The most important position in football is quarterback, which is why it’s extremely likely that both of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class are going to be selected within the first 10 picks. But these quarterbacks are useless if they don’t have decent wide receivers to throw to. There’s a reason why, in addition to an elite quarterback, the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles had one of the best one-two receiver punches in the league.
2024 was a very strong wide receiver draft class, with Marvin Harrison, Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze all off the board within the first 10 picks. All in all, seven wide receivers were taken in the first round, tying the record set in 2004. This season’s class isn’t quite as strong, but it’s still highly likely (-275 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook) that at least three wideouts will be off the board by the end of the round.
Bet on 2025 NFL Draft prop bets at DraftKings Sportsbook, including Total Wide Receivers Drafted in 1st Round, here.
How many wide receivers will be selected in the 1st Round of the 2025 NFL Draft?
Whereas there were three wideouts selected within the first 10 picks last season, it’s there likely won’t be one selected in the Top 10 in 2025. Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, will likely play at least a few snaps at wide receiver in the NFL, but he’s counted solely as a cornerback for the purposes of this bet. Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is widely considered the top wide receiver in this draft class, and while he’s almost guaranteed to be a first-round pick, he’s usually projected to land somewhere between 12th and 22nd overall. The six-foot-four, 219-point Hawaiian, despite lacking elite athleticism and technical consistency, has the size and ball skills that NFL teams covet, so some team is likely to take a flier on his upside.
In addition to McMillan, Matthew Golden is also likely to go in the first round, with some mock drafts predicting him to be taken ahead of McMillan. Golden is a very different type of prospect than McMillan; while the latter is a typical big target with limited mobility, Golden is a speedster who might be too small to play on the outside at just five-foot-11. Although his technique could also use some refining, Golden was one of the biggest risers after the Scouting Combine after running a 4.29-second 40-yard dash, the second-fastest time at the event. His college numbers weren’t as gaudy as McMillan’s, but his ability to be an outside receiver, slot receiver, and kick returner makes him an asset at the next level.
Then, there are a few other players with the potential to be first-round picks but who aren’t quite guaranteed to hear their names called on April 24.
Missouri’s Luther Burden III is a former five-star recruit with 4.41-second 40-yard dash speed, solid ball skills, and big-play upside, but he had a tendency to give up on the play when he wasn’t the primary target, which he obviously won’t be able to do at the next level. Also, he was primarily utilized on short routes with the Tigers, so he’s yet to produce on the second and third levels on high volume. His draft stock has slipped somewhat because of mediocre production in 2024, but his playmaking ability could make him a steal for a contender at the end of the first round.
While Burden’s stock has fallen in recent weeks, Emeka Egbuka’s has risen after he was part of an Ohio State offense that won the national championship. He was the leading receiver on that Buckeyes team, accounting for more than 1,000 yards and 10 scores in his senior season. He’s of a similar build as Burden — six-foot-one, 202 pounds — but his footwork is more polished and he has excellent ball skills. His high floor as a day-one starter in the slot and college pedigree against elite competition also seems likely to place him at the end of the first round.
