Wide receivers help establish championship fantasy football teams. You do not want to be stuck with receivers who aren’t going to lead their team in targets or play in an offense with a below-average quarterback or a run-heavy scheme. You need to target the five wide receivers below in your draft.
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
2025 Must-Draft Wide Receivers
Justin Jefferson (WR – MIN)
Justin Jefferson continues to be one of the top receivers in the league. He has had five straight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, including one year he only played in 10 games. It’s been especially great to see him accomplish this with different quarterbacks.
This will be the third straight year the Vikings have a new starting quarterback. J.J. McCarthy missed last season with an injury, but he’s ready, and he and Jefferson spent a lot of time together in the offseason building chemistry. McCarthy and Jefferson are trying to form a connection that can make this franchise a championship contender. Jefferson’s special abilities should be able to elevate McCarthy’s game.
Tetairoa McMillan (WR – CAR)
Tetairoa McMillian was the top wide receiver taken in the draft and has the potential to make a big impact for this team. Quarterback Bryce Young made significant strides after getting his starting job back. He was the fantasy QB1 from Weeks 10-18. McMillan finally gives him a talented wideout to help stretch the field.
Over the last two seasons, McMillan caught over 1,300 yards in each season and scored a total of 18 touchdowns. What will make him an excellent receiving option for Young is that he doesn’t need longer routes to get open, averaging 2.87 yards per route. With 29 missed tackles and 5.5 yards after the catch, he can make things happen with his footwork. McMillan could be what Young and the Panthers need to make strides this year.
Malik Nabers (WR – NYG)
Malik Nabers excelled in his rookie season despite playing on a struggling Giants offense, finishing fifth in catches (109) and seventh in receiving yards (1,204). This was with a mix of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle as his quarterbacks.
This season, the Giants made a huge upgrade at quarterback with the addition of Russell Wilson. While he’s at the latter stage of his career, he still had a 63.7% completion rate with a 16:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio last season with the Steelers. Nabers dominated the targets in 2024, as his 35.3% target share led the league. There are no significant changes to the wide receivers room, and Nabers is by far their best pass-catcher.
Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)
Garrett Wilson has experienced inconsistencies at quarterback, but has still managed to record over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons. There is potential for another one, as he is reunited with someone who helped him become a top-10 draft pick.
The Jets signed Justin Fields, who, along with Wilson, had an incredible 2021 season together at Ohio State, where Wilson recorded 1,058 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. It will be exciting to see if these two bring back that chemistry.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s rookie year was underwhelming with only 628 receiving yards, but 2024 was the breakout we expected from the former first-rounder, with 1,130 yards. This season could be even bigger, given all the changes to the offense. With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett gone, Smith-Njigba could be the top option for new Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold.
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