Fantasy Football Player Notes
2025 Half PPR Draft Rankings
|
1.
Ja'Marr Chase
CIN (vs . CLE)
It might not be realistic for Chase to match the splendor of a 2024 season in which he finished with 127-1,708-17, but Chase has been a high-end WR1 since entering the league in 2021, and he has a great bond with longtime college and pro teammate Joe Burrow, one of the best pure passers in the game.
|
|
2.
CeeDee Lamb
DAL (at NYG)
Lamb played half of the 2025 season without QB Dak Prescott, who sustained a season-ending hamstring injury, and missed a pair of games himself. He still had 101-1,194-6 and finished WR8 in half-point PPR fantasy scoring. Lamb gets Prescott back, and the Cowboys' addition of WR George Pickens should keep defenses from rolling all sorts of coverage help in Lamb's direction.
|
|
3.
Justin Jefferson
MIN (vs . GB)
Some people were nervous last summer that QB Sam Darnold could drag down Justin Jefferson's fantasy output. Jefferson finished with 103-1.533-10 and was WR2 in half-point PPR fantasy scoring. We probably shouldn't worry about a receiver as great as Jefferson being dragged down by second-year QB J.J. McCarthy, who'll be seeing his first regular-season action for the Vikings.
|
|
4.
Malik Nabers
NYG (vs . DAL)
Nabers drew a whopping 170 targets as a rookie -- second in the league behind only Ja'Marr Chase -- and finished with 109-1,204-7 despite playing with a bad group of quarterbacks. The Giants may not have fixed their QB position, but they at least patched it up by signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and drafting Jaxson Dart. Nabers should be an NFL star and a fantasy first-rounder for a long, long time.
|
|
5.
Nico Collins
HOU (vs . IND)
Collins turned in a second consecutive 1,000-yard season despite missing five games with a hamstring injury. He'll be the alpha receiver in the Houston offense this season, with veteran Christian Kirk and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel as supporting cast members. The 26-year-old Collins is just entering his prime and is a worthy option late in the first round of 2025 fantasy drafts.
|
|
6.
Amon-Ra St. Brown
DET (at CHI)
St. Brown has finished WR3 in half-point PPR fantasy scoring in each of the last two years, but he slipped from 17.0 fantasy points per game in 2023 to 15.2 FPPG in 2024, even though he scored a career-high 12 touchdowns last year and also had a career-best catch rate of 81.6%. That's because he averaged 10.3 targets per game in 2023 but only 8.3 targets per game in 2024. The emergence of Jameson Williams last season was among the reasons for St. Brown's target slippage. St. Brown is still one of the more stable fantasy investments you can make, but the ceiling might not be quite as high as it was a couple of years ago.
|
|
7.
Puka Nacua
LAR (vs . ARI)
Nacua missed five early-season games in 2024 with a sprained PCL but was excellent when healthy, averaging 7.2 catches and 90.0 yards per game for the season. The Rams let Cooper Kupp walk in the offseason but added Davante Adams, who's still highly productive even in his early 30s. But Adams' arrival is no reason to fade Puka, who's firmly established himself as one of the better receivers in the game.
|
|
8.
Brian Thomas Jr.
JAC (vs . TEN)
Thomas turned in a sublime rookie season, catching 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. He thrived even when backup QB Mac Jones was forced to fill in for injured starter Trevor Lawrence. And Thomas passed every eye test: running crisp routes, making touch catches, and doing heavy damage after the catch. There was nothing fluky about this performance. Expect more of the same.
|
|
9.
Drake London
ATL (vs . NO)
London posted career-best numbers across the board in his third NFL season, finishing with 100 catches for 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns on 158 targets. Michael Penix is taking over as Atlanta's starting QB this season, and London really clicked with the young QB when he got a late-season audition last year. In the three starts Penix made at the end of the regular season, London had 22 catches for 352 and two touchdowns on 39 targets. The 6-foot-4 London has a huge wingspan and reliable hands. He has become a blue-chip wide receiver and now warrants a top-15 selection in fantasy drafts.
|
|
10.
A.J. Brown
PHI (vs . WAS)
The six-year veteran just turned in his fifth 1,000-yard season, even though Brown lost four games to injuries, and even though the Eagles were the run-heaviest team in the league. Better health and an uptick in Philadelphia's passing rate could lead to a big season for AJB.
|
|
11.
Ladd McConkey
LAC (at DEN)
McConkey was wildly efficient as a rookie, averaging 2.59 yards per route run and 10.3 yards per target en route to an 82-catch, 1,149-yard season. McConkey only had 112 targets in 16 games, and there might not be much room for target growth in Greg Roman's slow-paced, run-heavy offense -- and the Chargers' early-August signing of Keenan Allen won't help in that regard. McConkey offers a sturdy floor, but his ceiling may not be as high as some people imagine.
|
|
12.
Tee Higgins
CIN (vs . CLE)
Some fantasy managers will shy away from Higgins because he's missed five games in each of the last two years, and because he isn't the top receiver on his own team. (That honor belongs to Ja'Marr Chase, of course.) But Higgins is an outstanding receiver in his own right. He scored 10 touchdowns in only 12 games last season and averaged 75.9 receiving yards per contest. The Bengals' shaky defense could lead to a lot of high-scoring shootouts for Cincinnati this season -- another reason to consider investing in Higgins.
|
|
13.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
SEA (at SF)
Smith-Njigba had a big-time second-year breakout -- 100 catches, 1,130 yards, six touchdowns -- despite a somewhat sluggish start to the season. JSN had 53 or fewer yards in six of his first seven games, but then he caught fire down the stretch. He had a seven-game run in November and December during which he had at least 74 receiving yards in every game. JSN became a big-time target earner last season, and now he doesn't have to compete for targets with D.K. Metcalf. The only concerns are how well JSN will mesh with new Seahawks QB Sam Darnold, and how well JSN will fare if Seattle newcomer Cooper Kupp gets most of the slot snaps and forces Smith-Njigba to line up out wide most of the time.
|
|
14.
Mike Evans
TB (vs . CAR)
Evans topped the 1,000-yard mark for an 11th consecutive season, keeping the streak alive by crossing the 1,000-yard threshold late in the Buccaneers' final regular-season game. Evans averaged only 51.7 yards over his first six games and had seven or fewer targets in five of those contests. Then, he injured his hamstring in Week 7 and missed three games. But Evans caught fire upon his return. With fellow WR out for the year with a dislocated ankle, Evans averaged 6.9 receptions and 95.6 yards over his final seven games. Evans has been one of the safest bets in fantasy football for years. He's entering his age-32 season, but he's aging gracefully.
|
|
15.
Tyreek Hill
MIA (at NE)
We'll probably get some sort of rebound from Tyreek Hill after he went from a magnificent 119-1,799-13 season in 2023 to a disappointing 81-959-6 campaign in 2024. The brightest ray of hope for Tyreek is that Tua Tagovailoa averaged a career-low 5.7 intended air yards per attempt last season. In 2023 he was at 7.7 intended air yards per attempt, and in 2022 he was at 9.5 intended air yards per attempt. The departure of TE Jonnu Smith in a late-June trade could also mean some extra targets for Tyreek. But the Cheetah is 31 now, and we certainly can't count on a full season of good health for Tua.
|
|
16.
