2025 NFL DRAFT PREVIEW – WIDE RECEIVERS
Draft Grade Index:
90+: All-Pro Projection
85-89: Pro Bowl Projection
81-84: 1st Round – Year 1 starter
77-80: 2nd/3rd Round – Year 1 contributor, year 2-3 starter
74-76: Early Day 3: Cores special teamer and rotational player
71-74: Mid Day 3: Core special teamer and backup
68-70: Late Day 3: Developmental and special teamer
1) Travis Hunter – 6’0/188
Grade: 91
Junior entry, three-year starter, Suwanee, GA. Three time all-conference, first team twice in two different conferences. First team All-American in both 2023 and 2024 in addition to being the first ever two-time recipient of the Paul Hornung Award. Won the Biletnikoff Award (top receiver) in addition to the Bednarik Award (top defender). The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner.
Simply put, Hunter is in rare territory and can even be considered in a tier of his own when it comes to his credible projection to both sides of the ball. As a receiver-only, Hunter has multiple traits that project him to a high first round slot. He is both smooth and twitchy as he can explode by and away from defenders. He shows hard-to-touch water bug transitions in any direction at any moment with a great feel for what the defense is trying to do. The academic All-American plays the game with a different level of understanding and reaction speed. That all funnels to his game breaking ability to impact the game on deep routes, underneath, and after the catch. He is a tough and hard-nosed competitor that will create on his own in multiple areas on a weekly basis. His sub-three percent drop rate with a 63% contested catch rate. Both numbers are elite. Quarterbacks had a 137.8 passer rating when they targeted him. All of this and he was a part time receiver when it comes to the time it takes to work on the craft itself. All of this while playing 60+ snaps a game on defense. His frame is smaller than ideal and he is still a tier below a top flight receiver as a route runner, but the traits are there. We may never see this again because he can play both sides at a high level but the impact he can have on offense alone is enough to warrant a top five pick as he can be one of the most dangerous playmakers in the game right away.
*The topic of Hunter is fascinating and I will try to be as economic as I can. Yes, Hunter is in my cornerback stack as well. No, this grade does not include that element of versatility. I will touch on that when I get to that position. Hunter is at 88 as a receiver alone and even though I am in the minority of believing he should be offensive-biased in the NFL, I did not anticipate my system pumping out this number. Hunter is a combination of Garrett Wilson and Justin Jefferson. His hands are among the best ever. His speed and ability to make people miss is in Tyreek Hill territory. And the intangibles are truly once in a lifetime. Hunter gets (and deserves) the term generational under his name. Putting him in this offense with Nabers is as near-automatic as one will find when it comes to building one of the top receiver duos in the NFL. “It does not matter if you do not have the QB” line will come from some and I respect that view. But I do not care. The chance of getting someone like Hunter in here will never come again and as I have said for months, you’ll have to try again next year to get the guy you need under center. Taking a quarterback like Sanders over Hunter would be a colossal mistake in my opinion. The one hold up? Is this this the right coaching staff to engineer the best version of the dual threat?
2) Tetairoa McMillan – Arizona – 6’4/219
Grade: 85
Junior entry. Three-year starter, Waimanalo, HI. Two time All-Pac 12, first team in 2024 in addition to first team All-American honors.
McMillan arrived to Tucson as the program’s highest rated recruit in its history. In addition to his five-star rating, he has the unique volleyball background. He arrived as a lean, slender-framed receiver that needed to get faster and put some meat on his bones. Mission accomplished to both. He gained 30 pounds and added two miles per hour to his speed measurement since his freshman summer. While doing so, he was also producing at a high level. McMillan led freshmen nationally with 702 yards in 2022 and then set a new career high at Arizona with 3,423 yards in just three seasons. He possesses multiple elite traits that make him both a big play threat and security net for a passer. He is effective and proven throughout all areas of the route tree and with the ball in his hands and the volleyball-based talent to reach the ball at the apex of his extension is a cheat code. There is a cap to his pure speed and explosion, however. McMillan is not a burner and he even shows some lackadaisical effort off the line at times. He will need to improve his urgency and consistency of hustle to clean up some of the margin in his game as a route runner. McMillan can be a true number one at the next level in an offense that creates opportunities for receivers to go up and get the ball.
