Most likely, the Steelers will end up selecting a defensive tackle in the first round. But, the team has to be flexible, and wide receiver could be an interesting choice. Even if it's not on Day 1, adding another playmaker at any point during the draft may not be a bad idea.
This year's class of receivers isn't overwhelming. It's not nearly as strong as its been in recent years, and lacks a true superstar at the top. However, that doesn't mean there aren't guys worth considering, even at 21st overall. There are still some attractive options in the top 10 of this position.
These rankings are based on a combination of the player's talent, potential, likelihood of achieving that potential and fit with the Steelers in terms of need and scheme. Also, I am not including Colorado's Travis Hunter in this group, even though he may end up playing receiver. The two-way threat is more of a cornerback. But, if he were on this list, he'd be at the very top.
1. MATTHEW GOLDEN, TEXAS
The part of Golden's game that stands out the most is an elite blend of movement skills. His 4.29 40-yard dash was best among wide receivers at the Combine. His ability to stop and start adds a dynamic to his route running that's unparalleled by anyone else in a rather underwhelming class. Golden is certainly not a finished product, needing refinement on his technique with his hands and has also been criticized for routes being too hot and cold when he's not involved in the play. However, he possesses a lot of the traits of a legitimate 'X' receiver that can get open at will, and has high character marks to boot.
At 6-4 and 219 pounds, McMillan has great size for an NFL receiver. He pairs that size with polished route running and a high football IQ. He knows how to find space underneath and consistently wins over the top with a high contested catch rate. He's not as explosive as you'd like in and out of his routes, which has limited his ability to separate, but there is a lot to like about this guy. He profiles really well as a 'Z' receiver, and can develop into a versatile weapon in just about any offense.
3. EMEKA EGBUKA, OHIO STATE
Playing mostly slot receiver, Egbuka is a great route runner with a high football IQ. He understands how to manipulate defenders' hips in coverage, which he couples with quick movement out of breaks and create separation while also understanding where to manipulate defenses playing zone coverage. He's unproven lining up on the outside, which may turn some teams off, but a lot of his game seems to translate well to being more than just a slot guy.
Burden's game is reminiscent of Deebo Samuel, given how much Missouri used him in motion and threw him the ball short with room to make things happen after the catch. He can make a lot of plays with the ball in his hands, but he's somewhat limited because of how he was used in college. According to Pro Football Focus, 75 percent of career catches were targeted inside of 10 yards. His game needs to expand far beyond that to become a legitimate option all over the field, but he's a dynamic athlete that can make plays as an 'X,' 'Z,' or slot receiver. There'll be an NFL team willing to take him on and mold him into a weapon.
5. JAYDEN HIGGINS, IOWA STATE
Higgins has great size at 6-4, 214 pounds, but he plays much quicker than most receivers of his size. His game is also more of a possession receiver type, having sure hands and outstanding ball skills. His route tree is also very developed for a guy his age. For the coup de grace, Higgins is a willing blocker that has a natural advantage due to his size and 33 1/8-inch arms. Higgins' athleticism doesn't always translate on tape. While he caught 58.3% of contested catches in 2024, according to PFF, he finds himself in those situations far too often. He needs to grow as a route runner to gain better separation, and he also lacks a second gear to burn defenders downfield. Even so, he's a great option should the Steelers find themselves back in the second round.
6. JACK BECH, TCU
When Bech is on the field, there is a lot to love. Most important, he probably has the best hands in this entire class. He just doesn't drop passes. That sure-handedness makes him a threat almost anywhere on the field, and he moves quite well for someone who stands 6-1 and weighs 214 pounds. He's not very experienced facing press coverage, which leads to some questions about how well he can get open at the NFL level. And, he has battled injuries and missed games in every season over the past three years.
7. JALEN ROYALS, UTAH STATE
Royals isn't a dynamic athlete and he doesn't possess elite speed, but he's got all the makings of a good possession receiver. At 6-0 and 205 pounds, he's big enough to play outside, and he's polished enough to win against press coverage there, especially with some polished footwork. Above all, he's a reliable pass catcher, which raises his floor quite a bit. Since he's not the most athletic, he'll need some work to find ways to win more consistently against NFL defensive backs.
