Posted on

2025 NFL Draft position rankings: WR group topped by Tetairoa McMillan, but where does Travis Hunter rank?

The 2025 NFL Draft is almost here, and Yahoo Sports experts Nate Tice and Charles McDonald are breaking down the top prospects position by position. Here are the quarterbacks. Check out Nate and Charles’ consensus big board here, along with Nate’s final big board and Charles’ final big board.

Other prospect rankings: QBs | RBs

1. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

2. Travis Hunter, Colorado

3. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

4. Matthew Golden, Texas

5. Luther Burden III, Missouri

Here are the top five wide receiver prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. (Davis Long/Yahoo Sports)
Here are the top five wide receiver prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. (Davis Long/Yahoo Sports)

Nate Tice: A monster on the outside, McMillan is a smooth athlete with excellent hands and ball skills that give him true X-receiver upside. He consistently creates yards with the ball in his hands because of his strength and balance, and plenty of burst in such a big frame. He is also a good route runner who can consistently sink on his route breaks, with the ability to create separation on the intermediate levels.

McMillan was dominant in 2024 when the ball was anywhere in his vicinity and has the makings of a matchup nightmare at the next level. He also already has experience working from the slot, not just vertically but on underneath routes as well, with his ability to get in and out of breaks really shining on these routes.

McMillan is a big receiver who most importantly plays big. His volleyball and basketball background constantly show up in his game; he is very comfortable extending for throws away from his frame (which happened often at Arizona) and he doesn’t lose speed when catching the ball on the move because of his confidence in his hands.

McMillan lacks elite long speed, but he still has enough speed — and most importantly the frame and ball skills — to win consistently vertically. McMillan brings a lot to the table and can be an instant strong contributor at the next level because of his route-running polish and ball skills. I’m very bullish on McMillan.

Charles McDonald: There aren’t many true Day 1 bona fide starting outside wide receivers in this class, but McMillan from has the profile of one. He led the Big 12 in receiving yards without the sharpest quarterback play and routinely displayed his skills as a potential No. 1 NFL receiver.

McMillan raised eyebrows by electing not to run a 40-yard dash this draft season, but the big-bodied WR has shown enough overall talent and ability to be one of the more coveted players in the class.

Charles McDonald: Putting Hunter anywhere but the top spot feels like overthinking, even if he doesn’t ultimately live up to the lofty hype he set for himself after a once-in-a-lifetime college career.

In addition to the Heisman Trophy, Hunter won the Bednarik Award for the best defensive player in college football and won the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the best wide receiver in the country. Hunter is a legitimate first-round prospect at both wide receiver and cornerback, thanks to some otherworldly ball skills and overall athleticism that make him an impact player on both sides of the ball. So far, Hunter is adamant on playing both ways in the NFL, which will prove tough, but it’s hard to doubt someone who has already made it this far on his talents.

Hunter might be a bit more pro-ready at cornerback right now, where his instincts and athleticism can make him a nuisance for passing games, but a play at wide receiver is completely defensible (and exciting) as well.

The term “generational” gets thrown around way too much in draft coverage, but for someone like Hunter, it actually applies.

Nate Tice: As the most dynamic player in the country, Hunter was a game-changer at cornerback and wide receiver in college. Still, I think his best path as a professional is as a full-time defender with some spot duty on offense — a usage resembling his coach/mentor Deion Sanders when he played with the Dallas Cowboys in 1996.

Hunter can consistently stay sticky to his coverage assignment, showing off the quickness and body control to thrive in man-to-man situations, with the excellent burst to make plays on the football and nullify the receiver. He plays with a high level of intelligence for the position, and will take calculated gambles to fall off his coverage assignment and even bait quarterbacks into interception opportunities. Hunter’s ball skills and feel for the position are rare. His athleticism is unlocked by his innate ability to always find — and come down with — the football. Hunter seems to make a big play in every quarter of the game.

The ball skills, quickness and body control all show up when Hunter plays wide receiver, too, but he is more raw at the position, lacking the refinement he shows on the other side of the ball — and, yes, he has rapidly improved this season. He also plays bigger than his listed size (6-foot, 188 pounds) because of his hands and hand-eye coordination, while also being able to create with the ball in his hands. This makes two-way play at the next level a real possibility, even if it’s for a small package of plays.

Hunter’s moderate bulk does not come up as a tackler; he’s a physical defender. But it is also a reason why I have some hesitation about Hunter being a full-time player on both sides at the next level (along with the sheer mental load, but that’s something that can come with time). No matter what, Hunter is a helluva football player and whatever team drafts him is getting a game-changing talent.

Nate Tice: Egbuka is ol’ reliable at wide receiver. He checks a lot of boxes as a prospect, even if none of his tools are elite. He is strong with good size, and is a sound and clean route runner who can play in the slot and outside with a great feel against zone and how to make himself friendly to the quarterback.

