2025 NFL Draft Class by Position: Wide Receivers, Part One

Over the last few weeks, we've painted an overview of the quarterback and running back prospects entering the dynasty landscape this April. From player summaries to class comparisons to rookie draft projections, we've assessed both "backfield" positions and drawn some actionable inclusions. So far, the quarterback class was somewhere slightly "below average," while the running back class has huge potential for both top-tier upside and valuable depth.

Now we come to the wide receivers. Arguably the most important position in (non-superflex) dynasty, especially in rookie drafts and prospect evaluation. As with the running backs, this class is relatively deep at wideout, so we'll be breaking them up into two articles. We'll cover the five names currently likely to go in the first round of rookie drafts here — though rankings and ADP will be fluid over the next few weeks — and the balance in the ensuing piece.

Previous Class Grades

Before we dive into the names on 2025 draft boards, let's set the scene with a quick look at recent classes.

Without question, 2024 was a revelation at wide receiver. A whopping seven prospects were taken in round one — Harrison, Nabers, Odunze, Thomas, Worthy, as well as Ricky Pearsall and Xavier Legette — and they combined for 451 receptions and 5,640 yards, both the most in history by a group of first-round rookie receivers. That doesn't even include Ladd McConkey, who went 34th overall but finished as a WR1. On that note, Thomas (WR4), Nabers (WR6), and McConkey (WR12, tied with Jerry Jeudy) all finished as WR1s and became the first rookie trio to each average 15+ PPR fantasy points per game. Those three guys, plus Harrison, are all currently going as top-12 wideouts in startup draft ADP. If Odunze and/or Worthy take steps forward in the coming years, this could easily go down as one of, if not the greatest class we've ever seen.

The year prior was a little less flashy. Yes, we got Puka Nacua at pick 177 overall (and at the very end of rookie drafts, if at all). Yes, several other players have made short runs at excellence over their first two seasons. And yes, JSN has shot up in value with the departure of DK Metcalf. Still, most of the class is "more WR2 than WR1" and has been depreciated by injury, suspension, and/or inconsistent play. One year further back gave us a 2022 class that has been decent but honestly disappointing. Drake London finally broke out in 2024, and both Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave have had good seasons, but neither of the OSU "stars" has truly materialized as elite, and most of the rest of the class has been spotty at best, busted at worst. Remember, this is the year that gave us Jahan Dotson at 16th overall and Treylon Burks at 18th, along with a gaggle of second-rounders that have done little to nothing.

The 2021 class was another solid one, with dynasty's current WR1, WR5, and WR8, plus two other WR2s, all entering the league that year. It wasn't the deepest class — the second round was highlighted by Elijah Moore and Rondale Moore — but the five stars are enough to earn it a solid A in the grading system. And 2020 was a mixed bag, producing Justin Jefferson (dynasty WR2) and CeeDee Lamb (WR3) at the top, but struggling to find much sticking power after that, with Tee Higgins (WR15) heading the rest of the class.

So where does the 2025 class stack up? We're going to have to dive in to find out.

Meet the Prospects

There's a clear number one wide receiver in this class, and while he doesn't profile as a Jefferson or a Chase, he will be selected near the top of nearly every rookie draft this offseason.

Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona