The 2025 NFL Combine kicks off in the final week of February and we are exploring each position group ahead of the big event.

So far, we have already previewed which quarterbacks and running backs the Detroit Lions should be scouting, and in this article, we take a look at the wide receiver prospects who should have the Lions’ attention. All three position groups will go through on-field drills on NFL Network on Saturday, March 1.

Team need

The Lions have their WR1, WR2, and WR4 (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Kalif Raymond), but they could be on the hunt for a long-term solution for a WR3 capable of playing the WR-X position. Tim Patrick held that role last season and was terrific, but he is an unrestricted free agent and will turn 32 during the season. Furthermore, Raymond and Williams are in the final year of their contracts, though the Lions could opt to pick up Williams’ fifth-year option and keep him under contract through 2026.

At the end of the day, regardless of whether they pick up the option on Williams and/or if Patrick re-signs, the Lions could still be looking for a young receiver who could give them future stability at the position.

What to watch for

Wide receivers come in all shapes and sizes but there are basic skills across all roles that NFL pass catchers need to have. So when watching this group at the Combine, here are a few key things to focus on:

• How natural are their hands? Do they catch the ball away from their body or do they fight the ball and/or let it into their body?
• How is their body control? Do they lose balance trying to run beyond their capabilities or weave off the line creating looser routes?
• Do they maintain speed in and out of breaks or do they need to throttle down?
• How are their ball-tracking skills? Do they instinctively know where to run or are they late to pick up the ball? Can they locate the ball while maintaining speed?
• Can they maximize their speed by not reaching early?
• Do they have a clear understanding of where the boundaries are and can stay in bounds?

Top of the crop

Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona (6-foot-5, 210 pounds), is a monster with the ball in the air and elusive when he comes down with it. He has deceptive speed, and defenders struggle to stay with him during routes and after the catch. The NFL comparison to WR-X Drake London is a popular one and makes a lot of sense.

Luther Burden III, Missouri (5-foot-11, 208) was an All-American in 2023 but saw his numbers fall in 2024 as the Missouri offense declined. While capable of playing all three wide receiver positions, he is best suited at WR-Z and in the slot. He has terrific hands, the speed to separate, and is one of the best in this class with the ball in his hands.

Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State (6-foot-1, 195) is wildly consistent, can play inside (his best spot) and out (better at WR-Z), shows the ability to manipulate coverage during routes, and has a strong physical nature as a runner and blocker. He’s not a clean positional fit in Detroit, but he matches their mentality.

Coaching connections

Matthew Golden, Texas (6-foot-0, 195) belongs in the above section, but I’ve grouped him here because of his indirect connection with new Lions running back coach Tashard Choice, who coached running backs at Texas the last three seasons. Like Burden, Golden is capable of playing all three receiver positions but looks like he would be best suited at WR-Z and in the slot at the next level. He’s a fluid receiver who can be used on quick passing plays, as well as crossers, and field-stretching routes.

Jayden Higgins, Iowa State (6-foot-4, 217) connects with Lions’ new tight ends coach Tyler Roehl, who was Iowa State’s assistant head coach/running backs coach last season. Higgins is a pure WR-X who can also shift inside into the slot to create favorable mismatches. He’s not a separator, but his basketball background shows up when the ball is in the air, as he typically wins any contested catches.

Jaylin Noel, Iowa State (5-foot-10, 196) also has a connection to Roehl, but unlike Higgins, he’s a speedy slot separator who can run away from defenders and catches everything that’s close to him. He’s a big play waiting to happen on offense, while also contributing as a returner, which could get him on several teams’ top-100 boards.

Elic Ayomanor, Stanford (6-foot-2, 210) was recruited to play at Stanford by new Lions passing game coordinator David Shaw, though he redshirted during Shaw’s final season there. Still, the Canadian-born WR-X is physically NFL-ready, with room to grow into a better player (he’s still just a redshirt sophomore).

Isaiah Bond, Texas (5-foot-11, 182) is connected indirectly to Choice, and while he’s a very impactful college player, he has mixed reviews on his ability to translate his skills to the NFL. Some analysts consider him a potential first-rounder and starting slot receiver, while others see him sliding to third round or even into Day 3. His speed and quickness should show well at the Combine, which can certainly help his draft stock.

Potential Day 2 WR-X options

Tre Harris, Mississippi (6-foot-2, 210) is another pure WR-X who is capable of operating at all three levels. Ole Miss primarily ran him deep or threw it short to get the ball in his hands, but there are over-the-middle routes on his game film that show he’s capable of staple WR-X NFL routes.

Jack Bech, TCU (6-foot-1 ¹⁄₂, 212) took over the Senior Bowl practices and wrapped the week by being named MVP for the game after catching the game-winning touchdown as time expired. He’s strong, has reliable hands, isn’t afraid to go over the middle, and understands how to leverage a defender to put him in a position to secure receptions.

Tory Horton, Colorado State (6-foot-2, 195) should play on the outside in the NFL as he looks capable of excelling in the WR-X or Z roles. He tracks the ball with ease and can stretch defenders on vertical routes, but he also looks strong enough to run intermediate crossers. He has an NFL-ready frame and is physically ready to contribute on Day 1, though he may need more time before becoming a consistent impact player in a starting role.

Gadget wildcard

Savion Williams, TCU (6-foot-4, 228) first caught my eye because of his size, but when you watch how he plays, you quickly realize that he’s more Cordarrelle Patterson than a WR-X. He’s very raw in his routes, which will keep him from being a Day 1 starter, but he can be used in a litany of ways on the football field: on the outside, in the slot, in the backfield as a runner, and even the Wildcat. Right now, he looks like a player an offense can design a handful of plays for hoping for an explosive, but he has high long-term potential for an offense that can be creative with him.