We need a bounce-back season for fantasy football wide receivers. Last year, Triple Crown winner Ja’Marr Chase, lapped the field with the highest fantasy football points per game (PPG) since Cooper Kupp won the Triple Crown in 2021. Second only to Cooper Kupp in 2021, Chase had the most total fantasy points for a wide receiver for as far back as I could find fantasy point statistics (2001). In fact, Chase’s 20 PPG was a full 4.4 points ahead of the next receiver, Justin Jefferson.
To put that gap in perspective, the WR 2-15 was separated by three PPG, and three PPG also separated the WR 16-37. These numbers show two things. First, Ja’Marr Chase had a historically great season and should be the first pick in redraft leagues. Secondly, you can get similar production deep at the position. Here are must-have wide receivers for the 2025 fantasy football season.
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Must-Have Fantasy Football Wide Receivers
Based on average draft position, five wide receivers finished in the top 12 that were drafted outside of the top 30 receivers. Four of those players were drafted outside the top 40 at the position. In the end, that makes it incredibly advantageous if you hit on the later-round receivers. The issue is knowing which players to take chances on. Here are my early must-have wide receivers for the 2025 fantasy football season.
Travis Hunter (WR – JAX)
One of the most consistent values in fantasy drafts is a rookie receiver. Largely due to the perceived unknown of how they will handle the NFL, more consistent known commodities are taken before them. Last year, both Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. were drafted nearly 25 positions behind where they finished. Unless you have a star prospect in a great situation (for example, Marvin Harrison Jr. last season), there’s a good chance these players outproduce their ADP.
You could argue that Travis Hunter should be treated no differently than Harrison was last season. Currently going as the WR18, Hunter has all the makings of a star receiver. There is clear uncertainty that Hunter will not play complete snaps as a receiver, splitting time as a defensive back. However, everything the coaches describe prioritizes his offensive talents first. Even if he does play both positions, the guy is truly a generational talent.
A comparison is often made with MLB’s Shohei Ohtani. Like Ohtani, Hunter is a multi-position player and very skilled in each role. Once Ohtani entered the league, it was clear he was going to be a star regardless of where he plays. In fact, some fantasy baseball leagues have Ohtani split into two players: the batter and the fielder/pitcher, both going at the top of drafts. Hunter has the physical traits and talent to do the same in the NFL.
After a very successful season as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Liam Coen is now the new Head Coach of the Jaguars. Coen brings a high-powered offensive scheme that has been proven to be able to support multiple receivers. Last season, both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans were weekly starters, and this demonstrates what could be in store for Thomas Jr. and Hunter this year. I would draft Hunter as a top 15 receiver, which leaves plenty of opportunity to return value and take a chance on the upside.
DJ Moore (WR – CHI)
For the first time in his seven-year career, D.J. Moore will have the same starting QB in Week 1 for consecutive years. That’s wild.
The Bears made a massive splash in this year’s draft. After bringing in the hottest offensive name as their Head Coach, Ben Johnson, they attacked an already loaded offense with their first two picks. With the 10th overall pick, they selected Colston Loveland, who is a walking explosive play. They followed this up with yards after the yards-after-the-catch specialist, Luther Burden, in the second round. This has muddied the water for the veteran pieces of this offense and pushed their draft value down.
D.J. Moore has arguably been the most impacted by the draft. Along with the fear of an overcrowded receiving room, there have been reports of the veteran lacking effort on certain plays last year. Presumably in response to this, Ben Johnson has made it clear that his team will prioritize the effort of players on all plays, whether or not they received the ball. The public opinion of these comments is that they are potentially directed at Moore, however, Burden was not known for his effort in 2024.
After Burden had an incredible 2023, he took a massive step back in 2024. Sometimes speculated to be distracted outside of football, Burden did not appear to be the same player he was in 2023. As a result, these comments could easily be perceived as tone-setters for the incoming rookie class along with the veterans.
Outside of this speculation, the fantasy community has seemed to forget how good D.J. Moore is as a player. 2018’s 24th overall pick from the Panthers was initially held back due to poor QB play. Since joining the Bears two years ago, he has averaged 12.55 fantasy points per game. Last year, that would have been the WR12 ahead of Ladd McConkey. As mentioned earlier, this is the first time Moore has had the same starting QB in consecutive seasons.
Additionally, Ben Johnson has done wonders for the Lions and specifically Amon-Ra St. Brown. Many people want to predict ARSB’s role in the Chicago wide receiver room. However, one of the reasons Johnson is a great offensive mind is that he plays to his players’ strengths. Although there are aspects of ARSB in both Burden and Moore, they are very different players. What we can take away from ARSB and the Lions is how he was able to produce despite a crowded offensive room. The last two seasons, ARSB had back-to-back seasons with at least 1200 yards and 115 receptions. He did this despite the breakout of rookie TE Sam LaPorta and Jameison Williams over that span. Moore should be the top target on this offense, and there is a path for a very productive season despite the abundance of talent.
Currently going as the WR26, I would be happy taking Moore as a top 20 WR. Once his ADP begins to climb as people start to remember how talented a player he is, a top 15 WR pick is still decent value.
