WR Rankings
Tier 1: The Four Horsemen
The four receivers that can end your opponent’s week.
1. Ja’Marr Chase (WR, CIN) – The Bengals defense is still a dumpster fire. Joe Burrow is still his quarterback. While I don’t expect a repeat of his 127 catch, 1,708 receiving yard, 17 touchdown season, Chase can easily repeat as the WR1 in 2025. His targets have increased every season of his career, and he’s yet to see fewer than his rookie total of 128, despite only playing in 13 games in 2022. There are no such things as certainties in life, but Chase is as close as you can get to one for fantasy football. If he doesn’t repeat as WR1 overall, he won’t be far behind.
2. Justin Jefferson (WR, MIN) – The only receiver I’d remotely consider putting ahead of Chase is Justin Jefferson, who has finished as a top-five receiver in four of his first five seasons. The lone time outside the top five was 2023, where he played in 10 games due to injury, yet he still caught 68 passes and accrued over 1,000 yards. Considering we’ve yet to see Minnesota starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy take a regular-season snap in the NFL, some uncertainty shrouds Jefferson in 2025. But not much. JJettas is quarterback-proof and worthy of a top-five pick in all fantasy formats.
3. Malik Nabers (WR, NYG) – You want QB proof? I’ll show you QB proof. Malik Nabers had 109 receptions on 170 targets, totaling 1,204 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, finishing as WR7 in total points and points per game. His Quarterbacks? Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy Cutlets (aka Tommy DeVito). Even in the twilight of his career, Russell Wilson is a significant upgrade from who was throwing Nabers the ball last season. And behind Mr. Unlimited is either Jameis Winston, a boon to any receiver’s fantasy value, or rookie Jaxson Dart, who impressed in his first preseason start. Nabers is an elite talent and a name you’ll likely see among the top receivers in the league for years to come. In just one season, he proved he belongs mentioned in the same breath as Chase and Jefferson.
4. CeeDee Lamb (WR, DAL) – A 101 catch, 1,194-yard, six-touchdown season would be a career year for many receivers. But losing 24 catches, 555 yards, and six touchdowns was considered a “down” year for CeeDee Lamb. He still finished inside the top 10 for the third straight season and remains firmly among the elite at the position. But the potential for George Pickens to eat into Lamb’s touchdown total, as well as new head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s propensity for a run-first offense, gives me pause on ranking him any higher.
Tier 2: The Co-Stars Tier
A-List wide receivers who may not be ready for the lead role.
5. Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, JAC) – The rookie receiver most fantasy managers desired last season was Marvin Harrison Jr., but the real prize was Brian Thomas Jr. His ADP outside the Top 100 and a finish as WR11 was one of the best value picks all of last season. You won’t get that type of discount in 2025, but he’s well worth the late first/early second price tag he’s now sporting. BTJ didn’t slow down when Trevor Lawrence‘s injury forced him out. Thomas Jr. averaged 20 points per game from Weeks 10-17 with Mac Jones under center. With a healthy Trevor Lawrence and a tantalizing new offensive scheme from the mind of new head coach Liam Coen, BTJ is a dark horse to finish as the WR1 overall.
6. A.J. Brown (WR, PHI) – Getting sidelined due to injury for four games couldn’t slow down A.J. Brown as an Eagle. Brown has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards and scored at least seven touchdowns in each of his first three seasons in Philadelphia. Even with the Eagles’ low passing volume, Brown is as safe as they come for a WR1. He’s in line for 100+ targets once again, and there’s little to suggest he won’t hit 1000+ yards for a fourth straight season. Brown likely flirts with double-digit touchdown receptions as well.
7. Drake London (WR, ATL) – Released from the clutches of the heinous one known as “Arthur Smith”, Drake London finally broke out in his third season. London leaped into the top five at the position, accumulating 100 catches, 1,271 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. London headlines the Falcons’ pass catchers once again, and should see somewhere around the 158 targets he had last season. In the three games started by Michael Penix Jr., London averaged a promising 9.8 targets per game. He’s not just in the WR1 conversation; he’s coming to take the WR1 overall crown for himself.
8. Nico Collins (WR, HOU) – Nico Collins is an electric talent who’s capable of scoring any time he’s on the field. The problem is, he has to remain on the field. Collins has balled out over the past two seasons despite missing seven games, attaining back-to-back 1000-yard seasons and 15 combined touchdowns. He remains an elite fantasy option, but remains outside the top tier of pass catchers due to the risk of missed games. Collins has yet to play a full season in his first four years in the NFL.
9. Ladd McConkey (WR, LAC) – If Brian Thomas Jr. was the best rookie wide receiver value last season, Ladd McConkey wasn’t far behind. Among receivers with at least 75 targets, McConkey had the sixth-highest yards per route run (2.57) and fourth-highest yards per target (10.5). I have zero concern for the return of 33-year-old Keenan Allen as a threat to McConkey’s value. He’s the clear-cut top option in this offense, and another top-15 season is a safe bet.
10. Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, DET) – After three consecutive seasons with over 100 catches, 1,000 yards, and top 10 WR fantasy finishes, it’s hard even to consider that Amon-Ra St. Brown could wind up a bust based on his ADP. As I touched on with Jahmyr Gibbs, the changeover in multiple aspects of the Detroit offense can’t be ignored for their offensive weapons. Add the emergence of Jameson Williams and his potential to take on an even larger role, and I’m not willing to risk drafting the Sun God in the first round. He likely remains a borderline WR1, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see a finish outside the top 12.