*McMillan was my number one overall player in the class last August. He did not finish far off from that and he started off the season with a 10 catch / 304 yard / 4 touchdown performance (albeit against New Mexico). I started thinking he was going to be in the Nabers/Harrison/Odunze tier from a year ago. As I always say, though, evaluators need to control their bias. McMillan is still a really solid receiver capable of multiple pro bowls. He has dominant traits that translate well. But he is not as big as his size would indicate (short arm – long torso body type) and he still has some sloppiness to his game. The whispers of his lack of drive and passion for the game are overstated but some of that does show up in his lack of attention to detail. Will he separate enough? How much do his ball skills make up for that? On the other side, how much of a menace can he be after the catch. It is an incredibly underrated component to his game. At #3? It could be worse but no, I’m not there in this draft. He could go top five, he could escape the top 20. Not everyone will love him.
3) Luther Burden III – Missouri – 6’0/206
Grade: 84
Junior entry. Three-year starter, East St. Louis, MO. Two-time first team All-SEC and a 2023 All-American.
Burden is a dynamic playmaker that scored 25 touchdowns over his three-year career in a variety of ways. 21 came as a receiver, four as a rusher, and one as a returner. While his most impactful alignment and production came from the slot, he does have experience all over the formation. He looks and moves like a running back with his tremendous girth around his hips that were the catalyst to his nation-lead in missed tackles forced by a receiver in 2024. Buckle up when he gets the ball in his hands because the play is far from over. Burden’s best work comes after the catch as a result of both his burst and contact balance. He simply did not get the volume of opportunities one would expect from a top-shelf talent but this is a true number one threat that can be the feature asset for an offense that will raise the team’s ceiling substantially right away. Creates quick separation to all levels of the route tree against man coverage. Gets over, and stays over the top on vertical routes. Strength shows up in his hands as well. They can adjust late while maintaining awareness of his feet. Creates after contact with vision, strength, and the next gear. Successful and tough in traffic. An asset to the running game as well in addition to return game success. Physicality shows up as a blocker. Will slow his pace too much when tracking the deep ball. Has some stiffness when he needs to adjust his movement laterally. Routes are capable of being better than what he’s shown.
*Burden had to be taken down 3 points because of character concerns. It is not common for me to bump someone that much unless there are specific public arrest records. But it truly is a coin flip whether or not the diva attitude is too high already. Burden was targeted 120 times in 2023, 81 in 2024. He had 17 returns in 2023, 8 in 2024. Missouri got off to a hot start but quarterback and scheme issues hurt Burden’s ability to match what he did in 2023, which was stunning. This is the best yard-after-catch player in the draft and it isn’t close. He is a faster version of Deebo Samuel. If he keeps his head on straight and an offense knows how to use him (again, think Deebo), he can be one of the best weapons in the NFL.
4) Matthew Golden – Texas – 5’11/191
Grade: 82
Junior entry. Three-year starter, Houston, TX. Spent two seasons at Houston prior to transferring to Texas in 2024. All-Big 12 in 2023 as a returner.
For a three-year player especially, Golden is an experienced receiver (32 starts) with production all over the stat sheet. He is a competitive, feisty dog on the field that will out-effort his opponent. His quick trigger that allows him to get open in a hurry combined with his strong, reliable hands will make him an absolute go-to-guy on third and manageable. 82 of his 116 career catches have resulted in a first down or touchdown. That is an incredible number. Golden offers the potential to be an explosive weapon both on deep routes and after the catch. He is a gamer capable of creating on his own, but also fitting within the structure of an offense from different roles. There is a level of streakiness to his game that should be looked into. He did not gain more than 90 yards receiving in a single regular season matchup in 11 of 16 games. He simply did not show the ability to take over games and consistently win one on one matchups. Golden is a pro in every sense of the word that adds value with his ability to impact special teams, but he may be a better complement than a true number one.
*I was all in on Golden last year when he was at Houston. I did not know who he was but he jumped off the screen when I was scouting Patrick Paul, a tackle prospect from last year’s class. The transfer to Texas was a good move especially because of how well he played in the postseason. 8 catches for 162 yards against Georgia and 7/149/1 against Arizona State the next week were well-timed to say the least. His 4.29 forty caught me off guard, as I was expecting that from Isaiah Bond, not him. I’m not sure he always plays to that speed but he does have explosive flashes. This is also a tough dude and he can impact all three levels. I see some DJ Moore in him.
