When it comes to building a championship-caliber fantasy football roster, targeting the right players on draft day is everything. That’s why we’ve asked our collection of Featured Pros – a trusted group of top-ranked fantasy football experts – to share their must-have draft targets for the 2025 season. These are the players our experts are circling on their cheat sheets across all formats, whether it’s a league-winning RB, breakout WR, or a late-round sleeper with massive upside. If you want to walk away from your draft feeling confident, this expert-approved list is the perfect place to start. Here are must-have fantasy football players featured experts are targeting in drafts.
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Must-Have Fantasy Football Players
What one WR outside the top 30 in the expert consensus are you hoping to end up with in all your leagues and why?
Cooper Kupp (WR – SEA)
“I don’t believe Kupp is “washed.” Injury-prone, yes. But no longer capable of scoring fantasy points, no. Weeks 8-14 Last Year Per Game: 18.0 Fantasy Points (WR4), 27.4% Target Share (WR11). Still Producing. Still Demanding Targets. New QB Sam Darnold Supported BOTH Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison as Top 5 WRs Weeks 9-17. Kupp’s ADP of WR34 bakes in his injury risk- the perfect cost!”
– Joe Orrico (No Expert Fantasy Football)
Rashid Shaheed (WR – NO)
“Rashid Shaheed was producing as a top-24 fantasy WR before last year’s Week 6 knee injury. There are QB questions in New Orleans heading into 2025. But Shaheed is the clear No. 2 WR and got a coaching upgrade with the arrival of Kellen Moore. All six of Moore’s NFL offenses have topped 65 plays per game. For perspective, only four teams topped 65 plays per game last year.”
– Jared Smola (Draft Sharks)
Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF)
“It feels like an eternity since Ricky Pearsall was selected in the 1st round by the 49ers, given everything the young man has gone through since then. Entering his sophomore season, the skies couldn’t be any more perfect for a Pearsall breakout. Deebo Samuel is in Washington, and Brandon Aiyuk is still recovering from the knee injury he suffered a year ago. Pearsall will have to contend with Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings for targets early on, yet despite the competition for targets, there is no doubt that Pearsall could become a regular on offense for San Francisco.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
“Ricky Pearsall is a must-have fantasy football draft target for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, as his late-2024 surge and an evolving team dynamic position him for a breakout. In his final two games of 2024, Pearsall amassed 14 receptions on 18 targets for 210 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his ability to capitalize on increased opportunities with a 77.8% catch rate and 11.7 yards per target. With Deebo Samuel traded to the Washington Commanders and Brandon Aiyuk potentially sidelined early due to a torn ACL, Pearsall is projected to step into a starting WR2 role, boosting his target share in Kyle Shanahan’s high-octane offense, which ranked top-5 in passing efficiency in 2024. His 64.1 PFF receiving grade and low 3.1% drop rate as a rookie highlight his reliability, while his versatility, evidenced by three rushes for 45 yards, adds flex appeal. Currently undervalued with an ADP of WR45 (Round 8-9), Pearsall’s elite athletic profile (4.41 40-yard dash, 6.64 3-cone) and the 49ers’ easy 2025 pass schedule make him a steal with WR2 upside.”
– Brandon Murchison (RotoBaller)
“Ricky Pearsall (WR45 in the rankings) will be my favorite 49ers wide receiver to pick in redraft leagues this year. Unfortunately, he missed the first six weeks recovering from a gunshot during an attempted robbery during the preseason. Yet, the former Florida star was outstanding when getting the ball, averaging 18.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in the three contests with six or more targets, scoring three receiving touchdowns. San Francisco traded away Deebo Samuel this offseason, while Brandon Aiyuk is coming off a torn ACL and MCL. The fact that Pearsall is the lowest of the 49ers’ top three wide receivers in the rankings makes me want to draft him all the more.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Khalil Shakir (WR – BUF)
“Khalil Shakir is a boring pick, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a good pick. The Bills didn’t add anything major to the WR room, which sets up Shakir for an easy 80-plus catches. He’s unlikely to ever dominate the touchdown column, but last year’s haul (four) was probably a little unlucky. You’ll get Shakir as a WR4 or WR5 in many leagues, and that’s screaming profit.”
