The NFL is a passing league and after you get your quarterback, the next item is to get him some talented weapons around him. This year’s class goes much deeper than this top 10, but as we turn the calendar to November, I’ll rank my top 10 on my big board, and give you a comparison for each.
One key thing to note, I have Travis Hunter rated as a cornerback on my big board, so he won’t be on this list. I think he can play wide receiver at the next level, but has a higher ceiling at cornerback, so you won’t see him here. With that being said, let’s kick it off with number 1:
1 – Luther Burden 3rd, WR, Missouri
My draft grade: Top 10
My comparison for Luther Burden: Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings
An electric playmaker with the ball in his hands, Luther is the type of player who can transform a wide receiver room, as well as add juice to an NFL Offense. You can learn more about the Missouri standout in my previous report here!
2 – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
My draft grade: Top 10
My comparison for Tet McMillan: Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A prototypical big body receiver, Tet also has a zip code catch radius. If it’s anywhere near him, he’s coming down with the pass.
He also runs very crisp routes for a man of his size and stature, and has shown to do some of his best work when the lights are on bright.
He does rely on his size too often rather than his technique, so you wonder how that will translate at the next level, as well as his long speed leaves a little to be desired, but he’s still a top 10 talent based on the tape here.
3 – Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
My draft grade: Late first round
My comparison to Elic Ayomanor: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, Tennessee Titans
A star from the great white north now playing ball on the west coast, Elic has strong hands and crisp route running to pair with his physicality as a blocker as well. You can learn more about Elic in my deep dive on him here!
4 – Tai Felton, WR, Maryland
My draft grade: Early second round
My comparison to Tai Felton: Stefon Diggs, WR, Houston Texans
If you want to watch a masterclass on route running as a wide receiver, then throw on a tape of Maryland and watch Tai Felton go to work. From his ultra savvy release package at the line of scrimmage to his spatial awareness and body control when working the sidelines, Tai can get open easily, quickly and often.
He does lack the speed that some of his contemporaries suggest, and I’d love to see him add some bulk to his frame, but he is pound for pound the best route runner in this class.
5 – Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami
My draft grade: Early second round
My comparison to Xavier Restrepo: Golden Tate, WR, Seattle Seahawks/Detroit Lions/New York Giants
A key cog in the Miami Offense, Xavier Restrepo has good, reliable hands and ball tracking skills, allowing him to make the downfield catches with ease. He also has the ability to get YAC (yards after the catch) with his creative running ability and quick straight line acceleration.
He is a bit on the smaller side (5-10, 198 lbs.) and does have a tendency to try and catch passes with his body, rather than his hands, but Xavier is still a very good wide receiver prospect overall.
6 – Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
My draft grade: Early second round
My comparison to Isaiah Bond: Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Speed kills in the NFL. You can’t teach it. Isaiah Bond is hands down the fastest wide receiver (and potentially overall) in this class. Not only does he have this breakaway speed, he can accelerate in a hurry, meaning if he gets 1/2 step on a cornerback, it’s going to be a touchdown.
Like Restrepo above, Bond’s frame calls into question his durability and ability to succeed at the next level (5-11, 180 lbs.) With this, he also lacks the length you’d like for a wide receiver to be able to compete for any contested catches. Ultimately, he may be more of a slot receiver/gadget player/return specialist at the next level.
7 – Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
My draft grade: Mid Second Round
My comparison to Tory Horton: Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants
Tory Horton is probably the best wide receiver in this class when it comes to working the middle/intermediate parts of the field (10-20 yards deep and over the middle.) He has reliable hands and body control to be able to make the tough catches, and hang onto the ball when he gets hit as well.
He does need work on his route tree, as he isn’t as experienced in some routes as you’d like from a wide receiver, especially on the sharper cutting routes. He also is lean for a guy his size (6-3, 185 lbs.), so I’d love to see him add some size to his frame without sacrificing speed.
8 – Emeka Egebuka, WR, Ohio State
My draft grade: Mid second round
My comparison to Emeka Egebuka: Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns/Miami Dolphins
Emeka is an elite level athlete at wide receiver, from his speed to his acceleration to his size profile as well. He also has an amazing football IQ, knowing right where to take some off of his routes to get open with zone coverages as well.
He battled through injury in 2023, so some teams will likely have some durability questions for him during the draft process. While he’s been productive, he hasn’t had that game-breaking performance yet from a receiver of his caliber, which makes you wonder if he’s hit his ceiling.
9 – Barion Brown, WR, Kentucky
My draft grade: Late second Round
My comparison to Barion Brown: Jalen Tolbert, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Barion has some amazing straight line speed and acceleration, allowing him to take even the shortest of passes all the way for a touchdown. He can also return punts and kicks with this profile, giving some added versatility to your offense, and even come out of the backfield as a runner as well.
He’s also undersized as a wide receiver (6-1,180 lbs.) which also affects his play strength as he can be knocked off of his route very easily. He has a limited route tree and would rather use his athleticism to gain separation rather than technique, which may not work at the next level.
10 – J Michael Sturdivant, WR, UCLA
My draft grade: Late second/Early third round
My comparison to J Michael Sturdivant: Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Other than speed, you can’t teach size. J Michael has both (6-3, 206 lbs. with a 4.38 40 yard dash time) and made Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list, also bench pressing close to 300 lbs and squatting 400 lbs. He also is versatile enough to be able to line up in the slot and on the outside, giving offensive coordinators a Swiss Army knife in their wide receiver room.
He has been plagued with concentration drops in his career, and dropping passes he should easily catch. In addition to that, his route tree will need some seasoning at the next level, in order to maximize his potential.
Overall, this is an excellent class of wide receivers, and a great year to need one, as there is something in this class for everyone. With the amount of talent here, NFL GMs could even debate picking two wideouts in this class, and come away looking like a genius when their passing offense takes off.
Like what you read here? Disagree with my order? Drop me a follow/line on “X” @sparkscouting, and let’s talk about it.