Davante Adams
LAR (vs . ARI)
Adams is now 32, and he might not be able to completely smash for the Rams this year while sharing targets with Puka Nacua. But Adams proved last year that he hasn't lost anything. From the time Davante Adams joined the Jets in Week 7 through the end of the 2024 regular season, Adams was WR9 in half-point-PPR fantasy points per game despite sharing targets with Garrett Wilson. Another top-12 fantasy season for Adams isn't out of the question.
|
|
17.
Garrett Wilson
NYJ (at BUF)
Wilson has started his NFL career with three straight 1,000-yard seasons, overcoming terrible quarterbacking in his first two seasons, and being forced to share targets with Aaron Rodgers' bestie Davante Adams last year. Now, Wilson is being reunited with former Ohio State teammate Justin Fields. By no means is Fields a great passer, but he could nevertheless be an upgrade for Wilson.
|
|
18.
Terry McLaurin
WAS (at PHI)
McLaurin scored 13 touchdowns in 2024 after never having more than seven in any previous season. McLaurin also had his catch rate jump from 58.9% in 2023 to 70.1%, helping to fuel a WR6 finish in half-point PPR fantasy scoring. There could be some statistical regression for McLaurin in 2025, but he's the undisputed No. 1 receiver in an ascendant passing offense led by exciting young QB Jayden Daniels.
|
|
19.
Marvin Harrison Jr.
ARI (at LAR)
Marvin Harrison Jr. is coming off a disappointing rookie season in which he had 62 catches for 885 yards and 8eight touchdowns. Those aren't bad numbers at all -- certainly not by rookie standards -- but was the No. 4 overall pick in last year's NFL Draft, and he's a prodigy, the son of former Colts great Marvin Harrison Sr. Harrison finished WWR30 in PPR fantasy scoring as a rookie, and he needed some pretty good touchdown luck to finish that high -- 12.9% of his catches and 6.9% of his targets resulted in TDs. With an averaged depth of target of 13.4 yards last season, MHJ seemed miscast as a purely vertical receiver. Harrison was excellent operating in the middle of the field at Ohio State, but Cardinals QB Kyler Murray doesn't do a lot of business in the middle of the field, possible because his smaller stature limits his vision. Will Harrison's usage change significantly? I'm not sure, which is why I'm reluctant to bet on substantially better numbers for MHJ in Year 2.
|
|
20.
Tetairoa McMillan
CAR (at TB)
Tetairoa McMillan topped 1,300 receiving yards in each of his last two college seasons at the University of Arizona and is now poised to immediately become the Panthers' No. 1 receiver after Carolina took him with the eighth overall pick in the draft. The 6-foot-5 McMillan is a classic X receiver -- although he can also be a matchup nightmare as a big slot receiver. He has a planetary catch radius and good, strong hands. He also has advanced route-running chops, a good feel for attacking zone coverage, and he's no shrinking violet when asked to go over the middle. McMillan could have an extra-heavy target share in the early weeks of the season with slot receiver Jalen Coker on short-term IR.
|
|
21.
Courtland Sutton
DEN (vs . LAC)
Courtland Sutton had a career-high 81 catches on 135 targets last year and amassed 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns, good for a WR13 finish in half-point PPR. That makes Sutton look like a value at his low-end WR2 ADP. It's possible some of the Broncos' new additions (namely TE Evan Engram and rookie WR Pat Bryant) could put a small dent in Sutton's target share, but Sutton looks like a solid buy at his current cost.
|
|
22.
DK Metcalf
PIT (vs . BAL)
After averaging 73 receptions, 1,054 yards and eight touchdowns per year over six seasons in Seattle, D.K. Metcalf heads to Pittsburgh, where he'll be Aaron Rodgers' undisputed lead receiver following the Steelers' offseason trade of George Pickens. The question is how well Rodgers and Metcalf will mesh, and how well Metcalf will fit into Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's system. It seems reasonable to expect midrange to low-end WR2 numbers for the 27-year-old Metcalf, although that could be a conservative expectation.
|
|
23.
DJ Moore
CHI (vs . DET)
After producing a career-high 1,364 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his first season in Chicago in 2023, D.J. Moore slipped to 966 yards and six touchdowns in 2024. Strangely, Moore established a new single-season high with 98 catches last year, but he averaged a career-low 9.9 yards per catch. Moore didn't exactly click with rookie QB Caleb Williams. Perhaps new Bears head coach Ben Johnson can help promote better chemistry between Williams and Moore, but another concern is that the Bears now have an abundance of pass catchers, with rookies Luther Burden and Colston Loveland joining Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet.
|
|
24.
Xavier Worthy
KC (at LV)
Xavier Worthy came on strong late in his rookie season. If you include playoff games, and if you exclude Week 18, when the Chiefs sat their starters. Worthy had 50 catches over his last eight games, with at least five catches in each of those games. That's better than a 100-catch pace over a full season. But Worthy was largely playing the role that was vacated by the injured Rashee Rice, and now Rice is healthy. But Rice will be suspended for the first six games of the season for causing a multi-car crash in Dallas in March 2024. It's reasonable to assume that Worthy won't continue to produce at a 100-catch pace when Rice is back in the lineup, but Worthy isn't going to fade into the woodwork and just be a Marquez Valdes-Scantling type decoy either. Worthy is still compelling, as long as you can get him at a reasonable price.
|
|
25.
DeVonta Smith
PHI (vs . WAS)
One of the NFL's best route-runners, Smith has topped the 1,000-yard mark in two of the last three years, and he almost certainly would have made it three straight if he hadn't missed four games last year. Smith has averaged averaged between 11.7 and 12.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in each of the last three years. The Eagles were the run-heaviest team in the league last year. Smith could be a top-20 fantasy receiver if Philadelphia's passing rate increases in 2025.
|
|
26.
Jameson Williams
DET (at CHI)
Jameson Williams had a nice little third-year breakout for the Lions in 2024, finishing with 58-1,001-7 in 15 games. The former first-round draft pick oozes big-play potential, but it's going to be a bumpy ride, because Jamo isn't a high-volume guy. He averaged 6.1 targets per game last year. The departure of the Lions 2024 offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, could lead to an overall offensive downturn in Detroit, and it's unlikely that Jared Goff's career-high 6.9% TD rate from last year will stick. Williams is certainly worth your attention, but don't overpay.
|
|
27.
Calvin Ridley
TEN (at JAC)
Since missing the 2022 season due to a gambling suspension, Calvin Ridley has produced two straight 1,000-yard seasons and hasn't missed a game over that span. He endured gruesome quarterbacking in Tennessee last year, and now Ridley gets to play with top overall draft pick Cam Ward, an aggressive downfield thrower. Ridley is the Titans' undisputed No. 1 receiver, and I think he's likely to see more than the 120 targets he had last season. There's a good chance Ridley will provide WR2 numbers at a low-end WR3 price.
|
|
28.
George Pickens
DAL (at NYG)
An extremely polarizing player, George Pickens went from Pittsburgh to Dallas in an offseason trade. Known for circus catches and erratic on-field behavior, Pickens will now have to share targets with one of the best receivers in the game, CeeDee Lamb.
