We continue our positional deep dive of the 2025 Rookie Class by moving to the wide receivers. Why do we begin so early, you might ask? Now is when NFL fans and fantasy managers are looking toward the 2025 season. Dynasty managers are packing it up for the year or pushing their chips in for the ship, but you can see the tangible players you're selling instead of conceptual pick value. We'll begin with a Superflex Big Board to give you a macro lens of the entire crop.

Now we can look at an underrated wide receiver group with more talent than the average person believes simply because it's not as deep as the last. However, if we understand the player profiles with the idea that some aren't on teams in the spotlight or could thrive in the right situations, we have a solid group.

20. Bru McCoy, Tennessee (RS-SR)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 229 | Film Grade: 58

Strengths

• Size
• Physicality

Weaknesses

• Tight Hips
• Slow 

Former 5-star recruit Bru McCoy is an older prospect who fought through a transfer and serious injury to get where he is now. His size, grit, and pedigree are reasons to believe that he might be something for a team despite being an underwhelming prospect with minimal production.

McCoy currently profiles as a late Day Three draft pick only worth noting because teams like drafting players with traits they can't coach like size and speed. However, I wouldn't be fooled into rostering him.

19. Ricky White, UNLV (SR)

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 190 | Film Grade: 69

Strengths

• Modest Athleticism

Weaknesses

• Average Technique

Ricky White is a productive senior with average size and enough athleticism to be useful for the NFL. Many will look at his stats and highlights and scoff at my rather low ranking, but this is a classic case of "College production is a liar sometimes." This isn't to say that it doesn't matter, but skill is spread out among Power 5 schools so that "Average Talent" looks great among mediocre Mountain West.

There is a path for White to see the NFL field as a Slot/Z-Flanker in the same mold as Rashee Rice. However, it should be noted that White would need to be drafted to a team that can develop and scheme him similarly. He isn't the player to lift an offense, but will likely be a draftable project.

18. Tory Horton, Colorado State (SR)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 185 | Film Grade: 70.5

Strengths

• YAC
• Strong Hands

Weaknesses

• Limited Route Tree

Tory Horton is one of my favorite prospects from my time as a former member of the Colorado State media. The low film grade isn't quite the indicator of what he could be because we have such a limited sample size with the amount of adversity surrounding him. But he shined when the Rams could get the ball in his hands via Special teams or designed touches.

Horton has dealt with injury, poor QB play, and just general "bleh" while trapped in the Mountain West Conference, but consistently flashes bend, strong hands, ball skills, and YAC despite his long frame. I worry that CSU was too small of a pot for a beautiful plant like Horton to grow to his full potential. The real question is whether his roots are strong enough to grow in the Wild NFL without proper early care.

17. Samuel Brown, Miami (JR)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185 | Film Grade: 70

Strengths

• Modest Size
• YAC

Weaknesses

• Average Technique
• Sloppy release when pressed.

Samuel Brown transferred to Miami via Houston as part of the massive NIL movement to bring Miami back to its days as "The U." Needless to say it's worked, however, Brown has been an extra in this pseudo-Cinderella story. He's played second fiddle to Xavier Restrepo and needs refinement to be an elite target earner. Don't be surprised to see him return to school and earn money while he refines his game to gain draft capital.

16. Squirrel White, Tennessee (JR)

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 167 | Film Grade: 75.75

Strengths

• YAC
• Speed and Burst

Weaknesses

• Catch Radius
• Strength

Squirrel White beat the "Gimmick" allegations for Tennessee skill players. His 2023 tape shows a limited route tree because of a limited QB, but Nico Iamaleava has opened up the entire offense.

White has had the chance to refine his separation skills to grow beyond a gadget player into what could be a big-play Slot/Flanker. I'm impressed with his tight breaks to pull away from defenders and create more space since he is a small target. Leaving him room after the catch is just plain deadly.

15. Antwane Wells Jr, Ole Miss (SR)

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 205 | Film Grade: 77.25

Strengths

• Release
• Leverage
• Good Hands

Weaknesses

• Speed Downfield

Antwane "Juice" Wells Jr. is an underrated and overlooked prospect because he works the other side of the formation of another productive Ole Miss wide receiver. Wells won't blow the top off a defense but has the bend and enough burst to quickly separate in short areas. This is most prevalent in his release because he can quickly gain leverage when working in tandem with his finesse. The Ole Miss Senior may be drafted after Tre Harris, but I believe he can make a reliable target for an NFL roster at a discount. Keep him on your radar for late rounds.

