Packers 2025 Draft Board: With The Top FA Receivers Signed, Could The Packers Draft A Receiver 23rd Overall?

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst with head coach Matt LaFleur and team President Mark Murphy on draft night - Photo by the Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – The Green Bay Packers decided not to make a move on any of the top available wide receivers this off-season signaling that there may be one or two receivers that they like in next month’s draft.

The Packers have not drafted a wide receiver in the first round since they selected Javon Walker 20th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft but with Christian Watson expected to miss most of the 2025 season and Romeo Doubs dealing with concussion issues in 2024, they may decide that the 2025 NFL draft is the time to break the 23-year streak.

Here are the top five receivers that make the most sense for the Packers.

1. Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka: Egbuka finished his college career second all-time at Ohio State with 2,868 career receiving yards and he finished seventh with 24 career touchdown receptions. He has the skill set to be a star at the next level due to his combination of route-running abilities and 4.3 speed to beat corners down the field.
2. Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor: Selecting Ayomanor 23rd overall would be a bit of a reach but the 2024 Second Team All-ACC member could be the top sleeper in this receiver class. Ayomanor is a big-body receiver (6’2 210 lbs.) who ran a 4.44 and impressed scouts at the combine with his route running. He also has a proven ability to be able to be a “go up and get it” receiver who craves contact with corners while running after the catch.
3. Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris: Harris and Ayomanor’s builds are nearly identical (6’2 205 lbs.) and they have a similar play style as Harris has also developed a reputation of being able to use his size and box out corners down the field. He ran an underwhelming 4.54 forty at the combine and his route running could use some improvement, but the star protentional remains obvious after he dominated Penn State in the 2023 Peach Bowl recording seven catches for 134 yards.
4. Utah State receiver Jalen Royals: Royals, who would be a perfect fit for the Packers in the second round, due to his skill set being very similar to that of Romeo Doubs. He has 4.4 speed and thrives on catching the ball with his hands while also using his basketball background to improve his route running. The Packers met with Royals during the Senior Bowl who is known and liked by franchise quarterback and fellow Utah State alum Jordan Love.
5.  Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III: Burden has first-round talent written all over him after running a 4.41 at the NFL combine and catching six touchdown passes for the Tigers in 2024. He was the number one wide receiver recruit out of high school and was the first player since 2008 to record two receiving TDs, two rushing TDs, and a punt-return TD in the same season during his freshman year. The reason why he may fall to the Packers at pick 23 is due to his height of (5’11) and not having much exposure to big physical corners playing press coverage which could limit him to being a slot receiver and punt/kick returner in the NFL.