But playing with Lamb might help Pickens. He might get less defensive attention and matchups against lesser cornerbacks. Pickens will also get to play with Dak Prescott, one of the better pure passers in the league. By no means is Pickens an A-plus route-runner, but Pickens' ball skills are extraordinary. There are very few receivers as good at the catch point as George Pickens is. I think Pickens is worth considering at his midrange WR3 price. |
|
29.
Jaylen Waddle
MIA (at NE)
Jaylen Waddle is a compelling buy-low candidate after a season in which he had only 744 receiving yards and 2 TDs. Part of that was due to a Tua Tagolaivoa concussion that left the Miami passing game dead in the water while Tua was out. With Jonnu Smith having left Miami for Pittsburgh, Waddle could conceivably get more snaps from the slot and see more of the easy throws that turned Jonnu into a PPR monster last year. Let's not forget what a good player Waddle is. He had the most yards per route run in college since 2020 (which includes guys like Ja'Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb). Waddle was the No. 6 overall draft pick in 2021. He had three straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin his NFL career. Don't sleep on him after a statistically disappointing year.
|
|
30.
Zay Flowers
BAL (at PIT)
Zay Flowers is very talented and worth the first-round pick the Ravens spent on him in 2023, but the nature of the Ravens' offense works makes Flowers an inconsistent fantasy performer. There were eight games last season in which Flowers had six or fewer targets. There were also eight games in which Flowers finished with fewer than 40 receiving yards.
The problem is that the Ravens ran the ball on 52.5% of their offensive snaps this year. Only the Eagles were run-heavier. That probably won't change much this year with Lamar Jackson at quarterback and Derrick Henry at running back for Baltimore, so we should probably expect more inconsistency from Flowers in his third NFL season. |
|
31.
Emeka Egbuka
TB (vs . CAR)
At the beginning of the offseason, Emeka Egbuka looked like this year's Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Rome Odunze. The talented first-round selection in the NFL draft found himself in a squeeze for target volume immediately with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but as we have progressed through the offseason and camp, the pathway has become clearer for Egbuka to step up in a big way in year one. Godwin's health issues are much more complicated than originally anticipated, and he might not be at 100% til the mid-point of the 2025 season. Jalen McMillan sustained a neck injury in the preseason that has also called his availability for a large chunk of this season into question (he could be out until their bye in Week 9). Egbuka looks like he could be the clear WR2 for the Bucs for most of the season, if not all of it. Egbuka has the talent to step up immediately and be a wonderful contributor for Fantasy GMs. In two of Egbuka's final three collegiate seasons, he ranked inside the top 40 FBS wide receivers in yards per route run (38th, 11th) and top 20 in receiving grade (19th, 12th) and yards after the catch (16th, 12th). He's best viewed as a strong WR3 who could easily be producing as a WR2 this season.
|
|
32.
Rome Odunze
CHI (vs . DET)
A chalky breakout pick for 2025, Rome Odunze is coming off a rookie year that wasn't awful but didn't exactly give us visions of impending superstardom either. The ninth overall pick in last year's NFL Draft, Odunze had 54 catches for 734 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie. It's understandable that Odunze wasn't a high-volume receiver when he had to share targets with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. Plus, rookie QB Caleb Williams didn't exactly the world on fire. Allen is now out of the picture, Caleb Williams has a year of experience under his belt, and the Chicago offense is now going to be choreographed by Ben Johnson, widely regarded as one of the better playcallers in the league. But there's still ample target competition for Odunze. Moore is still around, and the Bears selected TE Colston Loveland and WR Luther Burden with their first two picks in this year's draft. If you're inclined to bet on talent and fade "too many mouths to feed" narratives, Odunze should appeal to you.
|
|
33.
Travis Hunter
JAC (vs . TEN)
Will WR-CB Travis Hunter be the Shohei Ohtani of the NFL, providing rare two-way value? Hunter is a ridiculously fluid athlete with extraordinary ball skills. His route running needs refinement, but it's scary to think about how good he could become once he develops that part of his game. The big question is Hunter's role. He played both wide receiver and cornerback in college, and some people believe he's better as a cornerback. The Jaguars, who traded up to select Hunter second overall in this year's draft, say they intend to use Hunter primarily as a wide receiver in his rookie year, though Hunter has made it clear he wants to play both ways. Does double duty end up limiting Hunter's offensive snaps? Abbreviated offensive usage could crush Hunter's fantasy value. It makes Hunter a fascinating case study, and he'll pose a major dilemma for fantasy managers in this year's drafts.
|
|
34.
Chris Olave
NO (at ATL)
Chris Olave was going in the late second or early third round of fantasy drafts the last couple of years. Now he's being drafted as a low-end WR3 and typically coming off the board in the sixth or seventh round. Olave had two 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career before last year's injury-shortened campaign. He's a terrific route-runner with big-time speed. Olave has averaged 2.21 yards per route run for his career, which is excellent.
But people are understandably nervous about his concussion issues and his quarterback situation. It's impossible to quantify the concussion risk, but I'm not terribly concerned about the QB factor. Even the very worst passing attacks in the league typically generate at least 3,000 passing yards, and with the Saints lacking other credible pass catchers, Olave is in line for a sizable chunk of that yardage. |
|
35.
Ricky Pearsall
SF (vs . SEA)
A late-first-round pick in last year's NFL Draft, Ricky Pearsall played 11 games as a rookie after recovering from a gunshot sustained in an attempted robbery. He caught fire down the stretch, with 8-141-1 vs. the Lions in Week 17 and 6-69-1 vs. the Cardinals in Week 18. Pearsall is 6-foot-1, has 4.4 speed, and he's going to have a full-time role in the 49ers' offense. It's possible he emerges as the 49ers' top wide receiver this year, and he looks like a value at his WR4 price.
|
|
36.
Jerry Jeudy
CLE (at CIN)
Deshaun Watson started seven games for the Browns in 2024, and Jerry Jeudy averaged three catches and 38 receiving yards in those games. Jameis Winson started seven games for the Browns, and Jeudy averaged seven catches and 112.3 yards in those games. Down the stretch, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe combined to make three starts for the Browns, and Jeudy averaged 6.7 catches and 59 yards in those games. The point is that Jeudy produced compelling numbers with every QB he played with last season other than Watson. With so many questions about the Browns' murky QB situation in 2025, Jeudy might not be able to match his 90-catch, 1,229-yard performance from 2024, but his fifth-year surge was legit, and he looks like a bargain at his lower-end WR3 ADP.
|
|
37.
Stefon Diggs
NE (vs . MIA)
Stefon Diggs tore his ACL last October, which is why he's a relative afterthought in early 2025 fantasy drafts. Diggs is on pace to be ready for the start of the season, and he is immediately going to become Drake Maye's No. 1 receiver in New England. Before his injury-shortened 2024 season, Diggs had topped 1,000 yards in six straight seasons, and he was on a 1,000-yard pace when he got hurt last year. He may not be the same player he was in 2020, when he had 127 catches and 1535 yards and helped Josh Allen make the jump from promising young QB to superstar, but can he be a top-25 receiver? I believe he can be, which is why Diggs is one of my favorite draft targets.
|
|
38.
