Analysis of the Odds for the First Wide Receiver Drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft: Golden Closing in on McMillan

• Tetairoa McMillan’s odds to be the first wideout drafted have been lengthened from -240 to -165
• Matthew Golden’s stock is on the rise, and is the most likely receiver to be selected ahead of McMillan
• See the updated odds to be the first and second wide receiver drafted, below

Where there’s smoke there’s fire. The smoke out of NFL Draft pundits mouths these days is Tetairoa McMillan is no longer a lock to be the first receiver selected. McMillan’s price to be the top wideout drafted has been lengthened significantly over the past week, as work ethic concerns have started to surface.

First Wide Receiver Drafted Odds

McMillan’s NFL Draft odds to be the first receiver selected have gone from -240 to -165. His chief competition in this market is Matthew Golden, who’s price has been shortened from +150 to +120. Emeka Egbuka is a mild threat to overtake them both, but most experts don’t believe he has a high enough ceiling to be a top-15 pick.

Odds as of April 20 at DraftKings. Claim a DraftKings promo code to bet on the NFL Draft.

McMillan Has Too Many Red Flags

The pros with MacMillan are obvious. He’s a big, he’s smooth, he’s rangy, and he has a great catch radius. His closest player comp is the Falcons Drake London, as he has the traits to be a big-time X receiver.

McMillan put up back-to-back 1,300+ yard seasons at Arizona, scoring 18 receiving touchdowns along the way. He averaged 15.7 yards per catch in his final season, while racking up 84 receptions.

However, he’s far from a perfect prospect. McMillan isn’t nearly the type of “dog” London was coming out of USC. London was far more detail oriented, and was able to improve his underwhelming route running skills quickly at the NFL level.

From all accounts, McMillan does a poor job of finishing routes. He lacks attention to detail and doesn’t do the little things well away from the ball. On tape, experts point out that he lacks urgency, and doesn’t fight hard enough in contested catch situations.

Under a previous regime at Arizona, McMillan was coached much harder and showed more effort. This past season, he was left to his own devices, and didn’t show the type of compete that a 1st round receiver should.

To make matters worse, he didn’t attend the combine, and ran an a sub-par 4.48 40-yard dash at his pro day. Speed kills at the NFL level, and a guy with work ethic concerns and below average wheels is likely not worthy of being the number one receiver picked.

Golden Rising for Good Reason

Golden on the other hand, is gaining traction for how he tested and the show he put on in the postseason. The Texas wideout had his two best games in primetime, racking up 162 receiving yards in the SEC Championship Game, and 140+ yards and TD in the CFP quarterfinals.

Golden has elite speed, demonstrated by his 4.29 40-yard dash at the Combine. He claims he was dealing with an ankle injury then, and that his real time is in the 4.1’s. Injured ankle or not, it was the second fastest 40 this year, behind only Kentucky corner Maxwell Hairston.

2025 NFL Combine 40-Yard Dash Results

Golden can play all three receiver positions, and has excellent ball skills. He has the speed to beat a defender deep, but also the fluidity to break off routes early and win at the intermediate level of the field.

He led all Texas receivers this past season with 987 receiving yards and 9 TD, while averaging 17.0 yards per catch. If there’s a knock on him it’s that he’s not dynamic enough after the catch, but I’m not buying that.

Golden was a kick returner for the Longhorns, and for the previous two years at the University of Houston before transferring. He took two kicks back to the house as a Cougar, and the speed, decisiveness and field reading ability to do that job almost always translates into elite YAC production in the pros.

At this point of the process, all of McMillan’s red flags are going to see him slide. The most likely team to draft a receiver first per our NFL Mock Draft is the Cowboys at 12, and rumours out of Dallas are they prefer Golden.

• Pick: Matthew Golden (+120 at DraftKings)

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the debate over which wide receiver will be the first off the board is heating up. Two players in particular, Marcus Golden and Tyler McMillan, have emerged as the frontrunners for this coveted title.

Marcus Golden, a standout wide receiver from Alabama, has been turning heads with his impressive speed and route-running abilities. At 6’3″ and 210 pounds, Golden has the size and athleticism to be a game-changer at the next level. His performance in college has been nothing short of stellar, with multiple 100-yard receiving games and highlight-reel catches that have scouts drooling.

On the other hand, Tyler McMillan, a dynamic playmaker from Ohio State, has also been making a strong case to be the first wide receiver drafted. McMillan is known for his explosive speed and agility, making him a nightmare for defenders to cover. His ability to create separation and make plays after the catch has drawn comparisons to some of the league’s top receivers.

So, who has the edge in this race to be the first wide receiver drafted in 2025? According to experts and analysts, it’s a close call. While Golden may have the slight edge in size and physicality, McMillan’s speed and elusiveness make him a dangerous weapon in the passing game.

Ultimately, it may come down to team needs and preferences when it comes to deciding between these two talented prospects. Some teams may prioritize Golden’s size and ability to win contested catches, while others may value McMillan’s speed and playmaking ability in open space.

Regardless of who ends up being the first wide receiver drafted, one thing is for certain – both Marcus Golden and Tyler McMillan have bright futures ahead of them in the NFL. Fans can expect to see these two dynamic playmakers making an impact on Sundays for years to come.