Previewing this year’s wide receiver class ahead of the draft.
With less than three weeks until the 2025 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots are in the process of putting the finishing touches on their board. What that board will look like is, of course, a closely-guarded secret. However, it is a relatively safe bet that it is filled to the brim with wide receivers given the team’s need at the position.
So, with that said, let’s take a look at some of the prospects that might make sense for New England.
Patriots’ current wide receiver situation
After adding projected starter-level contributors Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency, the Patriots currently have nine wide receivers signed for 2025. Among them are last year’s top three, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas; Boutte established himself as the starting outside/X-receiver, Bourne served as the top Z coming off his ACL tear, and Douglas served as a slot who primarily entered the field in passing situations.
Beyond those three as well as Diggs and Hollins, New England also has two members of its 2024 draft class on the roster. Second-rounder Ja’Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker both disappointed during their rookie seasons, but for now remain in a position to show the new coaching staff that they can still be of value to the operation.
Beyond those five, JaQuae Jackson was retained as an exclusive rights free agents and John Jiles signed to a reserve/futures pact after ending 2024 on the practice squad. At least on paper, neither of the two is expected to significantly move the needle for the unit.
Patriots NFL Draft fits at wide receiver
Travis Hunter (Colorado): Arguably the best wide receiver and the best cornerback in this year’s draft, Hunter is a unique player capable of having a two-way impact from early on in his career. From a Patriots perspective, the biggest questions regarding the Colorado product are a) if he will primarily start off as a CB versus a WR, and b) if he will even be available once they are on the clock at No. 4 overall. | Consensus big board: No. 3
Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona): The top “pure” wide receiver prospect coming out this year, McMillan combines prototypical size with some of the best ball skills in the class. He is a vacuum at the outside wide receiver position capable of making even catches outside his frame look easy, and despite a lack of high-end long speed has clear WR1 traits. | Consensus big board: No. 10
Matthew Golden (Texas): Golden does not wow based off his build or college production, but he is as sound a wide receiver prospect as you will find. The 5-foot-11, 191-pounder offers inside/out flexibility and a strong athletic foundation, and could very well develop into a volume target at the next level capable of contributing as a starter from Day 1. | Consensus big board: No. 20
Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State): A technician at the wide receiver position, Egbuka was a volume target for the Buckeyes who finished his college career with 205 catches, 2,868 yards and 24 receiving touchdowns. His tracking ability and football IQ stand out, and his skillset as a whole suggests he could play a diverse role within the Patriots’ offense. | Consensus big board: No. 33
Luther Burden III (Missouri): Offering every-down skills at the wide receiver position, Burden projects as a starting slot or Z-receiver from early on in his rookie season. His ability to generate yards after the catch is special and makes up for his lack of any truly elite athletic skills. Even though New England has plenty of bodies to play the role he is best suited for, he is a clear fit for what Josh McDaniels likes to do. | Consensus big board: No. 34
Jayden Higgins (Iowa State): Size, speed, production — Higgins checks plenty of boxes teams are looking for. He is not the most dynamic player particularly underneath, but his skillset and physicality suggest that he can develop into a starter-caliber presence on the outside. | Consensus big board: No. 53
Elic Ayomanor (Stanford): Measuring 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds with long arms and big hands, Ayomanor has the build of a pro-level perimeter target. He also brings a physical element to contested catch situations and can make receptions outside of his frame. There are questions about this injury history and route tree, but the foundation is there. | Consensus big board: No. 58
Tre Harris (Ole Miss): One of the premier deep threats in the class, Harris is a well-built perimeter target who offers a combination of height, weight and length that should translate to the pros. He is not a pure speedster nor used to running a full route tree, but has upside once he gets his feet wet at the NFL level. | Consensus big board: No. 64
Jaylin Noel (Iowa State): A smaller target whose best work has come in the slot, Noel combines NFL-ready hands and athleticism with A-grade agility. A two-year captain, he fits what the Patriots are looking for both on and off the field; even though he plays a position well-covered from a numbers perspective in New England, he should contribute straight away. | Consensus big board: No. 68
Jalen Royals (Utah State): His routes — both in terms of volume and technique — are a work in progress, but Royals is a silky-smooth athlete capable of being used in a multi-faceted role. At minimum, he projects as a quality complementary target on the perimeter. | Consensus big board: No. 79
Dont’e Thornton Jr. (Tennessee): A rare specimen at the wide receiver position, Thornton Jr. ranks in the 95 percentile at almost 6-foot-5 and in the 97 percentile with a 4.3-second 40-yard dash. His college production never looked the part, however, and he will need to prove himself worthy of a bigger role than the one he had at Tennessee. Still, he is worth a Day 3 dice roll. | Consensus big board: No. 145
Ricky White III (UNLV): A positionally-flexible receiver due to his quickness and blocking ability, White had impressive production during his three seasons at UNLV. He has work to do to make up for his lack of bulk at 6-foot-1, 184 pounds, but could be an immediate contributor in the kicking game. | Consensus big board: No. 257
It goes without saying that there are plenty of other wide receivers worth mentioning as potential fits for what the Patriots are expected to do on the offensive side of the ball. Players such as TCU’s Jack Bech, Texas’ Isaiah Bond and Washington State’s Kyle Williams all could have a bright future in a Josh McDaniels-led offense as well.