2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report, WR: Take your pick of WR 2s

Welcome to the third scouting report of the 2025 NFL Draft Cycle. 

Today we’d like to dive into one of the fan favorite positions to keep up with every draft cycle: Wide Receiver  

You fall in love with an undersized guy who falls to the 5^th round only for another team to take him. A guy you thought was horrible goes to your team in the middle of the 2nd. No matter who you are, you have takes on receivers and so do we. 

Me and Connor both watched a total of 18 receivers for this article, and you’ll get to see the top 15.  

First some context. Our initials next to a player means we scouted them: CL- Chyler Lee | CB- Connor Butts 

Players were rated in 13 categories:

• Run after catch (RAC)

• Hands 

• Short route running (Short RR)

• Medium route running (Medium RR)

• Deep route running (Deep RR)

• Release 

• Ball tracking  

• Contested catch 

• Vs. Press 

• Footwork 

• Size 

• Speed 

• Potential 

Similar to how we graded out edge defenders (EDGEs), we usually grade three games each for the players; take the scores of each trait; add them up and then we divide by the number of traits we come to our final grade. Also things such as character issues or injury concerns were not taken into account for these rankings. These are strictly film grades. Without further ado, here are our 2025 Draft WR rankings. 

Rankings:

Player name, School | Grade | Projection | Best trait | Worst trait | Scout

1. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona | 7.77 | Top 10 | Ball tracking (10) | Vs. Press, Short RR (6) | CL 

2. Travis Hunter, Colorado | 7.53 | Early 1st | Hands, Short RR and footwork (10) | Vs. Press, Medium RR (6) | CB

3. Jayden Higgins, Iowa State | 7.46 | Mid 1st | Ball tracking (10) | Short RR, Release, Contested catch (6) | CB

4. Luther Burden. Missouri | 7.39 | Mid 1st | RAC (10) | Deep RR (5) | CL

5. Kyle Williams, Washington State | 7.39 | Mid 1st | Footwork (10) | Hands, Ball tracking (6) | CL

6. Matthew Golden, Texas | 7.31 | Mid 1st | Speed, Deep RR (9) | Short RR, Release (6) | CL

7. Jack Bech, TCU | 6.85 | Mid 2nd | Hands, Short RR, Contested catch (9) | Speed, Vs. Press (4) | CL

8. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State | 6.62 | Mid 2nd | Ball tracking, Contested catch (8) | Release, Potential (5) | CL

9. Tre Harris, Ole Miss | 6.62 | Mid 2nd | Contested catch, Potential (9) | Short RR (3) | CL

10. Savion Williams, TCU | 6.46 | Late 2nd | RAC, Contested catch (9) | Hands, Ball tracking (3) | CL

11. Jaylin Noel, Iowa State | 6.30 | Early 3rd | Deep RR (10) | Short RR (4) | CL

12. Isaiah Bond, Texas | 6.30 | Early 3rd | Deep RR (10) | Vs. Press (3) | CB

13. Jalen Royals, Utah State | 6.23 | Early 3rd | Speed, RAC, Hands, Ball tracking, Potential (8) | Medium RR, Release, Footwork (4) | CL

14. Elic Ayomanor, Stanford | 5.69 | Mid 4th | Potential (9) | Ball tracking (3) | CL

15. Xavier Restrepo, Miami | 5.61 | Mid 4th | Medium RR, Ball tracking (8) | Speed (2) | CB

Just missed: Tai Felton, Maryland | Tez Johnson, Oregon | Pat Bryant, Illinois

Scouting Report: Kyle Williams, Washington State

I don’t know where to start with Williams. If you created my favorite receiver in a lab, Kyle Williams would step out.

In his fifth season at Washington State, Williams racked up 70 catches for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Cougars. Production that shows on tape. Williams’ stats were surely impressive, but they could’ve been more impressive if not for the efforts of QB John Mateer. While talented physically, Mateer is one of the worst QB’s to possibly have running your passing offense.

Easily the smoothest route runner I’ve watched in this receiving class and it’s not even close. On every level Williams is a threat to make your corners look silly. Very similar to McConkey (my comp for him) Williams creates easy separation through easy speed and the ability to stop on a dime. Williams also takes a step that Ladd didn’t in fact he takes multiple steps…after the catch. Williams is as effective after the catch as a 186 lbs receiver can be.

