Last year’s draft saw three wideouts go in the top 10: Marvin Harrison, Jr. (No. 4), Malik Nabers (No. 6) and Rome Odunze (No. 9). The fourth first-rounder, No. 23 Brian Thomas Jr., finished higher than any of them in the Rookie of the Year voting. Don’t expect as much star power this year, even if Hunter goes as a receiver or splits positions.
“There’s some good midlevel talent but not high-end talent,” said WR coach No. 2. That sentiment was echoed by the three wideout coaches and offensive coordinators I spoke to. “If you base it over the last five years, it’s average,” said WR coach No. 3.
After Hunter, who is expected to be picked first among wideout options, the top available receiver was split among coaches between Texas’ Matthew Golden, a 5-11, 191-pounder who ran a 4.29 40 at the combine, and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, a 6-4, 219-pounder who didn’t run at the combine but reportedly ran a 4.48 40 at his private workout in front of 24 teams in March.
“I like Golden better,” said WR coach No. 3. “He’s just a better receiver with a different type of speed and acceleration. When you see him against Georgia and Arizona State, he’s got a gear that most people don’t have. He’s super strong and makes catches in the end zone that are straight hands catches.”
McMillan had a better season in 2023 than 2024; the Wildcats went from 10-3 to 4-8. He was still extremely productive, catching 84 passes for 1,319 yards and eight TDs. Golden, who transferred from Houston to Texas, blossomed in Austin in 2024, catching 58 passes for 987 yards and nine TDs. His receiving yards were more than double what he did in 2023, while his yards per catch went from 10.7 to 17.0. Sources at Texas said he became one of their best practice players by the end of the season, a noticeable difference from when he first arrived there.
“He might be the best route runner in this class,” said WR coach No. 1. “He’s pretty nasty. His pro day was where you saw that explosion, where he did look like a 4.29 guy. He didn’t look like a 4.3 guy on a lot of his tape.”
