With the 2025 NFL Draft from Green Bay, Wisconsin growing ever closer, it is clear that Travis Hunter is the undisputed No. 1 wideout. Following Hunter, the water gets slightly more murky on who the next best pick may be.
Many believe it could be the big 6’4″ Arizona product, Tetairoa McMillan. Others see any of Emeka Egbuka, Matthew Golden, or Luther Burden III as the best option following Hunter.
One NFL analyst believes there are safer picks when considering this year’s WR class.
Mock Draft Mogul Chimes in Regarding Receiver Placement in 2025 Draft
Daniel Jeremiah of ESPN joined Kay Adams on “Up & Adams” to discuss this year’s receiver class. When asked who Jeremiah likes at the No. 2 WR spot, the analyst’s response may surprise you.
After Travis Hunter, who’s the best wide receiver in the draft? 🤔@heykayadams | @movethesticks pic.twitter.com/3sfbgvIRpx
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 7, 2025
“This year I got a text from our buddy Kurt Warner, and he was going through the receivers,” said Jeremiah. “I don’t even remember which one it was but he’s like you really think this guy is the No. 1? And I’m like Kurt there are no number ones. This is not what we had last year. It’s not what we’ve had in year’s past. There’s a lot of No. 2 and No. 3 type receivers.”
The NFL Network analyst continues by mentioning his personal favorites, as he knows what they will bring to the table.
“I’m a big fan of Matthew Golden because I know exactly what he is,” said Jeremiah. “He is someone who can get on top. He’s got speed, I don’t know that he plays to the full 4.29 that he ran, which is a ridiculous time — but, he’s really strong, he’s tough. I like that fact that he keeps his cleats in the ground, he runs through the ball, he trusts his hands. Him and Emeka Egbuka, I feel like I know exactly what I’m buying with those guys.”
Jeremiah elaborates that he feels Golden and Egbuka will be undoubtably solid players. However, he believes there is someone else with more upside than the two mentioned.
“Tet McMillan has the most upside of the four, Travis Hunter being in his own category,” said Jeremiah. “McMillan has the size, he’s very fluid, he’s very smooth. I just wish he played a little stronger, a little sturdier. I wish he fought a little bit more through press. I wish he fought a little bit more down the field.”
The podcast host closes up the receiver talk by giving his analysis on Missouri’s firecracker, Luther Burden III.
“Luther Burden is unbelievable after the catch, but he isn’t running a lot of traditional routes,” said Jeremiah. “He didn’t have as good a year this year as he would have hoped.
“So, in a year where you’ve got some kind of wild variations, I’ve got Golden and Egbuka there. I feel like they are solid B plusses and I know exactly what I’m buying.”
Projecting Each Receiver’s Draft Position
Using PFSN’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft Simulator, it is as Jeremiah predicted, with Hunter going way before the rest. Eight picks after Hunter’s projected No. 6 selection, we see the Denver Broncos trade up for McMillan at the No. 14 spot.
Jeremiah’s brilliance continues, as his two “sure things” go next. Here, Golden lands with the Arizona Cardinals at No. 16 and Egbuka with Green Bay at No. 23. Finally, the aforementioned unique route runner, Burden, falls out of the first round.
With Jeremiah’s opinions in mind, it will be an interesting first day seeing where the handful of talented receivers land.