While much of the attention goes to receiver prospects who get taken in the first two days of the draft, there are occasionally wide receiver sleepers like Puka Nacua or Amon-Ra St. Brown who fly under the radar, but make a huge impact in the NFL as a Day 3 pick in the draft. In the 2025 NFL Draft, there are a few wide receivers who could end up going on the last day of the draft who can surprise the league and make a big impact. Here are five wide receiver sleepers who could potentially be hidden gems in this year’s NFL Draft.
Wide Receiver Sleepers Who Could be Steals of the 2025 NFL Draft
Elijhah Badger, Florida
Badger is an athletic receiver and dynamic playmaker with ideal height, weight, and arm length. He is a big-play threat who averaged 20.7 yards per reception and had an average depth of target of 17.3 yards in 2024. His 21.3% big-time catch rate is second among all receivers in the 2025 draft class, according to PFF. As a runner after the catch, Badger is dangerous with good speed, elusiveness, and contact balance.
He pairs his athleticism and dynamic playmaking ability with incredibly strong and reliable hands. Badger had zero drops in 2024 and has the ability to consistently catch the ball away from his frame. He doesn’t just bring in the easy catches either, but also had a very high contested catch rate in college. Badger will need to improve his consistency as a route runner to reach his potential in the NFL, but he has the potential to be an impactful starter at the next level.
Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech
Lane is an elite athlete with a 4.34 40-yard dash speed and a 40-inch vertical leap. An explosive slot receiver who can create separation and is one of the top run-after-the-catch receivers in the draft. He not only runs fast after the catch but is also a strong runner who runs with good power and balance. Lane is a smaller receiver, and there are concerns about his ability to consistently separate from physical corners in press coverage. However, his speed, explosiveness, and ability after the catch make him a potentially dangerous slot receiver in the NFL.
Pat Bryant, Illinois
Bryant is a big receiver who has great play strength. He is a tough and competitive player who can fight through contact and is strong at the catch point. He is a great contested catch receiver and has reliable hands with just one drop in 2024. Bryant isn’t an elite after-the-catch receiver, but he can pick up extra yards as a runner with good vision and balance. He is also a really strong blocker. Bryant doesn’t possess great speed or separation skills, and he doesn’t have high-level athletic ability. Yet, Bryant has the size, strength, toughness, body control, and ball skills needed to be a productive receiver in the NFL.
Chimere Dike, Florida
Dike is a good athlete with great movement skills. He is a smooth, nuanced, and deceptive route runner who runs a diverse route tree. He has good change-of-direction ability and elite straight-line speed. Dike ran a 4.34 40-yard dash time and showed great explosiveness at the NFL Combine. His combination of speed and route-running ability helps make him a big-play threat, and he joins his Florida teammate, Badger, in the top five for big-time catch rate among receivers in the 2025 draft class. Dike can struggle against physical coverage and had a high number of drops in college. He will need to get stronger and gain more consistency as a pass-catcher, but his route running, speed, and movement skills make him a potential late-round prospect who could find success in the NFL.
Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas
TeSlaa turned heads at the combine where he put up insane numbers for a 6-foot-3, 214-pound receiver. At his size, he ran a 4.43 40-yard dash time, a 6.85 3-cone time, and had a 39.5-inch vertical leap. He has good hands, consistently wins jump balls, and high-points the football well. He can create explosive plays and is decent after the catch. TeSlaa is also an incredible blocker in the run game. TeSlaa still needs to refine his route running and gain more experience, but he has a tremendous athletic upside. He projects best as a big-slot in the NFL who can add immediate value as a blocker and sure-handed pass-catcher. With his size, explosiveness, and speed, he has the potential to grow into a great starter in the league.
Main Photo: [Kirby Lee] – USA Today Sports
