | Savion Williams | TCU | 6’5’’* | 225 lbs
Previously Ranked 11
The player in my 2025 WR Rankings that has the most to prove at the NFL Combine is Savion Williams from TCU. He broke out in 2024, posting career-best numbers in nearly every statistical metric. I’m not sure what we will see from Savion Williams, but a DK Metcalf-like NFL Combine is not out of the question. He is explosive with quickness in his movement as well as possessing home run speed. I’m eager to watch his performance.
WR14 | Ricky White III | UNLV | 6’1’’* | 190 lbs
Previously Ranked 15
For all the prospects with questionable speed, Ricky White III is a prospect with very good speed. Not only can he take the top off of a defense, but he is also a threat after the catch in the quick passing game. With being listed at 190 pounds, his size is a question mark for me. White struggles with physical defensive play.
WR15 | Kyren Lacy | LSU | 6’2’’* | 213 lbs
Previously Ranked 13
I have included Kyren Lacy in my rankings while his legal process plays out. He was arrested in relation to a car accident that ended someone’s life. He has the presumption of innocent until proven guilty, so until we have more information, he’ll stay in my rankings. Lacy was not invited to the NFL Combine. As a prospect, he has soft hands, quick feet, is dynamic with the ball in his hands, and runs very good routes. He will occasionally get sloppy with his routes and does not have the best top-end speed.
WR16 | Jack Bech | WR | TCU | 6012 | 214 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
Jack Bech is one of the best stories in the 2025 NFL Draft. After losing his older brother in the New Year’s Day terror attack in New Orleans, Jack Bech has seen his draft stock rise through an impressive Senior Bowl week. He has great route running skills and some of the best hands in the class. His major concern will be speed and quickness metrics. Not only will I be interested in his 40-yard dash time, but his burst scores will be very telling.
WR17 | Jayden Higgins | Iowa State | 6036 | 217 lbs
Previously Ranked 18
The theme for 2025 prospects seems to be a lack of top-end speed, and Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins is no different. However, at his size, it’s not necessary. He does have very good short-area quickness, runs crisp routes, and has fantastic hands. If he runs well in the 40-yard dash, he will move up my 2025 WR Rankings.
WR18 | Pat Bryant | WR | Illinois | 6021 | 208 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
Pat Bryant is another player that has top-speed concerns. His game is much more physical than quickness and finesse. He does well in contested-catch situations, but I have some reservations about his ability to create separation at the NFL level. It seems redundant to say that the 40-yard dash times for these receivers will determine their draft stock, but it’s true. If he can get into the 4.50-second range, that is plenty fast for a player of his profile.
WR19 | Jaylin Noel | Iowa State | 5096 | 196 lbs
Previously Ranked 16
Iowa State’s Jaylin Noel is elusive with the ball in his hands. He uses elite short-area quickness and route running skills to create separation against both man and zone defenses. After having a relatively quiet college career, Noel broke out in 2024. My main area of concern is his hands. He has the second-biggest hand size of all receivers at the Senior Bowl, so perhaps it’s an issue of technique and concentration. If he cleans that up, he could become a weapon out of the slot.
TIER 5 | WR Rankings
WR20 | Will Sheppard | WR | Colorado | 6’3’’ | 205 lbs
Previously Ranked 24
Colorado’s Will Sheppard does everything you want from a receiver. He is a good route runner, makes some of the best catches you’ll see, and is a mismatch in the red zone. His major concern (like it is with many prospects this year) is top-end speed. If he runs well at the NFL Combine, his draft stock arrow will be pointed straight up.
WR21 | Kyle Williams | Washington State | 5102 | 182 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
Kyle Williams could be your favorite QBs new best friend. He always seems to find a way to get open against zone defenses. He is the quintessential slot WR. His biggest struggle is with bigger, more physical defenders. But, if he ends up on a team that peppers their slot WR, I’ll be drafting Kyle Williams as often as I can.
WR22 | Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. | Ole Miss | 6’0’’* | 205 lbs
Previously Ranked 20
While not as well-known as his teammate Tre Harris, Antwane Wells Jr. is quite a skilled prospect. He does his most damage after the catch, utilizing good speed and elusiveness to make plays for his team. The major concern here is his route running. It will need to improve at the NFL level to become a consistent fantasy producer.