Egbuka has good hands, speed and body control to consistently create yards after the catch with the burst to split defenders. He might not have the highest ceiling for a prospect, but he is an extremely smart player with a very high floor — with enough athleticism to keep tapping into. Ultimately, Egbuka is useful and an ideal No. 2 WR in today’s NFL who can fill a lot of roles.

Charles McDonald: Egbuka is a prototype slot prospect. He’s willing to do all the dirty work in the middle and lower areas of the field and has no qualms about playing with toughness when necessary. Egbuka might not have been as flashy as his teammate Jeremiah Smith last season, but he’s a Day 1 starter in the slot, which has a lot of value in today’s game.

Charles McDonald: Golden shot up big boards as the 2024 season went along, including mine, and his big week in Indy didn’t slow him down. He’s a smooth route runner and operator who can beat press with his balance, burst and strength.

Golden doesn’t have overwhelming size, but he maximizes it with toughness and comfort in extending for footballs away from his body. He has the ability to line up inside and out, and is effective underneath and on throws downfield because of his body control and hand-eye coordination. He might not have true No. 1 upside, but he can be a very good secondary receiver for somebody because of how effective he is in a variety of different roles. He plays a lot like DJ Moore.

Nate Tice: Golden hit the national spotlight with a big-time run through the College Football Playoff. He played well enough all season where he merited first-round consideration before it. Golden has speed for days and can be a big-play threat from Day 1 in the right offense.

Nate Tice: An explosive slot wide receiver who can create first downs and touchdowns out of nothing, Burden has a good frame and is a weapon on manufactured and underneath touches. He can also win deep because of his very good speed and hand-eye coordination.

Burden still has to show more as a route runner and whether he can win consistently on the outside and against press (he has mostly played from the slot or after being put in motion), but he has the ability to create explosive plays that NFL teams covet, with the ball skills to pluck the football from a variety of angles. He endured some inconsistent QB play in 2024, which hindered some of his progress.

Burden’s role has been streamlined in his career. He can be an exciting player if he goes somewhere that can expand his route tree and overall skill set.

Charles McDonald: Burden was a victim of poor quarterback play this season, but that shouldn’t change much about how people feel about him when it comes to his NFL projection. He’s a quality wide receiver prospect who has some nice speed and the ability to be a nuisance in the open field.

Burden might not profile as a stereotypical No. 1 wide receiver, but he’s the perfect player to have starting for a team as it collects wide receiver talent.

Posted on

Wade Phillips takes leave of absence from UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas

Wade Phillips, a three-time former NFL head coach, has taken a leave of absence from his current position as head coach of the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas.

The UFL announced on Wednesday that Phillips will step aside for personal reasons.

Offensive coordinator Payton Pardee will serve as the interim head coach for the balance of the 2025 season.

“The UFL is extremely grateful for the leadership that Wade has delivered to the UFL as head coach of the San Antonio Brahmas,” UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon and UFL executive V.P. of football operations Daryl Johnston said in a statement. “The credibility that he has brought to the UFL as a Head Coach validates what we are building as a league. This coaching legend has the respect of everyone in the league as well as throughout the entire football community for his dedication and accomplishments as a coach for over 50 years. If and when Wade is ready to return to the sidelines, the entire UFL Family will be there to cheer him on.” 

Phillips coached the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in 2023. When the XFL merged with the USFL in 2024, Phillips became head coach of the Brahmas. He led San Antonio to last year’s UFL championship.

Phillips’s coaching career began in 1969, as a graduate assistant at the University of Houston. He joined his father, Bum, in 1976 as defensive line coach of the Houston Oilers.
In 1981, he followed his father to the Saints, where he spent five seasons as defensive coordinator.

He has served as head coach of the Broncos, Bills, and Cowboys. He also worked as an interim head coach with the Saints and Falcons. After his NFL career concluded in 2019 as defensive coordinator of the Rams, he was out of football until the XFL came calling.

Posted on

Son to miss Spurs’ Europa League trip to Frankfurt

Son Heung-min has failed to recover from a knock in time to play in Tottenham’s Europa League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt (Glyn KIRK)

Son Heung-min will miss Tottenham’s crunch Europa League return leg at Eintracht Frankfurt with a foot injury, manager Ange Postecoglou said Wednesday. 

The South Korean did not make the trip to Germany, having missed Saturday’s Premier League match at Wolverhampton.

“Sonny didn’t travel in the end, he’s the only one that misses out,” Postecoglou told the pre-match press conference.

“He’s been battling with his foot problem for a few weeks now and managed (to play) through it.

“He trained the last few days, he tried to train yesterday and it wasn’t right so we made the decision to leave him at home to allow him to recuperate”. 

Son has three goals and one assist in nine Europa League games this season.