5) Jaylin Noel – Iowa State – 5’10/194
Grade: 82
Three-year starter, Kansas City, MO. Two-time All-Big 12 as a receiver, first team as a returner in 2024.
Noel is a stocky slot receiver with a top gear that can get over the top of the secondary. While he will make most of his money underneath with his proficient route running and strong hands, Noel had more downfield looks in 2024 and it resulted in him leading the country with nine catches of over 40 yards. This is a credible deep threat that can line up and produce from multiple spots. The ball skills paired with his speed and vision post-catch make him a threat to score every time he gets the ball. Noel was the second fastest receiver at the Senior Bowl according to GPS tracking, but also the third best at decelerating. That is a rare combination of movement capability and it shows up on tape. His consistency at uncovering himself from coverage makes him such a quarterback-friendly weapon. Add in his impact as a returner and above average contested catch production and Noel is an easy bet to succeed at the next level. There are multiple small features to him that will turn some teams off. The “slot-only” types can tend to be pushed down because not all teams believe in a sub 30” arm, sub 74” wingspan receiver to cut it outside. He small hands and five career muffed punts and three fumbles do throw some has on that flame as well. His usage is a part of the projection but at some point the production, tape quality, and athleticism need to overshadow those concerns. Noel is a gamer in every sense of the word.
*Noel is one of my guys. I’m not sure anyone will have a first round grade on him nor do I think anybody has him as a top five receiver. The risk is the lack of size across multiple areas. But even if he needs to stay at the slot and nowhere else, I still see a guy that can do it as well as anyone in the league. The interesting debate in regard to NYG is what the team’s outlook on Wan’Dale Robinson is. He is going to be a free agent after this season and there have been talks about an extension. To be blunt, I would bring Noel in this year and pay him less than what Robinson will cost while also knowing the receiver room will be stronger. Noel is a guy that makes multiple components of a passing game better right away. He is not nearly as limited as Robinson. But would this front office acknowledge yet another miss from the 2022 draft by not re-signing him?
6) Emeka Egbuka – Ohio State – 6’1/202
Grade: 81
Three-year starter, Steilacoom, WA. Three-time All-Big Ten, twice as a receiver and once as a returner.
Egbuka was an early contributor that made an impact on a team with future first rounders Marvin Harrison Jr, Chris Olave, and Garrett Wilson in the receiver room. As a sophomore in 2022, he was the team’s number two threat that finished ninth in the country in both yards and receptions of 10+ yards. Injuries slowed him down in 2023, but he came back strong as a senior, finishing top five in a stacked Big Ten in catches, yards, and touchdowns. Egbuka is a safe, polished receiver that will contribute to the return game as well. He lacks a standout positive trait, but he also lacks a hole in his armor. Egbuka is most comfortable, experienced, and productive from the slot but the variance in his skill set and feel for the game can lead to production from any alignment that helped lead him to being the all-time leading receiver in program history. If there is one receiver in the class to be a sure-bet to have a solid, long-lasting career it is him. If he can improve his performance with defenders around him and make more impact down the field, he can evolve into a team’s top target. But as consistent and balanced as he is, he may not have the super trait to call on when he needs to win one on one.
*Egbuka actually has multiple similarities to Malik Nabers. He is not as explosive or as dangerous with the ball in his hands, but he is an easy evaluation when it comes to projecting him to contribute as a starter. He is clean and he is versatile. There is a lot that can be done with him and if NYG wants to add a Mr. Reliable to the passing game to balance out the dangerous Nabers, Egbuka can be that guy. Interesting debate if he ends up being there because NYG does need someone else in that room. The question is, playmaker or safety net?
7) Savion Williams – TCU – 6’4/222
Grade: 80
Three-year starter, Marshall, TX. Two-time All-Big 12. In a game full of freak athletes that combine size, speed, and power, Williams stands out among the rest. While there are multiple rough edges to his skill set when it comes to being a pro wide receiver, part of that is overshadowed by how unique of a player and athlete he is. Williams played an unconventional role in the TCU offense, seeing 46 snaps at quarterback, 38 snaps at running back, 95 snaps in the slot, and 345 snaps out wide in 2024 alone. His versatile talent and movement traits make it make sense. He is both fast and agile, explosive and powerful. The traits are rare, and he is a tough football player in every sense of the description. For a fifth-year senior, Williams simply lacks consistency and polish. His hands are inconsistent and he lacks feel. For a guy that is fast, but not that fast, his mental game needs to be better. He comes from an offense where he was not developed in that area, so it may take more time than usual to develop week to week impact as a receiver. If a team can create the proper plan to smooth out his routes and ball skills, Williams has the upside to be one of the most dangerous playmakers in the game.
