There seems to be a theme developing throughout the 2025 NFL Draft as we continue to draw nearer to the NFL Scouting Combine. There’s a consensus beginning to form that this draft lacks top-end, star talent, instead providing a deep group of likely starters and contributors. We’ve seen this assertion circulate with the quarterbacks and offensive tackles in this class already, but more recently, this opinion is starting to be applied to wide receivers, as well. 
NFL fans have been spoiled in recent years with plenty of no-brainer, star first-round receivers from Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers in 2024 to Drake London and Garrett Wilson in 2022 to Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith in 2021. This year’s crop more closely resembles the 2023 draft, in which a wide receiver wasn’t drafted until Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston, Zay Flowers, and Jordan Addison were all chosen consecutively from pick Nos. 20-23.
Colorado’s Travis Hunter sits atop most draft boards, but the consensus seems to be that this is either because of his potential as a defensive back or his potential to contribute on both sides of the ball, however unlikely that may be in the NFL. Behind Hunter, players like Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, Missouri’s Luther Burden, and Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka are routinely seen as the next top options for the position.
For a time, McMillan was seen as the top wide receiver prospect, even being considered more valuable as a receiver than Hunter. As pundits and scouts have done deeper dives into the class, though, concerns have arisen over McMillan’s deep speed, per ESPN’s Matt Miller. He still ranks easily as a first-round pick, thanks to a large frame that makes him an easy mismatch over most defenders, but that lack of top-end velocity is seemingly keeping him out of the top 10 picks. On ESPN’s First Draft Podcast, Mel Kiper Jr. claimed that McMillan is being viewed more in the range of picks from Nos. 12 to 22, per Nick Kendell of the Mile High Huddle.
Still, after Hunter and McMillan, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah sees a lot of receivers like Burden, Egbuka, and Texas’ Matthew Golden that he believes will be polished professionals in the back third of the first round, according to a breakdown he did with ESPN’s Todd McShay and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
We may not see a surge of receivers taken in the top 10 like we’ve seen plenty of in recent years, but the lack of star power does not take away from the depth of the position. Wide receiver is typically a bit of a crapshoot in the first round of the draft, and this group is likely to continue that trend, but with how the position’s draft stock is shaping up, those risks will be coming later in the first round.
Hmmmm
I hope the Ohio state kid falls to my skins at the end of the draft. Them just add Oline and a RB. Free agency defense and a vet Wr like Godwin on a short deal.
McShay is back with espn?
I like Burden outta the top guys and Isiah Bond in day 2. They’re ballers
McMillan is being overlooked the same way that Ladd McConkey was. McMillan simply gets open. That skill is more valuable than elite speed.
Agreed I think people look too much at things like break away speed or speed in general and in todays game it’s the WRs that can use their short yard quickness to create separation that seems to have more longevity career wise.
In stead of 40 speed I’d be looking at shuttle speed but more so how quickly can a wr change directions in a small window. Plus how quick can you get to a spot in the zone set down and make yourself a target before defense crashes.
I’d rather look at college tape and intangibles than the Combine spreadsheets.
McMillan is also such a legit size specimen, even a rare one, which in recent years has been tougher to find that the slender speed guys.
Idk about rare. Average wr height is a shade over 6ft. Average db height is 5’11 for corners and 6ft for safeties.
Been plenty of 6’3” guys or taller out there last couple years.
What separates McMillian from a Quentin Johnston type to an Evans London type is the body control and ability to use his size, namely wing span arm length, to open throwing windows for a QB. But reaching out and grabbing throws like that takes insane body control which is where a guy like Quentin Johnston routine struggles with drops.
Last year Coleman, Odunze, Harrison, Thomas, Johnny Wilson, Cornelius Johnson, Devaughn Vele came in at 6’3” or taller
2023
Johnston, Tillman, Perry, Iosvias, Landers, Ford Wheaton, Higgins, Demus Jr, Bobo, Justin Shorter weirdly enough came in at 6’3” or taller
2022 London, Pickens, Watson, Ross, Pierce, Touri, came in at 6’3” or taller
This year McMillian, Harris, Higgins, Williams, Horton, Thornton Jr, Collins are among the 6’3” and over crowd.