11. Puka Nacua (WR, LAR) – Matthew Stafford‘s back issues flaring up before the preseason even started have me quite unsettled. If the Rams have to pivot to Jimmy Garoppolo for any extended period, the sky-high ceilings of Puka Nacua (and Davante Adams) get their wings clipped. Whether or not Stafford is available in Week 1, an aggravated disc causing enough pain to require an epidural is not a situation that sparks confidence, especially for a 37-year-old quarterback with a history of chronic back problems. With Sean McVay calling plays and the skillet offered by Puka Nacua, he’ll be productive regardless of who’s under center. Still, similar to Amon-Ra St. Brown, considering the red flags that have arisen, I’m not willing to spend a first-round pick on Nacua.
12. Garrett Wilson (WR, NYJ) – Garrett Wilson has the talent to be a tier 1 receiver for fantasy. Unfortunately, his career has been held back by B-list QBs and the corpse of Aaron Rodgers under center. Nowadays, the vibes are high with the reunion of Wilson with his Ohio State teammate Justin Fields. There’s hope for sure, but I’m also plagued by doubt. Fields has been fine for fantasy due to his mobility, but his passing production has been less than ideal. Wilson will likely be a target hog, but can Fields play well enough to get him a top-12 finish?
Tier 3: The Taco Bell Tier
The ultimate risk versus reward.
13. D.J. Moore (WR, CHI) – D.J. Moore‘s 22.1% target share last season was the 10th highest among all receivers. Moore was a downfield threat as well, with three touchdowns of 20 yards or more, tied for the third-most in the NFL. The expectations for the Bears’ offense have grown significantly with new head coach Ben Johnson taking control of the offense. Chicago did draft stud tight end Colston Loveland in the first round and wide receiver Luther Burden III in the second, so there will be competition for targets. But fantasy managers get blinded by the idea of having a team’s WR1. They’ll pass up good receivers on great offenses when there’s an undefined hierarchy among pass catchers, opting for the top option on a worse offense. All of Chicago’s pass catchers should play a considerable role this season. But Moore will lead the way, and he’s not being drafted like it.
14. Tee Higgins (WR, CIN) – Tee Higgins may be the Cal Naughton Jr to Ja’Marr Chase’s Ricky Bobby, but there’s nothing wrong with silver. In the never-ending quest to collect as many WR1s as possible, fantasy managers often overlook highly productive WR2s. Don’t make that mistake with Higgins. His WR17 finish may look paltry to the untrained eye, but he played in just 12 games last season. In those games, however, he averaged 18.6 points per game, good for the fifth-highest, ahead of guys like Malik Nabers and Nico Collins. The Bengals will once again field one of the worst defenses in the NFL, forcing Joe Burrow to throw the ball a ton. You don’t want to rely on Higgins as your top receiver, but he’s a high-end WR2 who will have plenty of WR1 weeks sprinkled in.
15. Davante Adams (WR, LAR) – Davante Adams had his least productive season since before the pandemic and still finished as WR9 in points per game. The biggest question for his 2025 season is: what are the chances he sees 140 targets for a sixth straight season as the Rams’ second option? Adams turns 33 in December, and concerns with Stafford’s back broaden the range of outcomes for all of the Rams’ skill position players, and not in a good way. He’s a volatile WR2 with WR1 upside, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see Adams’ production fall off a cliff.
16. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, SEA) – The Seahawks signed Sam Darnold to replace Geno Smith (who was traded to the Raiders), and I’m wary of his so-called resurrected career. Darnold struggles under pressure, and he’s going from one of the best offensive lines in Minnesota to one of the worst in Seattle. Without much target competition outside of Cooper Kupp, JSN should still get served the biggest piece of the target pie. The problem is that the pie is shrinking. The Seahawks replaced pass-happy Ryan Grubb with run-loving Klint Kubiak at offensive coordinator, and he intends to bring back a more balanced attack. This creates just a little more cloudiness around JSN’s upside than I’d like.
17. Jaylen Waddle (WR, MIA) – Despite the down year, Jaylen Waddle led all Dolphins receivers in yards per target (9.2), yards per reception (13.2), and had a higher yards after the catch per reception than Tyreek Hill (4.5 to 3.6). With Jonnu Smith traded to Pittsburgh, Tua Tagovailoa healthy, and a 31-year-old Tyreek Hill that maybe does/maybe doesn’t want to be traded, the ingredients are there for Waddle to get his groove back in 2025. I’m waddling back one more time, and you should too.
18. Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, ARI) – I still believe in the elite upside offered by Marvin Harrison Jr. and the potential to become a perennial top-five receiver. But with more games under double-digit fantasy points (nine) than over (eight), he’s lost the benefit of the doubt. As long as he remains with an ADP in the teens among receivers, Harrison’s acquisition cost is well worth it. You’d be getting MHJ at his floor, and few match his ceiling.