*The last TCU receiver to come out, Quentin Johnston (who I had an 83 grade on) has been very slow to develop. Williams is a different kind of player but there are similar shortcomings in their reports. The opening line from my Johnston NYG summary? “A swing for the fence that has the more-than-normal chance of ending up in a strikeout.” The closing line? “Whether or not he is the guy at #25 will largely depend on the value of risk/reward when it comes to the final grading process.” I really could end up putting the same words here on Williams. Round two could be considered too rich if you are afraid of risk taking. But if NYG hasn’t brought in a playmaker by the time the third round comes around, he will be on a very short list. Like Jalen Milroe at QB, if Williams does not pan out at receiver there will be other usages for him.
8) Jack Bech – TCU – 6’1/214
Grade: 79
Two-year starter, Lafayette LA. All-Big 12 in 2024. Spent two seasons at LSU prior to transferring to TCU in 2023. His initial season there was hampered by injuries, but this past fall was the possession receiver’s breakout. Bech was the Horned Frogs number one target and continued his success at the Senior Bowl, winning the game MVP Award after a strong week of practice. Bech was not a household name prior to 2024 but was very much on the radar. As a true freshman in 2021, he was LSU’s number one pass catcher on a team that had future pros Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., and Kayshon Boutte. He is a strong and thick competitor that can overwhelm defensive backs in traffic with his ball skills and desire. Bech is both technically proficient and savvy, giving him a sense of dependability and consistency. The lack of pure speed and length does shorten his ceiling but everything he does including running crisp routes and catching balls will make him a winning player.
*Bech has been a pleasant story to follow. His brother was one of the victims in the New Orleans New Years attack. Soon after he is dominating at the Senior Bowl and proving his strong start and end to his career was no fluke. Bech is an oversized slot type which has become more and more popular. This is the kind of receiver that makes a solid number three threat to a passing game but will also make a notable impact as a blocker. If he can play fast enough, he is a no-doubt solid player at the next level.
9) Elic Ayomanor – Stanford – 6’2/206
Grade: 79
Junior entry. Two-year starter, Medicine Hat, Alberta. All-conference in both 2023 and 2024. After missing most of his senior season in high school because of a torn PCL, Ayomanor suffered yet another knee injury with multiple torn ligaments and a meniscus in his first fall camp at Stanford, forcing him to redshirt. Finally healthy, the former track star broke out in his first game action on an offense that ranked 112th (out of 133) in points scored. He caught more than half of the team’s passing touchdowns. On an equally poor offense in 2024, Ayomanor proved he was more than a flash in the pan with an injury history. He produced yet again but also showed how NFL-ready his game is from all angles. He can win one on one in multiple ways and there is a reliable consistency to his arsenal that can show up in any situation. While the lack of sudden speed and change of direction keeps his separation to a minimum, Ayomanor wins more often than not. His intangibles are top shelf. His medical issues were years ago but there is a chance some teams will cross him off, as his second knee injury was really bad and there does appear to be a lack of mobility in the joint. But this is a guy that has proven he can beat the best competition in the country, (see Travis Hunter matchup, 2023). The body, speed, play-strength, and balanced skill set will make him a useful asset to a passing game in all facets with a high floor, high ceiling projection.
*I have gotten to personally know Ayomanor. I did not let it cloud the grade at all but I will tell you, he is an easy kid to root for. Very smart, hard working, and intellectual. He is the kind of guy that will reach his ceiling no matter what, whatever that may be. His role may be limited but he will find different ways to contribute. His game reminded me of Amani Toomer, believe it or not. Just a lot of similarities to the way he uses his body and impacts the game quietly, but consistently.
