Post-Combine Rookie Rankings: WR and TE

Right as Underdog Big Board season kicked off, I released rookie rankings for QB, RB, WR, and TE. See below from late January:

2025 Pre-Draft NFL Rookie Rankings: QB and TE

2025 Pre-Draft Rookie Rankings Running Backs

2025 Pre-Draft Rookie WR Rankings

 

Now that we are further into the pre-Draft process and the NFL Combine is over, below are my March Rookie Re-Rankings.

Below are the WR and TE Re-Rankings.

Wide Receivers Re-Rankings:

1 – Tetairoa McMillan

He didn’t work out, but nothing really changes for me for McMillian. He has dominated the last two years at the college level with subpar QB play. With his size, he doesn’t need elite workout numbers. He can be a very good X receiver at the next level, and will likely be a top 15 pick, with a chance of going top 4 or 5.

2 – Matthew Golden

Golden came into the combine with being a great route-runner, but there were some questions about his speed. He answered those with the best 40 time of the WRs, at a sub 4.3.

His production wasn’t dominant at the college level, but he has all the tools you want for him to be a great receiver. His upside is now similar to a Terry McLaurin type.

He’s still probably going a couple rounds later in Best Ball drafts, so I think there is real value here. Don’t be surprised if he’s a top 15 WR on Draft night.

3 – Luther Burden

Burden ran well and looked good at the combine, but questions will still surround him with his lesser production this past season. People will also knock that so much of his game was “manufactured” touches. Generally, that is used to cover up deficiencies in a player’s game, but I don’t see those deficiencies for Burden.

I think he’s a primary slot receiver, but who can do enough outside to remain in 2 WR sets. The upside here is someone like Amon-Ra or D.J. Moore. He could end up landing with a contender which potentially is even better for his fantasy outlook.

4 – Emeka Egbuka

Egbuka is probably the safest WR prospect and truly the one who could slide him from college with the least issues. He does everything you want, but the knock on him is that he’s capped as being a team’s number 2 WR, who’s best role is in the slot.

I think he’s still very much in the late 1st round mix, and he should be a clear starter wherever he lands. Though he doesn’t have elite upside, he should be a good fantasy producer.

5 – Travis Hunter

On pure talent Hunter is probably the best WR in the class, with the highest upside. The unfortunate thing is we don’t know exactly how much WR he will be playing.

That all being said, even as a 40% player he can be a steal at this ADP and he can be a very intriguing piece to add as he continues to go in the 9th or 10th round.

6 – Tre Harris

Harris is my next favorite WR after the top 5, and I actually wouldn’t be surprised if he sneaks into the end of the first round. He’s a legitimate X WR with good size, speed, production and route runner. There is upside here of him developing into a great WR as well.

What hurts him is the Mississippi offense isn’t always the most translatable to the NFL level, so it could take him some time to reach his upside. I’m still buying, because I do think he’s a starting WR next season, and he’s currently going as WR 59. If he’s anywhere near a full-time player he should easily return value.

7 – Jayden Higgins

Higgins in many ways is the higher floor/lower ceiling version of Harris. He should be an early 2nd round pick, and on a lot of teams can slide into the starting X role. He’s got excellent size and hands, and he showed at the Combine his athleticism is strong as well.

The fact that he’s going as WR 73, and 50+ spots after Hunter and Harris is crazy. If he goes in the draft where most are projecting him, he’ll be a top 115-140 player in the BBM. Right now he’s going in the 170s.

8 – Jaylin Noel

Noel’s impressive Combine put him in the mix to be WR 6 in this class and potentially an early 2nd round pick. He and Higgins were a tremendous 1-2 punch in college, and both now look like they could be top 40-50 picks.

Noel is more the combo/slot receiver similar to Burden, and while he’s moving up in drafts, he offers a tremendous value still from Burden/Embuka. He might get drafted just 10ish spots past those two likely first rounders, but his ADP is sitting at 195 (now more going in the 180s). That’s a massive discount for a similar draft projection and upside.

9 – Jalen Royals

Royals’ strong Senior Bowl and Combine have probably solidified him as a 2nd-round pick. He’s versatile, with solid size, speed, hands and route-running ability. His versatility also allows him to fill roles on just about any team.

The downside with him is he’s more of a number 2 WR at best, and probably ideally a team’s 3rd best option. He possesses a really high floor and I think the NFL transition will be easier than expected.

He remains a great value for a 7th or 8th WR.

10 – Jack Bech

Bech had a breakout Senior season, and has followed it up with an impressive offseason. He is very much in the 2nd round of the NFL draft conversation and has the upside to push for a starting role as a rookie.

He can play a variety of positions, and he is one of the best receivers in this class with his ball skills. If it’s near him, he does an excellent job of finding a way to come down with the ball. His route-running is strong, and his speed is solid.

If he lands in the 2nd round or early 3rd he’s got a real chance to be a fantasy option this year.

11 – Isaiah Bond

Bond is a speed receiver who unfortunately wasn’t able to match the hype with his workout time. End of the day though, on film there is no question he’s excellent at getting open vertically.

The issue is right now he’s more of a 1-trick pony, and even if you fully believe in that trick, it does limit him. Probably a 3rd rounder at worst in the draft, he will need a good landing spot to pay off.

He’s sliding in fantasy drafts and right now I’m good with that. I don’t mind taking some late round shots, for the spike week potential, but I won’t prioritize him.