19. Tyreek Hill (WR, MIA) – Tyreek Hill turned 31 this offseason, a number that’s seen just six receivers play in at least 10 games while still averaging over 12 points per game. Hill’s numbers dropped across the board last season, from yards per target, yards per route run, explosive play rate, to nearly every efficiency metric. You can absolutely credit some of that to not having Tua under center for much of the season, but banking on a return to the top 10 from an aging receiver whose greatest asset is his game-breaking speed is a recipe for disaster. I get it’s hard to let go of a perennial WR1 overall threat, but drafting Hill as anything more than a WR2 is buying all the risk.
20. Mike Evans (WR, TB) – Mike Evans is a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer, no question. Thanks to some Week 18 force-feeding from Baker Mayfield, Evans tied Jerry Rice’s record of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Still, considering Evans will be 32 by Week 1 and Mayfield’s owed a hefty helping of negative regression in touchdowns, he’ll find it hard-pressed to put up another WR1 season. Evans is a solid WR2, considering he’s coming off the board in the fourth round, but I’d much rather gamble on the upside of the guys going around him like Marvin Harrison Jr and D.J. Moore.
Tier 4: The Meat & Potatoes Tier
Just like Mom used to make.
21. Tetairoa McMillan (WR, CAR) – I expect Tetairoa McMillian to be the focal point of the Panthers’ offense and a target hog, but we still don’t know who the actual Bryce Young is. If Young can maintain or exceed the strides he made after his benching last season, McMillian has the skillset and opportunity to have one of those top 10 rookie receiver seasons that legends are made of. The range of outcomes is broad, but the upside is very real.
22. Zay Flowers (WR, BAL) – After his first 1,000-yard season and second consecutive with over 70 catches and 100 targets, Zay Flowers isn’t getting the respect he deserves. I understand he’s on a run-first offense, but he also has Lamar Jackson as his quarterback. You know, the two-time MVP coming off a 4,172-yard, 41 passing touchdown season? I’m not concerned about DeAndre Hopkins eating into Flowers’ share at this point in his career. Flowers is being drafted at his floor, and won’t have to improve on much to jump into the teens.
23. Jameson Williams (WR, DET) – Despite playing second fiddle to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams had a mini-breakout in 2024. Catching seven touchdowns and 58 passes on 91 targets and earning his first 1,000-yard season was good enough for a solid WR2 finish. At just 24 years old, Williams still has the potential to take a step forward and dance around that high-end WR2/low-end WR1 threshold. He’s the definition of a boom/bust wide receiver, but his spike weeks are the ones that win matchups.
24. DeVonta Smith (WR, PHI) – The tempered Eagles’ passing attack has room for merely one elite fantasy wide receiver, and that title belongs to AJ Brown. DeVonta Smith is talented enough to put up WR1 seasons as he did in 2022, but with AJB around, Smith’s ceiling is capped. He’s a relatively consistent WR2 who periodically goes on hot and cold streaks.
25. Calvin Ridley (WR, TEN) – One of my post-hype sleepers, Calvin Ridley, goes against the grain of my typical wide receiver targets. Yes, he’s over the age of 30, but he has a little less wear and tear on his body after missing nearly two full seasons for reasons other than injury. Ridley posted over 1,000 receiving yards and 64 catches with the human meme machine Will Levis under center. First overall pick Cameron Ward has a rocket arm, and the duo has the potential to form one of the most explosive QB/WR combos in the league. The best part is that there’s little to no risk baked into their draft positions. I prefer to avoid wide receivers 30 or older in fantasy due to their historical tendency to decline in production, but Calvin Ridley is an exception to the rule. It’s not just because he missed nearly two seasons in 2021-22 for non-injury-related reasons. It’s that he showed us last season that he’s still got it, even with sub-par quarterback play.
26. Terry McLaurin (WR, WAS) – I was all in on Terry McLaurin last season, and it paid off in the form of his first top 10 fantasy finish. But besides touchdowns, McLaurin’s stats were on par with his career averages. What pushed him into the top 10 was catching double-digit touchdowns for the first time in his career. Unfortunately for Scary Terry, things get very scary for receivers the season after they catch 10 or more touchdowns. From 2020 to 2024, 18 different wide receivers accounted for 31 instances of a wide receiver catching 10 or more touchdowns. Only six of them were able to accomplish the feat in consecutive seasons. Based on historical evidence, there’s a less than 30% chance he repeats 10+ touchdowns. His ceiling remains a WR2, and considering his current holdout, drafting him among the top 20 receivers is a dicey proposition.
27. Courtland Sutton (WR, DEN) – Courtland Sutton surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2019 and set career highs in targets & receptions. He wasn’t overly efficient, posting a solid but unspectacular 2.13 yards per route run. Evan Engram could eat into Sutton’s target share, and an expected improvement in the running game with the additions of rookie RJ Harvey and veteran JK Dobbins could allow Denver to lean more on the run. Sutton is a solid WR2 option, but nothing more.
28. DK Metcalf (WR, PIT) – With a new team, a run-first offense, and a soon-to-be 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf is one of the most challenging players to rank this season. His range of outcomes is immense, but he’s talented enough to produce in nearly any situation. Metcalf should get peppered with targets from Rodgers, who’s known to lock on to and feed his favorite target. Metcalf very well may be his only target.