10) Kyle Williams – Washington State – 5’11/190
Grade: 78
Five-year starter, Inglewood, CA. Spent three years at UNLV prior to transferring to Washington State in 2023. Williams spent most of his high school career as a quarterback before making the change to wide receiver late. He went under-recruited but there was never a shortage of big plays that made him highly sought after in the transfer portal in 2023. Williams, after just two seasons at Washington State, made his mark on the program’s career and single season record books. He may measure in like a traditional slot, but Williams primarily lined up on the outside over his highly experienced career. His quick speed and ball tracking suit him well in that role but he can offer alignment versatility. Simply put, he is a playmaker that can create something out of nothing and outrun angles of pursuing defenders. He will need to clean up some of the rough edges to his skill set, but his explosive potential is hard to ignore and proven with different systems and quarterbacks.
*Williams is cut from a similar cloth to Jaylin Noel. Undersized and probably best used from the slot, but he can be move. He can create explosives from the outside. He gets open, has a phD in releases off the line, and tracks the ball. Williams helped Cam Ward evolve into what he is today and I’m not sure he gets enough attention for it. He is a sure-handed big play threat right away.
11) Isaiah Bond – 5’11/180
Grade: 77
Junior entry. Two-year starter, Buford, GA. A two-year career at Alabama which ended with him leading the Crimson Tide in receiving as a sophomore in 2023 brought him to Texas in 2024 as a transfer. The former state champion sprinter in high school is easily one of the most explosive players in the class. The sudden burst and ability to snap out of his breaks gives the slightly undersized playmaker the ability to find space and separate. He can create something out of nothing anytime he touches the ball because of how fast he can accelerate and outrun angles by defenders. Bond has a few special speed-based traits which the NFL will love, but the other important components to the position are where he struggles. Bond does not cope well against contact both at the line and with the ball in the air. His ball skills are inconsistent, and he does not play with enough urgency. He is not balanced enough to be a true number one threat, but he can be a complement to a passing game that needs more explosives.
*Bond had to be decreased because of character concerns. His physical skill set and tape landed him at 79. Really not sure what was going on at Texas these past couple years but a few of their guys were real trouble. As a player, Bond has multiple examples of special talent on display. He was in the first round discussion for most of the year but he never took the step up and I simply do not like how he catches the ball. There are obvious signs he lacks attention to detail. He would be a fun guy to get in the building because even though he did not shine in the forty the way he and many thought he would, his play speed is as good as it gets.
12) Isaac TeSlaa – Arkansas – 6’4/214
Grade: 77
Five-year starter, Hudsonville, MI. Spent three seasons at Division II Hillsdale College where he twice earned all-conference honors in addition to winning Great Midwest American Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 and was named an All-American. TeSlaa transferred to Arkansas in 2023 after being highly sought after in the portal.
He was the team’s number two receiver both years. While TeSlaa never quite had a standout season when looking at production once leveling up, he proved he belonged. His sturdy frame with top-shelf athleticism and super ball skills gives him a high-floor projection with the potential for much more. TeSlaa knows how to play the position. He can manipulate coverage and understands how to use his body when the ball is near. The lack of vertical impact and creation after the catch do put some pause on what he truly is. He is an elite level athlete (in testing) and at that size, there almost needs to be untapped potential. TeSlaa is a bit of an unknown still but there is no denying when everything is combined together when it comes to his skillset and tools, it is natural to assume the best version of him has not even been seen yet.
*One of my favorite players in the draft. I had him grouped with teammate Andrew Armstrong (late day three) until I saw him at the Senior Bowl and really dove into his tape. I wish he had transferred to a program with a better passing game because there were moments where I thought he had top 45 pick status. TeSlaa would not surprise me if he went out and had a productive 10-year career. Finding a true weakness in his game is hard and the guy did not drop a single pass over his career at Arkansas. Some of the plays he made down on Mobile stood out as well. Get him in an oversized slot role and you may have yourself a day three pick that gets you 75 catches a year.
13) Jalen Royals – Utah State – 6’0/205
Grade: 76
Two-year starter, Powder Springs, GA. Two-time All Mountain West, first team in 2023 after leading the nation with seven touchdowns of 50+ yards. Royals was an all-state high jumper before college and spent one season Georgia Military College prior to ending up at Utah State.
He is a unique playmaker that moves like a running back with the ball in his hands. The vision and strength against tacklers will create production by themselves. He also has the upper hand in contested situations, minimizing the problems he will have separating against pro defensive backs. How he is used will need to be specific. Royals’ style fares better against zone coverage and he will likely be better off in the slot. Drafting him will need to come with a specific plan that does not include inserting a square peg into a round hole. Royals will enter the league with very little NFL-caliber route running demands on his resume which could prolong his progression, but the baseline tools are there to be an effective and useful weapon.