With a drop rate of 6.7%, Williams has statistically league average hands but his ability to track the ball and make catches with his hands away from his body make me believe in his ability in that area. Williams also possesses an elite 62.5% contested catch rate, which, for a guy who is 5’10 and 186 lbs, is ridiculously impressive. If a guy who’s undersized shows me he knows how to fight for the ball and go up and get, I usually trust him.

Another trait that separates Williams from his peers is a special after the catch ability that converts him from a shifty deep threat into an all around playmaker for your offense. His 21 missed tackles forced was tied for 18th in the country. Whether it’s making guys miss going left to right or simply burning pursuit angles, Williams is going to squeeze every last yard out of each play.

Physically, Williams isn’t the most impressive prospect in the draft. You can expect him to struggle with more physical man corners who like to grab during the route like Sauce Gardner or Patrick Surtain II. Another thing to point out is Williams’ lack of second effort during busted plays. It’s something that’s not necessarily going to cost him anything grade wise, but it’s something I noticed. Once the QB scrambles from the pocket or starts to buy time, Williams will stand still and wait until the play is over.

Williams is a rare mix of talents that will be able to contribute right away and posses a great outlook in the future. Any team drafting Williams can look forward to having a lot more open routes than before.

Strengths: Route running | Elite acceleration | Cuts take one or two steps only | Release gives him the ability to win routes immediately | Can locate holes in the defense well | Deadly after he catch

Weaknesses: Play strength during routes | Improv ability during the play | Laid back/low effort blocker

Grade: 7.39

Round Projection: Mid 1st

Team Fits: Dolphins, Buccaneers and Patriots

Pro Comp: Chargers, Ladd McConkey

Scouting Report: Luther Burden, Missouri

In 2022, Burden was the highest ranked recruit in Missouri history and came in as a freshman with some of the highest expectations in history. Burden followed those expectations up with a fantastic freshman season for the Tigers; totalling 400 yards and six touchdowns in the 2022 season. Expectations were met and then some in 2023, when Burden put up a career high 1,209 yards and nine touchdowns. After terrible QB play brought Burden’s stats back to earth in 2024, Burden has found himself falling down teams boards in places as low as the 2nd round.

Another explosive playmaker, Burden feeds off of short passes that he’s able to turn into 40 yard gains and touchdowns. If it was just that alone Burden would be a quality asset in an offense, but he has so much more to offer. Burden brings with him really solid route running and hands in a compact frame that allows him to play through a lot of contact from corners. He’s going to be able to make an impact right away at the next level.

One of my favorite things about Burden and watching him was realizing, despite his immense talent, he has so much more talent to tap into. When the ball gets into Burden’s hands he’s on another level when it comes to changing direction and deceleration. However, those same movement skills don’t flash as much when he’s running routes without the ball. I don’t know if it can be attributed to mentality or effort, but Burden could become one of the league’s elite route runners with his physical ability.

Critiques of Burden’s game are hard to come by, at least for me, but I will say sometimes he puts too much belief in his running ability and finds himself in east and west chase downs instead of getting north and south and gaining just an extra three yards. He also isn’t a very reliable run blocker for offenses that want to get their receivers involved in the run game.

Burden can join your team and be a low tier WR 1 or an elite WR 2 right away, but I think Burden has the talent and ability to develop into one of the best receivers in the league.

Strengths: Change of direction | Contact balance | Acceleration out of breaks | Quick decision making after the catch | Never tackled on the first attempt | Uses his hands well to create subtle separation

Weaknesses: Overzealous use of his RAC ability | Could get called for more offensive PI in the NFL | Apparent character issues | Mediocre blocker

Grade: 7.39

Round Projection: Mid 1st

Team Fits: Texans, Jaguars and Bills

Pro Comp: Lions, Amon-Ra St. Brown

Scouting Report: Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

Higgins might be one of the most underrated players in this class, in my opinion. I do not see enough buzz around a player of his caliber and potential. Question is, why is that?

Higgins is coming off not only a great season but also career highs in catches (87), yards (1183) and touchdowns (9). I went into Higgins film thinking I was going to see some athletic freak who while showed promise, had a lot to work on. To no surprise as show in his grade, I came out quite the opposite and really high on him.

