Finding the right players to build your fantasy football roster around can be the difference between a championship run and a disappointing season. To give you an edge in 2025, we’ve gathered insights from our collection of Featured Pros-a trusted group of top-ranked analysts across the fantasy football industry. In this article, you’ll discover the must-have draft targets our experts believe offer the best value, upside, and reliability. Whether you’re drafting early or looking for mid-round gems, these expert-backed recommendations will help you lock in the foundation for a winning fantasy football team.
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Must-Have Fantasy Football Draft Targets
What one WR outside the top 15 in the expert consensus are you hoping to end up with in all your leagues and why?
Jaylen Waddle (MIA)
“I want to say Jaylen Waddle here, but the low-risk price on Keon Coleman makes him an even better “every-team” fit. For the cost of a WR5 (or even WR6), I can get a second-year, second-round wideout who already flashed intriguing upside in three high-value areas: deep receiving, yards after catch, and end-zone usage. So I can stash that guy on my bench and then watch him play with Josh Allen every week, in an offense that needs his talent to help make everything else work? Sounds like a fun season.”
– Matt Schauf (Draft Sharks)
“Right now, it is Jaylen Waddle for me. Waddle already has two top-20 seasons under his belt, with a third in the WR3 range in 12-team leagues. Yes, last season was rough. But Waddle’s demise has been greatly exaggerated. He is still just 26 years old and plays in the same offense he has been in his entire NFL career. Waddle averaged 7.7 targets over his first three seasons compared to just 5.5 last year. However, Jonnu Smith is gone, De’Von Achane is dealing with a calf injury, and Tyreek Hill… well, who knows. Any or all of these should bump up Waddle’s workload in 2025. In turn, he should be much closer to the player he was from 2021 to 2023 than last year’s version.”
– Mick Ciallela (Fantrax)
DK Metcalf (SEA)
“This off-season, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded a 2nd round pick for DK Metcalf. Then, they signed Aaron Rodgers, who, even though he is at the end of his career, was still able to put up 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns last year for the New York Jets. Rodgers tends to have an alpha receiver that he targets each year, usually Davante Adams, and this year that player will be DK Metcalf. Metcalf’s value has also increased due to the fact that the Steelers traded away George Pickens, who was his biggest competition for targets, and didn’t bring anyone in to fill that void. He should have a stellar year as Rodgers’ WR1, which is why I am drafting him on as many teams as possible!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
“The answer to this question is easily DK Metcalf. The Steelers have moved on from George Pickens, leaving Metcalf as the only show in town. Add in Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, who is notorious for locking in on his WR1, and the sky is the limit. He is going off the board as WR21 and 45th overall, and there is no chance that he doesn’t outperform this ADP by at least 12 spots. I’m loading up on Metcalf. I am fine with him as my WR1, but he is being drafted as my WR3.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)
Emeka Egbuka (TB)
“Emeka Egbuka is ranked as WR 44 on the Top 15 Expert Consensus Rankings, which is one of the biggest steals in all of fantasy football 2025. If there is a Brian Thomas Jr. from this 2025 NFL Draft Class, it’s Egbuka. His college receiver room was more talented than this current Tampa Bay room, as he played with Jeremiah Smith, Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and others. He also learned to play all over the field during his crowded journey inside those rooms, which manufactured a competitive monster within Egbuka. He might be the most NFL-ready WR to come out of college in a decade. Baker Mayfield loves him. Want bold? Egbuka could be a top 12WR this season, and I predict that come this time next year, we value him like we value Ladd McConkey this year.”
