When it comes to fantasy football, few topics spark more debate than the most polarizing players — those whose values vary wildly from one expert to another. These are the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends that divide rankings, dominate draft-day discussions and often determine whether you’re a contender or pretender.
In this article, we asked our collection of Featured Pros to weigh in on players at the wide receiver position with a high standard deviation, meaning analysts are all over the board in how they rank them. Whether it’s a breakout candidate you should be targeting or a risky pick to fade, our experts share who they’re significantly higher or lower on and why. Let’s dive into the most hotly debated names ahead of the 2025 fantasy football season.
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Polarizing Fantasy Football Players: Draft or Pass?
Who is one wide receiver with a high standard deviation you are higher or lower on and why?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)
“With too many variables, I’m lower on Jaxon Smith-Njigba. While he finished as the fantasy WR9 last year, he takes a hit in the quarterback department with Sam Darnold replacing Geno Smith. On top of that, he also takes a hit in the coverage department as he is now the clear No. 1 WR in Seattle. While Cooper Kupp will help ease the pressure on him a bit, I see Kupp taking the underneath PPR role Smith-Njigba utilized a lot last year that made him so valuable in PPR leagues.”
– Trevor Land (FlurrySports)
“The more I think about Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the No. 1 WR in Seattle, the more I worry he is being overvalued. It’s normally a great thing when targets are vacated, as they are with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett gone. But the signing of Cooper Kupp means Smith-Njigba moves to the outside more often, where he was less effective. The change to Sam Darnold at quarterback raises some concerns, as well as the addition of a new offensive coordinator in Klint Kubiak, who will try to establish the run more than his predecessor. I still believe Smith-Njigba is a weekly starter in fantasy but not a top-12 wide receiver as he’s currently ranked, more realistically finishing outside of the top 15.”
– Pierre Camus (Fantasy Endgame)
Keon Coleman (WR – BUF)
“Keon Coleman entered the league at 21 with only two seasons as a college starter. His rookie season predictably turned up more negative than positive, but he still flashed with 19.2 yards per catch. Buffalo passed on adding competition for his ‘X’ role this offseason, instead signing Josh Palmer and Elijah Moore. Spot-start WR3 production is within Coleman’s range of outcomes.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)
Stefon Diggs (WR – NE)
“I am higher on Stefon Diggs (5.4 standard deviation) than the consensus rankings (WR44). Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 last season. However, the veteran was playing well before getting hurt, ranking as the WR9 over the first seven weeks, averaging 7.9 targets and 12.6 half-PPR fantasy points per game despite splitting targets with Nico Collins and Tank Dell. More importantly, Diggs is the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver in what should be a significantly improved Patriots passing attack. If the veteran wide receiver is ready for Week 1, Diggs should end the year no lower than a high-end WR3.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
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