8. TRE HARRIS, OLE MISS
Harris is a guy who doesn't need much work to immediately come in and become a deep threat. He doesn't have burner speed, but he has plenty of experience working downfield and making catches far beyond the line of scrimmage. He can also work closer to the line of scrimmage and make short catches on the run and gain yards with the ball in his hands. However, his route tree needs some serious expansion as he has little experience working the intermediate level, and he didn't face a ton of press coverage due to the nature of the Ole Miss offense. There's a lot to like about Harris, including his game and good size at 6-2 and 205 pounds, but he's more of a high-floor project, making him ideally a third-round pick.
9. JAYLIN NOEL, IOWA STATE
Noel is a twitchy receiver better served in the slot, but has great speed and start-stop ability to be able to line up outside on occasion. He's also a prime candidate in the return game. At 5-10, he's on the smaller side. He also needs some refinement as a route runner and drops can be an issue, as well. However, a lot of this stuff is correctable with coaching. The uncoachable traits are very enticing, which is most likely why he'll end up being a Day 2 pick. He could be available in the third round.
10. ELIC AYOMANOR, STANFORD
The Canadian-born Ayomanor is one of the more polarizing receivers in this class. He's got a lot of the things NFL teams look for in an 'X' receiver. He's got good size at 6-2 and 206 pounds, a high football IQ, strong work ethic and enough production in college to earn a phone call on Day 2 of the draft. He's very raw in a lot of ways, especially in his ball tracking and overall technique catching the football. He already understands how to manipulate leverage in route running, and he's a very willing blocker in the run game. He could turn into one of the better receivers in this class, but it's going to require a good amount of development.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
12:24 am - 04.22.2025DowntownDraft rankings: Top 10 wide receivers
Most likely, the Steelers will end up selecting a defensive tackle in the first round. But, the team has to be flexible, and wide receiver could be an interesting choice. Even if it's not on Day 1, adding another playmaker at any point during the draft may not be a bad idea.
This year's class of receivers isn't overwhelming. It's not nearly as strong as its been in recent years, and lacks a true superstar at the top. However, that doesn't mean there aren't guys worth considering, even at 21st overall. There are still some attractive options in the top 10 of this position.
These rankings are based on a combination of the player's talent, potential, likelihood of achieving that potential and fit with the Steelers in terms of need and scheme. Also, I am not including Colorado's Travis Hunter in this group, even though he may end up playing receiver. The two-way threat is more of a cornerback. But, if he were on this list, he'd be at the very top.
1. MATTHEW GOLDEN, TEXAS
The part of Golden's game that stands out the most is an elite blend of movement skills. His 4.29 40-yard dash was best among wide receivers at the Combine. His ability to stop and start adds a dynamic to his route running that's unparalleled by anyone else in a rather underwhelming class. Golden is certainly not a finished product, needing refinement on his technique with his hands and has also been criticized for routes being too hot and cold when he's not involved in the play. However, he possesses a lot of the traits of a legitimate 'X' receiver that can get open at will, and has high character marks to boot.
For my draft profile on Golden, read here.
2. TETAIROA MCMILLAN, ARIZONA
At 6-4 and 219 pounds, McMillan has great size for an NFL receiver. He pairs that size with polished route running and a high football IQ. He knows how to find space underneath and consistently wins over the top with a high contested catch rate. He's not as explosive as you'd like in and out of his routes, which has limited his ability to separate, but there is a lot to like about this guy. He profiles really well as a 'Z' receiver, and can develop into a versatile weapon in just about any offense.
3. EMEKA EGBUKA, OHIO STATE
Playing mostly slot receiver, Egbuka is a great route runner with a high football IQ. He understands how to manipulate defenders' hips in coverage, which he couples with quick movement out of breaks and create separation while also understanding where to manipulate defenses playing zone coverage. He's unproven lining up on the outside, which may turn some teams off, but a lot of his game seems to translate well to being more than just a slot guy.
