Welcome to Glass Slipper! Sam Hubbard, I love you forever; please enjoy the show.

- Jacob Rhee

The NFL Draft is now only 50 days away. I ranked my top quarterbacks in the class last week, and now it’s time to do the same with the wide receivers. As a reminder, my pro comparison for each kid is not necessarily a projection of exactly how good they’ll become. I’m just giving you the NFL guy who consistently came to mind during my evaluation of the prospect. For this exercise, we’ll pretend that Travis Hunter is a wideout only; his cornerback value is not taken into consideration. Let’s get started.

1. Matthew Golden, Texas

NFL Comparison: Garrett Wilson

I never thought I’d be this high on a wide receiver who played two-thirds of his collegiate career in the AAC, had zero 1,000-yard seasons, and finished with exactly two catches on the biggest stage of his life. Here we are with Golden. I am hopelessly in love. Head over heels. I haven’t been this sure about a late first-rounder… ever?

The routes are sudden yet silky, the ball skills are fantastic, and he can flick on those 4.29 burners at any moment. This is Garrett Wilson reincarnated, and people still don’t see it.

Golden is going to make multiple Pro Bowls. I’ll try my best to spare you with the I-told-you-so antics when he’s battling for the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

2. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

NFL Comparison: Tee Higgins

If you haven’t watched Tet, he’s probably not the style of player that you think. It’s easy to assume that big dudes at the position are simply jump-ball artists, but there’s so much more to McMillan’s game. He actually does a lot of his work in short and intermediate areas, where his brilliant vision after the catch shines.

Tet does not drop passes, and I believe he’ll surprise some folks if he runs the 40 at the Big 12 Pro Day. I love how savvy he was as an improviser, when his buddy Noah Fifita was buying time. Match this kid with a quarterback that can move around - Bryce Young, perhaps - and you’ll have some magic.

T-Mac is everyone else’s consensus WR1 in the class. I disagree with the crowd, but I do like him as a productive, trustworthy option for the next decade.

3. Travis Hunter, Colorado

NFL Comparison: Malik Nabers

Every sports fan in existence is highly familiar with Travis, so there’s no need for a detailed breakdown or anything. At the very worst, he’s an electric No. 2 option that can take a slant to the house once in a while.

New England feels like the right fit to me. That franchise hasn’t employed a star receiver since Julian Edelman; let’s give Drake Maye his long-term running mate.

4. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

NFL Comparison: Chris Godwin

Emeka is the most bankable Ohio State offensive player of my lifetime. Period. This is what I wrote about him before the national championship.

He blocks his tail off, loves the game, and will never create an ounce of drama. Egbuka is the smartest and most well-rounded wideout available. Whoever drafts my guy better take good care of him.

5. Jaylin Noel, Iowa State

NFL Comparison: Jayden Reed

Noel spent four seasons at Iowa State; his receptions, receiving yards, yards per catch, and touchdowns all went up every single year. That’s pretty rare stuff.

Not only did he post a 4.39 at the combine, but he also won the vertical, broad jump, and bench press crowns for the position group.

Jaylin - though only 5-foot-10 - is a freak athlete who cares about the right things. I see him enjoying a lengthy and successful NFL career.

Missed the Cut

6. Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

7. Xavier Restrepo, Miami

8. Luther Burden III, Missouri

9. Tre Harris III, Ole Miss

10. Elic Ayomanor, Stanford

Our friend Jaylin Noel has a Cyclone buddy who’s pretty lethal in his own right. Higgins was a two-star recruit, and he might wind up being a top-50 pick. Meanwhile, Restrepo is just always wide open. Facing ACC defenses helped, but I do think he has some impressive feel in the slot.

No, I did not forget about Luther Burden. I just absolutely despise his body language when things aren’t going his way. Harris was trying to barge into Heisman conversations at one point last season, but I don’t love the lack of top-end speed on a dude who relies so heavily on deep shots. Though I certainly hope Ayomanor stays healthy, his injury history terrifies me.

Pressroom

Spin It

“Dancing on the Ceiling” by Lionel Richie. Enjoy.