*Royals was a hot name before the season. I was told to keep an eye on him over and over. The 2023 tape was really, really good. He did not take a step up and he also injured his foot about halfway through the fall. I was looking forward to seeing how he would perform at the Senior Bowl and I left very underwhelmed. He just didn’t play fast enough. Afterward I learned the foot was still an issue and he was advised to not go to Mobile, but he wanted to compete. Since then, he has improved his stock a bit with a very solid Combine/Pro Day. Royals is still raw and there are significant size limitations when it comes to the outside alignment, but the dude can play. I like this area for him, as he is a very unique player with proven production and competitiveness.
14) Tory Horton – Colorado State – 6’2/196
Grade: 76
Four year starter, Fresno, CA. Spent two seasons at Nevada prior to transferring to Colorado State in 2022, following Head Coach Jay Norvell. Two-time first team All Mountain West as a receiver and two-time All Mountain West as a punt returner. Comes from a family of high-level athletes. Had his 2024 season cut short in October after suffering a knee injury that required surgery.
Horton is a unique prospect that is easy to overlook because of the injury and lack of national exposure. The production, multiple use capabilities, and movement traits all project to a useful player at the next level. He can get open, make plays in traffic, and create after the catch. As long as he can fully recover from the surgery, Horton will be an impactful weapon at the next level. He put weight on this past year while maintaining the unique dexterity in his joints to allow for loose, but stable movement. He is a bit of a long strider that may have issues getting open consistently, thus he needs to hone in on the fine points of route running and releases. He shows enough grit and knowledge of the game to get there and should evolve into a rotational weapon early in his career.
*I’ve been watching Horton for a couple years now. He almost came out last year and was invited to the Senior Bowl. He bet on himself, put weight on, and refined parts of his skill set. The knee injury was unfortunate because he did look good in September. He combined for 14/189/1 against Texas and Oregon State. He should be ready for training camp and while he isn’t the youngest prospect, he still has an upside that most do not possess.
15) Tre Harris – Mississippi – 6’2/205
Grade: 76
Fifth-year senior. Three-year starter, Lafayette LA. Spent three seasons at Louisiana Tech where he earned first team All-Conference USA honors in 2022. Finished career All-SEC and was named a 2025 All-American despite playing in just eight games.
Harris has put together a highly productive career. He was the team’s number one receiver two straight years on an offense that re-wrote the program’s record book. The sturdy build and strong hands allow him to play through contact and make plays coming back to the ball consistently. He shows good footwork and natural body control, enhancing his route running potential. While he is not a burner, Harris averaged 16.1 yards per catch over his career and 17.7 over his final two seasons in the SEC. What he lacks in physical potential, he makes up for in know-how and toughness. Harris is a gamer in every sense of the word capable of starting at the next level if he can stay healthy.
*There are a couple of durability-based issues in Harris’ report that concerned me. Long story short, he is prone to muscle strains and he already is an average athlete at best. Some people really like Harris but I do think some of the production was engineered by scheme more than his ability. He is in this cluster of guys that should fill a number four role early on with the potential to be more. He has quality ball skills and like I said above, he just knows how to play the position.
16) Arian Smith – Georgia – 6’0/179
Grade: 76
One-year starter Bradley, FL. A late bloomer that did not make a full time impact until his senior season, Smith still has a sense of rawness to his skill set. He was a state champion sprinter in high school and also ran track for the Bulldogs early in his career. His 10.18 100 meter time is fourth all time in program history. There are plenty of speed threats, and then there is a selective tier where only guys like Smith can be found. He is immediately one of the fastest players in the league the instant he becomes a pro. Smith barely saw the field as a playmaker for four years. He had just four targets from 2020-2023 partially due to the players in front of him on the depth chart. Smith also struggled with drops his entire career. However, his movement traits are special both from speed and agility perspectives and he has picked up nuances to route running. While the ball skills are limited, the lack of opportunities could have led to a slower-than-normal development timeline. Smith has the elite trait everybody wants, and his 2024 tape shows multiple flashes of explosive playmaking impact.
