Rookie WRs Who Could Start Out of the Gate

NFL mandatory minicamps are winding down, and in about six weeks, training camps around the country will hit a fever pitch.

Draft Huddle examines rookie WRs who may be in line to start for their respective teams in Week 1.

Teams have about 2.5 months to formulate 53-man depth charts. Along the way, several rookie wide receivers are in line to start in 2025.

Listed alphabetically, these WRs could be in their respective teams’ starting lineup as early as Week 1.

Jack Bech (LV)

Don’t look now, but the Raiders have an upper-echelon wide receiver for Geno Smith in 2025, especially after Davante Adams skedaddled last year.

It’s pretty much Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, and a healthy dose of Brock Bowers at tight end. The lack of WR star power in Las Vegas paves the way for an early audition at WR2 for Bech. He could earn starting WR targets immediately. No exaggeration.

Luther Burden III (CHI)

With Keenan Allen and Darnell Mooney removed from the Bears’ roster orbit, Chicago has a new version of its Big Three, at least in its estimation: Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, and Burden III.

Burden III may take a while to acclimate to the NFL. Yet, with Ben Johnson in charge, he’ll be showcased no matter what. The Missouri alumnus is versatile, so he may be deployed all over the Bears’ offense.

Emeka Egbuka (TB)

Many dynasty fantasy football managers have pegged Egbuka for a “redshirt” year because the Buccaneers have Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan accounting for WR1, WR2, and WR3 jobs.

But are we entirely sure that McMillan belongs? Egbuka should have the juice to dethrone McMillan as early as now, which would nominate him for a starter’s job at WR3.

McMillan’s stock is down because of Egbuka. Egbuka’s stock is not down because of McMillan.

Matthew Golden (GB)

Jayden Reed comically went out of his way after the draft, through his agent, to make sure the world knew he’s the Packers’ WR1.

But he wasn’t really an NFL WR1 before the Matthew Golden draft selection. Of course, the Packers have oodles of wide receivers who all sort of live in the same talent territory, but the goal will be for Golden to rise above them.

Accordingly, and as the Packers’ first 1st-Round wideout drafted in eons, Golden must contribute like a WR1 and may get such targets as early as September.

Jayden Higgins (HOU)

The Texans are battling the departure of Stefon Diggs and the gruesome injury to Tank Dell.

Someone — anyone — must step up to relieve the pressure off Nico Collins, who is otherworldly. Higgins gets the nod because of his 2nd-Round draft stock, but keep an eye on his Iowa State buddy, Jaylin Noel, too.

Travis Hunter (JAX)

For months leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, draft heads forecasted Travis Hunter as a cornerback. Then, the Jaguars came along with a fancy trade, picked Hunter, and said, “You are actually a wide receiver.”

While Hunter may take on a Deion Sandersian hybrid role in time, pencil him in as a prolific WR2 next to Brian Thomas out of the gate.

Tetairoa McMillan (CAR)

Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, and Jalen Coker are not inconquerable depth chart commodities. McMillan might be the top wide receiver on this list per rookies demanding early targets.

The guy is smooth as hell and will generate numbers instantly.

Jordan Watkins (SF)

This article’s dark horse, Watkins may start at WR3 for the 49ers because Brandon Aiyuk’s injury recovery timetable is murky.

49ers Webzone’s David Bonilla wrote this week, “Wide receiver Jordan Watkins has emerged as one of the most intriguing rookies from the San Francisco 49ers’ offseason program—at least in the limited practices open to the media. The 49ers selected Watkins in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after he totaled 142 receptions for 2,096 yards and 14 touchdowns over three seasons at Ole Miss.”

“At 5-foot-11, Watkins may not have the imposing size of teammates like Jauan Jennings or fellow rookie Ricky Pearsall (both 6-foot-3), but he’s already building strong early chemistry with the 49ers’ quarterbacks. Whether that momentum continues into training camp, when pads are put on and contact is allowed, remains to be seen.”

Consider Watkins a deep sleeper for early regular season action.

Kyle Williams (NE)

Williams in New England is similar to Bech in Las Vegas.

The Patriots’ WR corps is generally stinky — like the Raiders — and by default, Williams will have a chance to climb the depth chart.

Drake Maye needs pass-catchers on Sundays; Williams has the skill set to be one right away.

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Dustin Baker is a co-founder of Draft Huddle and also writes at VikingsTerritory.com. He is also a fiction novelist and has been a fan of the NFL since 1989.