While Higgins’s massive frame at 6’4”, 215 pounds is something to note, it is not something he relies on. Instead, Higgins plays more of a traditional savvy route runner who, if you even take your eyes off for moment, can find those perfect spots or zones to catch the ball. What makes him so great at finding those zones as well is his ability to feel a sense of where the QB is or is moving. This allows him to come back when needed or change up to play inside or outside leverage on a defender. Another great trait his has to offer with his QB, is elite ball tracking skills. Again, he sort of seems to have this sense or feel of where the QB is and where the QB will be throwing in order to adjust and strike. Take for example a play against Arizona State this year. Higgins was lined up against man on a corner route. Not only did the QB put it in just the right spot to get it to Higgins, but Higgins also adjusted his body for more of an over-the-shoulder catch to give the defender the smallest of windows.

Like most players though, Higgins is not without weaknesses. In this case, one of his weakest may come a surprise. Again think back to his massive frame. Well in thinking that, you may say he would be great in the contested catch part of the game but he is not. While he is not bad at it, per say, it is an area he needs to work on and a flaw that can hold him back sometimes when making those needed body adjustments or fight those tight windows. Another area that he struggles with is the short game. For some reason in his film, he had a tendency to not make as sharp or smooth cuts when needed on routes such as hitches or short outs and ins.

To wrap things up, I believe Higgins is going to be a very great and possibly elite WR for a long time if he can fix up a few of his issues.

Strengths: elite ball tracking skills | knows how to sit in soft spots or zones for QB | great size and athleticism | exceeds in intermediate and deep routes | makes smooth yet sharp cuts | great body control

Weaknesses: needs to work on contest catching | release can come off sluggish | short route running needs work

Grade: 7.46

Round Projection: Mid 1st

Team Fits: Chargers, Lions and Titans

Pro Comp: Former Falcons, Julio Jones

Scouting Report: Travis Hunter, Colorado

What a tale for the two-way Heisman. Hunter is considered by some one of the most polarizing prospects to come into the NFL draft with his claim of saying he will quit football if he is not allowed to play both offense and defense. That being said is he a better receiver or defensive back and which side of the ball will he play? Let us dive into what makes so special as a receiver and why he should primary play there.

Hunter’s playstyle is a do it all athlete who will bail you out about every play. This comes off a trait that while does show good promise, I am unsure if it can work in the NFL. Hunter is a high IQ play, he knows when a route or play is not going to work, so he decides to do his own thing. Again as I mentioned this can be good and bad. In Colorado’s case, it was amazing due to his insane chemistry with his Colorado teammate and QB Shedeur Sanders. In the NFL, it will be hit or miss for at least that first season with any QB (that is saying he goes to a team that does not change QBs by year as well).

What also allows Hunter to do that as well is his insane footwork. This comes in not only his route running in the short game where he can easily carve up a DB or body control on the sidelines. An amazing example of this can be noted back to his game against UCF where he comes back to the ball to help Sanders and lays all the way out, while keeping his feet inbounds, to make the catch.

Now even the Heisman is not without imperfections. Hunter is not the shortest receiver in the world at 6’1” but he does have a smaller frame at about 185 lbs. This can get the best of him at times, especially against hard press but proven defenders. In terms of other issues, Hunter does not have much; he is a very good receiver all around. If you had to pick a flaw in his route running game, I would say his medium or intermediate needs some work but this comes more off the idea of again, Hunter likes to run his own routes from time to time.

To finish things off, Hunter is going to be a very elite player more than likely but I believe he will need to focus or hone in on one position if he wants to reach that status in the NFL.

Strengths: elite footwork on sideline and cuts | elite hands | high IQ | short game is best in the class | knows when to change up route to help QB

Weaknesses: lighter frame | struggles against hard press | needs to work on intermediate game | sometimes decides to run his routes (good and bad?)

Grade: 7.53

Round Projection: Early 1st

Team Fits: Browns, Giants and Jaguars

Pro Comp: Former Bengals, Chad OchoCinco

Scouting Report: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

McMillan is a very special prospect at his position and currently ranks over Abdul Carter as an overall prospect for me. He simply does everything right save for a few small details in his route running and release. McMillan has received some push back as the number 1 receiver in this class, but I’m not having it. He is far and away the best receiver in this class and he still has some untapped potential.

