Editor’s note: The Union-Tribune’s Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL draft (April 24-26). Here are his top 10 wide receivers, plus “bonus” players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

— 1. Travis Hunter (Jr., Colorado, 6-foot, 188 pounds)

As the consensus No. 1 overall player in the 2022 recruiting class, Hunter became the highest-rated recruit to commit to an FCS program when he flipped on signing day from Florida State to join head coach Deion Sanders at Jackson State. He followed Sanders to Boulder the following season. The two-time consensus All-American was just the third Heisman winner to earn Academic All-American first-team status, joining Florida Heisman winners Danny Wuerffel (1996) and Tim Tebow (2007). For all of Hunter’s accolades (and there are too many to name here), that’s his most impressive accomplishment in my opinion. He’s indefatigable. Hunter has played more than 1,000 snaps each of the last two seasons, including over 1,500 in 2024. While most NFL teams would likely prefer he continue to focus on playing cornerback in the pros, I’m thinking he has an easier adjustment period at receiver. Hunter’s smooth athleticism, impressive instincts and preternatural ball skills are what sets him apart on both sides of the ball. The only fly in the ointment may be durability if he continues to play both ways full-time (he’s certainly earned the opportunity). He aggravated an ankle injury his freshman season (missed five games) that he suffered as a high school senior. He also sustained a lacerated liver from a late hit (missed three games) as a sophomore, and played through a shoulder injury last October. Projected: Top-3

— 2. Luther Burden III (Jr., Missouri, 6-0, 206)

Only Hunter and defensive tackle Walter Nolen were ranked higher nationally in the 2022 recruiting class. Burden is an explosive athlete with confident hands who is dynamic after the catch. He consistently snatches the ball out of the air and features the contact balance of a running back. He’s shockingly strong for a receiver, and it usually takes multiple defenders to bring him down. He saw a dip in production after a revelatory sophomore season, but I’m attributing that mostly to uneven quarterback play, and the Tigers’ offense suffering a complete identity crisis. Burden thrived between the numbers as a sophomore, but Missouri seemed much more focused on taking shots deep down the sideline last season. I’d put the 2023 version of Burden up against any other receiver in this class, including Hunter. Projected: Rounds 1-2

— 3. Matthew Golden (Jr., Texas, 5-11, 191)

Most of us expected Isaiah Bond to be the Longhorns best receiver last year, but as the season progressed, it was Golden who emerged as Quinn Ewers' top target, catching 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns. The Houston transfer has shades of Brandon Aiyuk in his game, especially as a route-runner, and ran a blazing 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the combine. There’s also special teams value here — Golden averaged 25.8 yards per kick return in his three seasons and ran back two scores for the Cougars as a sophomore. Projected: Round 1

— 4. Jayden Higgins (Sr., Iowa St., 6-4, 214)

Higgins’ size, soft and reliable hands mixed with nuanced route-running capabilities sets him apart in this draft class. His YAC ability is impressive given his build, and he’s a willing blocker in the run game. The Eastern Kentucky transfer ended up being one of the standouts during Senior Bowl week after an uneven first day of practice, and impressed at the combine with a 4.47 40-yard dash, a 39-inch vertical and a 10-foot-9 broad jump. Higgins can line up anywhere at receiver, and his combination of physicality, ball skills and an incredible catch radius (6-foot-7 wingspan) could make him a matchup nightmare in the slot. Projected: Rounds 1-2

— 5. Tetairoa McMillan (Jr., Arizona, 6-4, 213)

McMillan’s a big, highly-productive playmaker with Mr. Fantastic arms and excellent hands. The former four-star recruit led the FBS in first downs (112), receiving yards (2,721) and receptions of at least 20 yards (42) the last two seasons. His volleyball background serves him well when a “50-50” ball is in the air. McMillan’s 17 contested catches were second among FBS wide receivers to only last year’s No. 9 overall pick, Rome Odunze, in 2023. He possesses average speed and separation capabilities, and he’ll need to get stronger in the pros, but his upside comp is a less polished version of Drake London. There’s some growing up that needs to happen though. Projected: Round 1

