Draft Preview: Wide Reciever

April 12, 2025

by Alex Zeese

Let me start off by saying that I don’t think it’s likely that Washington will take a receiver in the first two rounds, but like the last few seasons, there’s a good amount of WR talent in this draft.

The day 3 picks are where I’d suggest fans focus. If I were the Commanders that’s where I’d look to add WR talent, and there are a lot of guys here in this draft class that I really like.  There are recievers with different skill sets, who could come in and fill a particular role, from punt returners, to crazy raw athletic types, and plenty of speedy guys who can help stretch the field. This is a long list, I watched as many players as I could, so let’s just dive right in.

Probable 1st round picks:

Travis Hunter- Colorado, 6’1″, 185 lbs
He will obviously be the first one we talk about here. If we are talking about pure football talent, he’s arguably the top player in this draft class and would be talked about as a possible first overall pick going one-on-one, I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t end up the first non-quarterback drafted. His body control is amazing, and the two-way player factor is unheard of in the modern era.

Tetairoa McMillan- Arizona 6’4″, 219 lbs
Imagine if you were to build a Terry Mclaurin clone but just 4 inches taller; that’s what McMillan looks like. Great route running, great 50/50 ball guy. He fights to get back to the ball when it’s not well thrown. He’s projected to be a top 10-15 range pick for a good reason.

Luther Burden III- Missouri, 6’0″, 205 lbs
Great slot WR type. Very dangerous with short pass routes. Much like Deebo, he can be effective on plays like end-arounds, too. He had 61 catches for 676 yards and another 115 yards on runs with 8 touchdowns last season. He did run the 40 at the combine at 4.41.

Emeka Egbuka- Ohio State, 6’1″, 202 lbs
Good speed and a natural deep-threat option. Not just going to run fly routes; can do deep crosses and other things, but he would force defenses to keep safeties back. He’s one of the first receivers here on this list who may still be there at pick 29. Had 1,011 yards and 10 TDs last season; another great Ohio State wideout.

Matthew Golden- Texas, 5’11”, 191 lbs
Going into watching his highlights, I expected his speed to be what wowed me, because he had the fastest 40 in the combine 4.29. But I was more impressed with his hands. The speed is there, and you can see how it would be a back breaker if he gets a catch with some open field to work. He’s another guy who could be an option at 29 if they felt like they really wanted to add another wideout. He had 58 catches 987 yards, and 9 TDs last year.

2nd/3rd round prospects:

Tre Harris- Ole Miss, 6’2″, 205 lbs
Harris is a good possession WR-type first, but he has enough talent where I could see him being effective in the deep passing game as well. He isn’t the fastest-looking receiver – he ran a 4.54 40, so he would probably not be ideal for short passing situations, as I don’t think he has that quick speed needed for those plays. He played in just 8 games last year and finished the season with 60 catches 1,030 yards, and 7 touchdowns.

Jack Bech- TCU, 6’1″, 214 lbs
For a bigger WR he has very good playing speed. What impressed me the most was how fast he can run and how nice his routes look; like he has incredible balance when running. He had 62 catches for 1,034 yards and 9 TDs in 2024.

Elic Ayomanor- Stanford, 6’2″, 206 lbs
This is the first highly ranked guy I don’t like. Just a two-year player, Ayomanor shows that he has some great hands, but he doesn’t get many yards after the catch or break many tackles for extra yards. He has 4.44 speed, which is good. In his final season at Stanford, he had 63 catches for 831 yards and 6 TD’s. I don’t particularly like that he had a huge drop in his yards per catch, from 16.3 to 13.2.

Jalen Royals- Utah State, 6’0″, 205 lbs
Plays like a classic number one. Will line up anywhere, go over the middle or go deep, and has a talent for getting passed defenders and big breakaways. Had a solid 40 time, 4.42. He missed about half his senior season. In his junior year, he had 71 catches for 1,080 yards and 15 TD’s; his senior season in 7 games he had 55 catches 834 yards and 6 TD’s.

Tai Felton- Maryland, 6’1″, 183 lbs
The local product was prolific last year: 96 catches 1,124 yards, and 9 TDs. He has elite sub 4.4 speed, 4.37 at the combine so he’s a very impressive runner and has good footwork. I don’t love his catch radius; most of the catches looked to be close to the body.

Jayden Higgins- Iowa St., 6’4″, 215 lbs
Good physical receiver when it comes to contested catches, uses his size well. He’s a guy who is really good when it comes to catching fade balls. Had 87 catches, 1,183 yards, and 9 TDs. 40 time was decent for a big man, 4.47.