29. George Pickens (WR, DAL) – The move to Dallas for George Pickens doesn’t move the needle much for me from a fantasy perspective. Yes, he’ll finally have a quality quarterback in Dak Prescott. But instead of being Batman, Pickens slides into the role of Robin beside CeeDee Lamb. If Dak can stay healthy, Dallas should have a potent offense that offers Pickens plenty of opportunity for big games. He’ll remain a boom/bust WR2.
30. Rashee Rice (WR, KC) – Without the pending multi-game suspension looming over his head, Rashee Rice would be MUCH higher on this list. We don’t know how many games he’ll miss, and we don’t know when the suspension will begin. I’m ranking him here assuming a four- to six-game suspension. If it were more than that, I’d drop him outside the top 100 players. He could be a midseason trade target to hold and stash if the team that drafts him in your league struggles to start the season.
31. Chris Olave (WR, NO) – Finishing as a WR2 in each of his first two seasons, many expected Chris Olave to make the jump to WR1 in 2024. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the chance after two concussions in a matter of weeks ended his season early. If Olave can get somewhat decent quarterback play, he’s going to make a lot of us look silly for ranking him so low. Here’s to a full season of good health.
32. Rome Odunze (WR, CHI) – Rome Odunze led the Bears receivers in a plethora of categories during his rookie campaign: yards per target (7.3), yards per reception (13.6), deep targets (23), air yards share (30.8%), and average depth of target (13.8), the only Bears receiver that averaged over 10. Odunze’s involvement increased as the season progressed, a common trend among rookie receivers. He averaged 5.3 targets per game from Weeks 1-8, with the average jumping to 6.9 from Weeks 9-17. If Ben Johnson truly turns around the Bears’ offense, Odunze is primed for a tier jump or three in his second season in Chi-town.
33. Chris Godwin (WR, TB) – The obvious and most prominent looming issue for Chris Godwin is his return from a devastating ankle fracture suffered in Week 7 of last season that required not just one, but also a recently revealed second surgery. He also fractured his fibula and suffered a torn deltoid ligament. This is his second significant injury since 2021, when he tore his ACL and MCL in Week 15. If/when Godwin returns to the field, he’ll be battling more than just age and injury to get back up to form. Add in the emergence of Jalen McMillan last season and the first-round pick spent on Emeka Egbuka, and the Bucs’ wide receiver corps suddenly got real crowded. I’d rather take a chance on a player with higher upside and fewer red flags.
34. Matthew Golden (WR, GB) – The rich got richer in Green Bay with the addition of Texas WR Matthew Golden in the first round of the draft (the first receiver drafted in the first round by the Packers since Javon Walker in 2002). His ability to stretch the field with elite speed and play both outside and in the slot is a perfect fit for what the Packers want to do on offense. I wouldn’t be shocked if Matthew Golden finishes the season ranked inside the top 25, but the crowded Packers receivers room is always a concern.
35. Travis Hunter (WR, JAC) – The Jaguars made a splash by trading up to draft Heisman Trophy winner WR/CB Travis Hunter. Jacksonville has already made it known that they view him as a wide receiver first. Considering Hunter’s skillset and the offensive mind of new Jags head coach Liam Coen, the upside is mouthwatering. But we genuinely have no idea how much he’ll play on offense until we see how he’s deployed in the regular season.
Tier 5: The Leftover Meat & Potatoes Tier
This tier is microwave-safe.
36. Xavier Worthy (WR, KC) – I love the upside of Xavier Worthy, but so much of his value hinges on how many games Rashee Rice winds up missing due to suspension. While Rice is out, Worthy likely becomes Mahomes’ top target. He’ll still be involved when Rice returns and maintains the same weekly ceiling, but with more mouths to feed, Worthy becomes a much more volatile WR2.
37. Khalil Shakir (WR, BUF) – The Buffalo Bills decided to embrace a wide receiver by committee approach after the departure of their WR1 Stefon Diggs. No Buffalo receiver surpassed 100 targets, but Khalil Shakir led the way with 97. Shakir scored double-digit fantasy points in 11 of 15 games, but over 16 points just three times. He’s what I like to call a McDouble, a solid but unspectacular fantasy option with a high floor but low ceiling.
38. Stefon Diggs (WR, NE) – Well on his way to a seventh straight 1,000-yard season, Diggs’ season ended abruptly in October with a devastating ACL tear. After an eight-game stint in Houston, Diggs finds himself on his third team in three seasons, joining New England via free agency. Although all reports have been positive in regards to his health, don’t underestimate the hills that Diggs still has to climb. An ACL tear can be a career-altering injury for any athlete. Considering Diggs is 31, a return to pre-injury form is improbable. His status for the start of the season is still up in the air, and all things considered, Diggs isn’t someone I’m targeting.
39. Jerry Jeudy (WR, CLE) – In the 12 games Jameis Winston started for Cleveland last season, Jerry Jeudy averaged 7.8 targets, 5.1 receptions, 79.6 receiving yards, and 15.7 yards per reception. Without Winston, Jeudy averaged 10.2 targets, 5.8 receptions, 54.8 receiving yards, and 9.4 yards per reception. Despite averaging nearly three more targets and an additional catch when Winston wasn’t on the field, Jeudy’s receiving yards dropped by about 25 yards, and his yards per reception dropped from 15.7 to 9.4. Winston’s love for the YOLO ball meshed well with Jeudy’s skillset. Unfortunately for Jeudy, Winston left for the Giants in free agency. The Browns’ quarterback room is easily one of the worst in the league, and it’ll likely be a QB carousel not conducive to fantasy production. An ADP of WR33 isn’t awful, but I’d rather take a shot on the upside on the guys going around him, like Chris Olave or Rome Odunze.