As you watch McMillan, you get the sense that you’re watching someone that’s 6’1” and 205 lbs judging off the way he moves, but nope! McMillan is a sizable 6’5” and 212 lbs with a frame that could still pack some weight on. The way McMillan moves shouldn’t be allowed for a guy who’s that height, but he does it anyway. Whether it’s digs, posts or out routes, McMillan creates separation with savvy route running and acceleration throughout his routes. Once drafted, McMillan will be your quarterback’s best friend and will likely demand over 100 targets in his rookie season.

These are things that make McMillan special, but they aren’t even his best attributes. What are? His eyes. Similar to Justin Jefferson, McMillan’s tracking of the ball is generational and allows him to maximize his massive frame by getting into positions where only he can get the ball and leave no chance for a DB to undercut him or beat him to the catch point. This tacking also comes in handy when making catches in traffic. Linebackers hands and body flash in front of McMillans face as the ball narrowly misses each one and he catches it as if he were running routes on air. It’s simply too impressive to describe well unless you see it. This allows McMillan to make catches over the middle of the field and in the seems that will make his QB confident to make those tight window throws to him. They know if it gets to him he’ll make the catch.

The final attribute that makes McMillan so special are his mitts. One of the rare true jump ball threats to enter the draft in some time. Balls aren’t 50/50 in the air against McMillan. His ball tracking ability, athleticism and size all combine to make the perfect jump ball receiver. Someone who can time their jump perfectly and extend to catch the ball at heights other guys couldn’t dream of with both hands or just one. Contest catches are one thing, but McMillans hands also help him when it comes to running after the catch. The ball sticks to McMillan’s hands like glue and he knows it. Therefor, before the ball even gets to him, McMillan can start to plan his running path and plan. This can sometimes lead to focus drops like not looking the ball all the way in, but it makes McMillan special.

I’ve likened McMillan to Deandre Hopkins after the catch. It doesn’t look like what he’s doing should work, with all the spins and stutter steps but it does. Also, McMillan is not afraid of contact after the catch.

Things you’d like to see McMillan work on is in the first 1-2 seconds of his route. He comes off the line very relaxed and sometimes too relaxed. So much so that he almost jogs through the initial stem of his route without putting any pressure on the DB. This never mattered in college where DBs were so significantly smaller than McMillan and he could box them out for catches, but in the NFL guys like Tariq Woolen and Sauce Gardner will be able to body up with McMillan if he doesn’t make them fear his speed.

Speaking of his speed. It’s an area where, as much as I love him, I think gets overrated. McMillan isn’t a burner, but he has just enough speed to take it the distance. At his pro day some scouts clocked him at 4.48 while others say closer to 4.53. I’ll split this down the middle and say he runs around a 4.5 flat. This lands him in the presence of explosive playmakers like Ceedee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk and Rashee Rice. He’s much more of a ramp up speed guy though, with long strides that take a minute to get going, but once he reaches his top speed don’t be surprised if you watch him run past your favorite safeties and corners.

Something that puts a little fear in my heart when it comes to McMillan are reports of his lack of effort. Not on the football field, but off of it. An interview from a few years ago surfaced and caused some drama where McMillan said he doesn’t enjoy watching film. This is obviously something that has probably changed since then, but my belief is that people who work hard always have and always will. Work is in their DNA. If McMillan fails to put in the work at the next level he could quickly become someone akin to Mack Hollins (No offense to Hollins, still a good player) instead of his true potential.

Out of most of this class, McMillan has the most talent to become a perennial pro bowler while snagging a few All-Pro nods in the future. It’s up to him to go do it.

Strengths: Catch point monster | Smooth route running and hips for 6’5 | Automatic hands | Plus RAC guy | Generational ball tracking | Plus speed

Weaknesses: Slow get off leaves something to be desired in route running | Struggles out of his stance against strong press man corners | Focus drops | Effort concerns

Grade: 7.77

Round Projection: Top 10

Team Fits: Titans, Patriots and Jets

Pro Comp: Former Saints, Marques Colston