Day three picks:
Now that we are to the day 3 picks, I wanted to start this list with the players that interest me with their unique skillset. Guys who could be there in rounds 4-7 that I think could absolutely be a contributor on Washington’s roster this season and long term.

Savion Williams- TCU, 6’5″, 222 lbs
This may be one of the most fun prospects to watch. He’s a bit of a Taysom Hill/Deebo, Swiss army knife. He does a bit of everything and will make plays out of the backfield at both the RB and QB spots. Decent speed for a guy built more like a small TE than a WR, at 4.48. This would be a fun weapon for a creative offensive coordinator. Last year he had 60 catches for 611 yards, 51 runs for 322 yards, 12 TDs running and receiving. He also was 3 for 3 passing with 22 yards and a TD. If Washington wanted to create nightmares for defenses, watch this kid and imagine him and Deebo together in the backfield.

Jaylin Lane- Virginia Tech, 5’8″, 175 lbs
40 time: 4.34. 38 catches, 466 yards and 2 TDs. Lane could provide some value as a returner, which Washington has long needed. In his career, he has had 67 returns and averages 10.9 per.

Pat Bryant- Illinois, 6’2″, 204 lbs
Physical player who looks to hit back against corners. He would be a good big receiver who can go over the middle from the slot and can make a contested catch. He had 54 catches for 984 yards, an impressive 18.2 yards per catch, and 10 TDs. Won’t give you elite speed but a good possession guy.

Now, let’s talk about a few guys who I think could fill the one hole the WR group lacks, consistent deep ball threats.

Tez Johnson- Oregon, 5’10”, 154 lbs
If Washington needs someone who can take the top off the defense, Johnson is a fantastic deep-threat target, as all the Oregon guys this year were. He’s impressive, picking up yards after the catch. He has some incredible moves when he has the ball and, good ability to change direction. I love the talent, but I also imagine his size would be a concern at just 150ish pounds. I bet if he were larger, he would be a much more desired prospect. He had 83 catches for 898 yards and 10 TDs last year. Watching him, he looked much faster than his 4.51 40 he ran at the combine.

Dont’e Thornton Jr.- Tennessee, 6’5″, 205 lbs
How many 6’5 guys run a sub 4.4. 40? He hit 4.36.  This guy could be the ultimate value pick; that size and speed don’t often come together. He didn’t get used much in Tennessee, which hurt his draft stock, but his yards per catch were an insane 25.4 on just 26 catches.  He would probably need the most coaching up, but it would be worth the risk.

Xavier Restrepo- Miami (Fla.), 5’10”, 209 lbs
An impressive receiver, he’s a good physical player who’s build looks more like a running back than a wideout. He put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and last year had 1,127 yards 11 TDs on 69 catches.

Jordan Watkins- Mississippi, 5’11”, 175 lbs
40 time: 4.37, 49 catches for 906 yards, and 9 TDs. Gets past his corner with ease and could be a mismatch nightmare. It would be one thing if he was doing that one or two times in a season, but he was doing it routinely. I would not be surprised if some team takes him earlier than expected.

Jaylin Noel- Iowa St., 5’10” 194 lbs
Deep ball player with good 4.39 speed. He was dangerous when running seam routs from the slot, finding space to get open. Once he gets the ball he has that breakaway speed you want to see.

Other Day three picks:

Kobe Hudson- UCF, 6’1″, 193 lbs
Good moves in the open field. Good deep target option. Not a speedster, 40 time was 4.57 so he doesn’t get the best separation, but he will make tough catches. Gets his arms around defenders to snag the ball if he needs to. He is not a prolific pass catcher – had 47 catches for 770 yards and 4 TD’s his senior year.

Tory Horton- Colorado St., 6’3″, 196 lbs
Long stride, but not slow he had a good 4.41 40, long legs were even for a wide receiver. He can do a bit of everything, short/medium/deep game, so he is not limited in that respect. Had a down senior season, playing in just 6 games, but in 2022 and 2023 he had over 1,100 yards both seasons.

Ricky White III- UNLV, 6’1″, 184 lbs
Solid wideout who runs a really nice slant route. Would be a good depth guy but I don’t see him being more than a backup. 4.61 speed. Had a very impressive junior year with 1,483 yards, his senior year, he had 79 catches, 1,041 yards and 11 TD’s.

