NFL draft season has arrived. After a 7-10 campaign, the Dallas Cowboys enter this year’s event with various needs. Dallas holds the 12th overall pick and has a shot at finding an immediate starter. Would that player line up on the offensive or defensive side of the ball?
There are plenty of questions to answer before the draft kicks off in April. Before that, we’ll break down some key prospects to watch in this year’s class.
In this post, we’ll focus on wide receivers:
Cowboys
(Note: we used ESPN’s NFL draft WR rankings and PFF’s draft big board for reference.)
The wide receiver position is one of the deepest in this year’s draft class, with several talented players who could make an immediate impact in the NFL. The Cowboys, who are in need of a playmaker on the outside, will likely be keeping a close eye on several of these prospects.
One of the top wide receiver prospects in this year’s class is Travis Hunter, a versatile player from Colorado who can line up at multiple positions. Hunter had a standout season in 2024, catching 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also making 36 total tackles, 11 pass deflections, four interceptions, and one forced fumble on defense.
Travis Hunter, Colorado
Height: 6-0 Weight: 188 pounds
2024 stats: 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns; 36 total tackles, 11 pass deflections, four interceptions and one forced fumble
Summary: Barring a trade, Hunter will likely be out of Dallas’ range in the first round of this year’s draft. The likely top five selection is considered the top prospect at two positions and could become an explosive playmaker from Day 1 in the NFL.
While Hunter played both receiver and cornerback at Colorado, many still wonder if he’ll pull double duty at the next level.
Another top prospect is Matthew Golden, a talented receiver from Texas who has soared up draft boards over the offseason. Golden had a strong 2024 season, catching 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns, and followed that up with an impressive outing at the NFL scouting combine.
Matthew Golden, Texas
Height: 5-11 Weight: 191 pounds
2024 stats: 58 catches for 987 yards and nine touchdowns
Summary: Golden has the ability to line up at multiple receiver spots in an offense. He combined his strong 2024 season at Texas with an impressive outing at the NFL scouting combine.
After spending two seasons at the University of Houston, Golden was one of Quinn Ewers’ top weapons at Texas as the Longhorns made another deep College Football Playoff run. ESPN ranks Golden as the second-best receiver in the class, while PFF lists him as the 22nd-best player in the class.
Emeka Egbuka, a talented receiver from Ohio State, is another prospect who could make an immediate impact in the NFL. Egbuka had a standout season in 2024, catching 81 passes for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns, and was a key part of the Buckeyes’ national championship run.
Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Height: 6-1 Weight: 202 pounds
2024 stats: 81 catches for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns
Summary: Ohio State has a well-known history of producing first-round picks at wide receiver. Egbuka could keep that tradition going in 2025. The playmaker was a key part of the Buckeyes’ national championship run, teaming up with freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith to give defenses trouble.
Like Golden, Egbuka could line up in multiple spots. He’ll likely make the strongest impact out of the slot at the next level. NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein says Egbuka’s pro comparison is Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, another former Ohio State standout.
Tetairoa McMillan, a talented receiver from Arizona, is another prospect who could make an immediate impact in the NFL. McMillan had a standout season in 2024, catching 84 passes for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns, and has the size and strength to make contested catches and overpower defenders on one-on-one coverage.
Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Height: 6-4 Weight: 219 pounds
2024 stats: 84 catches for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns
Summary: McMillan has the size to make a quick impact as an outside receiver. He can make contested catches and has the strength to overpower defenders on one-on-one coverage. He also picked multiple accolades over his three-year stretch at Arizona, earning first-team All-America honors from The Associated Press last season.
As the draft approaches, many have wondered if McMillan has the necessary speed to get past quicker defenders in the NFL. He had little to no issues separating from cornerbacks as Arizona battled teams in the Pac-12 and Big 12. ESPN ranks McMillan as the 20th-best prospect in the class, while PFF lists him at third.
Luther Burden III, a talented receiver from Missouri, is another prospect who could make an immediate impact in the NFL. Burden had a standout season in 2023, catching 86 passes for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns, and followed that up with a solid season in 2024, catching 61 passes for 676 yards and six touchdowns.
Luther Burden III, Missouri
Height: 6-0 Weight: 206 pounds
2024 stats: 61 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns
Summary: Burden’s most productive collegiate campaign came in 2023, when he caught 86 passes for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. His numbers declined in 2024, but he still earned first-team All-SEC honors.
Burden can line up in multiple spots and his yards-after-catch ability make him a big-play threat. According to NFL.com, Burden needs to work on finishing his routes to have success at the next level.
Other names to follow
TCU’s Savion Williams: Standing at 6-5, Williams has the strength and athleticism to make contested catches anywhere on the field. He also has positional versatility, lining up in the backfield multiple times last season. He caught 60 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns in 2024. Williams also ran for 322 yards and six touchdowns.
TCU’s Jack Bech: Spent the last two seasons at TCU after transferring from LSU. Had his best collegiate outing in 2024, catching 62 passes for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns. Bech impressed scouts at this year’s Senior Bowl, catching six passes for 68 yards and a game-winning touchdown while honoring his late brother.
Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins: Another big wideout (6-4, 214 pounds) with an impressive catch radius. Higgins spent the last two years of his collegiate career at Iowa State, transferring to the Big 12 program from Eastern Kentucky. He caught 87 passes last year for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns.
Iowa State’s Jaylin Noel: Was part of an impressive one-two punch at Iowa State with Higgins. Noel (5-10) primarily made his plays out of the slot last season, catching 80 passes for 1,194 yards and eight touchdowns. Noel also has experience as a kick and punt returner, being named Big 12 Co-Special Teams Player of the Year in 2024.
Washington State’s Kyle Williams: Williams is a big-play threat, showcasing his ability to take deep passes to the house during