14. Kyren Lacy, LSU (SR)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 213 | Film Grade: 76.75

Strengths

• Attacks the ball with his hands
• Body Control

Weaknesses

• Speed
• Drops

Kyren Lacy has all the tools to be the next fun Power Slot. He doesn't have near the speed to pull away from corners, but his smooth route running and body control can earn targets with proper utilization.

His upside concerns me when considering his limited YAC ability even more than the concentration drops on his tape. Finesse and size aren't enough in the NFL with defensive backs as some of the best athletes on the field.

13. Tre Harris, Ole Miss (SR)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 209 | Film Grade: 79.25

Strengths

• Speed
• Bend
• Quick Feet

Weaknesses

• Spacing
• Contact

Tre Harris was lighting up the box score before an injury slowed his pace, but there is very little chance he falls past Round 3 in the NFL draft. The Ole Miss star has taken over the offense as a true touchdown threat every time he touches the ball. Defenders honor his speed and make it easy for hesitations and stutter steps to break ankles.

Harris's success despite lack of refinement is reminiscent of Christian Watson, so the NFL upside and usage are apparent. He'll need to understand spacing to efficiently stack and manipulate defenders to take the next step in being a true WR1 at the pro level, but the positives far outweigh the negatives.

12. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State (RS-SR)

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205 | Film Grade: 78

Strengths

• YAC
• Blocking
• Modest Athleticism

Weaknesses

• Separation
• Finesse

Emeka Egbuk's career at Ohio State has had many ups and downs, but 2024 has been a return to form. I can't lie to you. I find Egbuka a difficult evaluation because it's easy to spot what he does well, but not as easy to see him as productive in the NFL as the stats may seem.

Egbuka profiles as a smaller Puka Nacua or Deebo-type Slot Back that excels at the dirty work like tough blocking, physical YAC ability, and enough speed to win downfield. He's not a burner or ankle breaker but an absolute football player I know coaches will use.

11. Deion Burks, Oklahoma (JR)

Height: 5-9 | Weight: 194 | Film Grade: 84.25

Strengths

• Speed and Burst
• YAC
• Good Route Runner

Weaknesses

• Catch Radius
• Strength

Deion Burks is fun. The explosive transfer flashed the same speed and big play ability at OU as he displayed at Purdue despite their struggles. He's a crisp route-runner whose athleticism translates to explosion throughout breaks to maximize separation, and his stocky stature makes him a dynamic playmaker after the catch. However, there is a big chance he will stay in school for another year.

Weekly #Sooners WR update:

- Andrel Anthony may still play in 2024
- Jalil Farooq will be a few weeks
- Deion Burks: day-to-day
- Nic Anderson has a torn quad

Perhaps the most significant update: Venables says each one has indicated to him they'd like to return to OU in 2025.

— Colton Sulley (@colton_sulley) October 22, 2024

His draft grade doesn't quite fit his rank, but this is tentative for anticipated draft capital or NIL money.

10. Tez Johnson, Oregon (SR)

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 165 | Film Grade: 77.25

Strengths

• YAC
• Route Running

Weaknesses

• Small Target

The Tank Dell comps have already been floating around the internet, but I find that comp to be broad, considering what both do well. Whereas Dell plays big and can excel outside, Tez Johnson is more explosive and better after the catch. However, Johnson has a smaller catch radius and is ineffective at reeling in balls away from his body. I see him as a strict slot who may lose reps in 2WR sets but make big plays on every touch.

9. Xavier Restrepo, Miami (SR)

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 198 | Film Grade: 80.75

Strengths

• Route Running
• Sure Hands

Weaknesses

• Size
• Speed Downfield

Xavier Restrepo is one of my favorite players in the class. He's the ideal slot receiver and the crispiest route runner of the bunch. He's a quarterback's best friend because he's reliable even when the play breaks and always moves the chains. He's probably an NFL third-round pick because of his set slot role, but I know I'll own Restrepo everywhere I can come draft time.

8. Ja'Corey Brooks, Louisville (RS-SR)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195 | Film Grade: 81.5

Strengths

• Big Target
• Good Deep Target

Weaknesses

• Limited YAC ability

You should take notice of players that Alabama had an interest in. Who knows why Ja'Corey Brooks transferred? And I don't care because he's balled out for Louisville since the move. Brooks has ideal X-receiver size and enough downfield athleticism to significantly contribute to an NFL roster.

We've reached the zone of the list where everyone has the upside to be a WR1. Now, that isn't guaranteed, and they have a higher chance of being WR2 targets than go-to targets. However, players with profiles like Brooks are always the draft "surprises" for the average fan, but the college guys, "I told you so."