– Smitty (TheFantasyFootballShow)
“Call me crazy, but I’m drafting Emeka Egbuka any chance I get. His WR43 value is criminal to me, even with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin ahead of him on the depth chart. Jalen McMillan suffered a neck injury in the preseason, and those can linger. I love Egbuka in dynasty, but I like him an awful lot in redraft. WR43 seems insane given his upside, so I’m fine reaching for him a round or two early to make sure he’s in my lineup week in and week out.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)
“Emeka Egbuka has been the talk of training camp, drawing praise from coaches, teammates, and the media. A savvy route runner with above-average speed and a first-round pedigree, thrust into a prominent role with Chris Godwin, and now Jalen McMillan is set to miss time in the regular season due to injury, and you have a perfect storm for a breakout. Don’t be surprised to see Egbuka move up from his current ADP of WR42, but with WR2 potential, he’s still a bargain on draft day and will be on as many teams as I can get him.”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)
Ladd McConkey (LAC)
“Ladd McConkey (24th expert consensus) is the one wide receiver outside the top 15 I’m hoping to land in every league. He’s still the alpha in Los Angeles, still the most trusted target for Justin Herbert, and still the best bet to lead the team in receptions. McConkey was a PPR monster as a rookie, and I believe his touchdown production will climb with improved red-zone usage. The Chargers drafted Tre Harris and Omarion Hampton and brought back Keenan Allen from the Bears, so McConkey will no longer be the sole defensive focus. That opens the door for cleaner looks, more volume, and a strong case for WR1 upside at WR2 cost.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
Tetairoa McMillan (CAR)
“It is Tet McMillan time in Carolina. The Panthers have been starving for a dominant outside receiver for years, and now they finally get one with the former Arizona product. McMillan will be the number one target in this offense by leaps and bounds in 2025, with a lot of where he finishes at the end of the season dependent on Bryce Young, who finished 2024 on an absolute tear (QB8 on a points per game basis the last 7 weeks). Go grab McMillan, and reap the rewards of that selection.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
“Tetairoa McMillan (WR24 in the rankings) is one of my favorite wide receivers to draft outside the top 10. The rookie has had an outstanding training camp, building a strong connection as Bryce Young‘s go-to wide receiver. While he is dealing with a minor hamstring injury, McMillan should be ready for Week 1. The Panthers won’t have an elite passing attack this year. Yet, Young’s strong finish to last season should make fantasy players confident that the rookie will be a weekly mid-range WR2 option. The former Arizona Star was one of the top pass catchers in college football last year, ranking sixth in yards per route run (2.87), second in missed tackles forced (29), and fourth in contested catches (18) among 42 wide receivers with at least 100 targets (per PFF). More importantly, no one on the team will keep McMillan from seeing at least 130 targets as a rookie.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Tetairoa McMillan has all the traits necessary to become the prototypical WR1 the Panthers drafted him to be. Bryce Young took an enormous step in the final 10 games of 2024, and could take another with his new 6’4” weapon. McMillan dominated on contested catches throughout college, but also showed enough ability to separate that we shouldn’t worry about him being a one-trick pony. He was a complete alpha at Arizona, boasting a 44.4% dominator rating (91st percentile). It’s important to monitor what was described as a “tight hamstring” by coach Dave Canales – hamstring injuries have the potential to linger, but there isn’t much reason to worry about this one yet.”
– Charlie Sisian (The Fantasy DC)
“Tetairoa McMillan. He’s a top-10 draft pick who’s 6-foot-5, runs good routes, and averaged 108.8 yards per game over his final two college seasons. It’s obvious McMillan is going to be Bryce Young‘s top receiver right away. The Panthers will probably have to throw quite a bit because their defense isn’t very good on paper. There’s a reasonable chance McMillan finishes in the top 10 in targets this season.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Jameson Williams (DET)
“Jameson Williams was the WR15 in half-PPR scoring over the second half of the 2024 season (Weeks 9-17), and he’s finishing up an offseason full of high praise from his coaching staff in a pass-happy offense – so why is his ADP still just WR25? JAMO is a player I’m constantly targeting as my WR2 in home leagues, as the former first-round pick from 2022 (94th percentile 40-yard dash from that draft class) seems on the verge of a true breakout season entering 2025. Williams was already top-seven in yards per target last season, and even with just a slight uptick in volume, he could move higher than the top-15 we saw over the last nine games of the previous season. He’s an easy click for me over the likes of young, talented receivers who have less-than-ideal passing game situations, ala Marvin Harrison Jr. and DeVonta Smith. OC Ben Johnson might be gone, but this is undoubtedly one of the NFL’s best offensive environments – and the Lions STILL have a borderline top-five offensive line, according to Establish The Run’s Brandon Thorne, despite losing center Frank Ragnow.”
– Chris Dell (Betting Predators)
Xavier Worthy (KC)
“Drake London and Ladd McConkey are easy choices – but too easy, being that they are ranked so soon after the top 15. I will go with Xavier Worthy. Worthy is still misunderstood as a player; he has more versatility than many believe. The Chiefs, at least publicl,y are saying they want to push the ball downfield more. He is the most talented WR on their roster, and he was a 21-year-old rookie with first-round draft capital who produced fairly well and is hitting year 2, an archetype much research shows is worth betting on in fantasy football. Add in Rashee Rice‘s very likely multi-game suspension, and we have a good argument that Worthy is underpriced. Like with Henderson, we are abiding by the “Upside wins championships” mantra.”
– Brian Ford (Going For 2)
DJ Moore (CHI)
“DJ Moore is the easiest draft pick for me this year and is my most-owned player in best ball. The WR16 last year in PPR and the WR6 in 2023 is currently ranked as WR20. I’ve gotten him on Underdog as the WR27 in my most recent draft, which is an absolute steal. The consistent WR is now getting a huge coaching upgrade in Ben Johnson, who plans to utilize Moore in multiple ways, such as lining him up in the backfield. Ideally, we’ll also see him in the slot, in the same role as Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has been a fantasy machine over the last few seasons.”
