Hitting on the right players in fantasy can win you leagues; however, dodging landmines across the way and figuring out who to avoid is just as important, especially at wide receiver.
Fantasy Football Wide Receivers to Avoid
Rashee Rice was on the verge of a second-year breakout, topping 75 yards in all three games to open the season and finding the end zone twice during that span, averaging eight receptions (WR1 in 2024) on 9.7 targets (WR5) for nearly 96 yards (WR2) and 0.7 touchdowns (WR7) per game. His 21.6 PPR points per game in Weeks 1-3 trailed only Ja’Marr Chase (23.7) for second among all wide receivers in 2024, leading the league with a 30.2% target share.
Hitting on the right players in fantasy can win you leagues; however, dodging landmines across the way and figuring out who to avoid is just as important, especially at wide receiver.
Fantasy Football Wide Receivers to Avoid
Rashee Rice was on the verge of a second-year breakout, topping 75 yards in all three games to open the season and finding the end zone twice during that span, averaging eight receptions (WR1 in 2024) on 9.7 targets (WR5) for nearly 96 yards (WR2) and 0.7 touchdowns (WR7) per game. His 21.6 PPR points per game in Weeks 1-3 trailed only Ja’Marr Chase (23.7) for second among all wide receivers in 2024, leading the league with a 30.2% target share.
Unfortunately, Rice’s season was cut short in Week 4, playing only four snaps before getting taken out by Patrick Mahomes and tearing his LCL. Although Rice looks to have made a full recovery, the larger concern is his looming suspension after pleading guilty to two felonies (collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury). To make matters worse, the details of the suspension are still to be determined, with a disciplinary hearing set for September 30th, a month into the season.
Per Adam Schefter, the baseline suspension for violating the personal conduct policy is six games, but the NFL is pushing for at least eight, if not more. There’s no denying Rice’s upside as the clear No. 1 option in a Mahomes and Andy Reid offense; however, the risk at the round four/round five turn in fantasy drafts is too much with the lack of clarity on the situation. For all we know, Rice may not even be available for the playoffs, which could be a detrimental blow given his average draft position (ADP).
Chris Godwin was dominant in the “Cooper Kupp role” of the Liam Coen offense, reverting to the slot and overtaking Mike Evans as Baker Mayfield‘s go-to option and the No. 1 WR in Tampa. In Weeks 1-7, Godwin led the team with a 24.4% target share, on pace for a career year, averaging 7.1 receptions (WR3 in 2024) on 8.9 targets (WR12) for 83.6 yards (WR5) and 0.7 touchdowns (WR5) per game. His 19.7 PPR points per game trailed only Ja’Marr Chase (23.7) for second among all wide receivers last season, finishing behind Evans (72) for fifth at the position in ESPN’s overall receiver rating (70).
Unfortunately, Godwin’s season was cut short in heartbreaking fashion, hauling in a 21-yard pass and dislocating his ankle with just over a minute remaining in a game that was already out of hand. Head coach Todd Bowles initially suggested that Godwin had a chance of returning in the playoffs, but his recovery timeline took longer than expected, carrying into the offseason. Godwin was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to open up training camp, needing a second “clean out” surgery.
Although he has since been activated off the PUP list, per Adam Schefter, Godwin is expected to start practicing in Week 2 and likely won’t play until October. As great as Godwin was, it’s hard to expect the same level of production in his first season returning from such a gruesome injury and a new offensive system without Coen. It’s also worth noting that the Buccaneers used a top-20 pick (No. 19) on Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, who looks to be in line for a significant role.
Brandon Aiyuk was in a stalemate with the 49ers for most of last offseason, seeking a new contract after a breakout 2023 campaign. After months of holding in, Aiyuk finally agreed to a $120 million four-year extension, less than two weeks out from the start of the season. Although the circumstances weren’t ideal, Aiyuk looked like a shell of himself last season, visibly out of shape, averaging 3.6 receptions on 6.7 targets for 52.7 yards per game, and scoring zero touchdowns.
Aiyuk was one of the bigger disappointments in fantasy, often going in the second round and failing to exceed double-digit PPR points in six out of seven (85.7%) games. Unfortunately, things only got worse for Aiyuk, tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 7, putting an abrupt end to an already forgettable season.
Entering 2025, Aiyuk is set to miss at least the first four games on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, targeting a return in Week 6. Although Deebo Samuel is no longer with the team, it’s hard to envision Aiyuk seeing a larger role than he had last season, playing all seven games without Christian McCaffrey and Ricky Pearsall. Depending on your league, Aiyuk could be a headache to roster, especially without injured reserve (IR) spots.
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