Barth’s 2025 Felger & Mazz Big Board reactions: Wide receivers

The second-to-last throws of the Felger & Mazz Big Board for 2025 were on Wednesday. In this latest round, the board picked wide receivers.

Wide receiver is, once again, a position of need for the Patriots. Despite using four draft picks at the position over the last two years there is still a ton of uncertainty amongst a mostly-young group, even after the team signed Stefon Diggs in free agency.

Did the Big Board find any players that will be added to the group? Let's take a look at who was picked...

Does the Big Board know something we don't? This is the second time Hunter has been picked this year - he was also hit during the cornerbacks throws. The last player who was picked twice was Christian Barmore, who obviously ended up getting drafted by the Patriots in the second round in 2021.

A lot would have to happen for Hunter to fall to the Patriots at Pick 4, but if he did he'd be a great fit. Hunter's agility, ball skills, and football IQ project him as a matchup nightmare in the slot, especially after the catch. He'd likely thrive in Josh McDaniels' offense.

Savion Williams might be the most interesting player in this draft. He has a truly rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism at 6-foot-4, 222 pounds. Unlike most players his size with speed Williams isn't just a straight-line athlete - he's agile and regularly makes defenders miss in the open field with jukes, spins, and other moves (as well as overpowering them). He also uses his size and strength to make some truly spectacular catches.

However, despite how nimble he is after the catch, his route running will need to improve significantly for him to play receiver full-time at the NFL level. And while he can make circus catches, too many clean throws hit his hands and get away from him, turning into drops.

With his unique skillset Williams projects as more of a gadget player at the next level. In fact, late last year TCU started using him that way regularly lining him up as a running back and even Wildcat quarterback. He'll likely need to do some of that to succeed at the next level, but will still likely be a top-100 pick due to his athletic traits.

For the Patriots, Williams is an interesting projection. Scheme-touch players have struggled in New England in the past, but one exception was Cordarrelle Patterson - who Williams has been compared to. Could McDaniels replicate that success as he returns to the Patriots?

Bryant is a textbook 'X' receiver. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds he primarily wins with physicality and ball skills rather than athleticism and route running. His football IQ, leadership, and overall mental makeup have also received praise.