7. Evan Stewart, Oregon (JR)

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 186 | Film Grade: 80.75

Strengths

• Speed and Burst
• Smooth and Fluid Route Runner

Weaknesses

• Strength

It's taken Evan Stewart time to put things together after a tumultuous season with Texas A&M, but Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks have been a haven for unrealized potential to blossom.

Stewart's crispy route running and smooth athleticism have grown from flashes to consistency, and he's been the knockout in Oregon's one-two receiving punch.

The only thing that will limit Stewart is play strength, but this isn't the early 2000s. Zone Coverage is the status quo to beat more often than not. Moreover, my current comp is Jordan Addison, who was worse in this regard. Feel good knowing that Stewart is closer to the WR4 than the WR10.

6. Tai Felton, Maryland (SR)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 186 | Film Grade: 81.75

Strengths

• Fast and Efficient Release
• Excellent Ball Tracking
• Burst

Weaknesses

• Strength
• YAC

Tai Felton has quietly put up an excellent season for Maryland and has legitimate WR1 potential. The Senior has a narrow frame but uses that to his advantage by quickly positioning around defenders to win the route early at the line of scrimmage. Then his speed and burst at the top of routes is the playmaking finisher. Felton won't bully defenders or break many tackles, but his speed, length, and body control will still earn consistent targets in the NFL.

5. Isaiah Bond, Texas (JR)

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180 | Film Grade: 81.25

Strengths

• Speed and Burst
• Route Running

Weaknesses

• Length

If you were wondering who would play the Adonai Mitchell or Xavier Worthy roles for Texas this season, Isaiah Bond was the answer for both. As I said, you want to pay attention to anyone who Alabama had an interest in, and thankfully, Bond landed in the ideal landing spot to showcase his field-stretching ability and athleticism. His clean route running and modest vertical allow him to be an exciting chess piece to move around for Steve Sarkisian's offense and that usage translates to NFL success. Bond has first-round NFL talent and will likely go in the 1st round of your rookie drafts.

4. Elic Ayomanor, Stanford (RS-JR)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 209 | Film Grade: 84

Strengths

• Quick Feet
• Elite Hands
• Blue Chip Athlete

Weaknesses

• Average YAC

I've taken way too long to come around on Elic Ayomanor, and I'm sorry.

I've been criminally low on Elic Ayomanor but recently went through the 2024 tape and repent for my sins. pic.twitter.com/kKvSHo8kuW

— Jagger May (@JagSays) November 13, 2024

Ayomanor is the entire package and first-round talent because of his ideal size, athleticism, and separation skills. Stanford hasn't been able to get him the ball, but he's the target where you only need to get it in the area, so he can make a play.

3. Luther Burden III, Missouri (JR)

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 205 | Film Grade: 87

Strengths

• YAC Machine
• Blue Chip Athlete

Weaknesses

• Catch Radius
• Spacing
• Length

I won't try to gloss over Luther Burden's Red Flags, but hear me out. He's an incredible athlete who consistently flashes the tools to be a well-rounded route runner. Missouri just doesn't have the talent to use him that way. Burden is an incredible athlete with the skill to torque down and explode out of breaks. We know about his ability with the ball in his hands. The only question is if he can reach his full potential before he gets the ball in his hands, and I'm willing to make that bet.

2. Travis Hunter, Colorado (JR)

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185 | Film Grade: 85.25

Strengths

• Blue Chip Athlete
• Veteran Understanding of Space/Coverage
• Release

Weaknesses

• Size and Strength

Travis Hunter is the best player in the 2025 NFL Draft but only the second-best WR. This doesn't mean his score is being held up by defensive talent because he's still that good on offense. Moreover, his experience at corner translates to offense because he understands what the defense wants to do to him as well as the reciprocal.

Hunter has improved from an elite athlete to a bonafide star on both sides of the ball. The question isn't whether or not he'll play wide receiver or corner because you know the answer once you look at the salaries between the two.

1. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona (JR)

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 212 | Film Grade: 88.25

Strengths

• Unicorn Size and Speed
• Underrated YAC 
• Bend

Weaknesses

• Short Area Quickness

We would be talking about Tetairoa McMillan 100% more if he weren't sandwiched between historic college athletes like Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty. Few players can move that well at 6-5 and look polished. I won't waste your time telling you what you already know. McMillan is arguably the Fantasy 1.01 over Jeanty because of how rare of an athlete he is.