Fantasy Football Rookie Predictions: Wide Receivers (2025)

Everyone in the fantasy football world is knee-deep in dynasty rookie drafts. Yet, it’s never too early to prepare for redraft season and check into this year’s crop of fantasy football rookies.

Sometimes, rookies end up being league winners. Other times, they end up being a waste of a draft pick. Unfortunately, trying to project rookies is easier said than done. However, let’s look at who I think will be the top-scoring rookies for Wide Receivers in half-point PPR scoring.

Fantasy Football Rookies: Predicting Highest Scoring Wide Receivers

Wide Receivers

Carolina’s offense started to click last year following Bryce Young‘s return to the starting lineup. However, the team lacked a go-to No. 1 wide receiver, as Xavier Legette is better suited for a secondary role. McMillan was the first pure receiver selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. More importantly, his big body frame and ability to make impossible catches will make him Young’s favorite target. Last year, Brian Thomas Jr. had 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns despite playing on a bad offense. McMillan could have similar success in 2025.

Hunter is the ultimate fantasy football wild card. He can be a top-15 wide receiver as a rookie. However, the former Colorado star could be a massive fantasy bust if Jacksonville primarily plays him at cornerback. Therefore, I would draft McMillan ahead of Hunter in redraft leagues. Furthermore, he isn’t his team’s clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver because of Thomas. Yet, the former Colorado star could see enough volume on offense to have a solid rookie season for fantasy players to use him as a low-end WR2 most weeks.

While he is a polarizing pick in dynasty rookie drafts, I’m a massive fan of Golden’s. The former Texas star was the first wide receiver drafted in the first round by the Packers in over 20 years. Therefore, the team realizes they lack a No. 1 caliber wide receiver, especially with Christian Watson coming off a torn ACL. Furthermore, Romeo Doubs‘ name has been mentioned as a trade target for the Pittsburgh Steelers after they moved on from George Pickens. Golden could see over 110 targets as a rookie.

Unfortunately, landing with the Colts threw a wet blanket on Warren’s fantasy outlook in 2025. Indianapolis has the least accurate quarterback unit in the NFL with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. Furthermore, they have used a Day 2 pick on a wide receiver in four of the past six NFL Drafts. Warren will struggle to see a consistent target share and accurate passes as a rookie. Yet, he should have a breakout sophomore season after the team upgrades at quarterback and moves on from some of their pass catchers.