2025 Fantasy Football WR Rookie Rankings (Pre-NFL Draft) - Tetairoa McMillan, Luther Burden III, Emeka Egbuka, and more

Everyone wants to talk about the running back and tight-end position this season, especially when it comes to fantasy football. Sure, the wide receiver position doesn't have the elite prospects it had in the past, but that doesn't mean there aren't some receivers available who can't impact fantasy rosters heading into 2025.

The picture is becoming more apparent every day. At the Senior Bowl, a few of the prospects certainly helped their draft stock. In the combine, we will again see some receivers solidify their values ahead of the NFL Draft on April 24.

While some movement is undoubtedly expected to occur over the coming weeks as wide receivers jostle for positioning on various draft boards, here are the top 10 fantasy receivers before the combine.

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NFL Rookie Rankings for Fantasy Football (Pre-Draft)

Rookie rankings are from before the NFL Scouting Combine and before the NFL Draft

Pre-Draft Top 10 Fantasy Football WR Picks

10. Tez Johnson, Oregon

Wide receivers 8-11 are interchangeable for me. This tier of pass-catchers will come down to the landing spot.

Tez Johnson of Oregon had an excellent outing at the Senior Bowl. When he arrived in Mobile, Ala., there had been some questions regarding his size, but most in attendance quickly forgot that as he routinely created separation.

In two seasons at Oregon, after transferring from Troy, Johnson would go on to produce 2,080 yards and 20 touchdowns on his 169 receptions over 26 contests.

One of the best player comparisons for Johnson may be Tank Dell. Both are excellent at creating separation and electricity in the open field. In the right system, Johnson could have a similar impact in fantasy as Ladd McConkey did last season.

What a move by Tez Johnson! pic.twitter.com/IIfYtOrYFf

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 8, 2024

9. Jaylin Noel, Iowa State

Like Johnson, Jaylin Noel made a lasting impression on scouts in Mobile. Noel has drawn some comparisons to Golden Tate. When watching the film, you see a player who, while primarily a slot receiver, can also line up outside and, despite being an excellent route runner, can beat you deep. There is no wasted movement in any of his routes.

Last season, Noel showed that he could be productive when afforded an opportunity. He hauled in 80 passes for 1,194 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 14.9 yards per reception. Of those nearly 1,200 yards receiving, 609 came via the deep ball, which was the second most in FBS.

If the team that drafts Noel has an alpha dog out on the boundary, then Noel is going to flourish in that offense. Put Noel on the Houston Texans with Nico Collins, and there is a good chance he finishes as a top-3 receiver in receiving yards and receptions in this class.

This is too damn easy for Jaylin Noel pic.twitter.com/gfR1hOICto

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) January 29, 2025

8. Isaiah Bond, Texas 

This class may not have the elite options that have spoiled fantasy managers in years past, but it has some really good ones that can impact fantasy rosters.

Another one of those receivers is Isaiah Bond of the Texas Longhorns. Bond is one of those prototypical chain movers who can do pretty much anything an offensive coordinator needs. The problem, compared to others in this class, has been the production. 

Isaiah Bond will join the list in a few weeks at the NFL Combine.

Sub 4.3 speed pic.twitter.com/SYhlUGOHlf https://t.co/aKsUiFzTD8

— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) February 15, 2025

As a sophomore at Alabama, Bond converted 48 receptions into four touchdowns and 668 yards in 14 contests. Then last season, in 14 games, Bond would finish with 34 receptions, five touchdown grabs, and 540 yards.

The limited production last season can be explained as he battled through injury for much of the season. Still, when healthy, he consistently demonstrated that he could separate from opposing defensive backs, possess elite speed, and pick up chunk yards after the catch. For Bond, the NFL Combine will play a significant role in his fantasy stock.

7. Elic Ayomanor, Stanford

I am biased about Elic Ayomanor. After all, he is from my hometown of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, and it's not like we regularly crank out NFL prospects here.

Ayomanor was limited playing for a pedestrian Stanford Cardinal offense. However, when you catch 13 passes for a school-record 295 yards and three touchdowns in one game, one of which came against Travis Hunter, people will talk. 

Elic Ayomanor vs Travis Hunter ('23)

7 targets, 7 catches, 145 yards, 2 TDs 🔥

Relentlessly beat him on slants on 2 clutch 4th Q drives and then a TD in OT. Doing this to the best player in the class as a Redshirt Freshman says a lot. Elic's a Top 30 player, Top 5 WR for me pic.twitter.com/cddUCTTUu6

— Jordan Pun (@Texans_Thoughts) February 16, 2025

If a player can have a game like that in an offense like that, then he will be ready when his name is called upon on Sundays. Over 24 contests at Stanford, Ayomanor caught 125 passes for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 14.8 yards per reception while accounting for a 36 percent receiving yards market share.

Ayomanor brings a track background to the NFL and a highlight tape that makes scouts' jaws drop. He could be the one prospect no one is talking about who soon everyone will know.

6. Travis Hunter, Colorado

It is important to note that Travis Hunter is at the combine as a defensive back. At this time, that designation hurts Hunter's value in rookie drafts, as his opportunities to produce for fantasy managers become somewhat limited, especially compared to his peers at the wide receiver position.

Last season, as a receiver, Hunter averaged 13.1 yards per reception and produced 1,258 receiving yards in 13 contests. The Heisman Trophy winner scored 16 offensive touchdowns, 15 in the passing game along with one on the ground. Hunter finished 2024 with 96 receptions, the fourth most in FBS, and his receiving yardage was the sixth-most recorded.

