2025 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Xavier Restrepo, WR Miami
Xavier Restrepo was one of the most productive college receivers in the country over the last two seasons for the Miami Hurricanes and now he’s entering his name in the NFL draft. He won’t blow you away with any one feature of his profile, but when you put everything together he looks like an intriguing prospect.
Will the fifth-year slot be able to carve out a role in the NFL or will his size and athleticism hold him back?
Recruitment
Courtesy of 247Sports.
Restrepo grew up in South Florida and ESPN did a wonderful video on his upbringing and family for a College Gameday segment this season. He grew up the child of teenage parents and together the three of them fought for everything in life. It was a touching video and I recommend everyone should watch it if they get the chance.
He started his high school career at Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas High School. However, he transferred back to his hometown Deerfield Beach for his final season. Restrepo excelled on the football field and in the classroom as a straight-A student. He decided to commit to the hometown Miami Hurricanes so he could stay close to, and play in front of, his family.
Collegiate Career
Courtesy of Sports Reference.
Restrepo essentially lost his freshman season to COVID and then was largely unproductive the following two seasons under bad quarterback play. Then in 2023, Restrepo exploded for 85 catches, 1092 yards, and six touchdowns. He followed that up with an all-American campaign in 2024 where he finished with 69 catches for 1127 yards and 11 touchdowns with Cam Ward under center.
The 2023 and 2024 seasons show what Restrepo can be at the NFL level. Over those two seasons, he earned 214 targets and converted 106 first downs while lining up in the slot 91.7% of the time. He also finished top 15 in Pro Football Focus’s receiving grade each of the last two seasons.
Strengths
- Short-area quickness and acceleration allow him to create separation
- Strong hands and he almost never drops any passes
- Tough player that is great over the middle of the field
- Effective at generating yards after the catch
Weaknesses
- Limited to being a slot-only player in the NFL
- Undersized and can struggle against press coverage
- Not a high-end athlete and lacks long speed
Draft Value
Courtesy of Mock Draft Database.
Restrepo saw a huge rise in his draft stock during the 2024 season with his performance in the vaunted Miami offense. He’s now being valued as a late, second-round pick in the NFL draft according to Mock Draft Database. He’s going to benefit from a relatively weak class of WRs this year. There’s a clear tier at the top with Tetairoa McMillan, Travis Hunter, Luther Burden, and Emeka Egbuka, but after those four, there’s a bit of a drop.
I think this second tier of WRs will be viewed very differently by NFL teams based on what they value. If a team wants an NFL-ready-slot player then Restrepo will be their guy. If a team wants a big, down-field threat then they’ll prefer Jayden Higgins. Either way, I believe that Restrepo is a lock to hear his name called on the second day of the NFL draft and more often than not in the second round. But I have no idea which teams will be in on him, and which will be out. Restrepo’s Combine results will be a major factor in how teams view him.
Dynasty Outlook
Similar to the real draft, Restrepo is most likely locked in as a second-round pick in rookie drafts with his projected draft capital and the lack of other quality WRs in this class. His profile is one that I’m excited about in dynasty; he is NFL-ready and plays a position that scores fantasy points. It’s been proven that slot players who move the chains are valuable fantasy assets that teams love to target.
I’m not sure I’m willing to plant my flag on Restrepo this early, but he is one that I’m definitely interested in at a second-round price tag. Assuming his Combine results are acceptable, and his three-cone is good, I’ll be drafting my fair share of Restrepo from that second tier of WRs over guys like Isaiah Bond, Jaylin Noel, and Elic Ayomanor.
- 2025 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Xavier Restrepo, WR Miami - January 19, 2025
- 2025 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Dylan Sampson, RB Tennessee - January 13, 2025
- 2025 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Quinshon Judkins, RB Ohio State - January 8, 2025