40. Brandon Aiyuk (WR, SF) – Similar to the Joe Mixon situation, it’s unclear when we can expect to see Brandon Aiyuk back on the field. But unlike Mixon, we know Aiyuk will miss a significant portion of the beginning of the season. Week 6 has been repeately floated as Aiyuk’s expected return date, head coach Kyle Shanahan recently reiterated “…which means that could be Week 10, it means it could be Week 5, but that’s the area where I start thinking about it…” when speaking about a trio of 49ers working their way back from ACL injuries.
It’s a tricky situation when considering drafting Aiyuk. An ADP of 113 for a player of his caliber is alluring, but there’s a hidden cost you may not be considering. He’s guaranteed to miss nearly half of the fantasy football regular season, even if he returns Week 5. That’s half the season you’re down a bench spot, putting yourself at a disadvantage not only for depth, but stashing that potential breakout player we’re all chasing. Even when Aiyuk does return, he won’t be at full speed as soon as he steps on the field. The most obvious issue is that there’s a very real chance he misses even more time. A healthy Aiyuk on a potentially pass-heavy 49ers team is the stuff dreams are made of, but I’d much rather wait to attempt to trade for him closer to his return than deal with the baggage that comes with rostering him.
41. Cooper Kupp (WR, SEA) – It’s hard to pass up on a fantasy football legend the likes of Cooper Kupp when you see him still hanging around in the eighth or ninth round. But let someone else draft the former Triple Crown winner. Kupp recently turned 32, no longer has offensive mastermind Sean McVay calling plays, and hasn’t played a full season since 2021. Oh, and his quarterback is no longer his breakfast buddy, Matthew Stafford. If you want to roster Kupp as a WR3, be my guest. But you’ll be passing on the upside of guys going around him, the likes of Matthew Golden and Rome Odunze.
42. Michael Pittman Jr. (WR, IND) – It was revealed that Michael Pittman Jr. played with a fractured back nearly all of 2024. He didn’t look like the same guy who averaged over 98 catches, 1,053 yards, and ~5 touchdowns, finishing as WR13, WR20, and WR17 over the previous three seasons. I get why people are down on him after last year’s WR41 finish. But he wasn’t as bad as you think. Pittman led the Colts in targets for the third straight year (albeit in two more games than Josh Downs) and was the first read on 73% of his targets. He was the first read most often, sitting at 14.3%, which is good news considering that both Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones targeted their first read over 50% of dropbacks last season. Both the Giants and Colts ranked inside the top 10 for first-read pass percentage, with Indy’s 53.5% being the third-highest rate in the league. Pittman is being drafted outside the top 100 players. That’s WR49, after last season’s faceplant finish of WR41. The hate has gone way too far. He’s quite literally being drafted under his floor.
Tier 6: The Penny Stocks Tier
Low-risk, high-reward assets.
43. Jauan Jennings (WR, SF) – With Deebo Samuel Sr. now a member of the Washington Commanders and Brandon Aiyuk set to miss a minimum of about five games, Jauan Jennings finds himself in a position to serve as San Francisco’s WR1 to start the season. …wait, what’s that I’m hearing? Ah. I must have used a monkey’s paw, because Jennings is both battling injury and locked in a contract dispute with the Niners. Jennings hit GM John Lynch with the “pay me or trade me” ultimatum, and to this point, Lynch has called his bluff. If things get resolved and Jennings ends up on the field sooner rather than later, he has the potential to win weeks with monstrous blow-up performances.
44. Jayden Reed (WR, GB) – Green Bay boasts one of the strongest receiver rooms in the entire NFL. Great for Jordan Love‘s upside, not so much for the consistency of the Packers’ pass catchers. But how in the world is Jayden Reed going outside the top 100 players? He finished as WR29 in total points despite Love missing two games and being hampered by injury from Week 4 on. Yes, his targets decreased by nearly 20 from his rookie season, but he still scored six touchdowns and increased his receiving yardage thanks to improved efficiency. Reed ranked fourth in yards per reception (15.58), yards after the catch per reception (7.33), and 12th in yards per route run among qualifying receivers. Additionally, he tied BTJ and Alec Pierce for the fourth most receptions of 20+ yards (12). Reed is just entering his third season and is continuing to develop. Even with the competition for targets, Reed is a big-play threat on one of the most explosive offenses in the league. With a healthy Love, Reed still has plenty of upside.
45. Joshua Palmer (WR, BUF) – With Mack Hollins and Amari Cooper gone, two of the three deep threats from last season are no longer on the Buffalo Bills. They brought in both Palmer and Elijah Moore to help fill the void, but I prefer Palmer. Despite finishing fourth in targets on the Chargers last season, Palmer accounted for 25.6% of Los Angeles’ air yards and ranked second on the team in deep targets with 18. Among the teams’ receivers with at least 10 catches, Palmer had the highest yards per reception with 14.97. His ADP outside the top 200 players is borderline fantasy malpractice. If things between him and Allen click, Palmer can easily become a viable every-week fantasy starter.