TRAVIS HUNTER IS UNREAL 🤯

He makes an absurd catch for @CUBuffsFootball on 4th & 8 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OuIIY8e4vD

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2024

Hunter's ultimate fantasy value comes down to which team drafts him and where it sees him as a fit. Hunter has elite cornerback traits to go along with his impressive playmaking ability on the offensive side of the ball.

If a team were to use Hunter primarily on offense, then it is reasonable to believe he could challenge for the most impactful fantasy option available in 2025.

5. Tre Harris, Mississippi

Mississippi receivers who get predraft love never seem to pan out the way they do when they fly under the radar. A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf were both second-round selections, with the 51st and 64th selections in their respective draft years.

Then, there was Laquon Treadwell, who we should never speak of again. The second round is the sweet spot for these Ole Miss receivers, which feels right for Tre Harris.

The Louisiana Tech transfer averaged 57 receptions, 1,007 receiving yards, and 7.5 touchdowns in his two seasons near Oxford. In those two seasons, Harris also averaged an impressive 17.7 yards per reception. His numbers would have been even more impressive had he played more than eight games in 2024.

Tre Harris Vs. LSU is why GM’s will be ALL over him in the 2025 NFL Draft:

➖7 Receptions
➖102 Yards
➖1 TD

He CLEARED 1,000+ Yards this season while essentially missing 6 games..

His healthy 13 Game Pace?

➖110 Receptions
➖1,833 Yards
➖11 TD’s

Tre Harris is 6’3, 210 lbs pic.twitter.com/A9JGqTFYET

— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) February 17, 2025

Harris will find success regardless of the coverage. In 2024, against zone defenses, Harris would average 4.1 yards per route run. Against man coverage, he was even better, averaging 9.3 yards per route run.

4. Matthew Golden, Texas

Matthew Golden is a player whose name we have heard a lot when it comes to first-round draft capital in recent mock drafts. Golden has plenty of speed and does an excellent job adjusting that speed on the fly to put defensive backs on their heels.

We've seen him create explosive plays down the field by blowing past defenders and quickly breaking in and out of his routes to create separation.

Look for whoever works with Golden next season to use the former Longhorn as a field stretcher. Last season, Golden averaged 17 yards per reception while finishing with nine touchdowns.

Pair the WR up with a big-armed quarterback like Josh Allen, who many have mocked the Bills selecting, and it's a win-win for fantasy managers. 

Those who question Golden's size should put the film on again; he is aggressive at the catch points, has great body control, and plays much bigger than his size would suggest.

The “radius reel” and body control of #Texas WR Matthew Golden are among the best in this years class. pic.twitter.com/i6xHLDGEO9

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) February 5, 2025

3. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

If you are looking for college production, there may not be a more accomplished prospect in this year's draft than Ohio State's all-time leader in receiving yards, Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka left Ohio State after four seasons and 2,868 receiving yards to his credit, including 1,011 yards on 81 receptions a season ago.

The former Buckeye is considered one of the better route runners in this class. His best traits come down in the red zone, where Egbuka is going to earn his keep with fantasy managers for years to come.

His elite route running, separation skills, and spatial awareness are on full display. It wouldn't be shocking to see Egbuka finish his rookie campaign leading all rookies in touchdown receptions.

People want player comparisons, and I have seen Amon-Ra St. Brown floated out there, but I'll go with another Buckeye in Seattle Seahawk Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

2. Luther Burden III, Missouri

Luther Burden III is an interesting prospect. Coming into the 2024 season, he was the consensus No. 1 receiver on the board after averaging 93.2 yards per game and hauling in 86 passes for 1,212 yards in his sophomore season.

Then, in his senior season, Burden's production dropped to 676 receiving yards on 61 receptions. So, the question is, which prospect will teams get at the next level?

At times, especially in his senior season, Burden looked uninterested, perhaps stale in Missouri's offense. Offensive coordinators in the NFL will be able to keep things fresh for Burden, which should allow his big-play ability to be on display once again for the world to see.

BRADY COOK TO LUTHER BURDEN!!!!!!!!! OH MY FUCKING GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/hJ4WswIfdG

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) November 17, 2024

Burden's skill set is similar to Garrett Wilson's or Smith-Njigba's, as he was used primarily as a slot receiver. When evaluating Burden's potential, you have to go back to that 2023 film where he averaged more than 3.00 yards per route run, finished with 718 yards after the catch, averaged 8.7 yards after the catch per reception, and had a college dominator score in the 74th percentile.

1. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

The only thing keeping Tetairoa McMillan from leveling up last season was competent quarterback play. Despite Arizona's struggles at the position, McMillan still finished third in receiving yards with 1,319 on just 84 receptions.

TETAIROA MCMILLAN NOW HAS FOUR TOUCHDOWNS AND 248 RECEIVING YARDS 🔥

IT'S ONLY THE THIRD QUARTER 😳 pic.twitter.com/WD7u2uTluc

— ESPN (@espn) September 1, 2024

With many of these receivers looking the part as a primary slot guy, McMillan offers something different. McMillan is a cheat code at 6-foot-5 and more shake-and-bake than "Talladega Nights," especially if he lands with a quarterback who can anticipate and hit him in stride.

I've seen some comparisons out there that McMillan is like Mike Evans or even Drake London. Those are true if you add some wiggle to those Pro Bowl pass-catchers.

You don't accidentally put up a back-to-back 1,300-yard receiving season. You don't accidentally earn 130-plus targets in back-to-back years. McMillan was the Wildcats offense; everyone knew it and couldn't stop it.

Just Missing: Jalen Royals, Jayden Higgins, Jack Bech, Arian Smith, Kyle Williams

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