– Scott Pianowski (Yahoo! Sports)
Matthew Golden (WR – GB)
“Matthew Golden’s elite speed, route-running precision, and versatility make him a seamless fit for the Packers’ offensive system, which mirrors many of the concepts he thrived in at Texas. The Longhorns’ RPO-heavy, run-balanced scheme emphasized quick decision-making, deep-threat opportunities, and spacing, all of which align with Matt LaFleur’s offensive philosophy in Green Bay. Golden’s ability to stretch the field, create separation, and adjust to defensive coverages will allow him to transition quickly and become a key weapon for Jordan Love. His experience in motion-heavy formations and vertical passing concepts ensures he won’t take long to master the Packers’ playbook. Golden is a must-target WR outside the Top 30, offering both immediate production and long-term upside.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
Tetairoa McMillan (WR – CAR)
“I’m targeting Tetairoa McMillan (WR34) outside the top 30 ADP on FantasyPros. As a rookie, his elite route-running and athleticism make him a high-upside pick in Carolina’s evolving offense. With potential for a significant role in 2025, he could emerge as a key target for Bryce Young, especially in half-PPR formats. His current ADP offers great value for a possible WR2 with WR1 upside.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)
“Carolina drafted Tetairoa McMillan 8th overall, inserting him into a Panthers offense in need of a true WR1. If Bryce Young takes even a modest step forward in Year 3 and continues to fuel fantasy success for his No. 1 target, McMillan could be this year’s breakout rookie receiver. Note that Adam Thielen surpassed both 100 catches and 1,000 receiving yards during Young’s rookie season. Last year in Dave Canales’ offense, the Panthers’ No. 1 WR between Diontae Johnson/Thielen was pacing for over 1,100 receiving yards over a 17-game sample size (33% first-read target share).”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN)
“Despite dealing with wretched quarterbacking last year, Calvin Ridley finished with 1,017 receiving yards and was WR27 in fantasy scoring. From Week 8 on, he was WR16. Now he gets to play with No. 1 draft pick Cam Ward, who has a terrific arm and is no shrinking violet with regard to throwing aggressively downfield. The Titans don’t exactly have an abundance of pass-catching talent, so Ridley figures to lead the team in targets by a mile. Ridley’s ECR of WR36 suggests he’ll be a bargain in 2025 fantasy drafts.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Travis Hunter (WR, DB – JAC)
“I don’t think some of the fantasy football analysts realize just how talented Travis Hunter is, because if they did, they’d rank him a hell of a lot higher. In my humble opinion, the most talented wide receiver in Jacksonville isn’t Brian Thomas Jr.; it’s Travis Hunter. Hunter is tougher with contested catches and is a better route runner. The only concern I have is how many snaps he’ll play, but with a current consensus ranking of only WR 32, I’ll roll the dice based on his talent alone. That’s in Ringo’s draft neighborhood- very talented players who don’t cost a lot. Ringo’s comp- a lighter version of Ja’Marr Chase.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
“Travis Hunter is currently ranked as the half PPR WR32. That won’t last through the summer, but I’ll scoop up his value while it’s still too low. Hunter was selected with the 2nd overall pick in the NFL Draft by a team that traded up to acquire his services. He enters a situation with only one true alpha target earner and plenty of players and coaches with something to prove on the offensive side of the ball. Liam Coen and the Jags will scheme up a ton of plays for Hunter while gamescripting heavy workloads for him in mismatch situations from week to week. He has a pretty solid floor and a blow-the-roof-off ceiling and is going around names like Chris Olave, Jaylen Waddle, and Jordan Addison. Of these players, only Hunter has the skill and the top-tier situation to be your fantasy squad’s weekly WR1.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Darnell Mooney (WR – ATL)
“Darnell Mooney quietly had 992 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season. Mooney would have had his 2nd 1,000-yard season of his career, but he missed the final regular season game with an injury. Michael Penix Jr. ranked 1st in accurate throw percentage on passes of 20+ yards last season. Mooney ranked 10th in receiving yards on passes of 20+ yards. Drake London is the WR1 on this team, and Kyle Pitts might mess around and outplay his rookie season for the first time since he entered the league, but Darnell Mooney is someone who could easily have over 1,000 yards and anywhere from 8-10 receiving touchdowns this season. I expect him to be a low-end WR2 this year with WR1 weekly upside.”
– Nick Penticoff (Fantasy Football Astronauts)
Rome Odunze (WR – CHI)
“Rome Odunze at WR37 feels like tremendous value to me. Keenan Allen is currently a free agent, making Odunze the #2 option behind DJ Moore on the Bears. They drafted Luther Burden as well, but Odunze was drafted higher and has a year of experience under his belt. I understand that rookies are fun to draft, but give me the more talented player at the lower price all day.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)
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