Rashee Rice
KC (at LV)
Rashee Rice was electric early last season, averaging 21.6 PPR fantasy points per game over the first three weeks. But he tore his LCL in Week 4 and missed the rest of the year. Now, Rice must serve a six-game suspension for his involvement in a multi-car crash in Dallas in March 2024. It's possible that upon his return, Rice goes right back to being Patrick Mahomes' favorite short-area target and picks up where he left off. But young WR Xavier Worthy asserted himself for the Chiefs down the stretch last season, so Rice's target volume might not be quite what it was before his injury.
|
|
39.
Matthew Golden
GB (at MIN)
Packers first-round draft pick Matthew Golden is a burner who runs crisp routes and has sure hands. Film guys such as Mel Kiper Jr., Daniel Jeremiah and Dane Brugler love him and ranked him as a top-15 overall prospect in this year's NFL Draft. But Golden's college production profile raises some red flags. Golden has a chance to make an immediate impact for the Packers, who selected him 23rd overall. Golden should be able to earn significant rookie-year targets among a group of receivers that includes Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. The Packers also have Christian Watson, but he might miss most of 2025 after sustaining a major knee injury late last year.
|
|
40.
Jakobi Meyers
JAC (vs . TEN)
The rock-steady Jakobi Meyers established single-season highs in receptions (87) and receiving yards (1,027) last season despite missing two games. Although the Raiders added WRs Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton in the draft, Meyers is likely to remain the No. 2 target in Las Vegas behind star TE Brock Bowers. The arrival of QB Geno Smith, who threw for more than 4,300 yards last season, and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who favors a brisk pace, could boost Meyers' fantasy value. Just don't expect a TD bonanza. Meyers has scored 20 touchdowns in 91 career games. Meyers has tried to renegotiate his contract with the Raiders and recently requested a trade, so this is a situation that bears watching during fantasy draft season.
|
|
41.
Deebo Samuel Sr.
WAS (at PHI)
Appraising the 2025 fantasy value of Deebo Samuel isn't easy. He moved from the 49ers to the Commanders in the offseason, and Deebo should be a pretty good fit for Commanders OC Kliff Kinsbury's offense, which can be heavy on short passes. It's unreasonable to expect anything like the numbers Deebo gave us in 2021, when he racked up 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns. In the three seasons since, Deebo has averaged 51 receiving yards per game, which seems like a reasonable expectation for what he can provided in 2025. He provides some rushing value, too. But durability is a concern. Deebo has missed eight games over the last three seasons.
|
|
42.
Jauan Jennings
SF (vs . SEA)
Jauan Jennings has developed into a useful pass catcher in the middle part of his career. But I'm mildly skeptical of last season's age-27 breakout, which was partly fueled by the absences of fellow WRs Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall for large parts of the season. And it's not as if it was a massive eruption for Jennings. He was tied for WR26 in half-point PPR fantasy points per game among WRs who played at least eight games. After never averaging better than 1.38 yards per route run in his first three NFL seasons, Jennings jumped to 2.26 yards per route run in 2024. I'm buying the improvement. I'm just not buying Jennings as a comfortable every-week fantasy starter -- which you need him to be at a sixth- or seventh-round ADP. Pearsall came on strong down the stretch last season. Aiyuk is on his way back from last year's season-ending knee injury. George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey are going to draw ample targets. It's just hard to see Jennings taking it up another notch with all that target competition.
|
|
43.
Jordan Addison
MIN (vs . GB)
Jordan Addison is only 23 years old, and he's already had a 10-touchdown season and a nine-touchdown season in the NFL. Despite having to share targets with Justin Jefferson, Addison has finished WR21 and WR20 in half-point PPR fantasy scoring the last two years. If your rivals are concerned that Addison plays with a top receiver and will be playing with a quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, who hasn't taken a regular-season snap, capitalize on the discount. However, Addison will miss the first three games of the season while serving a suspension related to a DUI arrest.
|
|
44.
Khalil Shakir
BUF (vs . NYJ)
As a member of Buffalo's ensemble cast at wide receiver, Khalil Shakir doesn't offer vast upside, but he's a solid depth piece for fantasy who might have some modest upside if his target share grows. Shakir finished with 76-821-4 in 15 games last season. He was WR40 in half-point PPR fantasy points per game among receivers who played at least eight games. To Shakir's credit, he makes the most of his opportunities. He's averaged 1.90 yards per route run and 9.7 yards per target over his three NFL seasons.
|
|
45.
Josh Downs
IND (at HOU)
Josh Downs was WR32 last season in PPR fantasy points per game (13.1) among receivers who played at least eight games. Downs is a short-area receiver whose average depth of target last season was just 6.9 yards. He hasn't been a prolific touchdown scorer, with only seven touchdowns in 31 career games. The Colts' QB situation could hinder the value of Indy pass catchers, and Downs could lose some short-area targets to the Colts' first-round draft pick, TE Tyler Warren.
|
|
46.
Michael Pittman Jr.
IND (at HOU)
After catching 109 passes for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, Michael Pittman Jr. produced 69-808-3 in 16 games last season. Pittman spent much of the year playing with a fracture in his back, and the Colts' abysmal quarterbacking was no doubt a limiting factor. Pittman should be healthier this season, but QB play could remain a problem despite the Colts' offseason addition of Daniel Jones. And we probably shouldn't expect many touchdowns from Pittman, who hasn't had more than four TDs in a season since 2021 and has never had more than six. Pittman is a reasonable bench option, but his ceiling looks capped.
|
|
47.
Cooper Kupp
SEA (at SF)
Is the 32-year-old Cooper Kupp out of gas? He had 67-710-6 for the Rams last season, but Kupp collapsed down the stretch, with only four receptions for 53 yards in his last three games, and no more than three targets in any of those contests. Kupp has joined the Seahawks, where he's positioned to be the No. 2 target behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba. There's a path to significant targets for Kupp. It's just a matter of whether he can do anything with them.
|
|
48.
Jayden Reed
GB (at MIN)
Jayden Reed led the Packers in receptions (55) and receiving yards (857) last season, but it's hard to think of him as Green Bay's lead receiver when you consider that he had a 63% snap share in 2024 and typically wasn't on the field when the Packers used two-receiver sets. Reed is also dealing with a foot issue that could hinder him this season. The Packers drafted WR Matthew Golden in the first round of this year's draft, and third-round WR Savion Williams could potentially be used on the sort of gadget plays that Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has been drawing up for Reed the last two years. Perhaps the best selling point for Reed is that in the 31 career games he's played with QB Jordan Love, Reed has scored 17 touchdowns.
|
|
49.
Keon Coleman
BUF (vs . NYJ)
I think there's a chance we could get a Year 2 breakout from rookie Keon Coleman after an uneven rookie season in which he produced 29-556-4 in 13 games. Although he didn't have a lot of catches, Coleman demonstrated his freaky ball skills and averaged a whopping 19.2 yards per catch and 9.8 yards per target. The Bills have sort of an ensemble cast at wide receiver, so there's an opportunity for Coleman to step up and seize a bigger role. I don't think he's ever going to be a guy who gets 130 or 140 targets a year, but Coleman is a guy who could potentially do a lot of damage on 100 or 110 targets.
|
|
50.
