The best investment an NFL Team can make as of late is drafting an LSU Wide Receiver in the first round. This season, the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars got Pro Bowl seasons out of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr as Rookies. The Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings have the best two wide receivers in the NFL since drafting Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, we likely won't see an LSU Wide Receiver taken in the first round as only Kyren Lacy has entered the Draft. The 2026 NFL Draft could be a different story as LSU returns Aaron Anderson and added elite wide receiver talents in Nic Anderson and Barion Brown.
The Tigers will have a loaded Wide Receiver in 2025 the question is which Wide Receivers will take that next step and become first round picks in the NFL Draft?
Aaron Anderson will enter the year as the Wide Receiver with the best chance to work his way into becoming a first round pick. The 2024 season saw Aaron Anderson break out as he caught 61 passes for 884 yards and five touchdowns averaging 15.4 yards per catch while adding a 99 yard kick return touchdowns. The lone factor working against Aaron Anderson is his size as he's 5 foot 8 and NFL teams prefer more size. If Aaron Anderson takes the next step in 2025, there will be undeniable given the production he's shown.
Nic Anderson has the best traits to be a first round pick among the receivers on LSU's 2025 roster. At 6 foot 4 and 219 pounds, NFL Scouts will be enamored with Anderson's size, speed, and abaility. During his one season of true playing time at Oklahoma, Nic Anderson had the production needed catching 38 passes for 798 yards and 10 touchdowns but, he missed all of 2024 with an injury. If Anderson can take the next step and stay healthy in 2025, he'll be seriously considered as a top wide receiver in the class.
Chris Hilton Jr's issue has never been talent but, it has been staying healthy and on the field for the Tigers. This season, Hilton missed most of the season with an injury and when he did return he showed the rust that comes with being out for such a prolonged stretch. In the final two games of the year, Hilton showed his ability when right catching two passes for 85 yards and two scores against Oklahoma and four passes for 113 yards and a score against Baylor. If Hilton can stay healthy in 2025 and continue to stretch the field he could be the first round pick NFL teams fall in love with to stretch t
Barion Brown transfers in from Kentucky and will be a massive piece of the Tigers offense and return game. After a breakout Freshman season, Brown has seen his production dip in part due to Kentucky's poor quarterback play the last two seasons. Garrett Nussmeier is the perfect pairing for Brown because of his ability to throw the deep ball. If Barion Brown can post a career year in LSU NFL scouts will be able to look past his struggles at Kentucky and can take him in the first round.
Zavion Thomas is one of the most interesting pieces on the LSU Football team because he's a dominant returner but, LSU doesn't involve him much in the offense. When called upon, Zavion Thomas was reliable and took snaps at running back as well. For Thomas to be a first round pick he'd need a dominant season as a receiver in a crowded room paired with his excellence in the return game.