FantasyPros Staff | Fri, Jul 4th 2025, 3:48am EDT

12 Wide Receivers Experts Avoid (2025 Fantasy Football)

Drafting the right players is key to winning your fantasy football league, but avoiding the wrong ones is just as important. Every year, certain running backs and wide receivers get overhyped, over-drafted, or simply don’t live up to expectations. To help you steer clear of potential landmines in your 2025 fantasy football draft, we asked our collection of Featured Pros to weigh in on players they’re avoiding at current ADP. Whether it’s due to workload concerns, injury risk, or inflated cost, these are the players our experts believe carry more risk than reward. Before you make your next pick, make sure these names aren’t on your draft board.

Wide Receivers Fantasy Football Experts Avoid

What one WR inside the top 100 in our consensus ADP do you plan on avoiding in all your drafts relative to their price and why?

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)

“I have too many concerns about Jaxon Smith-Njigba‘s situation to draft him at cost. The Seahawks project to throw it significantly less this season under new OC Klint Kubiak. And QB Sam Darnold could turn back into a pumpkin behind a leaky Seattle offensive line. I see JSN as more of a low-end WR2 than the high-end WR2 he’s being drafted as.”
– Jared Smola (Draft Sharks)

Jerry Jeudy (WR – CLE)

“Jerry Jeudy is a streaky player that I will be avoiding in 2025 fantasy football drafts due to his inconsistent production and an uncertain quarterback situation. Despite a career-high 90 receptions for 1,229 yards in 2024, Jeudy’s efficiency metrics were mediocre, ranking 45th in yards per route run (1.76) among 85 qualifying wide receivers, and his four touchdowns on 145 targets suggest limited scoring upside. His breakout stretch in 2024 (Weeks 8-18, 69 catches, 963 yards) relied heavily on Jameis Winston‘s pass-heavy approach, which may not persist with potential 2025 quarterbacks like Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, or Shedeur Sanders, none of whom are proven elite passers. The Browns’ expected shift to a run-heavy scheme under Kevin Stefanski, emphasizing rookie Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, could reduce Jeudy’s target share, especially with David Njoku and Cedric Tillman competing for passes. Additionally, Jeudy’s 18% targets per route run in games with a healthy Deshaun Watson or Cedric Tillman (Weeks 1-12) highlights his dependency on specific game scripts, making him a risky WR3 pick with a projected 60 receptions, 809 yards, and three touchdowns. Let other fantasy managers in your league deal with the potential headaches that come with Jeudy and his much too high ADP (63rd Overall).”
– Brandon Murchison (RotoBaller)

Brian Thomas Jr. (WR – JAC)

“I thought I’d fill the role on this WR, with one Little caution. No one likes being Debbie, but Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 12.5PPG with Trevor Lawrence. He averaged 16PPG with his hero, Big Mac Jones, at QB from week 10 on. Yes, that coincides with when most rookie WRs become a star (crunch), but I will (swiss) roll that worry in with a coordinator change (how often do we get those right? Just assume we don’t know. . .), Trevor Lawrence being mid his entire career, and the chances of 10TD regression (it’s a (pecan) spinwheel for even the best). Nearly going in the first round, I’d definitely like to fudge that round a bit to be more comfortable taking BTJ. So despite all the junk food, I’ll be underweight… on Brian Thomas Jr.”
– Seth Miller (Crossroads Fantasy Football)

“Brian Thomas Jr. blew up in the final stretch of the season, providing fantasy managers multiple games with at least seven receptions and 86 yards. He scored five touchdowns in Jacksonville’s final six games. While it’s notable that a rookie came on so strong, and that is a positive, his ADP of 14 is just too rich for my blood. The upside is there, the arrival of Liam Coen is intriguing, and a great season is likely, but I require a slightly safer bet that early in the draft.”
– Matt De Lima (Athlon Sports)

Rashee Rice (WR – KC)