*I have to be careful with how high to stack this kid. He will turn 24 in October and he produced for just one season. But I like his potential a lot and would be willing to bet on him earlier than most. Smith is fast, obviously. But his route potential is through the roof with how easy he can gear up and down. The hands are not good enough right now, but he looked a lot better than I thought he would at the Senior Bowl. If he can figure a few things out with a QB better than Beck at throwing the ball downfield, he is a dangerous deep game weapon no question.
17) Jayden Higgins – Iowa State – 6’4/214
Grade: 75
Three-year starter, South Miami,FL. Spent two seasons at Eastern Kentucky prior to transferring to Iowa State in 2024. Two-time All-Big 12. Higgins went overlooked as a high school recruit because he lacked speed.
While that is still a weak point in his arsenal, the development of his footwork and route running have helped him expose just how well he can use his size and ball skills. The classic X receiver shows an array of moves to beat press coverage and he proved over and over he can be nimble enough in contested situations to get his hands to the ball. Higgins will need to improve short area movement as a route runner to be a complete threat but there is a cap on how good he can be. He fits best in a number four or five role that can specialize in the red zone.
*Some think Higgins is a no-doubt day two pick especially after a surprising and impressive workout. Some really have a thing for radius too and you won’t find many in this area. He is every bit of 6’4 with 33+ inch arms. He competes for the ball and will draw pass interference penalties. I struggle with some of the stiffness though. I question if he can get open and that showed up on his tape. With that said, this is a good example of how deep receiver groups are these days. Higgins is the 17th ranked receiver in my board but it would surprise nobody if he ended up as a solid #2 at the next level. He does have a unique trait (size) that very few come close to.
18) Kaden Prather – Maryland – 6’3/204
Grade: 74
Three-year starter, Montgomery Village, MD. All-Big Ten in 2023. Spent two seasons at West Virginia prior to transferring to Maryland. Prather is a possession receiver that shows multiple areas of refinement and development when it comes to the skill set of a receiver. He runs quality routes and understands how to get open at all three levels. He attacks the ball with his hands and has a large file of big time catches on balls away from his body. Poor quarterback play and questionable usage has kept some of his potential under a blanket. Over the last two seasons especially, Prather has shown enough to warrant a potential starter label to his projection. He has size, shows the ability to separate vertically, and brings the ball in comfortably with his hands.
*I had a problem with the Maryland staff this past year. They were force feeding Tai Felton over and over and just leaving Prather out to dry. I think it should have been the other way around. Prather has a skill set that was not put on display enough. There is a chance this kid goes undrafted through 5+ rounds and if that is the case, I would take a swing on him without hesitation. He is going to be more productive in the NFL than he was in college.
19) Isaiah Neyor – Nebraska – 6’4/218
Grade: 74
Two-year starter, Forth Worth, TX. All-Mountain West in 2021. Spent three seasons at Wyoming before transferring to Texas in 2022 and then Nebraska in 2024. Neyor missed an entire season due to a torn ACL and then caught just one pass the next year. So, in a span from December 2021 to August 2024, he was thrown to just twice.
The long and curvy road took one more odd stop as he originally put himself into the transfer portal for a third time before withdrawing in January 2025. The soon-to-be 24-year-old has enough tape to show his upside and use of rare tools. Neyor’s wingspan and leaping ability give him a catch radius that very few can match. He is tough-minded, adversity-faced outside receiver capable of creating big plays down the field. 17 of his 87 career catches went for a touchdown and he has made some incredible plays in contested situations and near the boundary over his career. The long-stride speed and rare frame give him an enticing tool set worth trying to develop. A potential diamond in the rough.
*One of the highest upside day three players in the entire draft. Neyor has several traits that nobody has together. That span of late 2021 to early 2024 is a dark patch that just threw him off the radar. But he ended his career showing what that rare tool set can do on the field. He is more than a freak athlete. Neyor can play and if the knee checks out, he is worth taking a shot on. Let him sit and develop the routes in 2024. NYG can see where he is a year from now and the upside is credibly the number two to Nabers.
20) Tai Felton – Maryland – 6’1/183
Grade: 74
Three-year starter, Ashburn, VA. First team All-Big Ten and a 2024 All-American after leading the Big Ten in both receptions and yards. The 96 catches set a new program record.
Felton is a quick and shifty receiver capable of lining up in multiple spots. The Maryland offense funneled most of the action in his direction and he kept on producing. He can get open anywhere and everywhere on the field and his 26 missed tackles forced tied for fifth in the country. All of it stems from his easy initial burst and shake. A playmaker that can consistently create space the way he does with and without the ball has value, but the size and long speed concerns can limit him at the next level. He projects as a number three or four accessory piece to an offense.