46. Josh Downs (WR, IND) – I like Josh Downs, but he’s one of the most overvalued players in all of fantasy football. He’s a solid PPR option and someone I wouldn’t mind as a FLEX or bye-week fill-in. Downs averaged 9.2 points per game in 2023 and 13.1 in 2024. On the flip side, he has one of the worst QB situations in the league and will have to compete for targets with Tyler Warren, Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and AD Mitchell. He’s another McDouble: solid floor, limited ceiling. If you have a risky WR1 and/or WR2, Downs would make sense as your WR3 from a roster construction standpoint. Based solely on draft cost, I’d rather shoot for upside with someone else.
47. Jordan Addison (WR, MIN) – With the announcement of his three-game suspension to start the season, I’d expect to see Jordan Addison‘s ADP drop just a little from its current placement of 78th overall. But don’t let it fall too much, because far too often fantasy managers forget we play a weekly game. As of Week 4, Addison slides right back into a stable WR2 with a sprinkle of week-winning spike weeks.
48. Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR, WAS) – If he can stay healthy, Deebo Samuel Sr. may wind up one of the best values of 2025. Kliff Kingsbury flopped as a head coach, but he’s salvaged his reputation as an offensive mind with the work he’s done as the Commanders’ offensive coordinator. His claim to fame has been his ability to adapt his version of the air raid offense to fit the strengths of his personnel. That’s what excites me most when considering a bounce-back season for Deebo. His multifaceted skillset is a perfect fit for a creative mind like Kingsbury. Depending on how Terry McLaurin‘s contract situation finalizes, Samuel could find himself as the team’s WR1. It’s unlikely, but whether he’s the top option or not, Deebo’s worth the gamble at his WR38 ADP.
49. Emeka Egbuka (WR, TB) – Initial reactions to Emeka Egbuka landing in Tampa were a half-hearted, “just wait until next year”. You may not have to. Although the Bucs’ wide receiver depth chart looks crowded on paper, Egbuka is in line to produce from Day 1. As much as I love Chris Godwin, I’m not holding my breath for an immediate return to pre-injury form from a devastating ankle injury at age 29. Mike Evans will be 32 at the start of the season. As much as Tampa uses three wide receiver sets, Egbuka should see the field plenty in his rookie season. It’s not out of the question for him to wind up as the top rookie wide receiver of this class and completely smash his ADP.
50. Tre’ Harris (WR, LAC) – The second-round rookie was getting some significant offseason hype, but performed poorly in his first preseason action. He earned one target and was unable to reel it in, finishing with a big fat goose egg on 28 snaps. Considering the recent signing of Keenan Allen, Harris’s breakout potential has taken a serious hit. He’s worth a late-round flyer, but not a must-stash by any means.
51. Jayden Higgins (WR, HOU) – C.J. Stroud‘s supporting cast will look much different this year after a serious step back from his 2023 Rookie Of The Year season. Stefon Diggs signed with New England in free agency. Tank Dell is likely out for the entire 2025 season thanks to a gruesome Week 14 knee injury. The duo averaged a total of 13.4 targets between them, so there are plenty of vacated targets to go around for the new look Texans WR corps. Jayden Higgins is talented enough to make a push for second billing in Houston’s target hierarchy, but he’ll battle with veteran Christian Kirk for it. Unless Higgins erupts over the final few weeks of the preseason, he’s more of a draft-and-stash than a potential Week 1 fantasy starter.
52. Jack Bech (WR, LV) – The Raiders’ weak WR corps consists of Jakobi Meyers, and that’s about it. Rookie receiver Jack Bech has impressed in training camp and has a chance to see substantial volume from day one. Brock Bowers can’t catch all the passes. Right?
53. Rashid Shaheed (WR, NO) – Rashid Shaheed had a blistering start to the 2024 season, scoring double-digit fantasy points in four of six games and catching a touchdown in three. Sadly, the breakout was snipped short in Week 6 due to a knee injury that ended his season. Shaheed’s involvement in the offense was on the rise, averaging nine targets from Weeks 4-6 after averaging just under five in the first three. There is concern with the Saints’ Quarterback situation. Shaheed would benefit most from Shough’s big arm ability, but he did see seven targets in the lone game he and Rattler played together. Shaheed should see enough volume as the set starter across from Chris Olave to return value on his WR57 ADP. The Saints’ suspect defense should lead to the offense having to air it out plenty as they play from behind. He’s a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball, and garbage time points count just the same in fantasy.
54. Luther Burden III (WR, CHI) – I like Luther Burden III’s dynasty prospects, but he’ll have a hard time carving out a significant role among the crowded group of pass catchers in Chicago. He’s a draft-and-stash player for now.
55. Ricky Pearsall (WR, SF) – With the Jauan Jennings contract situation and Brandon Aiyuk set to miss the start of the season, Ricky Pearsall could start the season as the WR1 for the Niners. He finished his rookie season strong and could emerge as a WR2 if he ends up as a top option for Brock Purdy.
56. Jaylin Noel (WR, HOU) – The second of two Iowa State wide receivers drafted by the Texans, I’ve found Jaylin Noel making his way on more and more of my teams. He’ll have every opportunity to earn touches in a wide-open receiver room, and his cost is zero.