WR23 | Tory Horton | Colorado State | 6’3’’* | 185 lbs
Previously Ranked 21
If not for a season-ending knee injury, Colorado State’s Tory Horton would be much higher in my WR Rankings. He is a good route runner, tracks and catches the ball well, routinely makes defenders miss, and can play all over the field. My major worry is how well and quickly he’ll return from this injury.
WR24 | Ja’Corey Brooks | Louisville | 6’3’’* | 195 lbs
Previously Ranked 23
If Ja’Corey Brooks is a name that sounds familiar, it’s because he was a starting WR for Alabama a couple years ago. After a rough 2023, he transferred to Louisville and rebounded his draft stock nicely. If there was one word to summarize Ja’Corey Brooks as a prospect, it would be “inconsistent.” He’ll show flashes of game-breaking speed and playmaking ability. But at other times, he struggles to catch the ball consistently. His range of outcomes is massive at the NFL level.
WR25 | Kobe Hudson | UCF | 6’1’’* | 200 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
If NFL teams are looking for slot WRs, this draft has several, and Kobe Hudson could be exactly what you want. He is a good route runner, getting quick in and out of his breaks with ease. Hudson also has very reliable hands. However, he doesn’t have the top gear to run away from defenders and can struggle in contested-catch situations.
WR26 | Dont’e Thornton Jr. | WR | Tennessee | 6’5’’* | 214 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
Dont’e Thornton Jr. has elite size and speed, but needs to develop more as a receiver. He needs to clean up his route running, and his hands can be suspect at times. If given the opportunity to grow at the position, Thornton could be a late-round steal.
WR27 | Nick Nash | San Jose State | 6’3’’* | 195 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
It’s not often that a receiver that led the nation in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving TDs is this low in WR rankings. Nick Nash, a converted QB, had a fantastic season for the Spartans in 2024. His athletic testing will have a massive impact on his draft capital.
WR28 | LaJohntay Wester | Colorado | 5’11’’* | 167 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
LaJohntay Wester is one of the most-dynamic players with the ball in his hands. He has a wiry build, but his quickness to get open and elusiveness to make big plays is special.
WR29 | Kaden Prather | Maryland | 6’3’’* | 210 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
Maryland’s Kaden Prather has prototypical wide receiver size. He runs clean routes and catches the ball naturally. Despite not having elite speed, Prather proved to be a big-play threat throughout his collegiate career.
TIER 6 | WR Rankings
The players in this tier are worthy of noting as potential post-combine or post-draft risers. While I don’t have the highest of hopes for all of them to succeed at the NFL level, each year, at least one player flies up rookie draft boards after a strong combine performance and better-than-expected draft capital.
WR30 | Jaylin Lane | Virginia Tech | 5091 | 191 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
WR31 | Andrew Armstrong | Arkansas | 6’4’’* | 202 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
WR32 | Da’Quan Felton | Virginia Tech | 6043 | 222 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
WR33 | Beaux Collins | Notre Dame | 6’3’’* | 202 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
WR34 | Samuel Brown Jr. | Miami (FL) | 6’2’’* | 195 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
WR35 | Theo Wease Jr. | Missouri | 6’2’’ | 192 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
WR36 | Bru McCoy | Tennessee | 6020 | 215 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
The 2025 WR class is intriguing. Many people are down on the class as a whole, but I believe that there is serious value to be found in the middle rounds of your rookie drafts. The top of this class is a little thinner than some years, but the depth of this class is impressive. There will likely be players that take large jumps or big falls in my 2025 WR Rankings after the NFL Combine and eventually the NFL Draft.
More from Dynasty Nerds
We are now in the midst of the rookie season. Our rookie Film Room is the greatest resource you’ll find for watching All-22 film on your favorite prospects. For more college dynasty content, check out our latest Mock Draft presented by the Dynasty Nerds’ film room and our collegiate writing staff:
My Latest Big Board
If you’re interested in how all of these players fit together, check out my Rookie Big Board 2.0!