Darnell Mooney
ATL (vs . NO)
The underrated Darnell Monney finished WR31 last season in half-point PPR fantasy scoring on a 64-992-5 stat line. One of the appealing things about Mooney is that he doesn't come off the field very often. He had a 92.9% snap share last season, and the Falcons made no significant offseason additions at wide receiver. New Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. has abundant arm talent and could conceivably help Mooney eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the first time since 2021. Mooney looks like a draft bargain as a low-end WR4 or high-end WR5.
|
|
51.
Chris Godwin Jr.
TB (vs . CAR)
Chris Godwin was WR1 in PPR scoring through the first six weeks of the 2024 season. But Godwin hasn't fully recovered from the dislocated ankle and fractured fibula he sustained in the middle of last season, and the Buccaneers have since added first-round draft pick Emeka Egbuka, who, like Godwin, does his best work in the slot. With the likelihood of increased target competition and the possibility that Godwin won't be at 100% capacity this season post-injury, it might be worth pumping the brakes in 2025 fantasy drafts even though Godwin is a trusted brand name.
|
|
52.
Rashid Shaheed
SEA (at SF)
Rashid Shaheed was off to a fast start last season, with 19-338-3 in his first five games. But Shaheed tore his meniscus in Week 6 and missed the rest of the season. Shaheed hasn't been a prolific target earner, but he's a big-play specialist with home run speed. Shaheed has averaged 16.6 yards per catch and 10.4 yards per target for his career. The Saints' QB situation could be problematic in 2025, but Shaheed should be the clear No. 2 receiver in the New Orleans offense behind Chris Olave and is a worthwhile option later in drafts.
|
|
53.
Christian Kirk
HOU (vs . IND)
Christian Kirk has had a rocky road over the last two years after his breakout 2022 campaign (WR18 in fantasy points per game). Last year, Kirk fractured his collarbone and was out for the season while dealing with calf issues before that. In 2023, he dealt with a groin tear. In an abbreviated showing last season, Kirk proved he still has it. His WR57 ranking in fantasy points per game in Weeks 1-8 last season doesn't jump off the page, but he did accrue an 18.7% target share with 1.84 yards per route run, a 23.8% first-read share, and 0.087 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). None of those metrics scream, "DRAFT HIM NOW," but it also has to be said that among 116 qualifying receivers, he also ranked 13th in separation and 22nd in route win rate. Inside what looked like a broken Jaguars' offense last year, Kirk was still crushing corners. He's set for a wonderful possible bounce-back season in Houston if he can stay healthy. Now, you can add a player of his caliber as your WR5/6. It's free upside at the end of your drafts. I remember last year when we were drafting every starting Texan wide receiver aggressively. Now, Nico Collins is the only player that fantasy gamers are paying up for in drafts.
|
|
54.
Marvin Mims Jr.
DEN (vs . LAC)
Over the Broncos' last five regular-season games of 2024, Marvin Mims had 23 catches for 341 yards and five touchdowns. He was WR17 in PPR fantasy points per game (17.5) over that stretch, even though Mims played fewer than half of Denver's offensive snaps in all of those games. Mims is still only 23 years old. It's possible Sean Payton sees Mims as merely a punt returner and gadget guy. But it's also possible that the flash we saw at the end of last season was the start of big things for an electric playmaker. Mims is a worthwhile dart throw in the later stages of your draft.
|
|
55.
Rashod Bateman
BAL (at PIT)
The oft-injured Rashod Bateman didn't miss a game last season for the first time in his four-year NFL career. Not surprisingly, he put up the best numbers of his career, finishing with 45-756-9. Bateman averaged only 4.2 targets per game but averaged 16.8 yards per catch and 10.5 yards per target. He had more than his fair share of big plays, with 11 catches of 20 or more yards, and four catches of 40 or more yards. It's hard to see Bateman significantly boosting his target share with Lamar Jackson spreading the ball around to multiple pass catchers, and with the Ravens so run-heavy. But Bateman's encouraging 2024 performance makes him a worthy bench stash.
|
|
56.
Jayden Higgins
HOU (vs . IND)
Higgins got the capital I was hoping for as the fifth wide receiver selected in the NFL Draft at the top of the second round. Higgins should immediately file in as the starting outside receiver opposite Nico Collins in two wide receiver sets. Higgins was an underrated player throughout the entire draft process, ranking 27th and 16th in yards per route run and first and 18th in receiving grade during his final two collegiate seasons (per PFF). He's a sure-handed receiver who will become a trusted safety blanket for C.J. Stroud after posting a 2.2% drop rate or lower in each of the last three seasons and a 55.6% contested catch rate in college. The addition of Higgins and fellow former Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel should push Christian Kirk while also hopefully fueling a big bounce-back season for Stroud. Higgins is a WR3/4 that could easily evolve into a weekly WR2 as the 2025 season rolls along.
|
|
57.
Keenan Allen
LAC (at DEN)
Keenan Allen has returned to the Chargers, signing a one-year deal in early August. The 33-year-old Allen had 70-744-7 in 15 games for the Bears last season. It seems reasonable to expect similar numbers for 2025, although Greg Roman's run-heavy offense and the presence of young star Ladd McConkey probably caps Allen's ceiling at the WR4 level for fantasy.
|
|
58.
Luther Burden III
CHI (vs . DET)
The Bears spent an early second-round pick on Luther Burden, but how will they use him? Is it possible Burden plays the Amon-Ra St. Brown role as the primary slot receiver in Ben Johnson's offense? Chicago already has WRs D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze, along with TEs Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. A top-three recruit in the high school class of 2022, Burden showed off his electric playmaking skills with an 83-catch, 1,212-yard sophomore season at Missouri in 2023. Burden wasn't nearly as productive last fall, finishing with 676 receiving yards. But the Mizzou offense struggled at times in 2024, especially when QB Brady Cook was hurt. Burden has a lightning-quick first step of the line of scrimmage, creating instant separation. When Burden has the ball in the open field, the air crackles with electricity. He's as slippery as an eel and has surprising contact balance. Although his target outlook is murky, Burden has the potential to be surprisingly impactful if he can earn a significant role as a rookie.
|
|
59.
Brandon Aiyuk
SF (vs . SEA)
Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL in Week 7 of 2024 and might begin the 2025 season on the PUP list. Aiyuk's season was off to a rough start before the injury. He only reached 50 receiving yards once in the seven games he played. He had zero touchdowns. His catch rate was barely 50%. Now, Aiyuk's target competition includes George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall. Aiyuk is a full fade for me this season.
|
|
60.
Cedric Tillman
CLE (at CIN)
Cedric Tillman had an interesting 2025 season. He didn't play much until Week 7, which was also the week when Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles. Over a four-game stretch from Week 7 to Week 11, Tillman had 24 catches for 302 yards and three touchdowns. He was the WR8 in PPR fantasy points per game (18.6) over that stretch. Then, in Week 12, Tillman sustained a concussion. He went on injured reserve and didn't play again the rest of the season.
