Similar to what I said about the QB class of the draft this year, part of what makes this draft less sexy than previous years is its lack of top receiver talent. Every fan wants their team to make a big splash at this position, find the next Calvin Johnson and watch as he Mosses opposing teams DBs, and when there isn’t a clear cut top guy who projects to do that, the class more often than not gets written off. I think that’s the wrong perspective to go about looking at this draft.
Yes it lacks the top loaded talent that we’ve seen in previous years but the strength and depth of the middle class is what draws my eyes. There are probably around 10 receivers that could be taken on Day 2 of the draft and contribute for their teams right away, and if that makes you turn your nose up at this draft, need I remind you what Ladd McConkey did for the Chargers this year? There is also a vast array of roles these receivers could fit. Need a big X on the outside? There’s guys for you. A high volume slot? Got those in spades. A speed guy to just blow by everyone? You betcha. Let’s take a look at some of the prospects for this year.
5. Matthew Golden – Texas Longhorns, 6’ 195 lbs
Golden greatly helped his stock in the College Football Playoffs, showcasing his abilities, averaging 103 yards per game in the Longhorns’ final four games (which included the SEC Championship game and CFP). We’ve seen Golden develop over his career at Texas from a vertical only threat to a well rounded receiver who can attack multiple levels of the field.
Strengths:
- Excellent speed, as mentioned, used primarily as a vertical threat
early in his career. A true burner. - Natural hands catcher with body control. Can make contested
catches. - Advanced route runner. Using techniques like tempo and fakes
extremely well - Explosive playmaker from anywhere on the field, or returning
kicks.
Weaknesses:
- Blocking effort/sustainability are an issue
- Release package still needs development, relying on speed to get
off press - Concentration drops an issue, looks to turn upfield before securing
ball
Usage/Player Comp: Z/Multi Role Receiver/ Deion Branch
Golden is a fun prospect to watch. He reminds me a lot of Deion Branch, as they are both slightly undersized receivers whose explosiveness and route running make their QB’s job easier. Both receivers also seem to show up in big games. Golden with the CFP and Branch being named a Super Bowl MVP. Golden is a chess piece to be moved around the board, but due to is lack of size and physicality may struggle as a true X receiver on the outside.
4. Emeka Egbuka – Ohio State Buckeyes, 6’1” 205 lbs
I feel like we’ve been waiting for Egbuka to enter the draft for forever, continually turning down NFL opportunities and staying at Ohio State. He also follows in the footsteps of many other Ohio State receivers in his skill set. This isn’t a bad thing. We’ve seen players like Chris Olave and Jaxon Smith-Njigba do great in the NFL, and there’s no reason to think that Egbuka won’t produce as well.
Strengths:
- Smooth athlete. Glides in his routes, crafty route runner, setting up
DBs to create separation. - Not afraid to make catches in tough areas of the field. Navigates
middle of field well - Willing and able run blocker
- Sneaky top speed, able to separate with or without needing to
showcase tech-savviness - Good after the catch. Experience punt/kick returning.
- Helped with stock with good NCAA playoff showings
Weaknesses:
- Rarely worked outside, how will he handle NFL press coverage?
- Expected better catch radius
- Never really been a true number one receiver in an always
crowded Buckeye receiver room
Usage/Player Comp: Big slot/ Jaxon Smith-Njigba
I feel this is a lazy comp, being his teammate and similar roles at Ohio State, but I’m not one to be a contrarian for contrarian’s sake. I feel Egbuka will have a similar role in the NFL as JSN. A bigger slot receiver who’s polished technique and toughness over the middle make him an immediate contributor.
3. Luther Burden III – Missouri, 5’11” 208 lbs
Burden was a very productive receiver for the Tigers as soon as he arrived on campus. He did have a large drop off his junior year, which is definitely affecting his draft stock, but on film he is still creating separation and making plays. Injury and illness are likely to blame for this, which may be a red flag in itself. If Burden can prove to teams he’s healthy we could definitely hear his name called in the first round as he has very exciting skills worth taking with a premium asset.
Strengths:
- Three level threat, can score from anywhere on the field
- Solid frame
- Scheme versatile, can line up anywhere on the field
- Is best when stretching the field, double moves, slot fades, etc.
- Tough to tackle, on punt return or screens. 30 forced missed
tackles in limited reps in 2024. - Natural hands catcher
- Above average blocker
Weaknesses:
- What happened his junior year? No real answer for such a drop in
production - Top end speed isn’t elite. Reliant on double moves/crossers to
create separation - Route running leaves something to be desired. Tendency to round
routes and rely on athleticism
Usage/Player Comp: Z/Slot/Big bodied Zay Flowers
Burden is a burden on defensive coordinators. His explosivity, positional versatility, and overall threat to score from anywhere will have creative offensive coordinators dripping at the mouth. Like Flowers, Burden probably isn’t suited for a number-one role in an offence, but given scheme touches from motion and screens to move the chains, and the occasional shot play opportunity to scorch NFL defences.
2.Tetairoa McMillan – Arizona Wildcats, 6’5” 212 lbs
Fans desperately looking for the next Calvin Johnson will look at McMillan and get very excited. McMillan, on paper, has the size, ball skills, and playmaking ability that teams covet, but there are warts to his game that prevent him from being a blue-chip prospect. In recent weeks, we’ve seen the hype on him settle from a top 5 pick to a top 15. While that is a sizable drop, I think it is more fair for what teams can expect out of him.
Strengths:
- Big body, and with it comes a large catch radius, body control, and ability
to box out defenders. - Better athlete than expected for his size. He’s an above average separator,
and is quite good after the catch, dragging defenders for extra yards. - Some positional flexibility, lining up as a big slot for Arizona
- Smooth route runner, great at snapping/converting vertical routes
Weaknesses:
- Lacks explosiveness, top end speed. More of a train than a ferrari
- Average ability to stack corners on the outside
- Lack of release packages, relying on size and strength
Usage/Player Comp: X Receiver, Drake London
McMillan has all the prototypical measurables that teams have coveted in an outside receiver for decades. He has the ability to win at all three levels of the field, from multiple positions. He’s the type of player you want to get the ball to on third downs or in the red zone and just let him make a play. He could be a number one receiver for any team, but his best fit would be a number two behind a star that will take the best coverage away from him.
1. Travis Hunter – Colorado Buffaloes, 6’1” 185 lbs
Travis Hunter might be the most exciting and polarizing player in recent drafts for reasons that haven’t been discussed since the 40s (yes, hyperbole). Hunter is an elite CB prospect and maybe experts believe that’s where he would have the most success. To completely disregard the idea of him playing WR would be disrespectful to Hunter’s body of work at Colorado. If you’re a team desperate for playmakers, finding a 10-15 play package for Hunter on offence might help. One only need look to his 16 total touchdowns during this last college season to see Hunter’s worth.
Strengths:
- He finds space. Makes his QBs life easier when he can settle in zones or
run away from defenders - Natural pass catcher, more often than not will find a way to come down
with the ball - Explosive, threat to score with every touch
- Understands what CBs are trying to do, and can work to counter that
Weaknesses
- Not a finished product, limited reps at position hinder development to this
point - Not a technician when it comes to route running, uses athleticism over
technique - How will teams balance use of offence vs defence?
- Small frame, how will he deal with physicality of NFL?
Usage/Player Comp: Multi-Role receiver/DeVonta Smith
Hunter can line up anywhere on the field on offence and make plays. Much like Smith, the key is to move him around depending on the play, scheme, or matchup and exploit that. Hunter is a natural football player. Teams need merely to get the ball in his hands and watch him make plays for them.