2025 NFL Draft: Top five receivers

It’s one of the greatest weeks of the NFL year. Draft Week. From April 24 to April 26, college players will have their dreams become reality as they are drafted to play for NFL teams.

One of the most important positions in football is the wide receiver, who catches passes from the quarterback. It’s a pretty important job.

This year, there is a ton of talent in the position. Here is my top five in descending order.

5. Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

Jayden Higgins is a big wide receiver standing at 6’4 and weighing 214 pounds. His ideal size alone makes him an already good prospect, but what makes him even better is his ability to catch the ball.

Along with the fact that he can catch almost everything, his route-running ability is good. Paired with a high football IQ, you see why he is one of the best in the draft.

If there is one concern with Higgins, it would be his downfield speed. He ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at the combine. This is good for his size, but against speedy corners could hinder him.

4. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Emeka Egbuka was one of the top prospects in last year's draft but decided to go back for his senior year. While he’s an outstanding talent, he has always been overshadowed by other receivers, including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jerimah Smith.

Despite this, he has still shown to be one of the best receivers at Ohio State. This is thanks to his football IQ and his ability to run routes. He has shown time and time again just how these make him one of the best.

Some concerns with Egbuka are his top-end speed and if he can stay on the field.

3. Tetairoa McMillan, University of Arizona

Like we talked about with Higgins, Tetairoa McMillan has the great size you look for in a receiver. He stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 219. What makes him such a good receiver is his ability to make outstanding catches. Watching him, you see so many highlight-reel touchdowns throughout his film.

Paired with great route running, he is seen as an outstanding wide receiver prospect.

Just like other receivers at this size, there are concerns about his speed, but his ability to go up and make the catch makes him a first-round pick.

2. Matthew Golden

Matthew Golden has shot up draft boards recently and for good reason. He has such a great skill set that makes him a great receiver. For starters, he has the ability that everybody loves, which is his speed. He ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at the combine and it shows up on his film.

He is always a threat to make a huge play downfield. Along with this, he has outstanding hands and an outstanding ability to run routes. All this makes him an ideal prospect at the receiver position.

A concern with Golden is his size, as he only stands at 5-foot-11 and weighs 191 pounds.

1. Travis Hunter, Colorado

It might not be fair to put him in this spot as he might not even play receiver in the NFL, but I don’t care. Travis Hunter is a unicorn and is the best player at corner and wide receiver in the draft. He is an athletic freak and has some of the best body control I have ever seen.

His ability to be downfield and just make plays is what makes him a great player. He will be a dominant player in the NFL and has the potential to be one of the best. He is clearly one of, if not the most skilled receiver in this year's draft.

It is an exciting year for receivers as there is so much talent at the position in this year's draft. We'll see where these players go as we get to the 2025 NFL Draft.

Andrew Matz is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email atm5759@psu.edu.