12 – Xavier Restrepo

Restrepo is really a primary slot player, who will need a good landing spot to make an impact as a rookie. On the plus side he’s one of the more NFL-ready WRs in this class, so if he goes to a team that will play him right away, you could have some value here.

He’s sliding a bit, but the thing that generally prevents me from taking him, is that Higgins, Noel, Royals, and Bech are typically still on the board. I usually will take them before I’m considering Restrepo.

13 – Savion Williams

Williams is a hybrid RB/WR for his best NFL role, and if he goes to a creative offense that will use him appropriately, he’s a fun 19th-20th round option.

The risk here is he’s just a special teamer as a rookie and doesn’t do much fantasy-wise.

14 – Elic Ayomanor

Ayomanor might still end up a 2nd-round WR in the draft, but to me he’s a project pick. The upside is easy to see, but he’s just so raw it’s unlikely that it will come together in 2025. Now in 2027 I won’t be shocked if he’s developed into a good starting WR and worthy of his selection.

Overall I’m going to have very little of him, even as his price has fallen some.

15 – Tez Johnson

Johnson’s size is a factor, but the good news is it’s just his weight. He’s about 5’10”, so he could potentially add some pounds if it doesn’t impact his quickness too much.

Johnson doesn’t have the elite speed, but his play speed and more importantly his quickness will allow him the chance to succeed at the next level. He is excellent in the short area, and could find a role in the slot.

16 – Tory Horton

Honestly, it was great to see Horton able to workout and run a 4.41 at the Combine, as he had a knee injury early in the season. If medicals check out, there is a lot to like in his game from his speed/size and route-running.

Still probably a 3rd round pick at best, the fact that he’s healthy has him on my radar.

17 – Tai Felton

Felton had a fantastic athletic combine, really showing his big play upside. Probably in the late 3rd/early 4th round mix, he’s an interesting 20th round target for me.

I think there is real upside to his game as a vertical threat/big play guy. On the right team, I could see him contributing with some spike weeks as a rookie. I won’t go overweight on him, but I also want to make sure I have a couple of shares.

Other Late round Options: Kyle Williams, Dont’e Thornton Jr., Pat Bryant,  Nick Nash, Isaac TeSlaa, Ricky White, Jaylin Lane, Jimmy Horn Jr., Chimere Dike, Isaiah Neyor, Kaden Prather, Ja’Corey Brooks etc.

There are a lot of names here and a few could be 4th rounders or maybe even sneak into the 3rd. Most though will end up late Day 3 of the draft and will have a much longer road to be a fantasy factor.

In 20 rounds with some uncertainty, taking a shot or two at some of these names is fine, but for the most part you are probably better off looking for a veteran who can at least give you some bye-week support.

 

Tight Ends Re-Rankings:

1 – Tyler Warren

No workout, but nothing has changed for Warren. He’s a top 15 guy, very well could go top 10, and have a big impact as a rookie.

He’s more than just your traditional TE, as he can be used a short yardage runner, wild cat QB, TE reverses, etc. His size and frame will also make him a top-tier Red Zone threat (particularly if he gets some short-yardage runs as well.

2 – Colston Loveland

Loveland didn’t work out due to injury, but should be ready to go for the season. He’s such a smooth route-runner at his size that he compares to prime Travis Kelce. Just massive upside to his game that you hope he lands with a team that will utilize him.

Probably a top 25 pick in the draft, I think he’s a plug-and-play guy, and one of my favorite picks in fantasy drafts. It’s also nice you get 3.5 round difference in ADP from Warren.

3 – Harold Fannin Jr.

Fannin was just average with his workout numbers, but his production profile is tough to ignore. There’s a chance he’s actually the 4th or 5th TE taken in the NFL draft, but I still like his upside and fantasy outlook.

4 – Mason Taylor

Taylor might be the most complete TE in this class outside of Warren. His ability to fit as both an inline and slot TE should allow him to fit just about any team (and keep him on the field more). I think he’s a strong RZ threat, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s the 3rd TE selected.

5 – Elijah Arroyo

Arroyo is very athletically gifted and should push for a 2nd-round draft capital. His injury history could work against him slightly, but the upside is clearly here. I do worry that a team could see him more as a multi-year project and pair him with a vet. But overall I’m still happy to take him late in drafts as my 3rd TE.

6 – Gunner Helm

Helm’s workout numbers were absolutely awful at the Combine and the buzz was that this tanked his draft stock. Then it came out he did the workout with a sprained ankle. Now NFL teams will need to see how he tests at his Pro Day.

Assuming his athletic numbers are at least average, he probably didn’t hurt his draft stock one iota with this Combine workout. In fact it speaks to his toughness and passion that will have teams excited to draft him.

I think he’s a great 20th round option, because he could still go 2nd or 3rd round, and this is a TE who for stretches of last season he was the focal point of the Texas offense.

7 – Terrance Ferguson

Ferguson blew away the Combine and was one of the true big winners. While never featured at Oregon, he started a lot of games in his career, and was a solid safety blanket in the offense. His athleticism and route-running speak to a player with greater upside.

I think he’s in the Day 2 of the draft mix now, and could find a fun landing spot. He’s the type of guy who could be a far more productive pro than college player. In the 20th round I’m on board getting some shares of him.

 

 

Post-NFL Combine Rankings:  QB and RB

Post-NFL Combine Rankings:  WR and TE