Wide Receivers to Avoid (2025 Fantasy Football)

Hitting on the right players in fantasy can win you fantasy football 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

Chris Godwin (WR – TB) | ADP: 83 (WR41)

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 (WR – SF) | ADP: 119 (WR52)

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.