The 2024 NFL draft set a record for the number of offensive players selected in the first round. Twenty-three of the 32 players selected in Round 1 were on that side of the ball, including a record-tying seven wide receivers.
Marvin Harrison Jr. started the run at No. 4 overall to the Arizona Cardinals. He was followed by:
- Malik Nabers (No. 6 overall to the New York Giants)
- Rome Odunze (No. 9 to the Chicago Bears)
- Brian Thomas (No. 23 to the Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Xavier Worthy (No. 28 to the Kansas City Chiefs)
- Ricky Pearsall (No. 31 to the San Francisco 49ers)
- Xavier Legette (No. 32 to the Carolina Panthers)
Four wide receivers were then selected in the second round. It was an impressive run and multiple players had prolific rookie years. Thomas, Nabers and second-round pick Ladd McConkey all finished their first year in the top 10 of the league for receiving yards.
If you're hoping for similar results with this year's class, you'll be disappointed. This year's group of wide receivers lacks the No. 1-type options taken in the first round in 2024.
Here's what to know about this year's crop of wide receivers compared to last year.
2025 NFL draft: Comparing first-round wide receivers to 2024
Travis Hunter, Colorado
Hunter's a unique talent as the two-way star won the 2024 Heisman Trophy thanks to playing both wide receiver and cornerback at a high level for the Buffaloes. If he was a wide receiver only, he'd still be the top prospect at the position in the class.
Hunter will likely need to bulk up as a wide receiver in the NFL but still wins with his talent, athleticism, football IQ and general playmaking. He can access all levels of the field and has the burst to make plays after the catch. His body control and ball skills are reminiscent of Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith but in a slightly thicker frame.
If Hunter were a wide receiver in the 2024 NFL draft, he likely would've been ranked fourth in the group. Harrison, Nabers and Odunze all boasted better size and polish than him. He'd still be a first-round pick but not the first wideout off the board.
Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
McMillan has a strong case as the top pure wide receiver in the class with a great skillset. He's a big-bodied, fluid athlete in the mold of a Tee Higgins or Drake London.
McMillan isn't a burner but uses his impressive body control to win at the catch point. At 6-foot-4 with a nearly 78-inch wingspan, his catch radius gives him an advantage, as does his solid route-running skills.
If he were in the 2024 NFL draft, he would've ranked after Harrison, Nabers, Odunze, and Thomas. He likely would be in contention to be taken around when Worthy was, but with a different skillset; he's more of a possession-type weapon in the passing game than a vertical threat like the Chiefs' first-round pick.
