Way Too Early 2025 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Rankings
The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books which means we don’t have anything football related to be excited about for a few months. As we gear up for next football season, I’m going to be releasing my way too early 2025 NFL Draft rankings to get you up to speed on the prospects you need to know. Next up on the list is the wide receiver rankings. Enjoy them and feel free to comment on any disagreements you have.
This is all I will say going in. I hope you got a receiver last year because there was way more top end talent in the 2024 class. Still will be some good hits in the middle rounds for the upcoming year and plenty of guys to keep your eye on.
25: Beaux Collins (Notre Dame)
Former four star guy who landed at Clemson and is now taking his talents to Notre Dame. The problem is I’m not sure he’s actually talented. Has skills but is he a real NFL football player? Remains to be seen. Good size on him at 6-foot-3, 215. Had 510 yards as a freshman and hasn’t come close to that mark in the two seasons after. Clock is ticking. Time is now but I don’t discount the chance the lightbulb moment happens for him. He’s been on the watch list for a reason.
24: Nic Anderson (Oklahoma)
Big dude right here at 6-foot-4. Former three star guy that we’re not totally sure what he is yet. Saw some real flashes last year in his only real year of production as a redshirt freshman. Last year he posted 38 receptions for 798 yards and ten touchdowns. That’s a 21 yard per catch rate. There where moments last year that made you wake up from that Saturday nap. His brother is former NFL running back Rodney Anderson for those who remember him. He could easily stay in school another year but there’s a chance we see a leap coming. They have two older guys that may play ahead of him too but I like Anderson’s potential better than Jalil Farooq and Andrel Anthony.
23: Will Sheppard (Colorado)
Xavier Weaver left for the NFL (I can’t believe nobody drafted him). Sheppard comes in to replace him as the new number one with Colorado. You know, during the times where Travis Hunter isn’t the number one target but he’s a different animal and we’re only going to rank that freak as a corner.
Anyway, I think Sheppard is pretty good. Not a world beater but 6-foot-3 and a former four star guy. Notched 15 touchdowns over the last two years while at Vandy posting respectable numbers there. With a real quarterback, I think he can be even more productive. He’s nowhere close to Mike Evans good but he has that sort of gliding big body gazelle quality to him that’s enticing.
22: Colbie Young (Georgia)
Colbe Young transferred to Georgia. Had some moments at Miami. Not a big recruit but may have some height, weight, speed qualities that Georgia will mold him into. Made an impact in the Spring Game and appears to be more talented than RaRa Thomas. Posted 563 yards while playing for the meathead Mario. Could turn himself into a legit NFL prospect this year.
21: Juice Wells (Ole Miss)
He would be way higher on my list but he’s hurt all the damn time. Pretty much every time I turned on a South Carolina game last year he was hurt. I’m going to link a random stock report notes post and I’m sure if he’s on it, it’s because I’m complaining he got hurt again.
Has talent. Good size. 2022 and 2021 were productive for the most part. We’ll see if he can turn the tide now at Ole Miss.
20: Julian Fleming (Ohio State)
Fleming is at Penn State and we’re about to find out just how good he is. Monster recruit but it’s been obvious for a while now that he’s not freaky Ohio State good. That’s why he’s not there anymore. At the same token, just because you can’t beat out the freaks at Ohio State doesn’t mean you can’t play at all. He’s not small and can catch. I’m just not sure how good he is beyond that. We’re about to find out this year.
19: Dominic Lovett (Georgia)
Two years at Missouri and his second year at Georgia is coming up now. Last year I thought he was alright. 613 yards and mostly did his job being a small slot guy. Lovett is 5-foot-10, 180, and I think he’s got one more level to climb. No reason he can’t become a go to target for Carson Beck this year. Possession guy that should move the chains.
18: KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Auburn)
Penn State seems to keep giving us guys like this. You know, the KJ Hamler and Jahan Dotson type of mold. KeAndre Lambert-Smith was going to fall in line with that model, except we’re going to get to see him in the SEC now. I like what Hugh Freeze is building but Payton Thorne blows so I’m not sure this move was good for him.