*The 4.37 forty was maybe the biggest surprise of the combine for me. I can’t let it change his grade too much because I am very tape-based in evaluation. But I do still wonder if I am not giving him enough credit. Felton’s burst is what stands out. He will get open consistently and his shake creates a lot of missed tackles. He doesn’t play strong enough for me, though. He plays small, the ball skills are just OK, and the production he showed was very manufactured. He was thrown to 143 times in 2024 alone, second most in the country and 56 more than the number two guy on his team (Prather).
21) Chimere Dike – Florida – 6’1/196: 74
22) Jordan Watkins – Mississippi – 5’11/196: 74
23) Sam Brown – Miami – 6’2/200: 73
24) KeAndre Lambert-Smith – 6’1/190: 73
25) Tez Johnson – Oregon – 5’10/154: 73
26) Jimmy Horn Jr. – Colorado – 5’8/174: 72
27) Theo Wease Jr. – Missouri – 6’3/200: 71
28) Antwane Wells – Mississippi – 6’1/201: 71
29) LaJohntay Wester – Colorado: 5’10/163: 71
30) Xavier Restrepo – Miami – 5’10/209: 71
31) Daniel Jackson – Minnesota – 5’11/193: 71
32) Kobe Hudson – Central Florida – 6’1/193: 71
33) Darius Cooper – Tarleton State – 5’11/213: 71
34) Jacolby George – Miami – 5’11/172: 71
35) Ja’Corey Brooks – Louisville – 6’2/184: 71
36) Dont’e Thornton – Tennessee – 6’5/205: 70
37) Jakobie Keeney James – Massachusetts – 6’0/195: 70
38) Pat Bryant – Illinois – 6’2/204: 70
39) Andrew Armstrong – Arkansas – 6’4/202: 70
40) Elijah Badger – Florida – 6’1/200: 70
41) Traeshon Holden – Oregon – 6’2/201: 69
42) Nick Nash – San Jose State – 6’2/203: 69
43) Dominic Lovett – Georgia: 5’10/185: 69
44) Jaylin Lane – Virginia Tech: 5’10/191: 69
45) Ricky White – UNLV – 6’1/184
46) Da’Quon Felton – Virginia Tech: 6’5/213: 69
47) Beaux Collins – Notre Dame – 6’3/201: 69
48) Will Sheppard – Colorado: 6’2/198: 69
49) Chris Tyree – Virginia – 5’9/192: 68
50) Ife Adeyi – Bowling Green – 5’8/181: 68
51) Tyrone Broden – Arkansas – 6’5/194: 68
52) Roc Taylor – Memphis – 6’2/213: 68
53) Bru McCoy – Tennessee – 6’2/209: 68
54) Cade McDonald – Miami (OH) – 5’10/196: 68
55) Kyren Lacy – LSU – 6’2/215: 68
NYG APPROACH
Man that was a long group of draftable receivers. The covid year sent some extra bodies into this draft class and many of them were receivers. When it comes to the NYG roster, I think this is still a top three need on the roster. Bringing back Darius Slayton can help them kick the can down the road but it also reinforced they will need to find a number two target in this draft or as a priority in the next offseason. The group they have right now is good enough to produce an average passing game at best, but the floor is higher than what it’s been. Jaylin Hyatt gets another shot and Wan’Dale Robinson has flashed enough to keep the door open heading into the 2025 season. Pascal and Humphrey offer some veteran depth and special teams help and Smith-Marsette had a strong year as a returner. With that, an argument can be made there isn’t much space left for another receiver drafted in the next few rounds. My response to that is this team does not have a true number two guy and I am very 50/50 on Robinson’s long term future.
This is the year and this is the situation to gamble. As early as round three, gamble on a high-ceiling talent that you do not need to play right away. Find a guy that can spend the year developing his skill set but that guy must have a tool belt that is special. Savion Williams in round three is a target of mine. Isaac TeSlaa is someone I could see matching up in round four. Isaiah Neyor would be someone I look at later on day three. While I would endorse a receiver at any point in this draft (including the hybrid Hunter at #3), I would lean toward an outside-the-box swing for the fence because I think this receiver room could look very different within a year or two.