– Ricky Lemon (The Fantasy Champions)
“DJ Moore. This one is easy for me. I’ve been loading up on him in best ball and redrafts alike. He is one of the most underrated WRs in the league, and is coming off a solid season (966 yards, 6 TD) in one of the league’s worst offenses. With a revamped offensive line, a new coaching regime, and Caleb Williams turning heads in the offseason and preseason, Moore is a lock for me. Don’t be surprised if he ends up in the top 10-15 at the WR position in 2025.”
– Justin Elick (Daily Fantasy Circuit)
Davante Adams (LAR)
“For years, there were preseason debates on Cooper Kupp vs. Robert Woods in fantasy, and both Rams wide receivers thrived. Puka Nacua has been a PPR machine since entering the league with over 9.5 targets per game, but he’s scored just nine touchdowns in his 28 starts. Who’s to say that Davante Adams can’t see a similar target share to Nacua this year and possibly be the better red zone target? Even at age 32, Adams has true league-winning upside in Round 3 this year, assuming that Matthew Stafford is healthy.”
– Meng Song (Fantrax)
Ricky Pearsall (SF)
“Ricky Pearsall is the WR I’m targeting in rounds 6-8 of drafts this year. He projects as the WR1 for Brock Purdy and the 49ers to start the season. Jauan Jennings is banged up and seeking a new contract, while Brandon Aiyuk looks like he’ll begin the year on the PUP list. The only real competition for targets will come from CMC and George Kittle, but defenses will be forced to focus on those two first, which should free up Pearsall. I love the upside and comeback story he brings into 2025 – draft him as a WR3/Flex option with big-time breakout potential!”
– Brady Auer (BA Sports Podcast)
Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI)
“Don’t look at me like that. I can feel your look. Marvin Harrison Jr. didn’t live up to many fantasy drafters (and my) hopes or expectations last year. Sometimes it takes players a few years to make the leap. A lot of people wrote off another one of Ringo’s picks, Jameson Williams, last year at this time, and they’re eating some tasty crow this summer. I like mine with honey mustard, haha! Anyway, I digress….I don’t know if it’s going to be this year, next year, or 2027, but sooner or later Marvin Harrison Jr. is going to be a fantasy star. He’s just too talented and dedicated to his craft not to reach his immense potential.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Jayden Higgins (HOU)
“Jayden Higgins, selected 34th overall by the Houston Texans, became the first second-round NFL draft pick to sign a fully guaranteed contract, a factor that subsequently impacted the negotiation process for other second-round selections. Higgins is frequently compared to his Texans teammate, Nico Collins, and is projected to start alongside him on the outside in the offense. His draft capital, talent, and anticipated role provide a favorable outlook for Higgins, suggesting the potential to exceed his current average draft position (ADP). With the team’s apparent struggles in the running game, the Texans are expected to feature a pass-heavy offense, offering C.J. Stroud an opportunity to rebound from a disappointing sophomore season and potentially enhance Higgins’ production.”
– Rich Piazza (Fantasy Shed)
Courtland Sutton (DEN)
“Courtland Sutton is a wide receiver who delivers an incredible floor with upside. The chemistry that Nix and Sutton have built and the offense scheme of Sean Payton should continue to have Sutton produce for fantasy this year. Currently ranked as WR 22 in the expert consensus ranks would project to be the floor for Sutton this year, in my opinion. This is a wide receiver who is the clear number one for a team looking to build upon the finish from last year.”
– Derek Dennington (The Good Old Boys Fantasy Football Podcast)
Calvin Ridley (TEN)
“People look at the Tennessee Titans offense from a fantasy perspective, and to the naked eye, there is just not much there to buy into. But that should not be the case for WR Calvin Ridley, whose current WR28 ADP presents a player you can draft in the middle rounds and brings an upside of someone who could reach high-end WR2 levels. Despite a shaky 2024 season with the Titans, he still managed 64 receptions for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns on 120 targets, proving he can produce even with subpar quarterback play from Will Levis and Mason Rudolph. The arrival of rookie QB Cam Ward, who threw for 1,051 deep yards with a 45.6% completion rate in college, could unlock Ridley’s big-play ability, as seen in their training camp chemistry, including a 40-yard connection against Roger McCreary. Ridley’s league-leading 1,883 air yards in 2024 and 15.9 yards per catch show he’s a field-stretching threat, perfect for Ward’s aggressive downfield style, setting him up for a possible 1,100-yard, 7-touchdown season. With minimal target competition from Van Jefferson, an aging Tyler Lockett, and surging rookie Elic Ayomanor, Ridley’s 22.6% target share in Tennessee’s offense makes him a high-volume WR2 with top-15 upside if Ward hits the ground running.”
– Brandon Murchison (RotoBaller)
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