For my draft profile on Egbuka, read here.
4. LUTHER BURDEN III, MISSOURI
Burden's game is reminiscent of Deebo Samuel, given how much Missouri used him in motion and threw him the ball short with room to make things happen after the catch. He can make a lot of plays with the ball in his hands, but he's somewhat limited because of how he was used in college. According to Pro Football Focus, 75 percent of career catches were targeted inside of 10 yards. His game needs to expand far beyond that to become a legitimate option all over the field, but he's a dynamic athlete that can make plays as an 'X,' 'Z,' or slot receiver. There'll be an NFL team willing to take him on and mold him into a weapon.
5. JAYDEN HIGGINS, IOWA STATE
Higgins has great size at 6-4, 214 pounds, but he plays much quicker than most receivers of his size. His game is also more of a possession receiver type, having sure hands and outstanding ball skills. His route tree is also very developed for a guy his age. For the coup de grace, Higgins is a willing blocker that has a natural advantage due to his size and 33 1/8-inch arms. Higgins' athleticism doesn't always translate on tape. While he caught 58.3% of contested catches in 2024, according to PFF, he finds himself in those situations far too often. He needs to grow as a route runner to gain better separation, and he also lacks a second gear to burn defenders downfield. Even so, he's a great option should the Steelers find themselves back in the second round.
6. JACK BECH, TCU
When Bech is on the field, there is a lot to love. Most important, he probably has the best hands in this entire class. He just doesn't drop passes. That sure-handedness makes him a threat almost anywhere on the field, and he moves quite well for someone who stands 6-1 and weighs 214 pounds. He's not very experienced facing press coverage, which leads to some questions about how well he can get open at the NFL level. And, he has battled injuries and missed games in every season over the past three years.
7. JALEN ROYALS, UTAH STATE
Royals isn't a dynamic athlete and he doesn't possess elite speed, but he's got all the makings of a good possession receiver. At 6-0 and 205 pounds, he's big enough to play outside, and he's polished enough to win against press coverage there, especially with some polished footwork. Above all, he's a reliable pass catcher, which raises his floor quite a bit. Since he's not the most athletic, he'll need some work to find ways to win more consistently against NFL defensive backs.
8. TRE HARRIS, OLE MISS
Harris is a guy who doesn't need much work to immediately come in and become a deep threat. He doesn't have burner speed, but he has plenty of experience working downfield and making catches far beyond the line of scrimmage. He can also work closer to the line of scrimmage and make short catches on the run and gain yards with the ball in his hands. However, his route tree needs some serious expansion as he has little experience working the intermediate level, and he didn't face a ton of press coverage due to the nature of the Ole Miss offense. There's a lot to like about Harris, including his game and good size at 6-2 and 205 pounds, but he's more of a high-floor project, making him ideally a third-round pick.
9. JAYLIN NOEL, IOWA STATE
Noel is a twitchy receiver better served in the slot, but has great speed and start-stop ability to be able to line up outside on occasion. He's also a prime candidate in the return game. At 5-10, he's on the smaller side. He also needs some refinement as a route runner and drops can be an issue, as well. However, a lot of this stuff is correctable with coaching. The uncoachable traits are very enticing, which is most likely why he'll end up being a Day 2 pick. He could be available in the third round.
10. ELIC AYOMANOR, STANFORD
The Canadian-born Ayomanor is one of the more polarizing receivers in this class. He's got a lot of the things NFL teams look for in an 'X' receiver. He's got good size at 6-2 and 206 pounds, a high football IQ, strong work ethic and enough production in college to earn a phone call on Day 2 of the draft. He's very raw in a lot of ways, especially in his ball tracking and overall technique catching the football. He already understands how to manipulate leverage in route running, and he's a very willing blocker in the run game. He could turn into one of the better receivers in this class, but it's going to require a good amount of development.
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