Either way, I kinda think you know what you’re getting here. It’s a matter of how good he is on the spectrum. The Norfolk, Virginia native can take the top off the defense.
17: Isaiah Bond (Texas)
Former four star from the state Georgia. Alabama speedster that now took his talents to Texas. 5-foot-11, 182, and can run. He was fine at Alabama but mostly didn’t do anything as a freshman and never beat out Jermaine Burton as the guy there. I’m just not sure how good he is yet. Had 668 yards and four scores last year. Can certainly run but we’re going to find out how good of a football player he is. Can he win the job at Texas?
16: Mario Williams (Tulane)
Maybe this is too high. Certainly he’s not overly big at 5-foot-9, 175. Let’s just be honest about this though… all the guy did was follow Caleb Williams around. He was at Oklahoma and then USC. Did some really good things as a freshman with the Sooners. Posted 631 yards as sophomore. Then sort of fell out of the rotation because of how LOADED the USC wide receiver room was (and it was crazy stacked last year).
I still think the guy is good. I’m not sure what reason there is to think the guy can’t play football. This feels like the range you get those late round steals that fill a certain void. I expect him to put up some numbers now that he’s the dude at Tulane.
15: Silas Bolden (Texas)
Those that read the stock report series know I love Silas Bolden. I think he’s better than Anthony Gould who was taken in the 5th round this year. In fact, I know he is because he looks better and his numbers are also better.
I’m just willing to take it a step further than that. Everything Tank Dell does, he’s better except has more of a running back feel to him in the open field. Yeah, I said it. After spending time at Oregon State, he’s going to be a gadget guy weapon for Texas. In that offense, his stock will improve. I almost wish he wasn’t at Texas because my guess is it makes people fall too much in love with him. It’s coming. He’s tiny but if you find ways to get him the ball you’re going to be happy.
14: Dane Key (Kentucky)
Kentucky has a better receiver duo than at least 90% of schools this season. You might not believe it but it’s probably true. Dane Key is good. Former four star guy at 6-foot-3, 195. Had 636 yards and six touchdowns with sucky Devin Leary throwing him the ball. Should have a better QB this year.
This dude can play. Has a baseball background and just feels like a natural athlete. Faster than you think and has a smooth game to him while having the ability to get open. Should take another step forward and become a DUDE this year.
13: Moose Muhammad III (Texas A&M)
Muhsin Muhammad’s son cracks the list here. They actually kinda have similar games. Muhammad Sr. had a long career with the Panthers. We haven’t totally seen Moose run wild yet but part of that is how dysfunctional Texas A&M has been. Curious to see how he looks with the new coaching staff. Sure has some talent.
12: Tre Harris (Ole Miss)
This dude was a rocket ship at the back half of the year last year. He caught my eye several times and decided to return to school with Ole Miss loading up in the transfer portal. 6-foot-2, 205. He’s not a freak like AJ Brown or DK Metcalf but he’s athletic and way more of a natural receiver than Jonathan Mingo.
11: Xavier Restrepo (Miami)
Serious Braxton Berrios vibes except he’s better. Can we call him human evolution Braxton Berrios? That works, right? Serious grinder vibes. Gets open and tough. Had his breakout season already notching over 1,000 yards with meathead Mario. On the older side but he should be a target monster with Cam Ward this coming year.
10: Tez Johnson (Oregon)
Oregon lost Troy Franklin but Tez Johnson was pretty damn good last year. I’m not sure he’s as good as Franklin but he’s got that similar lightning rod vibe to him. Smaller guy at 5-foot-10, 160, and buzzes around the field. Had 1,182 yards as the secondary target last year. Would expect something similar this year with far more attention.