Jimmy Horn Jr.- Colorado, 5’10” 170 lbs
He had a 4.46 40 time. Not a prolific receiver, just 37 catches for 441 yards and 1 TD last year.

Isaiah Bond- Texas, 5’11”, 180 lbs
Bond played at both Alabama and Texas, he didn’t put up huge numbers but had 34 catches for 540 yards and 5 TDs in his senior year. When I watch him I get the feeling he would be a slot WR in the NFL, he was good in that short to medium game, can make plays out of the backfield and in the flats on screens. 40 time was an impressive 4.39.

Kyle Williams- Washington State, 6’0″, 180 lbs
40 time: 4.4, 70 catches, 1,198 yards and 14 TDs  A guy who is great taking screens and short passes to the house, along with the occasional deep shot.

Chimere Dike- Florida, 6’1″, 199 lbs
40 time: 4.34, 42 catches, 783 yards and 2 TD’s. A good deep ball receiver who would keep safeties from creeping up too much.

Da’Quan Felton- Virginia Tech, 6’5″, 213 lbs
40 time: 4.5, 32 catches, 360 yards 2 TD’s. He would be a good depth signing for that possession WR role. He may not get big numbers but can be a reliable target.

Kaden Prather- Maryland, 6’4 210 lbs
40 time: 4.46, 56 catches, 624 yards 4 TD’s, he’s a prototypical outside WR, good moves once he has the ball.

Nick Nash- San Jose, 6’1″ 184 yards
40 time: 4.57, 104 catches 1,382 yards and 16 TDs. A former QB turned WR. Prolific numbers but a big fish in a small pond.

Elijhah Badger- Florida, 6’1″ 185 lbs
40 time: 4.43, 39 catches for 806 yards and 4 TDs. 20.7 yards per catch.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith- Auburn, 6’1″, 181 lbs
40 time: 4.37, 50 catches 981 yards 8 TDs, and an impressive 19.6 YPC.

Arian Smith- Georgia, 6’0″, 185 lbs,
40 time: 4.36, 48 catches, 817 yards 4 TDs. Natural deep ball target.

Sam Brown Jr.- Miami, 6’2″, 200 lbs
40 time: 4.44, 36 catches in 509 yards 2 TDs. At his best in short to medium routs. Good footwork on the sidelines.

Josh Kelly- Texas Tech, 6’2″ 182 lbs
40 time: 4.7, 89 catches for 1,023 yards and 5 TDs. A puzzling player, he didn’t have a very good combine, but his numbers were good and when you watch him play, he looks like a solid player.

Theo Wease Jr.- Missouri, 6’2″ 200 lbs
40 time: 4.56, 60 catches 884 yards and 4 TDs. Has a talent for getting out of the first tackle, getting an extra few yards, loves the spin move.

Andrew Armstrong- Arkansas, 6’4″ 202 lbs
40 time: 4.51, 78 catches 1,140 yards and 1 TDs. Plays like a possession receiver, using his size on comeback and curl routs.

Konata Mumpfield- Pittsburgh, 6’1″, 180 lbs
40 time: 4.59, 52 catches 813 yards 5 TDs. Good on crossing and out routs. Decent at finding empty space on the field. Won’t break many tackles.

Traeshon Holden- Oregon, 6’3″, 208 lbs
40 time: 4.57 45 catches 718 yards 5 TDs. A similar big play receiver to the other Oregon receiver in this class. He has a really cool highlight where he catches a ball while on his back.

LaJohntay Wester- Colorado, 5’11”, 163 lbs
40 time: 4.46, 74 catches 931 yards 10 TDs. Good athleticism; it stands out once he has the ball he is always trying to get away from the corner.

Dominic Lovett- Georgia, 5’10, 179 lbs
40 time: 4.4 59 catches 607 yards and 6 TDs. Slot receiver type with a good catch radius.

Isaiah Neyor- Nebraska, 6’3″, 210 lbs
40 time: 4.4, 34 catches 455 yards and 5 TDs. Jump ball ability is good.

Isaac TeSlaa- Arkansas
40 time: 4.43 28 catches for 545 yards and 3 TD’s. Tough guy, high energy. Will dive for the ball.

Roc Taylor- Memphis, 6’2″ 225 lbs
40 time: 4.49, 66 catches, 950 yards and 2 TDs, but not a lot of speed. Big body, but doesn’t break away from much.

Antwane Wells Jr.- Mississippi, 6’1″ 201 lbs
40 time: 4.58, 28 catches 553 yards and 6 TDs. Impressive YPC and YAC guy.