The 2025 NFL Draft: A Look at the Top Pass-Catchers

The NFL Draft is always a time of excitement and intrigue, as teams look to bolster their rosters with young, talented players who can make an immediate impact. In 2025, the pass-catcher class—wide receivers and tight ends—may not be as deep as last year’s historic group, which saw eight players selected in the first round. However, there are still several prospects who could become stars in the NFL. Here’s a breakdown of the top 13 pass-catchers in the 2025 draft, along with their strengths, weaknesses, and best fits.

The Top Prospect: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Penn State’s Tyler Warren is the clear standout in this year’s pass-catcher class. At 6-foot-6 and 261 pounds, Warren is a rare athlete with the size, strength, and agility to dominate at the tight end position. His statistics exploded in 2024, as he led the Big Ten with 104 catches for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. Warren’s combination of size and athleticism is reminiscent of future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski, and he is widely expected to be a top-10 pick in the draft. The New York Jets are one team that could heavily consider Warren, as they need a dynamic tight end to pair with their young quarterback.

Warren’s all-around game is what sets him apart from other tight ends in this class. He is a true blue-chip prospect who projects as a Day 1 starter in the NFL. While tight ends are often used primarily as blockers or red-zone threats, Warren has the potential to be a true weapon in the passing game, capable of stretching defenses and making plays down the field. His ceiling is incredibly high, and he could quickly become one of the best tight ends in the league.

The Next Tier: Wide Receivers with High Ceilings

While Warren is the only pass-catcher likely to be selected in the top 10, there are several wide receivers who could hear their names called in the first round or early in the second round. Luther Burden III, a 5-foot-11, 205-pound receiver from Missouri, is the most polished wideout in this class. Despite a drop in production in 2024, Burden’s tape shows a dynamic playmaker who can make plays at all levels of the field. He has the quickness, strength, and vision to consistently generate yards after the catch, and his compact frame and athleticism make him a versatile weapon for any offense. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who need to surround their young quarterback with more talent, could be a good fit for Burden.

Another wide receiver with a high ceiling is Tre Harris from Mississippi. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Harris is the most physically gifted wideout in this class. He has the size and speed to dominate smaller cornerbacks and stretch defenses vertically. However, his footwork and route-running ability are raw, and he struggles to create separation on intermediate routes. Harris is a polarizing prospect, but if teams are comfortable with his medicals after an injury-marred college career, he could sneak into the first round. The New England Patriots, who often target physical receivers, could be a good landing spot for Harris.

Sleepers and Underrated Prospects

While the top prospects are getting most of the attention, there are several sleepers and underrated players who could outperform their draft positions. One such player is Colston Loveland, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end from Michigan. Loveland is more of a “big receiver” than a traditional tight end, using his height, long arms, and sneaky athleticism to overwhelm defenders in the short to intermediate zones. He has the potential to develop into a reliable pass-catching tight end, and his size and versatility make him a good fit for the Los Angeles Chargers, who need to replace aging tight end Gerald Everett.

Another underrated prospect is Elic Ayomanor, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound wide receiver from Stanford. Ayomanor isn’t a flashy player, but he has all the traits that translate to the NFL: crisp footwork, body control, and strong hands. He was often overshadowed by weaker quarterback play and a lack of supporting talent at Stanford, but his advanced route-running skills and football IQ suggest he could become a reliable starting receiver in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers, who need to build around their young quarterback, could be a good fit for Ayomanor.

The Safest Bets: Polished Route Runners

In a class filled with raw athletes, there are a few prospects who stand out for their polish and readiness to contribute immediately. Emeka Egbuka, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound receiver from Ohio State, is one of the safest bets in this class. Egbuka is a silky-smooth route runner who excels in the short to intermediate zones. He has light feet, excellent body control, and soft hands, making him a quarterback’s best friend. While he may not have elite speed, Egbuka’s efficiency and reliability make him a good fit for the Kansas City Chiefs, who value precision and chemistry between their quarterbacks and receivers.

Another polished prospect is Jack Bech, a 6-foot-1, 214-pound receiver from TCU. Bech is a pro-ready receiver who has flown under the radar despite his consistent production. He lacks elite burst off the snap, but he plays faster than he times, using his balance, core strength, and excellent hands to win against smaller corners. Bech’s ability to box out defenders and win above the rim makes him a good fit for the Seattle Seahawks, who often target physical receivers who can make plays in traffic.

The High-Upside Gamble: Athletes with Raw Talent

Finally, there are several prospects who are high-upside gambles due to their raw talent and athleticism. One such player is Isaiah Bond, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound receiver from Texas. Bond is a workout warrior who will likely post impressive numbers at the NFL Combine. He is lightning-quick and can turn simple dump-offs into highlight-reel touchdowns. However, Bond’s production was limited in college, and he is still developing as a nuanced receiver. He could require some patience, but his upside is worth an early-round gamble. The Tennessee Titans, who need a speedster to stretch defenses, could be a good fit for Bond.

Another high-upside prospect is Tetairoa McMillan, a 6-foot-4, 212-pound receiver from Arizona. McMillan is a highlight-reel hero who offers a unique combination of size, smooth acceleration, and savvy. He has the football IQ to play inside and out, and his massive catch radius makes him a red-zone threat. However, McMillan is not consistently the sum of his parts, as he struggles with physicality and drops too many passes. He profiles better as a complementary threat rather than a true No. 1 receiver. The Cincinnati Bengals, who need a replacement for Tee Higgins, could be a good fit for McMillan.

The Late-Round Steals: hidden Gems

As with any draft class, there are several late-round prospects who could outperform their draft positions. One such player is Savion Williams, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound receiver from TCU. Williams is a Swiss Army knife who has played multiple roles at TCU, including split end, Wildcat quarterback, running back, fullback, and kick returner. While he is not a polished receiver, Williams has the size, athleticism, and flashes of sticky hands that make him an intriguing mid-round lottery ticket. The New Orleans Saints, who need to find a versatile presence in their offense, could be a good fit for Williams.

Another late-round prospect to watch is Jalen Royals, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound receiver from Utah State. Royals proved with a strong week of Senior Bowl practice that he is over the foot injury that cut his 2024 season short. He has the production and tape to back up his projection as a top-100 pick, leading the Mountain West Conference with 15 touchdowns in 2023. Royals is a savvy route runner who pairs quickness and spatial awareness to consistently create space for quarterbacks. He could prove to be a mid-round steal and Day 1 starter out of the slot. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who need to find a reliable slot receiver, could be a good fit for Royals.

The Conclusion: A Class with Potential

While the 2025 pass-catcher class may not be as deep as last year’s, there are still several talented players who could make an immediate impact in the NFL. Tyler Warren is the clear headliner, but there are a number of other prospects—from polished route runners like Egbuka and Bech to high-upside gambles like Bond and McMillan—who could become stars in the league. As teams prepare for the draft, they’ll need to weigh the potential of these pass-catchers and decide where they fit in their plans.

Ultimately, the success of this class will depend on how these players develop and how well teams can maximize their strengths. With the right coaching and opportunity, several of these prospects could become key contributors to their teams. Whether it’s a top-10 pick like Warren or a late-round steal like Royals, the 2025 pass-catcher class has the potential to be a difference-maker in the NFL.