Third-Year Players: Wide Receivers (2025 Fantasy Football)

Targeting third-year players in fantasy football is a good strategy because this is when players tend to have their breakout season.

This is because these players are still young but have the experience needed to put up a career year.

On this page, you’ll find some of my top third-year players to target in 2025 fantasy football leagues.

Third-Year Fantasy Football Draft Targets

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a breakout season in 2024, but we’re getting him at a terrific value in the third round because the Seahawks brought in Cooper Kupp, who similarly does most of his damage in the slot. But Kupp showed serious signs of decline down the stretch last year, plus Smith-Njigba can play on the outside as well. He should be going in the second round, but you get him in the third.

Jayden Reed (WR – GB)

Jayden Reed is an explosive wideout who comes off the field in 2-WR sets, but perhaps Matt LaFleur can come to his senses because this is his best weapon in the passing game. It’s also worth noting that Jordan Love played injured last year, which led to an extremely run-heavy approach. Now healthy, expect more passing from the Packers, which is good news for Reed.

Josh Downs (WR – IND)

Downs is an intriguing threat out of the slot, especially if Daniel Jones wins the starting job. The former Giant would bring a bit of stability to a Colts passing game that struggled mightily last season. If Jones starts, we could see him pepper Downs in the slot, just like he did with Wan’Dale Robinson.

Marvin Mims (WR – DEN)

Marvin Mims found his groove down the stretch last season, establishing himself as a big-play threat deserving of manufactured touches. While Courtland Sutton remains the top target and Evan Engram was brought in, don’t be surprised to see Mims build off his 2024 season. This is one of my favorite picks in best ball because of the cheap price tag.

Cedric Tillman (WR – CLE)

Here we have another value wideout, this time on a dumpster fire of a Browns team. While others target Jerry Jeudy in the sixth round, wait a few rounds and target Cedric Tillman at his fantasy football average draft position (ADP). He showed some upside with spike weeks last season once Amari Cooper was traded. This is a cheap dart throw on a potential top-two target in an offense.