School soccer is churning out unimaginable extensive receiver prospects yearly. Three rookie receivers (and 4 rookies complete) had over 1,000 receiving yards final yr. Not less than one rookie extensive receiver has handed that benchmark in each season since 2019. It’s virtually a provided that these guys can come into the NFL and instantly make a distinction. The 2025 NFL Draft class has some Day 1 recreation changers that may go very excessive and some mid spherical gems who will contribute early of their careers. For the Eagles, it’s uncertain they are going to goal a receiver within the first spherical, however they do have wants given the shortage of depth past AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith.
1) Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Emeka Egbuka is strictly the type of receiver that I’ll fall for yearly. Sure he’s not the most important or quickest participant within the class, however he’s simply so rattling good at every little thing.
At 6’1”, 205, he has first rate dimension and barely is overpowered on the sphere. He thrives out of the slot, with superior route operating, fearless ball abilities, and comfortable reliable palms. A kick return specialist at coronary heart, Egbuka does an amazing job with the ball in his palms. He has imaginative and prescient, runs exhausting, and may make guys miss in area.
Sure he is perhaps capped out athletically, however every little thing else is so rattling good that he’s going to return into the NFL and catch 80 passes with out breaking a sweat.
NFL Comparability: Juiced Up Robert Woods, Houston Texans
2) Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
The attraction with Tetairoa McMilla is clear. He’s huge and robust at 6’4” and almost 220 kilos. He has sufficient spotlight reel catches in his profession to make you dizzy. He has a 300 yard recreation to his identify.
McMillan wins together with his dimension, energy, and ball abilities. Arizona trusted him in tight conditions and he would win above the rim extra typically than his friends would. Whereas he doesn’t have elite pace, he does construct up a head of steam which makes him exhausting to carry down at full huff.
The place there’s concern is the power to separate. He’s not an pressing or refined route runner, and his bevy of contested catches make you surprise in the event that they had been occurring as a result of he couldn’t create area from the defensive again. It’s a little bit of a danger, given this archetype of receiver is majorly hit and miss within the NFL.
NFL Comparability: DeVante Parker
3) Travis Hunter, Colorado
I’ll you’ll want to write about Travis Hunter as each a receiver and a cornerback. Make no mistake that he’s a primary spherical decide at both place. Which is actually one thing.
Purely as a receiver, Travis Hunter is outstanding. He’s leaner at six foot and below 190 kilos, however he’s a fluid athlete who makes routes in any respect ranges of the sphere look straightforward. His pace is harmful, particularly with the ball in his palms. Talking of palms, he has improbable ball abilities with the power to make performs in tight quarters and above the rim.
Dimension and enjoying energy will probably be a priority in opposition to NFL cornerbacks, however talent and athleticism will not be in query, neither is his mentality. The one actual query is how NFL groups resolve to divvy up his time between offense and protection.
NFL Comparability: Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles
4) Luther Burden III, Missouri
Luther Burden’s finest soccer remains to be very a lot forward of him.
The proficient receiver was the point of interest of a extremely beige offense in 2024. They relied on his athleticism to win after the catch and barely put him able to supply effectively. That being mentioned, he is actually wonderful after the catch. He’s bought nice burst with a robust construct and stronger operating type.
Throw on his 2023 tape and also you see a way more full participant, who gained at each degree of the sphere as a substitute of getting used like a suped up third-down again.
There may be a number of projection with Burden, given his simplified position at Mizzou, however his expertise ought to assist him produce early in his profession as he continues to iron out his really feel for the sport as a #1 or 2 receiver.
NFL Comparability: Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders
5) Matthew Golden, Texas
After enjoying behind two wonderful receivers for many of his profession and lacking time as a consequence of harm, Matthew Golden broke out in an enormous approach this season.
Golden will not be an enormous participant by any means at 5’11” and a bit over 190 kilos, however he’s very, very quick. Velocity comes straightforward to him, earlier than and after the catch. He can win at each degree of the sphere and make defenses pay for blinking when he’s going out for the ball.
He’s undoubtedly extra of an “on the bottom” receiver, who gained’t win contested conditions fairly often. He can even enhance his route operating sharpness as a substitute of relying purely on athleticism, however his potential is tantalizing and he may thrive rapidly in the fitting setting.
NFL Comparability: Kenny Stills, Houston Texans
The Relaxation
6) Elic Ayomanor, Stanford
7) Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
8) Jack Bech, TCU
9) Xavier Restrepo, Miami
10) Tez Johnson, Oregon
11) Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
12) Tre Harris, Ole Miss
13) Jalen Royals, Utah State
14) Isaiah Bond, Texas
15) Savion Williams, TCU
16) Nick Nash, San Jose State
17) Tory Horton, Colorado