— 6. Emeka Egbuka (Sr., Ohio St., 6-0, 201)

Egbuka was the top-ranked wide receiver in the 2021 recruiting class. He’s a smooth route-runner who has a knack for finding the soft spot against zone coverage, and could thrive across the middle if he’s paired with a receiver who threatens defenses vertically. He has the most career receptions (205) in Buckeyes’ history, ranks second in receiving yards (2,868) and tied for seventh in receiving TDs (24). That’s saying something considering he played next to four other receivers who ended up being drafted in the first round — Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr. — and another who will almost certainly be a future top-10 pick (Jeremiah Smith). Egbuka was voted team captain his senior season. Projected: Rounds 1-2

— 7. Jaylin Noel (Sr., Iowa St., 5-10, 194)

Noel aced the combine, finishing the 40-yard dash in 4.39 with a 10-yard split of 1.51. He also had the best vertical (41 1/2) and top broad jump (11-2) at his position while putting up an impressive 23 reps on the bench press. Top-five finishes in the 20-yard shuttle (4.17) and three-cone drill (6.82) made him one of the true standouts in Indy. All of this after his peers recognized him as the best wide receiver on the National Team during practices at the Senior Bowl. Noel has been primarily a slot receiver, but I believe he has enough size and athleticism to play outside as well. The two-time team captain was also named first-team All-Big 12 as a return specialist. Projected: Rounds 2-3

— 8. Tre Harris (Sr., Ole Miss, 6-2, 205)

Harris was a two-year starter at Louisiana Tech before joining the Rebels in 2023. Ole Miss didn’t take advantage of his full skill set the way the NFL might, but he did eclipse 100 receiving yards in half his 20 games there. Harris’ combination of size, speed, ball skills and physicality sets him apart in this draft class. Despite missing four full games and portions of two others, he was still selected third-team All-SEC in 2024. Projected: Rounds 2-3

— 9. Kyle Williams (Sr., Washington St., 5-10, 190)

A two-year starter for the Cougars after spending three seasons at UNLV, Williams is a versatile home run threat. Only San Jose State’s Nick Nash, Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith had more TD receptions (14) last season. Smaller hands lead to the occasional drop, but few in this class are capable of creating separation the way he does. Projected: Rounds 2-3

— 10. Jack Bech (Sr., TCU, 6-1, 214)

Bech is a former four-star recruit who spent two years buried underneath Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. on the depth chart at LSU before transferring to Fort Worth. He stood out at the Senior Bowl following a breakout season (62 receptions for 1,034 yards and nine TDs) with the Horned Frogs. He features an impressive contested catch résumé, good size and the versatility to line up inside or outside. Bech isn’t a burner, but he’s a tenacious blocker in the run game and could also develop into a core special teamer in the pros. Bech caught the game-winning TD with seconds left in Mobile just two months after his older brother, Martin, was killed in the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Projected: Rounds 2-4

— 11. Isaiah Bond (Jr., Texas, 5-10, 185)

Bond is undersized, but he’s electric in the open field and a capable route-runner. The former four-star recruit was a high school state sprint champ in Georgia. His speed threatens a defense on all three levels and draws attention, and usually coverage, away from his teammates. In three seasons spent in the SEC — two with Alabama and one with the Longhorns — Bond’s production was underwhelming and he only teased his playmaking potential. He produced only one game with more than 100 yards in his collegiate career, against UTSA last September. His tape with the Crimson Tide in 2023 was noticeably better. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 12. Xavier Restrepo (Sr., Miami, 5-9, 202)

Restrepo finished his collegiate career as the Hurricanes’ all-time leader in receptions (200) and receiving yards (2,844). He’s a crafty, slot-only receiver who has a knack for lurking in a defender’s blind spot. Restrepo ran a surprisingly slow 40-yard dash (4.83) at Miami’s Pro Day, but said he suffered a hamstring injury during warm-ups. Regardless, I’ve always considered him more quick than fast. He isn’t going to take the top off of a defense, but you’d be hard-pressed finding a tougher receiver with better instincts in this draft class. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— 13. Nick Nash (Sr., San Jose St., 6-2, 203)