“The one WR inside the top 100 in the consensus ADP that I plan on avoiding in all of my drafts relative to the price is Rashee Rice of the Kansas City Chiefs. My two reasons for avoiding Rice are: 1. He’s coming off of season-ending knee surgery and may not be 100% at the start of the season. 2. He may be facing suspension from the NFL for unresolved criminal charges from last year’s speed racing incident in Dallas. Hopefully, seeing Rice perform in the pre-season will lower my injury concerns. It would also be great to know Rice’s suspension time, if any, before fantasy football drafts this season.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)

Cooper Kupp (WR – LAR)

“Player development isn’t always linear, but player decline almost always is. Cooper Kupp has missed 18 games in three years and steps into his age-32 season as a dangerous pick. Many key metrics (yards per catch, yards per target) sank to career lows last year. Don’t swim against this tide.”
– Scott Pianowski (Yahoo! Sports)

Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS)

“Terry McLaurin tallied a bloaded 15.8% TD rate last season. Even with the rise of Jayden Daniels, regression is a near lock. Deebo Samuel — if healthy — could also limit McLaurin’s target ceiling.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)

“Why is Terry McLaurin a third-round pick in a 12-team league right now? It’s banking on a lot of things going his way again in 2025 after a career 2024. McLaurin scored 13 TDs as the only show in town for Washington, and now has another bona fide WR to deal with in Deebo Samuel. Add in the holdout over a new contract, and this feels super risky. He’s been a 4-5 TD guy prior to 2024, and any regression to that and he’ll slide back into the WR20s he’s been throughout his career.”
– Justin Frye (Pro Football Network)

Tyreek Hill (WR – MIA)

“I’m avoiding Tyreek Hill this year. There are too many good options in the WR2 realm this season near his ADP for me to worry about Hill’s declining skills and drama. Last year, with Tua Tagovailoa under center (Weeks 8-16), he was the WR24 in fantasy points per game while ranking 39th in yards per route run and 34th in target share. Among 112 qualifying wide receivers overall last year, he was 28th in separation and 48th in route win rate (per Fantasy Points Data). The per-route metrics aren’t damning, but Father Time remains undefeated, and it’s not insane to worry about Hill taking another step back in 2025.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)

“The appeal of drafting Tyreek Hill again after last season just does not exist. WR18 normally would be a fine price point, but will Hill go back to his old self? Despite the injury concerns to Tua Tagovailoa, which many will say was the reason for his massive bust campaign a year ago, Hill only posted two 100 yard outings with his starting QB in 2024, and upon his return Miami’s offense revolved around getting the ball out of Tua’s hand as quickly as possible to either De’Von Achane or Jonnu Smith. This could become a potential headache yet again for fantasy managers in 2025 if the offense stays relatively similar to what it was in 2024. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF)

“The 2024 season was nothing but a disaster for Brandon Aiyuk. He held out most of the training camp in search of a new contract. The 49ers WR got paid, but he paid the price with a severe lack of production in his seven appearances as he tried to shake off the rust from so much missed time. Aiyuk went over 50 receiving yards once, averaging a mediocre 7.1 fantasy points per game (WR61). It was the worst-case scenario for Aiyuk, and now he has to make a return from a mid-October torn ACL/MCL injury that could force him to miss the start of the 2025 season. Given how poorly Aiyuk played after missing training camp last offseason, it’s hard to be overly optimistic about what he can offer to the 49ers offense to open the year.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

“Brandon Aiyuk presents considerable risk in 2025 due to a combination of injury concerns and recent underperformance. Prior to suffering a multi-ligament ACL and meniscus injury in Week 7 of the 2024 season, Aiyuk was already struggling, posting just one game with over 8 fantasy points and failing to reach 50 receiving yards in six of seven outings. Recovery timelines for this type of injury typically extend well into the season, suggesting he may not be at full strength until the second half of the year. While his historical splits without Deebo Samuel are encouraging, the uncertainty around his health, role, and timing make him a volatile investment in drafts this year. Unless you’re drafting with an IR slot available, Aiyuk is best approached with caution or avoided entirely.”
– Andrew Mott (Big Dogs Gotta Eat)

