The following post is published along with 33 One Receiver Scouting Profiles and over 2500 total reports in my 2025 NFL Draft Guide. You can get that at the following link:

New update to the NFL Draft Guide: All 134 FBS teams are cross-check completed and profiles built. I have now completed the “Preseason Profile Building” phase and now have entered into “Preseason Film” phase. You can catch all of the details at this link.

The State of the One Receiver Position

Wide receiver is a position that has continued to evolve heavily as the NFL continues it’s evolution into the pass-heavy league that it is. While positions are still identified in NFL playbooks as the X and Z positions, the demands for the position have radically changed. 

The One Receiver is now a receiver who can stretch the defense and dictate coverage. Not every NFL team has one, either, as it normally requires great size and route-running ability. But, they can come in all shapes and sizes. 

In this guide for the position, I tend to focus on size, speed, and route-running prowess to fit in the One Receiver spot. 

The State of the 2025 One Receiver Class

I think potentially, in this class, there are some real difference-making receivers in this group. Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan looks every bit of a top 15 pick in the Draft, capable of playing dominantly with both his size and athletic ability and is a player I’m very excited about. 

Even when you work into the next tiers, there is a ton of potential. Kaden Prather at Maryland and Jayden Higgins and Iowa State both fit the billing of one receivers who can become dominant, as does Orande Gadsden from Syracuse. It’s a very good class compared to recent memory for this type of a position and skillset, and this could result in some guys going a lot earlier than most expect entering this season. 

Preseason One Receiver Grades

Starter

Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Starter/Immediate Role Player

Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

Future Starter/Immediate Role Player

• Kaden Prather, Maryland
• Oronde Gadsden, Syracuse

Future Role Player

• Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas
• Jerand Bradley, Texas Tech

Future Role Player/Project

• Dylan Wright, TCU
• Quentin Skinner, Kansas
• Frank Ladson, UMass
• Tyrone Broden, Arkansas