Nash originally enrolled at SJSU as a quarterback in 2019, but made the switch to receiver in 2022. He was a Consensus All-American, the first Spartan ever to be an unanimous selection, and finished as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award last season. He tied for second in the FBS in receptions (104), ranked second in receiving yards (1,382) and led the nation in TD catches (16). Nash primarily worked out of the slot, but he has natural ball skills and is capable of playing “above the rim.” As a six-year senior, he’ll turn 26 in July. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— 14. Pat Bryant (Sr., Illinois, 6-2, 204)

Bryant’s a former three-star recruit whose production escalated every season as a three-year starter with the Illini before finishing with 54 receptions for 984 yards and tying Brandon Lloyd’s program record for TD catches (10) this past season. He struggled with drops in 2022 and 2023, but he showed strong hands last year. Bryant doesn’t feature top-tier speed, but he has good size, can play inside or outside with elite ball skills and tracking ability. He’s also a physical blocker in the run game. Projected: Rounds 4-6

— 15. Tory Horton (Sr., Colorado St., 6-2, 196)

After two seasons at Nevada, Horton joined the Rams and was selected first-team All-MWC twice. The two-time team captain needs to get stronger, but he’s a natural ball-tracker (lettered in baseball in high school) with quick vertical speed, and slippery after the catch. He also produced a punt return TD of at least 70 yards in each of his three seasons at Colorado State. Horton missed the last seven games in 2024 with a right knee injury, but he ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine. Projected: Rounds 3-5

— 16. Jalen Royals (Sr., Utah St., 6-0, 205)

Royals is a former no-star recruit, primarily because he focused on basketball in high school. He’s a dynamic playmaker who produced 126 receptions for 1,914 yards and 21 TDs the last two seasons for the Aggies, including 10 receptions of 50-plus yards (tops in the FBS). His 2024 season ended early with a foot injury, but he’s presumably healthy after practicing and playing in the Senior Bowl, and ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at 205 pounds then called it a day at the NFL combine. Royals is still developing as a route-runner, but he’s already a catch-and-go terror on slants and screens. Projected: Rounds 2-4

— 17. Tai Felton (Sr., Maryland, 6-1, 183)

Felton is a former three-star recruit who set the Terrapins’ single-season record for receptions (96) while also becoming just the fourth player in school history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season. The third-team All-American is a burner (ran 4.37 in Indy) with YAC ability (26 forced missed tackles in 2024), but he has work to do as a blocker. His special teams experience will only increase his chances of landing a gig in the pros — 12 career special teams tackles. Felton suffered a torn ACL his junior year in high school. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— 18. Elic Ayomanor (So., Stanford, 6-1, 206)

The former three-star recruit is a savvy route-runner with good size and high football IQ — he majored in nuance and minored in tempo. Ayomanor is physical and athletic enough to deal with handsy defenders, and could develop into a bully of smaller nickels in the slot. His physicality and strength also makes him an asset as a blocker in the run game. Ayomanor is also a threat after the catch, and has a number of acrobatic grabs sprinkled throughout his tape, but he does suffer from the occasional concentration drop. The Alberta native tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus as a senior in high school after tearing his PCL as a junior. Projected: Rounds 2-4

— 19. Tez Johnson (Sr., Oregon, 5-10, 154)

Johnson spent three years at Troy before transferring to Eugene in 2023, where he set a program record for receptions (86) in his first season with the Ducks. Despite his diminutive size, the former three-star recruit has been highly productive for two teams across three conferences (Sun Belt, Pac-12, Big Ten). NFL teams expect receivers as slight as Johnson to run faster, which means the 4.51 40-yard dash he ran at the combine — he looked much faster on tape — will likely relegate him to the third day of the draft. Johnson is the “adopted” younger brother of Broncos QB Bo Nix. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— 20. Savion Williams (Sr., TCU, 6-3, 222)