Tier 7: The Glass Half Full Tier
Receivers for true optimists.
57. Christian Kirk (WR, HOU) – It’s been reported by Texans beat reporter DJ Bien-Aime that early in training camp, Kirk has seemingly developed into a safety blanket for C.J. Stroud. Kirk produced when he was on the field, averaging 14 yards per catch and 1.84 yards per route run in 2024, just behind former Jacksonville teammate and stud receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The last time Kirk played a full season, he finished as WR11 in total points. He’s not going to finish anywhere near that this season, but especially in PPR formats, he’s a solid WR3 being drafted outside the top 50 receivers. Draft Kirk instead of having to pay up to grab him off waivers a week or two into the season.
58. Darnell Mooney (WR, ATL) – At WR46, there’s little risk in drafting Darnell Mooney. He’s a solid WR3 who can win you weeks. If the Falcons’ offense rises with Penix under center, he could easily jump into the top 24. He could miss a game or two at the start of the season due to a shoulder injury sustained in practice, but it’s not considered long-term.
59. Jakobi Meyers (WR, LV) – Jakobi Meyers is a McDouble: high floor, very low ceiling. He won’t win you any weeks by himself, but he’s a fair PPR bench option and a potential FLEX fill-in during bye weeks.
60. Keon Coleman (WR, BUF) – Keon Coleman is my favorite kind of post-hype sleeper. Those who were in on him last season expected him to slide right in and become the next Stefon Diggs, and because that didn’t happen, they’ve written him off. No, Coleman wasn’t the most targeted receiver on the Bills. Dalton Kincaid had more targets, too. But he tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (4) despite playing in just 13 games. He was also Mr. Hailee Steinfeld’s go-to guy downfield. Coleman led the Bills in deep targets (18) and more than doubled the average depth of the target of Kincaid and nearly tripled that of Khalil Shakir.
61. Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, NYG) – Wan’Dale Robinson quietly had 140 targets last season and was the only Giant not named Nabers to see more than 70 targets. He was one of just 11 receivers with 90+ catches and over 100 targets, but the only one to finish outside of the top 16 at the position. Robinson’s WR36 finish certainly wasn’t helped by the abysmally poor offense he was on, as well as the 78.9% catchable target rate he received, which ranked 24th among qualifying WRs. I don’t envision Robinson seeing another 140 targets, but another season of playing second fiddle to Nabers should make 100+ easily attainable. That alone makes him a viable option for your FLEX spot or a bye week fill-in, but mostly if you’re playing in a PPR format.
62. DeMario Douglas (WR, NE) – We saw flashes from Pop Douglas last season, but he has become an afterthought with the Patriots’ acquisition of Stefon Diggs. Opportunities are plentiful in an offense in need of playmakers and an emerging talent at quarterback.
63. Marquise Brown (WR, KC) – The Temu Xavier Worthy. Hollywood Brown could have some big games in a Chiefs offense expected to air it out more, but he’s not in the top four in Mahomes’ target hierarchy. He’d need a long Rashee Rice suspension or injuries ahead of him to have real fantasy value.
64. Adonai Mitchell (WR, IND) – A big play threat in a crowded group of pass catchers on a team with mediocre quarterback play. A potential waiver wire watch.
65. Cedric Tillman (WR, CLE) – He had a Travis Fulgham-esque three-game stretch that looks to be more of a flash in the pan than a potential breakout.
66. Rashod Bateman (WR, BAL) – A better Baltimore Raven than a member of your fantasy team. Rashod Bateman will have a few blow-up weeks, but chances are he’ll be on your bench when he does.
67. Jalen McMillan (WR, TB) – Jalen McMillan will have a role in the Bucs offense, but lacks the upside of rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka. Don’t be fooled into overdrafting him after his TD onslaught to finish 2024–there is too much target competition in this offense.
68. Kyle Williams (WR, NE) – Keep an eye on rookie Kyle Williams. If he can carve out a role in the Patriots’ offense, he has the talent to become more than just fantasy viable. For now, he’s probably not cracking your rosters in redraft leagues as more than a late bench stash.
69. Xavier Legette (WR, CAR) – I like the talent. I love the person even more. But I don’t trust Bryce Young to be able to support multiple wide receivers for fantasy, and I expect Tet McMillian to eat targets like Kirby.
70. Jalen Royals (WR, KC) – A talented fourth-round rookie, Jalen Royals is buried on the depth chart by talented receivers all around him.
Tier 8: The Beige Wallpaper Tier
As exciting as a slice of bread.
71. Jalen Nailor (WR, MIN) – A potential FLEX starter while Jordan Addison is suspended for the first three weeks of the season.
72. Dyami Brown (WR, JAC) – Dyami Brown could see more run than most WR3s with Travis Hunter‘s snaps limited by playing both sides of the ball.
73. Romeo Doubs (WR, GB) – A solid member of the Green Bay Packers’ overcrowded receiver room. Romeo Doubs will have startable weeks. The problem is guessing which they are.
74. Quentin Johnston (WR, LAC) – A glimmer of hope remains thanks to the retirement of Mike Williams. If Quentin Johnston could solve his drop issues, he’d be a lot higher on this list.
