More than maybe any other position in the NFL Draft over the last decade, we have seen young receivers come into the league and make an immediate impact. The way the college game has evolved into a spread passing game makes these young receivers ready for the pro game.
The 2025 class of receivers doesn't have some of the high-end talent we've seen from recent classes but there are plenty of players who can help receiver-needy teams in April's NFL draft.
Depending on how free agency goes, the Lions could be on the lookout for a receiver with some size to join their room alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond.
Top 5 receivers to watch at the Combine:
1. Travis Hunter, Colorado, 6-1, 185
The Heisman Trophy winning two-way star is a fluid receiver who can create separation at the top of his route with ease. He has elite ball skills and makes tough catches look easy. He caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards (13.1 average) with 15 touchdowns for the Buffaloes this past season.
View photos of the wide receiver prospects who were invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
Arkansas wide receiver Andrew Armstrong (2) runs against Tennessee during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor runs after a reception against Louisville during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. Stanford won 38-35. (AP Photo/Benjamin Fanjoy)
Florida wide receiver Elijhah Badger (6) sets up for a play against Georgia during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
TCU wide receiver Jack Bech (18) breaks away from Houston linebacker Jamal Morris (25), defensive back A.J. Haulcy (2), and defensive back Latrell McCutchin Sr. (1) on a touchdown run during an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond (7) scores a touchdown against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Louisville wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks (1) plays against Clemson during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Miami wide receiver Sam Brown Jr. (11) runs with the ball during an NCAA football game against Miami on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 in Miami. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half in an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Notre Dame wide receiver Beaux Collins (5) runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Florida wide receiver Chimere Dike (17) catches a pass against Mississippi during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) attempts to pass Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore (15) during the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Virginia Tech's Da'Quan Felton runs after catch near goal line against Georgia Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)
Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton (10) runs past Southern California safety Kamari Ramsey (7) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Alyssa Howell)
Miami wide receiver Jacolby George (3) runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden (2) runs against Kentucky during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Mississippi wide receiver Tre Harris (9) runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Oxford, Miss. Kentucky won 20-17. (AP Photo/Randy J. Williams)
Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins lines up for a play during the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Iowa State, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. Arizona State won 45-19. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oregon wide receiver Traeshon Holden reacts to a play during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)
Colorado wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado State wide receiver Tory Horton (14) faces Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Central Florida wide receiver Kobe Hudson (2) runs after catching a pass against Cincinnati during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter, right, avoids Oklahoma State cornerback Korie Black, left, in the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Minnesota wide receiver Daniel Jackson runs after a catch during an NCAA football game against the Nevada on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) rushes against Illinois during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Texas Tech receiver Josh Kelly (3) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Iowa State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Bryon Houlgrave)
Auburn wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (5) carries the ball against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Virginia Tech's Jaylin Lane runs after catching a long ball for a touchdown against Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)
Georgia wide receiver Dominic Lovett (6) catches a pass in front of Florida defensive back DJ Douglas (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy (5) runs for yardage as he's grabbed by the facemask by Alabama defensive back Domani Jackson (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) against West Virginia in the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Pittsburgh wide receiver Konata Mumpfield (9) carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
San Jose State wide receiver Nick Nash, center, carries the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Nebraska receiver Isaiah Neyor, right, tries to catch a pass over Ohio State defensive back Denzel Burke during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel runs the ball, during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Maryland wide receiver Kaden Prather (1) pictured during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, against the Charlotte 49ers in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Miami wide receiver Xavier Restrepo (7) runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals (1) turns up field after a reception against Boise State against Utah State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 62-30. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith (11) scores a touchdown against Florida State in the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Memphis wide receiver Roc Taylor (3) tries to make a move against Tulane linebacker Tyler Grubbs (13) in first half NCAA college football game in New Orleans on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)
Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa runs with the ball against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Texas A&M and Arkansas, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Texas A&M won 21-17. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tennessee wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (1) scores touchdown past Vanderbilt cornerback Jaylin Lackey (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Mississippi wide receiver Jordan Watkins (11) pulls in a pass for a 62 yard touchdown in front of Arkansas defensive back Marquise Robinson (13) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Missouri wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. (1) plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Mississippi wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. (3) runs a pattern against Wake Forest during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Wester (10) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III (11) runs after a catch in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams (2) breaks away from Syracuse defenders as he scores on a touchdown reception during the first half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
TCU wide receiver Savion Williams (18) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
2. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona, 6-5, 210
McMillan is a big-bodied receiver with a huge catch radius and a track record of making difficult, contested catches. He'll be a friendly target for a quarterback being able to win 50-50 balls and being a threat in the red zone. McMillan caught 84 passes for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024.
3. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State, 6-1, 205
Egbuka played both inside and outside in college but seems to have a good skillset to start in the slot at the NFL level. He's not a speedster but has a good feel for finding open spots and makes difficult contested catches, a prerequisite for being a good slot receiver. He found a way to catch 81 passes for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns in a very crowded Buckeyes receiver room.
4. Matthew Golden, Texas, 6-0, 195
Teams are really going to like Golden's versatility as he played all three receiver spots in Texas' offense and excelled at all three. Some of his best games were in the Longhorns' biggest games and that says something. He averaged 17.0 yards per reception in 2024 with nine touchdowns.
5. Luther Burden III, Missouri, 5-11, 205
Burden has terrific speed and run-after-catch ability, and those traits will really intrigue some teams. He also shows toughness in a crowd and is a player that teams will want to get the ball into his hands quickly and let him go to work. Burden had just 676 receiving yards in 2024 after 1,212 in 2023 but that was partly because of quarterback play.
Combine sleeper to watch: Isaiah Bond, Texas, 5-11, 180
Untapped. That's how a number of draft evaluators described Bond. He had just 99 catches in three seasons at Texas but he's a high school state sprint champion and will likely be one of the fastest players at the Combine next week. He could be a big play waiting to happen in the right offense in the NFL.
Lions' need at the position: Moderate
It's never a good idea to get complacent at skill positions even with a pair of 1,000-yard receivers like St. Brown and Williams back in 2025. The Lions also return Raymond and Antoine Green, and have signed Ronnie Bell and Tom Kennedy to futures deals.
What the team and veteran Tim Patrick decide to do in free agency will really determine how big a need this is for the Lions in 2025. Patrick was a terrific addition to the roster right before last season and really solidified that room with his size (6-5, 210) and experience. He quickly became a trusted weapon for quarterback Jared Goff.
If Patrick re-signs, the Lions have a really solid top four and could look to the draft to add young depth. If he signs elsewhere, they could certainly stand to add some size to the room if they don't get some in free agency first.
Key stat: The Lions had two players each tally at least 1,000 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns (St. Brown and Williams) in a season for the second time in franchise history. The only other duo to do so for the Lions was Herman Moore and Brett Perriman in 1995.