DJ Moore (WR – CHI)

“I can’t validate drafting DJ Moore near his WR21 and 42nd overall ADP. Last year, many were afraid to draft the veteran after Chicago added Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze in the offseason. Yet, Moore had a solid year, finishing as the WR16, averaging 11.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While the addition of Ben Johnson should help Caleb Williams in the passing attack, the former offensive coordinator wants to lean on the running game like he did in Detroit. More importantly, the Bears used their top two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft on Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III, adding to an already crowded receiving unit. Furthermore, the two rookies could fill the Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown roles in Johnson’s offense. While Moore will likely have a solid fantasy season, I would rather pass on him and draft Xavier Worthy or Tetairoa McMillan with a later ADP.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)

Jauan Jennings (WR – SF)

“Jauan Jennings is one wide receiver inside the top 100 I’m avoiding in all drafts this season relative to his ADP of 62. I like Jennings as a player; he’s shown flashes of WR1 ability, but that was before Ricky Pearsall emerged as the clear top option in San Francisco’s passing game. With Pearsall now commanding primary targets, and both Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle fully healthy, Jennings is unlikely to see consistent volume. In an offense that already spreads the ball around, his role feels more complementary than featured. At that price, I’d rather invest in a receiver with a more defined path to targets and weekly upside.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)

“Jauan Jennings at No. 62 overall seems … aggressive. It’s cool that Jennings has developed into a useful pass catcher in the middle part of his career. But I’m mildly skeptical of an age-27 breakout partly fueled by the absences of fellow WRs Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall. And it’s not as if it was a massive eruption for Jennings. He was tied for WR26 in half-point PPF fantasy points per game among WRs who played at least eight games. After never averaging better than 1.38 yards per route run in his first three NFL seasons, Jennings jumped to 2.26 yards per route run in 2024. I’m buying the improvement. I’m just not buying Jennings as a comfortable every-week fantasy starter — which you need him to be at an early sixth-round price. Pearsall came on strong down the stretch last season. Aiyuk is on his way back from last year’s season-ending knee injury. George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey are going to draw ample targets. It’s just hard to see Jennings taking it up another notch with all that target competition. That’s a lot to ask of a former seventh-round pick who broke out at age 27.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Mike Evans (WR – TB)

“While there is still substantial upside, I find myself far below consensus on Mike Evans this year. A great exercise to consider when drafting is: Where do I imagine this player going in next year’s (2026) fantasy draft? I think the answer for Evans could be many, many rounds later (if he’s even still playing). Coen has left, and Egbuka and McMillan are set to emerge and take much more volume from the aging Evans and Godwin. Especially in full PPR leagues, I think the downside case for Evans is far more extreme than many think. While admittedly he could win your league for you if he hits, I don’t want to touch a potential landmine.”
– Benjamin Klotz (Touchdown Squad)

“Mike Evans is an all-time great whose consistency deserves laudation. It’s just that, at age 31, there’s no way I’m drafting him in the third round. Evans has produced as a high-end WR2 for four straight years, but was only averaging around 14 PPR points per game in 2024 until Chris Godwin got hurt. I would rather take a shot at a younger, break-out prospect at this point in the draft.”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)

Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR – DET)

“Ready to get uncomfortable? Pass on Amon-Ra St. Brown in Round 1 of a PPR draft. It feels wrong, but his trouble actually started last year. St. Brown went from sixth among WRs in expected PPR points per game in 2023 to just 11th last year. He dipped from fifth among WRs in target share in 2023 to 10th. And now we get more Jameson Williams buzz throughout the offseason, potential for Sam LaPorta‘s usage to bounce back, plus the extra challenge of an OC switch. No thanks on St. Brown over Malik Nabers, Puka Nacua, and others in the back half of Round 1.”
– Matt Schauf (Draft Sharks)

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