3 Impact Rookie Wide Receivers to Draft (2025 Fantasy Football)

Since the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft, incoming rookies have become the topic of conversation across the fantasy football industry. Much of the discussion has centered on their long-term potential for dynasty leagues, but redraft season is just around the corner.

Today, we will examine rookie wide receivers from a season-long fantasy football perspective. Here are three impact rookie wide receivers with the opportunity to contribute immediately.

Impact Fantasy Football Rookie Wide Receivers

Tetairoa McMillan (WR – CAR)

With Travis Hunter dividing his time between offense and defense, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is the safest option at receiver to target in 2025 redraft leagues. There are some concerns over his ability to separate from NFL cornerbacks, but he should soak up plenty of contested targets as Bryce Young‘s No. 1 WR.

Young was benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton after a disastrous start to the 2024 season, but he looked like a different player over the second half of the season. He averaged 204 passing yards per game, completed 64.1% of his pass attempts and finished with a 7:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio in Carolina’s final three contests.

With offensive additions like McMillan, fellow wide receiver Hunter Renfrow and backup running back Rico Dowdle, there is reason to believe Carolina’s offense can take another step in 2025. If that happens, McMillan is likely to be the main beneficiary in fantasy football.

Travis Hunter (WR, CB – JAX)

Two-way star Travis Hunter is one of the most intriguing prospects to enter the NFL in recent memory. He has All-Pro potential on both sides of the ball, but his dual-role status could make him a risky selection in fantasy football.

If Hunter spends a significant amount of time on the defensive side, some fear he will be limited to part-time work as a wide receiver. While that is a possibility in future seasons, the opposite is likely true in year one. With Hunter expected to “major on offense, minor on defense” during his rookie season, he has the potential to step in and contribute immediately.

However, with second-year wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. already established as quarterback Trevor Lawrence‘s top target, Hunter’s upside could be capped in Jacksonville. As good as Hunter is, it’s hard to imagine Lawrence supporting two elite fantasy football wide receivers.

Despite these potential concerns, Hunter should still be the first or second rookie pass-catcher selected in redraft formats. Other wide receivers drafted after him face similar volume concerns, so it’s worth betting on the incredibly talented 2024 Heisman Trophy winner.

Matthew Golden (WR – GB)

After running an impressive 4.29 in the 40-yard dash, wide receiver Matthew Golden quickly gained fans in NFL Draft circles. With the Green Bay Packers investing the 23rd overall selection on him, there is no reason for that momentum to slow down anytime soon.

Golden joins a crowded wide receiver room in Green Bay, but he has the opportunity to step in and contribute in year one. Wide receiver Jayden Reed and tight end Tucker Kraft are locked into their roles, but Golden could easily surpass wide receivers Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks to become the third option.

Other Fantasy Football Rookie Wide Receivers to Watch

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is one of the most talented wide receivers in this rookie class, but he faces hurdles to get there in year one. He’ll begin his career behind veteran wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, making him a risky choice in redraft formats.

Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins and Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III are talented prospects, but face tremendous target competition in year one. Higgins is likely to play second-fiddle to wide receiver Nico Collins, while Burden must compete for targets with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet and rookie tight end Colston Loveland.

Los Angeles Chargers’ Tre Harris, Las Vegas Raiders’ Jack Beck and New England Patriots’ Kyle Williams have the potential to outplay their current average draft position (ADP), but they currently remain off the redraft radar.