75. Dontayvion Wicks (WR, GB) – Romeo Doubs 2: Electric Boogaloo.
76. Alec Pierce (WR, IND) – The guy you pick up and start in desperation when you realize your starter is on BYE. Alec Pierce will get you two or 20 points. There is no in between.
77. Andrei Iosivas (WR, CIN) – Incredibly handsome, but would need an injury to Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins to sniff any fantasy value.
78. Marvin Mims Jr. (WR, DEN) – A boom/bust dart throw when bye-mageddon hits. Could lose playing time if rookie Pat Bryant emerges.
79. Tre Tucker (WR, LV) – The likely WR2 in Las Vegas, Tre Tucker, could be a low-end FLEX play based on volume.
80. Adam Thielen (WR, CAR) – Adam Thielen will remain a threat to catch a touchdown at 78 years old. He’ll have a few good games when the volume comes his way, but Tet McMillian will steal the majority of those away.
81. DeAndre Hopkins (WR, BAL) – Expect production similar to what we saw from DeAndre Hopkins in Kansas City.
82. Keenan Allen (WR, LAC) – The best-case scenario is that he has a similar season to last year. The worst-case scenario is the 33-year-old plays like a 33-year-old.
83. Hunter Renfrow (WR, CAR) – Not a lock to make the team, but an intriguing flyer if he does.
84. Calvin Austin III (WR, PIT) – The Steelers’ weak WR corps consists of DK Metcalf, and that’s about it. A chance to see substantial volume from day one. Metcalf can’t catch all the passes. Right?
85. Jalen Coker (WR, CAR) – A couple of big games in his rookie season caused his truthers to call themselves “Cokeheads”. Do with that information what you will.
86. Jalen Tolbert (WR, DAL) – Coming off a career year, Jalen Tolbert is set to enter the season as the Cowboys’ WR3.
Tier 9: The Toby Returns Tier
Nobody wants that.
87. Tyler Lockett (WR, TEN) – Should start for the Titans and could be a veteran safety blanket for rookie Cameron Ward.
88. Roman Wilson (WR, PIT) – Opportunity awaits behind DK Metcalf on the Steelers depth chart. Wilson has the talent to take advantage.
89. Elijah Moore (WR, BUF) – A deep threat on a team that lost a couple of deep threats and likes to throw the deep ball.
90. Christian Watson (WR, GB) – Should be back this season, but he’ll start on the PUP list. Worth a stash if your league has IR slots.
91. Darius Slayton (WR, NYG) – A desperation FLEX play with boom potential if Russell Wilson can hit him with a deep ball.
92. Michael Wilson (WR, ARI) – A late-round flyer who’s shown flashes of productivity over his first two seasons.
93. Isaac TeSlaa (WR, DET) – A strong preseason has TeSlaa emerging as the potential WR3 for Detroit.
94. Parker Washington (WR, JAC) – Scored double-digit fantasy points in three of the Jaguars’ final six games, and is an intriguing deep sleeper to keep an eye on considering the potential upside of Jacksonville’s Liam Coen-led offense.
95. Ray-Ray McCloud III (WR, ATL) – Ray-Ray McCloud III stands to gain the most value while Darnell Mooney is out. He’s a low-end WR3/FLEX play while Mooney is on the shelf.
96. Tutu Atwell (WR, LAR) – As long as Matthew Stafford is under center, Tutu Atwell is fine as a deep high-risk, high-reward FLEX play.
97. Demarcus Robinson (WR, SF) – Demarcus Robinson could miss some games with a possible suspension looming, but a sneaky early-season FLEX play for a 49ers team desperate for pass catchers.
98. Jahan Dotson (WR, PHI) – Still just 25 years old, he can provide WR2 value if he were to ever put it all together. Likely the Eagles’ WR3 to start the season, but would need to see consistent production before even considering Jahan Dotson is a name to watch on the waiver wire, but nothing more.
99. Allen Lazard (WR, NYJ) – He’ll hold some low-end FLEX value some weeks simply due to the lack of pass catchers behind Garrett Wilson, but Allen Lazard is the awful combo of low floor, low ceiling.
100. Elic Ayomanor (WR, TEN) – An intriguing sleeper after the release of Treylon Burks. A draft-and-stash at best, but more along the lines of a guy to keep an eye on.
101. Devaughn Vele (WR, DEN) – Devaughn Vele quietly had seven games over 10 fantasy points in his rookie season. A low-end desperation FLEX play.
102. Brandin Cooks (WR, NO) – Cool story returning to the team that drafted him. Don’t let him return to your fantasy team.
103. Kayshon Boutte (WR, NE) – The sixth-round pick’s career has been Boutte so far, but Kayshon can flirt with FLEX value if he’s able to earn a role behind Stefon Diggs.
104. Malik Washington (WR, MIA) – With Tyreek Hill‘s age and Jonnu Smith traded to the Steelers, there’s a potential opportunity behind Jaylen Waddle
105. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR, MIA) – see: Washington, Malik
106. Xavier Restrepo (WR, TEN) – Worth keeping an eye on solely based on his relationship with former college teammate Cameron Ward.
107. Luke McCaffrey (WR, WAS) – Would need injury or a Terry McLaurin trade to be even remotely fantasy relevant. He’d likely still not be.
108. Jordan Whittington (WR, LAR) – Last season’s pre-season darling isn’t on the fantasy radar.