It was a short but very promising burst from Tillman in his second NFL season. The surge may have been at least partly fueled by the aggressive downfield throwing of Jameis Winston. The Browns' QB situation is muddy for 2025, but one of the candidates to see significant action at quarterback for the Browns is Joe Flacco, who, like Winston, is a hyper-aggressive downfield thrower. Tillman is an intriguing sleeper for 2025. |
|
61.
Romeo Doubs
GB (at MIN)
Out of the cloudy receiving picture in Green Bay, Romeo Doubs is the wide receiver I want to draft this season. On the surface, there doesn't appear to be much cause for being over the moon for Doubs, but hear me out. Last year, he finished as the WR47 in fantasy points per game, but he was the clear leader of the Green Bay Packers receiver room, and underneath the surface, he POPS in a number of metrics that matter. Doubs was the only receiver for Green Bay that eclipsed a 75% route share (team-leading 76.7%) while leading the team in target share (18.7%) and first-read share (23.6%). He posted a solid 1.90 yards per route run while ranking 25th among 85 qualifying receivers in first downs per route run (0.104, per Fantasy Points Data). Here's where things get really interesting: Doubs, last year among 112 qualifying receivers, ranked 11th in separation and second in route win rate. Doubs could be quietly headed for a massive breakout season, and with the addition of Matthew Golden and the Packers' run-heavy approach last year, it's not priced into his ADP at all. He's one of my favorite late-round dart throws this season.
|
|
62.
Marquise Brown
KC (at LV)
Marquise "Hollywood" Brown had a lost 2024 season due to a shoulder injury but returned in Week 16 and immediately saw strong usage in the Chiefs' offense. From Week 16 on, he posted a 29% target rate - top-10 among WRs - and a 28% air yards share, signaling Kansas City still views him as a key piece. The production didn't follow (14 catches, 141 yards, 0 TDs), but the opportunity was promising. With Rashee Rice recovering from injury/facing a six-game suspension to start the year, and Travis Kelce approaching age 36, Brown could take on a larger role than expected in 2025.
|
|
63.
Wan'Dale Robinson
NYG (vs . DAL)
Wan'Dale Robinson was a PPR cheat code last year, ranking tenth in targets (140) and receptions (93). He was the WR41 in fantasy points per game. Robinson has nine weekly finishes as a top-36 fantasy wideout. He had a 22.5% target share, 1.28 yards per route run, and a 26.2% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Robinson's high-volume role isn't certain to remain in 2025, with Russell Wilson starting at least a portion of the season. Wilson hasn't been a heavy underneath/middle-of-the-field target-funneling quarterback. Last year, 35% of Robinson's targets were within ten yards of the line of scrimmage in the middle of the field, where only 21.7% of Wilson's passes were aimed last season. Robinson likely serves as a bye-week desperation flex only this season.
|
|
64.
DeMario Douglas
NE (vs . MIA)
Demario Douglas is a low-end dice roll receiver in the later rounds this season. He was a flex-viable player at times last season. In his ten full games with Drake Maye starting, he had a 16.3% target share, 1.67 yards per route run, a 19.7% first-read share, and 0.079 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Nothing jumps off the page there, but he did manage three top 36 wide receiver finishes in those ten contests despite only managing five red zone targets. If Maye takes a big step forward in 2025, Douglas is likely coming along for the ride as a bye-week flex option.
|
|
65.
Xavier Legette
CAR (at TB)
Xavier Legette is a late-round depth option that I'll likely avoid in most drafts this season. In the games, he played at least 59% of the snaps last year with Bryce Young under center, Legette had an encouraging 20.5% target share and 25.3% first-read share, but his per-route efficiency was horrible with 1.32 yards per route run and 0.066 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Overall, among 112 qualifying receivers, he ranked 69th in separation and 52nd in route win rate. Outside of Tetairoa McMillan, if I'm taking shots on this passing offense late, it'll be with Jalen Coker. Legette will get a bump to begin the season, though, as long as Coker is sidelined with a quad injury (IR).
|
|
66.
Joshua Palmer
BUF (vs . NYJ)
Palmer is a solid and cheap bet to make on the Buffalo offense. His surface stats don't jump off the page. In the games in which he played at least 50% of the snaps last year, he had a 13.7% target share, 1.57 yards per route run, a 17.2% first-read share, and 0.075 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). It's when we pop open the hood and peek at his per-route metrics that things get interesting. Last year, among 112 qualifying wide receivers, Palmer was one of the best separators in the NFL, ranking 16th in separation and 12th in route win rate. Now, those numbers are eye-popping, especially when you discuss one of the best offenses in the NFL, yet only one receiving option was able to draw more than a 20% target share last year (Khalil Shakir). Palmer's route running and separation ability could lead to consistently heavier usage in Buffalo, where they don't have a receiver commanding a high target share. Palmer is worth the late-round flier to find out.
|
|
67.
Adam Thielen
PIT (vs . BAL)
Adam Thielen proved last year that he still has something left in the tank. In the nine games last year that he played at least 58% of the snaps, he drew a 19.7% target share while averaging 63.9 receiving yards per game with 2.08 yards per route run with a 25.8% first-read share and 0.094 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Down the stretch (Weeks 12-18), when Bryce Young was revitalized, Thielen was the WR21 in fantasy points per game. Thielen isn't dust. Not even close. Last year, among 112 qualifying receivers, he ranked 26th in separation and 53rd in route win rate. With the move to Minnesota, Thielen's season-long value takes a hit as he's likely the third or fourth option in the passing attack, but he's a strong add in managed leagues if you're drafting Jordan Addison or Rashee Rice. He'll get a bump in the first three games of the season with Addison out, which is good enough for him to patch a lineup in the flex for half of Rice's suspension. Thielen should be a solid flex option to open the season before turning into a decent bye week flex streaming option once Addison is back.
|
|
68.
Kyle Williams
NE (vs . MIA)
Kyle Williams hive stand up! Williams gained a lot of traction in the fantasy community in the predraft process, with plenty of people hyping up the former Washington State late breakout. I remain a tad below consensus on Williams. Williams didn't surpass 900 receiving yards or 2.25 yards per route run in any collegiate season until 2024 (per PFF). The hope for the Patriots' third-round draft pick is that he can avoid faceplanting like Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker did last year. He'll need to hop Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and Kendrick Bourne to see the field in 2025 as a full-time starter. He's a late-round flier only right now until we get more clarity about his spot in the pecking order in training camp and the preseason.
|
|
69.
Tre Harris
LAC (at DEN)
Harris, the soul-snatching route savant, landed with the Bolts in the second round of the NFL Draft. His 2025 outlook took a massive hit with Los Angeles signing Keenan Allen. It bumps Harris from a starting spot in three wide immediately to a situation where he is competing with Quentin Johnston for starting reps. Harris has the talent to beat out Johnston, but it's not a slam dunk that the Bolts coaching staff will give him every down run over Johnston weekly. Harris ranked first and ninth in yards per route run over the last two years (per PFF). He's sadly a final-round dart only in redraft now.
|
|
70.