I don’t look at Williams as a wide receiver, the same way I don’t look at the Saints’ Taysom Hill as a tight end or the Steelers’ Cordarrelle Patterson as a running back. All three are playmakers, who if they happen to have the football in their hands, then the likeliest outcome is something positive. But the onus will always be on the team’s play caller to tailor a game plan that best utilizes Williams’ explosive skills. Otherwise, there’s a rather steep development curve as an actual receiver. His route-running is rudimentary at best, there’s simply too many drops on his tape, and despite his size, he doesn’t contribute much as a blocker in the run game. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 21. Dont’e Thornton Jr. (Sr., Tennessee, 6-4, 205)

Thornton was the seventh-ranked wide receiver in the 2021 recruiting class. He features an elite combination of size and speed (4.30 40-yard dash in Indy), but he saw fewer than 100 targets in four seasons (two with Oregon and two with the Vols), and only started 12 games of the 47 he played. However, he produced 661 yards and six TDs on only 26 receptions last season, leading the FBS with an incredible 25.4 yards per catch. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— 22. Jaylin Lane (Sr., Virginia Tech, 5-9, 191)

After three seasons at Middle Tennessee, Lane improved significantly as a receiver in Blacksburg. He scored every which way last season: twice receiving, twice running, once throwing and once on a punt return. Lane is a fearless returner who averaged almost 11 yards per punt return with two scores in his collegiate career. He’s undersized with strength limitations, but he’s a coach’s son with a combination of speed (he ran 4.34 in Indy), vision and contact balance that makes him extremely dangerous every time he touches the ball. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— 23. KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Sr., Auburn, 6-0, 190)

A former four-star recruit, Lambert-Smith spent four years at Penn State before joining the Tigers last season. He was selected second-team All-SEC after producing 50 receptions for 981 yards and eight TDs. Lambert-Smith is an explosive athlete, and defenses have to account for him when he’s on the field. He’s slender, and occasionally telegraphs routes, but he had five receptions of 50-plus yards last season, which was third-most in the FBS. He’s the only player in Nittany Lions’ history with multiple receptions of 80-plus yards. Lambert-Smith turns 24 in October. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— 24. Arian Smith (Sr., Georgia, 6-0, 179)

Smith was the ninth-ranked wide receiver in the 2020 recruiting class. The Florida native was a nationally ranked sprinter and long jumper in high school. On the Bulldogs’ track team, he set a personal best in the 100 meters (10.10) and helped them place second at the NCAA Championships in the 4×100 relay. Smith averaged 19.9 yards per catch in college, and almost 37 yards per TD reception (10), but he doesn’t have the surest hands. He is competitive as a blocker in the run game. Smith didn’t miss a game his last two season, but dealt with a myriad of injuries before that including wrist surgery, a torn meniscus, turf toe, a broken leg and a high ankle sprain. Projected: Rounds 5-7

— 25. Chimere Dike (Sr., Florida, 6-0, 196)

Pronounced CHIM-ray DEE-kay, the former three-star recruit is all gas and no brakes. He spent four years at Wisconsin before joining the Gators last season, where he was chosen team captain after only being in Gainesville a short time. Dike’s 4.34 40-yard dash in Indy is indicative of his on-field speed, but he finished his collegiate career with more drops (17) than touchdowns (11). Projected: Rounds 4-5

— 26. Jimmy Horn Jr. (Sr., Colorado, 5-8, 174)

Horn is a former three-star recruit who began his collegiate career at South Florida before transferring to Boulder. He’s short and light, but he’s a crafty speedster — he posted the highest speed (19.81 MPH) during the gauntlet drill at the combine. He’s fearless, and has enough wiggle to get loose in the open field. Horn could develop into a slot machine in the pros and could land a gig as a kick returner early on. Projected: Rounds 6-7

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