9: Squirrel White (Tennessee)
I just might be too high here and we haven’t seen the Squirrel go crazy yet but it’s in there. This dude flys in the open field. He very well might be a quality return specialist. I’m just not ready to give up here. Small guy but will serve in the Jalin Hyatt role this year in what should be an improved offense. The squirrel may go wild and start bitting on nuts. Don’t be surprised if he hibernates either. We’ll see.
8: Deion Burks (Oklahoma)
Deion Burks is the talk of the town in Sooner land. He was productive for Purdue as a redshirt sophomore posting over 600 yards. Former three star guy but he might run wild this Fall. Has juice to him and will take the top off the defense. Track guy vibes. I think we should expect good things here.
7: Germie Bernard (Alabama)
As Puka Nacua reminded us, Washington’s wide receiver room was loaded. So loaded that guys like Nacua transferred out and couldn’t find playing time. The Kalen DeBoer days are done and he’s taking one of his guys with him to Alabama. If you watched ten seconds of the Spring game, you know this dude is going to step in and really help the Tide. Played sparingly for Washington last year and even more sparingly at Michigan State before that. I’d be shocked if he’s not the number one for Bama. Former four star guy from Vegas checking in at 6-foot-1. Just be ready for it.
6: Tory Horton (Colorado State)
Anyone that watched Colorado State play Colorado last year had to be blown away by Tory Horton. Former Nevada transfer now at CSU. He’s been well over 1,000 yards each of the last two years for the Rams. Good size at 6-foot-2 and you can tell he can really win in the route running game. Could have easily declared for the 2024 class or hit the portal again. Good ball tracker, works the middle of the field, and gets separation. I’m in here.
5: Barion Brown (Kentucky)
6-foot-1, but thin listed at 166. Former four star guy but this dude runs. I mean can really run. Good right away as a freshman but didn’t hit another gear as a sophomore. Leary sucking had something to do with it. Guy is a serious weapon in the open field. Very curious to see how it comes together this year.
4: Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
Last year I talked about just how good Emeka Egbuka really is. I gotta say I just am not as high as others. Good player but is he really a freak show? In fairness, I think an ankle injury did slow him down. The numbers bare that out and going from CJ Stroud to Kyle McCord doesn’t help either.
He’s more similar to Jaxon Smith-Njigba than the other Ohio State guys. Better have a plan for him just like people have come to realize that JSN is a slot guy only. I tried to warn you but that’s a story for another day. Good football player but we’ll see how complete he really is this year.
3: Evan Stewart (Oregon)
Knucklehead but stupid talented. We also haven’t even gotten to see his capabilities with that mess at Texas A&M. 6-foot, 174, and he’s going to make Troy Franklin look like a untalented smirf if he actually has his act together. That’s not a guarantee but we have a chance to see it now that he’s at Oregon. I’m very excited to see it play out this year.
2: Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona)
This dude is an animal. 6-foot-5, 210, from the state of Hawaii. Stupid numbers while playing as a sophomore for Arizona last year. Posted 90 receptions for 1,402 yards and ten scores. If you were one of those dopes that creamed yourself over Jacob Cowing, you’re going to look really stupid when you realize this dude eats him for breakfast on the same team. Former four star guy who was a multi sport athlete. Volleyball star too. Not overly fast but he’s a dude and the basketball background is there. If you’re looking for a MFer this draft, you may want to start here.
1: Luther Burden III (Missouri)
If you have been reading my draft notes for a while, you already know that I despise the Deebo Samuel comps. It makes me want to choke the person who says them. This is the first time that the comps actually aren’t ridiculous if you’re talking about Luther Burden III being that guy.
He was the best pure athlete on an 11 win Missouri team. Has a basketball background but more so just good with using his length. Breaks tackles in the open field and was rated as a monster five star recruit. Guy accelerates in the open field and makes things happen. Didn’t do much as a freshman but popped last year posting 86 receptions for 1,212 yards, and nine touchdowns. Has also been used as a pure ball carrier. He’s just a weapon you’re going to want on your side.
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