Quentin Johnston
LAC (at DEN)
Quentin Johnston was a fantasy football surprise in 2024. After a troubling rookie season, he finished as the WR37 in fantasy points per game last year with eight total touchdowns (13th-most). His season-ending stats do lie, though. Last year, he finished with 711 receiving yards, but he racked up 26.1% of that (186 receiving yards) in Week 18. In Weeks 1-17, he had an 18.1% target share and 23.1% first-read share, but he had only 37.5 receiving yards per game, 1.55 yards per route run, and 0.077 first downs per route run to show for it (per Fantasy Points Data). Last year, in Weeks 1-17, he ranked 91st out of 107 qualifying receivers in separation. With the arrival of Keenan Allen, Johnston will now fight with Tre Harris for snaps in three wide receiver formations this season. Johnston is a final round of your draft flyer only.
|
|
71.
DeAndre Hopkins
BAL (at PIT)
DeAndre Hopkins, at this stage of his career, offers more real-life veteran/locker-room appeal than fantasy production. Last year, he was a part-time player for both Tennessee and Kansas City, never eclipsing a 65% route share in any week. In ten games, he had less than a 55% route share, so we have to evaluate what he did from a per-route basis only instead of the raw counting or market share metrics. Among 112 qualifying receivers, he ranked 52nd in separation and 36th in route win rate (per Fantasy Points Data). Among that same sample, he was 47th in yards per route run and 32nd in target per route run rate. He'll have some random spike weeks because of the potency of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore offense, but they'll likely be tough to predict and not consistent enough to make him anything more than a headache flex option.
|
|
72.
Elic Ayomanor
TEN (at JAC)
Ayomanor got a lot of positive buzz during the NFL Draft process, only to slip to the fourth round of the NFL Draft. The fall was possibly due to some medical concerns, but I can't fully confirm that. Ayomanor is a detailed route runner who can stretch the field (top-60 in aDOT across his final two seasons). In his final two collegiate seasons, he ranked 137th and 78th in yards per route run (per PFF). He lands in a wide-open receiver room behind Calvin Ridley. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ayomanor cracking the starting lineup quickly and ascending to the WR2 spot on this depth chart behind only Ridley for weekly targets. Ayomanor could be a decent matchup-based flex to begin the year with WR3/4 upside.
|
|
73.
Darius Slayton
NYG (vs . DAL)
After settling in as a solid WR5, Darius Slayton's star dimmed further in 2024 when he slipped to WR78 in fantasy points per game. This can be attributed to the Giants' horrendous quarterback situation. In Weeks 1-9 with Daniel Jones last season, Slayton was on pace for 60 receptions and 886 receiving yards. During that time, he had a 16% target share, 1.63 yards per route run, and a 15.5% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Nothing here jumps off the page as anything more than a possible bye-week flex or best ball correlation pick for 2025.
|
|
74.
Jalen Coker
CAR (at TB)
Jalen Coker burst on the scene last year as an undrafted free agent. He earned a starting spot in the Carolina Panthers' passing offense as the season moved along and racked up four games with at least 60 receiving yards in the process. In the six games, he played at least 68% of the snaps, and Bryce Young was the starting quarterback; Coker had solid numbers with an 18.3% target share, 55.7 receiving yards per game, 1.89 yards per route run, and a 23.8% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). He averaged 11.4 PPR points per game with three top-36 weekly fantasy finishes (WR17, WR12, WR28). With Adam Thielen headed to Minnesota, Coker's starting spot is locked in. Coker is an awesome upside bet in the final rounds of your drafts, who could easily become a strong weekly WR3/flex if he takes a step in his second season. We'll have to wait for the launch with the news of his quad injury and short-term IR stint, crushing his early-season availability. Coker could be the WR2 for Carolina after he returns, with only Tetairoa McMillan ahead of him for targets weekly.
|
|
75.
Michael Wilson
ARI (at LAR)
Michael Wilson did meet expectations after an encouraging rookie season that ended on a high note. In Year 2, he fell to third in the target pecking order behind Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr. The Cardinals' No. 2 WR finished 2024 as the WR59 in PPR - nearly identical to the previous season (albeit in three more games played). Likely needs an injury to be fantasy relevant.
|
|
76.
Alec Pierce
IND (at HOU)
Last year, Alec Pierce was the WR48 in fantasy points per game, operating as Indy's field stretcher. If Anthony Richardson wins the job, maybe he will have some flex-viable weeks in 2025 in deeper leagues, but he's off my draft board if Daniel Jones is the team's starter. Last year, Pierce led 85 qualifying receivers in aDOT (22.2). His role won't be heavily utilized if Jones is starting. Last year, among 40 qualifying quarterbacks, Jones had the 14th-lowest aDOT and the ninth-lowest deep throw rate (per Fantasy Points Data). Pierce could luck box into some spike weeks for best ball, but it won't be often enough to make him a redraft-worthy managed lineup pick.
|
|
77.
Pat Bryant
DEN (vs . LAC)
The Denver Broncos surprised everyone by selecting Pat Bryant in the third round of the NFL Draft. In the post-draft presser, Sean Payton compared Bryant's game loosely to his former standout receiver, Michael Thomas. While I wasn't head over heels in love with Bryant during the pre-draft process, this comparison and his surprising draft capital do raise the antenna. Bryant quietly checks the analytical boxes that we look for, ranking 18th in yards per route run and seventh in receiving grade in his final collegiate season (per PFF). He's worth tossing a dart at with your final pick in redraft leagues. Denver needs another receiver to step in as an every-down contributor in the offense in 2025, opposite Courtland Sutton and Evan Engram.
|
|
78.
Adonai Mitchell
NYJ (at BUF)
Adonai Mitchell is a dark-horse Year 2 breakout candidate after flashing elite efficiency in limited action as a rookie. He posted a 28% target rate per route run - a mark that would've ranked top-20 among WRs if he had qualified - and consistently created separation in his routes. The challenge in 2025 will be earning more consistent playing time in a crowded Colts receiver room featuring Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and deep threat Alec Pierce. But with his ability to command targets and get open, Mitchell is a strong upside stash who could explode with an expanded role.
|
|
79.
Jaylin Noel
HOU (vs . IND)
Noel was disrespected by the NFL as he dropped into the third round of the NFL Draft. The Houston Texans stopped his tumble and called his name with the 15th pick in the third round. I expect Noel to use this as fuel for the fire and walk into the building with a chip on his shoulder. Noel has the play strength, route prowess, and speed to play in the slot or on the outside. He could struggle to find playing time in his rookie season with Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, and his former collegiate teammate Jayden Higgins all sitting above him on the depth chart. Collins and Kirk have had their injury issues over the last few years, so it's easily possible that Noel will be starting by midseason. Last year, Noel ranked in the top 30 in receiving grade and yards per route run while sitting second in deep receiving yards among FBS wide receivers (per PFF). Noel is an awesome late-round flier.
|
|
80.
Andrei Iosivas
CIN (vs . CLE)
Last year, Andrei Iosivas was the WR74 in fantasy points per game, with only four weeks as a WR36 or higher in weekly fantasy scoring. He only drew a 9.2% target share with 28.2 receiving yards per game and 0.88 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). He's a last-round pick in best ball only as a stacking piece with Joe Burrow.
|
|
81.