After a 1-1 draw in London, where Spurs’ Pedro Porro cancelled out Hugo Ekitike’s early strike, whoever wins at the Waldstadion on Thursday will make the final four. 

Postecoglou comes into Thursday’s match under pressure after Spurs’ struggles in the league. 

The Australian said he “couldn’t care less” about personal criticism, adding: “If you don’t think I’m a good coach that’s not going to change because of what happens tomorrow.

“We’ve got a great opportunity tomorrow and I’m not going to let that slip by without fighting tooth and nail.”

Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmoeller said Tottenham’s latest league setback, a 4-2 loss to lowly Wolverhampton on Sunday, plays “absolutely no role because their only focus is the Europa League”.

Toppmoeller also shot down suggestions his side, sitting third in the Bundesliga, were favourites against a Spurs team in 15th place in the Premier League. 

“It doesn’t matter whether any team is the favourite or not,” he said.

Frankfurt captain and goalkeeper Kevin Trapp has failed to recover from injury in time to play, with Kaua Santos set to continue to deputise for the German between the sticks.

Frankfurt won the Europa League in 2022, defeating Rangers on penalties in Seville and the topic came up in Wednesday’s press conference.

Asked about the potential for a penalty shootout, always a topic in meetings between English and German opposition, Toppmoeller was bullish. 

“I have absolutely no fear of a shootout, because I have total confidence in the boys. And if it comes to penalties, we’ll win on penalties.”

dwi/nf

Posted on

UNC football 2025 spring transfer portal tracker

The college football spring transfer portal window is officially open. On Wednesday, the second portal window opened following spring practices, and it has already been an active one for the Tar Heels and the sport of college football.

It’s a new era of the game, so it really shouldn’t be shocking that it’s been active already. But this is now another opportunity for teams to set their roster and prepare for the upcoming season. This window will run for 10 days and close for good on April 25th.

Let’s track all of the moves regarding the North Carolina Tar Heels:

LEAVING: LB Crews Law (April 16th)

The younger brother of Cade, Crews is also in the transfer portal as they entered at the same time.

LEAVING: LB Cade Law (April 16th)

Linebacker Cade Law played just 24 games with the Tar Heels, recording three tackles and just one sack in his career. He entered the portal on Wednesday.

LEAVING: OL Zach Rice (April 16th)

TarHeelsWire RecruitingNewsFB

Former five-star recruit Zach Rice is leaving North Carolina after a few seasons. The offensive tackle never really developed at UNC and played just three seasons with the program.

LEAVING: DL Beau Atkinson (April 15)

Nov 4, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Campbell Fighting Camels quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams (6) looks to pass as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Beau Atkinson (12) pressures in the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina is losing a key piece to their defense in a surprising move. On Tuesday, defensive lineman Beau Atkinson announced he was entering the transfer portal. In 2024, Atkinson had 7.5 sacks for the Tar Heels and closed out the year strong.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Football: 2025 Spring transfer portal tracker

Posted on

Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones? NFL insider predicts Colts’ Week 1 starter at QB

In NFL insider Albert Breer’s weekly mailbag, he was asked to pick who he thinks will be the Indianapolis Colts‘ Week 1 starter at quarterback: Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson?

Breer selected Jones.

“I’d say Daniel Jones,” wrote Breer. “Anthony Richardson has gotten a lot of leash over the past two years, as he should have, coming into the pros as a fourth pick with just 13 college starts on his record. And he hasn’t done nearly enough with the chances he’s been given. Which makes me think the leash will be considerably shorter this time around.”

Once the Colts are able to hit the practice field, Shane Steichen has already said that Richardson and Jones will split the starting reps. The competition will go on throughout the summer as long as needed, and ultimately, consistency will play a key factor in determining who wins the job.

From that perspective, even with the ups and downs Jones has had in his career, at least given what we’ve seen up to his point, he has the advantage.

Richardson is coming off a season where he completed just 47% of his pass attempts. Jones, meanwhile, has a career completion rate of 64.1% and has never completed fewer than 61.9% of his throws in a season–and that came during his rookie year in 2019.

Richardson also had an interception rate of 4.5% last season, while Jones has been above 2.6% once in his career, and that was in 2023, when he appeared in only six games.

“As such,” added Breer, “I think there’ll be a natural curiosity about what Jones can do with the team Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen have assembled—and my guess is a starting opportunity comes with that.”

More consistency from Richardson begins with the fundamentals, said Steichen earlier this offseason, and then the reps that go with that. To help, Richardson is reportedly working out with the same quarterback mechanics coach who helped Josh Allen early on in his career.

Given the investment already made into Richardson, both in terms of draft capital and time, along with the sky-high potential that still very much exists, while Breer thinks Jones will win the job, long-term, it’s in the best interest of the Colts that Richardson takes control of the competition.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Jones or Richardson? NFL insider predicts Colts’ Week 1 starter at QB