First WR Drafted

It is fair to say that 2024 was the Year of the Wide Receiver in the NFL Draft. It is also fair to say that 2025 will not be. Seven WR were taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, tying a record that was set back in 2004. In fact, there were 23 offensive players taken with the 32 picks. The First WR Drafted in 2025 is not only up for debate, but it’s entirely possible that we only have three taken over the first 32 picks.

Let’s look at the options for First WR Drafted and also the market for wide receivers as a whole.

 

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Over/Under 1st Round WR Drafted

Over 2.5 (-250) // Under 2.5 (+185)

While the odds do favor at least three wide receivers taken in the first round, that might be all that we get. The importance placed on that position in the current state of the NFL will likely lead to some team(s) reaching late in the first round, but we will not see a run on pass-catchers like we saw last year.

Part of that has to do with the draft class. Part of that also has to do with the resurgence of the running back position, as we may get 3+ running backs in the first round after not having any last year. The first RB (Jonathon Brooks) was taken 46th. Two (Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs) were taken in the 2023 first round.

Odds for First WR Drafted

  • Tetairoa McMillan -230
  • Matthew Golden +150
  • Emeka Egbuka 13/1
  • Luther Burden III 50/1
  • Jayden Higgins 65/1
  • Tre Harris 75/1
  • Isaiah Bond 80/1
  • Elic Ayomanor 100/1
  • Jack Bech 150/1
  • Xavier Restrepo 150/1
  • Tez Johnson 150/1

Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of 12:30 p.m. PT

It is a very weak wide receiver class. There may be some stars somewhere on the board, and possibly favorite Tetairoa McMillan is one of them. Maybe Matthew Golden or Emeka Egbuka will be one of them. Beyond that, scouts and talent evaluators won’t have many first-round grades on guys, if any.

So who gets taken first? McMillan and Golden have star potential, while Egbuka seems like a very safe pick with reliable hands and terrific run-blocking skills. McMillan and Golden are the big-play threats, especially after Golden ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine. Teams love speed. McMillan ran a 4.48 at his pro day and did not go to the Combine.

Egbuka ran a 4.45 and his draft position prop is 29.5 with the Under heavily juiced at time of publish, implying that he will likely be a first-round pick. Golden’s 17.5 position prop is -115 both ways. McMillan was not listed, but it would be a big surprise if he isn’t taken with one of the first 32 selections.

I don’t believe that Egbuka at 13/1 to be the first WR taken is a big stretch. Teams will love the pedigree after playing at Ohio State and, while he doesn’t have Garrett Wilson or Marvin Harrison Jr. upside, he’s a super safe pick that will help in the run game as well.

I also see a path for Golden to go first off the board based on his speed. Golden’s 4.29 is not far off of Xavier Worthy’s record set last year of 4.21. Keep an eye out for the news in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, as I don’t think McMillan should be as much of a favorite as he is.

Pick: Matthew Golden (+150)

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