5 days Ago By Democrat and Chronicle
For teams who are trying to add an immediate starting wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft, that will be a more difficult endeavor than it was in 2024.Last April, Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze were taken within the first nine slots in the first round, and before the first round was over, Brian Thomas Jr.
, Xavier Worthy, Ricky Pearsall, and Xavier Legette were also off the board.The Buffalo Bills then kicked off the second round by picking Keon Coleman, and with the next choice the Chargers selected Ladd McConkey meaning nine receivers were gone within the first 34 picks.That will not happen next week because this wide receiver class is not top heavy.
There might only be two receivers taken in the first round with Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and Texas’ Matthew Golden the consensus favorites, but things could start cooking in the second round.With two picks at Nos. 56 and 62, and a general manager in Brandon Beane who is always open to trading his way up or down the draft board, the Bills - even with their primary needs on defense - could be a team to watch when the second round gets underway, especially if a run at the position starts to develop.
Here are six potential targets:1. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio StateThe 6-foot, 201-pounder was one of the most productive receivers in this class over the last three years, and he did that playing in a big-time program in a big-time conference against elite competition.Since 2022 when he became a starter, Egbuka played 39 games and caught 196 passes for 2,677 yards and 24 TDs while earning All-Big 10 recognition each year.
In 2024, he led the national champion Buckeyes with 81 catches for 1,011 yards and 10 TDs while serving as a team captain.He figures to go either late in the first round which lines up for Buffalo, or early in the second where the Bills would probably have to move up from No. 56 or 62.
While the production is undeniable, he did run the majority of his snaps from the slot and the Bills are more in need of an outside wideout.The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote in his draft guide, “Egbuka is a very quarterback-friendly target - not because he is bigger, stronger or faster than defenders, but because he understands detailed subtleties to uncover and command the catch point. Though he can line up outside, he would thrive in a Rashee Rice-like slot role, where he can expand a play-calling menu with his diverse skill set.
”2. Luther Burden III, MissouriA crowded wide receiver room in Buffalo wouldn’t bother Burden given that he grew up in a house with nine sisters, nor will competition as he played briefly on the same team in high school in St. Louis with Lions’ 2023 first-round pick Jameson Williams.
In three years at Missouri, Burden caught 192 passes for 2,263 yards and 21 TDs and last year he was a first-team All-SEC selection. He ran a 4.41 in the 40 at combine which was impressive for a 6-foot, 206-pounder, but similar to Egbuka, Burden did the bulk of his work in the slot and he’s probably not going to make it to No.
56.Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network said, “Burden is a quick, athletic slot receiver. He received a lot of quick hitters in Missouri’s offense.
He excels on underneath option routes that allow him to combine his feel to create space and his suddenness to generate yards after the catch. He has outstanding body control, giving him the ability to contort and haul in poorly thrown balls. He is at his best with the ball in his hands.
He can stop/start in a hurry and possesses the agility to make defenders miss in tight quarters. He has more to offer once he gets to the next level. When given the opportunity to work down the field, he can tap into another gear and track the ball smoothly.
Overall, Burden is a fun player to study and reminds me of Stefon Diggs coming out of college.”3. Jaylin Noel, Iowa StateThe 5-foot-10, 194-pound Noel coupled tremendous production across four seasons at Iowa State with a terrific testing day at the combine where he ran a 4.
39 in the 40 and had a vertical leap of 41.5 inches which tied for second-best among all players.The rare player who stayed four years at one school, Noel caught 245 passes for 2,855 yards and 18 TDs in 51 games, and when he wasn’t catching passes, he was a stud on special teams and was the co-winner of the Big 12 special teams player of the year award.
For his career he returned 53 punts for an 8.8 average and 37 kickoffs for a 22.2 average.
That will get Sean McDermott’s attention.Noel is yet another receiver who worked best in the slot so the fit might not be ideal for the Bills, but his return ability is intriguing and he could be available if Beane sits still in the second round.Lance Zierlen of NFL.
com said, “Noel’s blend of receiving and return talent could carry more sway with teams given the league’s new kickoff rules in 2025. He’s primarily a slot receiver but has enough size and speed to kick outside in a pinch. His routes can be a little unfocused but that’s correctable with coaching.
What can’t be coached is his consistent play speed. He can accelerate and separate from turns and stems and tends to uncover on cross-country routes. The catch focus can be inconsistent, but he is willing to mix it up in the middle of the field and is a natural after the ball is in his hands.
Noel’s upside and punt/kick return value could make him a Day 2 pick with the potential to develop into a starter.”4. Jayden Higgins, Iowa StateThe Cyclones had it rolling the last two seasons with Noel and Higgins at wideout.
Last year Higgins led the team with 87 catches and nine TDs while his 1,183 yards were just 11 behind Noel. Clearly they made each other better and now they will likely both get taken in the second round.Higgins - who played his first two college seasons at Eastern Kentucky and scored 10 TDs his sophomore year - is a beast at 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds with an impressive 39-inch vertical leap and an average 4.
47 time in the 40 at the combine. He spent most of the time on the outside and he did some damage in the deep game as Pro Football Focus charted him with seven catches for 204 yards and two TDs on ‘go’ routes.PFF said, “Higgins is a reliable possession receiver who can run a diverse route tree from any alignment thanks to impressive foot quickness.
He won’t be an athletic standout in the NFL, but he’ll often be in the right place at the right time.”5. Tre Harris, MississippiEven though he missed five games last year, he was still a third-team All-SEC pick as he caught 60 passes for 1,030 yards and seven TDs.
At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds he has great size and that partially explains his 4.54 time in the 40 which is acceptable but certainly not burner quality.He fits the Bills because he’s primarily a boundary receiver, but the one thing to watch is that he was not a great separator in college, and the Bills already have someone like that in Coleman.
Brugler said, “Harris doesn’t have the explosive speed or separation skills that teams covet in a No. 1 receiver, but he is a controlled athlete with the play strength and ball skills to be a dependable possession target. He projects as an NFL starter and a team’s No.
2 target if he can stay healthy.”6. Jalen Royals, Utah StateThe only player in this group of potential targets who has reportedly had a top 30 facility visit in Orchard Park is Royals.
That doesn’t guarantee the Bills are looking to pick him, but it does hint at interest and that can’t be overlooked. He also feels like a third-rounder where the Bills do not have a pick and if that holds true and they really want him, Beane will have to make a deal.The 6-foot, 205-pounder who played mostly on the outside at Utah State ran a 4.
42 at the combine, then added a decent 36-inch vertical leap at his pro day. In his last two years as a starter he caught 126 passes for 1,914 yards and 21 TDs and he was known as a zone-busting receiver because he knew how to find seams and make contested catches. He profiles more as a possession receiver than a speed threat.
Kyle Crabbs of 33rd Team said, “Royals is a fascinating prospect who offers tons of natural ability for the wide receiver position. This is a ceiling play for teams that have confidence in their ability to draft and develop as Royals still feels like he’s just scratching the surface of what he’s physically capable of despite two productive seasons with the Aggies.”Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for four decades including 35 years as the full-time beat writer for the D&C, he has written numerous books about the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube show.
He can be reached at [email protected], and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.
social. Sign up for his Bills Blast newsletter here: https://profile.democratandchronicle.
com/newsletters/bills-blastThis article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Buffalo Bills needs include WR in NFL draft: 6 who may be available.