Brandon Aiyuk WR – SF
Much like D.J. Moore, people seem to be forgetting how good Aiyuk is. The last calendar year has not been great for the veteran WR. After a long contract negotiation last offseason and missing most of training camp, he did not produce at nearly the level of 2023. To make matters worse, he tore his ACL and MCL in Week Seven.
Let’s look back at 2023. Finishing the season with 75 receptions, 1342 yards, and seven touchdowns, Aiyuk averaged 13.2 PPG. Although that only led to a WR14 season, he would’ve been the WR9 last year.
After a nightmarish 2024 for the 49ers, one of the league’s best franchises will try to get back on track. If you don’t believe in Super Bowl Hangovers, just look at the 49ers last year. However, the biggest impact was on the defensive side as their offense continued to produce. In 2023, the 49ers were second in the league in total offensive yards per game (398.4 yds/g). Surprisingly, they were also second last year with 376.3 yards per game.
With Deebo Samuel now on the Commanders, Brandon Aiyuk will regain his place atop the receiving depth chart. Even with veterans George Kittle and Jauan Jennings having productive seasons in 2024, Aiyuk adds a big body that can run crisp routes and be used across the formation. They also have Ricky Pearsall, who came on strong at the end of the season and should complement Aiyuk’s 91st percentile success rate against zone coverage.
Based on the reports, Aiyuk’s recovery is on track and should be ready for this season. His injury, mixed with his underwhelming performance last season, has pushed his ADP down to the WR43. I’ll let you in on a secret: there are not 42 receivers that have more talent and are in better situations than Aiyuk.
This entire team should take a step forward from last year. As a result, give me the 49ers number one WR option who has proven to be a top talent in the league. I believe he will finish as a top 24 WR, and I will gladly take the injury discount and select him 20 spots higher than his current WR43 ADP.
Darnell Mooney WR – ATL
If you’ve been following my work this offseason, this selection shouldn’t surprise you. Originally appearing in my Must-Have Dynasty Players for 2025, Darnell Mooney checks all the boxes for a productive 2025.
The fifth-round selection by the Bears in 2020 has had a surprisingly productive career so far. Through 82 games (over five seasons), Mooney has had five or more targets in 75% of his total games. His surprising production continued last year after joining the Falcons.
Mooney continued his streak of having five or more targets in all but three of his games last season. Despite being behind Drake London and sharing short work with Bijan Robinson, Mooney was utilized heavily with both Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. We also saw Mooney expand his game as a better ball carrier and route runner – two things that he needed to work on back in Chicago.
Even though I like Mooney as a player, my excitement is heavily linked to Michael Penix Jr. becoming the starter. Penix Jr. fits Mooney’s versatile outside abilities perfectly, making him a surprisingly efficient fantasy performer opposite of London in 2025. This offense should be among the best in the league and is in a division with only one decent defense. I expect Penix will showcase his cannon of an arm and find Mooney on both deep targets, along with schemed touches underneath.
Considering that Mooney was the WR14 over the first five weeks of last season, there is a path for fantasy production. Currently, he is being drafted as the WR54, making him a low-risk investment that can provide weekly flex appeal.
Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel (WR – HOU)
I started this article discussing the value of rookies in redraft. Well, going over 40-picks behind Travis Hunter, we have another two rookies that are huge values. They aren’t nearly the prospect that Hunter is, but these two Iowa State players find themselves on a team with a great passing QB and Nico Collins distracting coverage.
The tricky part is figuring out which WR to take. The Texans selected these players in consecutive rounds, taking Higgins with the second pick of the second round and Noel with the 15th pick of the third round. Currently, Higgins is only going four WRs ahead of Noel, making him a preferred selection based on value and draft capital.
Some analysts didn’t love Higgins as a prospect. Despite their concerns, his large frame and impressive hands have the potential to be a great complement to Collins on the outside. Although I was not the highest on him, I believe his traits complement Collins perfectly and could be a red zone weapon starting from Week 1. On the other hand, Noel’s shifty ability to play underneath could also lead to more consistent fantasy production even with a lower ceiling. Based on the draft capital and cheap value in fantasy drafts, I will be targeting Higgins. However, if I miss out on Higgins, Noel is worth a shot in case he secures the secondary WR position.
Adonai Mitchell (WR – IND)
“Must Have” might be a little strong for Mitchell, but he is the player I want to take a shot on late in my fantasy drafts. In 2024, Mitchell was selected with the 20th pick of the second round. Mitchell matched the top athletes in the class, running a 4.34-second 40-yard dash and coming in at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds. The biggest knock on Mitchell’s prospect profile was that he was going to be a project. Often criticized for his “lack of effort” at Texas, the NFL Combine showcased his special abilities. Although effort was not reported to be an issue last season, he failed to convert on multiple big plays.
Despite a lacklustre rookie campaign, it’s hard to forget a talent like his. Even though he was dropping balls, he was finding ways to get separation and be open down the field. I believe Mitchell is a truly polarizing player with the traits to have huge upside. I think he is one of the few players who possess the athleticism and rawness to become the next Nico Collins. Although that is the best-case scenario outcome, that’s a player I want to roster to see how he starts the season. It may not be this year, but he has the talent to start one of these seasons on fire and not look back.
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