By Lane Caballero
As we prepare for the upcoming college football season, the NFL draft cycle is getting ready to kick off again. The 2025 draft will introduce a new crop of talent at the wide receiver position. With dynasty format on the rise in fantasy football, people are curious about position group dynamics. Today I will preview the position by giving the top players an NFL player comparison. These comparisons will be based on play style, not their projected impact on the field. Let’s dive into the 2025 NFL draft wide receiver position.
1. Luther Burden III
Player Comparisons: Steve Smith Sr. & Brandin Cooks
The Missouri receiver is so much fun. If you haven’t yet, watch his highlights. Burden is a tough receiver that can win from various alignments. Once he gets the ball in his hands, he is an instant threat to score. While his yards-after-catch ability puts fear into the defense, Burden can also run right by defenders.
Steve Smith Sr. was one of the toughest receivers I’ve ever watched, and Burden brings that same tenacity. Similar to Brandin Cooks, Burden possesses the ability to be a deep threat, whether he’s lined up in the slot or on the outside. The NFL team that gets Burden is gaining a player who will immediately enhance their offense.
2. Tetairoa McMillan
Player Comparisons: Courtland Sutton & Tee Higgins
Tetairoa “Tet” McMillan is a unique player. Standing at 6’5”, McMillan has the frame to come down with “wow” catches. However, he stands at only 210 pounds as of right now. I don’t believe his frame is an issue right now, as he posted 1,402 yards in 2023. However, it forces him to win in a multitude of ways. The Junior has the contested catch ability of Courtland Sutton, but also has the agility of Tee Higgins.
McMillan must gain weight to match the physicality of his jump-ball play style. The Arizona Wildcat receiver is a dynamic player who can dominate in the middle of the field or by dunking on opposing corners. McMillan will be in play for the top receiver in the 2025 draft.
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3. Emeka Egbuka
Player Comparison: Amon-Ra St. Brown
In 2023, Egbuka endured a challenging season, spending most of it sidelined by injury. The Ohio State receiver is one of my favorite prospects, as he is a true technician at the position. The route-running skills of the Buckeye receiver make him capable of winning from the slot and outside, but his primary position in the NFL will be on the inside.
Egbuka, like St. Brown, dominates in the slot and catches tough passes over the middle. Egbuka must become more physical inside, given St. Brown’s NFL dominance through his strength and physicality. In the NFL, the senior receiver strives to be a chain-mover and a quarterback’s closest companion.
4. Elic Ayomanor
Player Comparison: Michael Pittman Jr. & Chris Godwin
Ayomanor is not your typical outside receiver, as he doesn’t dominate because of his sheer size and speed. The Stanford receiver excels in the short and intermediate areas of the field, which is valued by NFL teams. Despite being positioned as an outside receiver in the Stanford offense, I believe Ayomanor can excel as a slot receiver too. Elic Ayomanor has already showcased he can win on the outside, just like Pittman Jr and Godwin do.
However, they excel when moved to the slot, as they naturally grasp the middle of the field. These guys don’t win because of athleticism but are good route technicians with a solid feel for finding soft spots in the defense.
5. Isaiah Bond
Player Comparison: Tyler Lockett & Marquise Goodwin
Isaiah Bond is a big play waiting to happen, as his speed instantly jumps off the tape. Bond effortlessly runs by defenders and puts fear into the defense. Finding a player comparison for him was difficult, as he took a sizeable amount of his reps from the slot. Bond reminds me of Marquise Goodwin, as it feels like he teleports behind the defense. However, I also believe he has some Tyler Lockett game, as he has another layer to his game apart from his speed.
The new Longhorn receiver needs to improve with his tempo throughout his route, as he runs himself into zones occasionally. Overall, if Bond adds more skill to his game, he could put himself in conversations for the top receiver off the board.