Jack Bech
LV (vs . KC)
Jack Bech was one of the most efficient receivers in the 2025 class, leading all rookies in expected points added (EPA) per target - a clear sign that good things happened when the ball was in his hands at TCU. The Raiders took notice, selecting him 58th overall and giving him solid Day 2 draft capital that cements his status as a top-tier rookie WR for fantasy. Bech posted a 28% dominator rating in 2024 and impressed at the Senior Bowl, helping shake the "one-year wonder" label that stems more from circumstance than ability - he began his career at LSU competing with Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. With Jakobi Meyers in a contract year (and requesting a trade) and little depth behind him, Bech has a real opportunity to carve out a meaningful role early.
|
|
82.
Calvin Austin III
PIT (vs . BAL)
|
|
83.
Dyami Brown
JAC (vs . TEN)
Dyami Brown quietly broke out late last season with the Washington Commanders and parlayed that strong finish into a one-year, $10 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It's a notable signing by the new Jacksonville regime - especially since GM James Gladstone mentioned he was high on Brown coming out of UNC, believing he offered more than just vertical speed. While all the buzz surrounds Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter, Brown could carve out a larger role than most expect. Hunter's potential two-way deployment (WR/DB) could open the door for Brown to function more prominently as the Jaguars' No. 2 wide receiver - particularly if injuries strike. The Jaguars' acquisition of Tim Patrick does pour some cold water on Brown's true breakout potential as another WR who could see snaps on the perimeter/red zone.
|
|
84.
Tyler Lockett
LV (vs . KC)
|
|
85.
Tory Horton
SEA (at SF)
Seattle called Horton's name in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. The big, galloping physical receiver could push Marquez Valdes-Scantling aside quickly this season to be the WR3 for the passing attack. Horton has the raw talent to do so after posting 3.45 yards per route run last year (per PFF). He ranked 43rd and 22nd in the same statistical category in the two previous seasons. Horton is a triple-level threat with the play strength to break tackles (2023: 16th in missed tackles forced). Horton is a nice final-round pick with flex upside for 2025.
|
|
86.
Isaac TeSlaa
DET (at CHI)
TeSlaa was one of the most surprising picks of the entire NFL Draft, both in relation to his draft capital (round three) and the amount Detroit gave up to trade up for him (three third-round picks). The Lions needed to upgrade their WR3 spot. I just don't know if the highly athletic big slot (68.3% slot in college) in TeSlaa was the right answer. In his two seasons at Arkansas, he never had more than 532 receiving yards. He finished with a disappointing 5.0 yards after the catch per reception, 16.4% target per route run rate, and 1.45 yards per route run (per PFF). He has played quite well this preseason and could crack the starting line for Detroit early on, so he's worth a final round pick in deeper leagues as a cheap investment in one of the league's best offenses.
|
|
87.
Dontayvion Wicks
GB (at MIN)
Dontayvion Wicks entered 2024 as a trendy breakout pick but fell flat, finishing 87th in fantasy points per game (5.4) despite leading the Packers in targets. He repeated his 39-catch total from his rookie season, but his efficiency collapsed - dropping to 1.41 yards per route run (74th) after nearly 2.0 as a rookie. Drops (9) and underwhelming production plagued a season where he still posted a strong 29% target rate per route and ranked 4th in ESPN's Open Score. The Packers' selection of first-round WR Matthew Golden casts doubt on Wicks' short/long-term role, especially with Christian Watson's absence opening up competition. As a former Day 3 pick, Wicks is running out of chances to secure a consistent spot.
|
|
88.
Dont'e Thornton Jr.
LV (vs . KC)
I love the addition of Thornton to this Raiders' wide receiver room. He fits in nicely with the receivers they already have on the roster as a field-stretching compliment. He should be starting in three wide receiver sets shortly over Tre Tucker. Thornton had only 34 targets last season, but he posted a whopping 3.72 yards per route run (per PFF). With his elite build-up speed, he will take the top off of plenty of defenses in 2025. If Las Vegas hands Thornton Jr. the D.K. Metcalf route tree in year one as a full-time starter, he could surprise people, but that's not a given. It's tough to project him to become a high-end target share earner in 2025, but he could easily offer some week-winning upside from the flex when the matchup is right.
|
|
89.
Roman Wilson
PIT (vs . BAL)
|
|
90.
Malik Washington
MIA (at NE)
|
|
91.
Devaughn Vele
NO (at ATL)
|
|
92.
Jalen Royals
KC (at LV)
With Rashee Rice sidelined for the 1st 6 weeks, Jalen Royals will have an opportunity to seize a larger role in the Chiefs passing offense.
|
|
93.
Kayshon Boutte
NE (vs . MIA)
|
|
94.
Jalen McMillan
TB (vs . CAR)
Jalen McMillan started slowly in his rookie season but came on down the stretch. In Weeks 14-18, he was the WR11 in fantasy points per game, spiking seven touchdowns. During those five games, he had an 18.4% target share, 63.2 receiving yards per game, 2.09 yards per route run, a 22.9% first-read share, and 0.099 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Outside of the insane touchdown production, McMillan's efficiency stats were all nice. Unfortunately for him, the Bucs felt the need to further upgrade their wide receiver room despite his stretch performance with their selection of Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin's return. McMillan has been pushed into the WR4 role, and his neck injury in the preseason could hold him out until after their bye week this season (Week 9). He's a last-round pick in your drafts only if you have an IR spot to stash him with, but he's best left on the waiver wire this year in most leagues.
|
|
95.
Jalen Tolbert
DAL (at NYG)
|
|
96.
Brandin Cooks
BUF (vs . NYJ)
|
|
97.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
MIA (at NE)
|
|
98.
Elijah Moore
DEN (vs . LAC)
|
|
99.
Tre Tucker
LV (vs . KC)
|
|
100.
Jalen Nailor
MIN (vs . GB)
|
|
101.
Parker Washington
JAC (vs . TEN)
|
|
102.
Tim Patrick
JAC (vs . TEN)
|
|
103.
Luke McCaffrey
WAS (at PHI)
|
|
104.
Christian Watson
GB (at MIN)
|
|
105.
Troy Franklin
DEN (vs . LAC)
|
|
106.
Jermaine Burton
FA (BYE)
|
|
107.
Ray-Ray McCloud III
FA (BYE)
|
|
108.
Tez Johnson
TB (vs . CAR)
|
|
109.
Tutu Atwell
LAR (vs . ARI)
Tutu Atwell was only a part-time player for much of the season, but when he was a full-time option and on the field, he was highly productive. In the four games he played at least 74% of the snaps, he finished as the WR33, WR35, WR35, and WR24 in weekly fantasy scoring. Atwell was awesome on a per-route basis with a 25% target per route run rate, with 2.28 yards per route run, and 0.118 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Atwell will have some flex-worthy, matchup-based streaming moments in 2025 if Matthew Stafford can stay healthy. Atwell is also a strong last round correlation pick in best ball.
|
|
110.
Xavier Restrepo
TEN (at JAC)
|
|
111.
Josh Reynolds
NYJ (at BUF)
|
|
112.
Jordan Whittington
LAR (vs . ARI)
|
|
113.
Jaylin Lane
WAS (at PHI)
Jaylin Lane enters the NFL as a fourth-round pick by the Washington Commanders, initially expected to make his mark as the team's starting punt returner. But don't rule out a larger offensive role. With Terry McLaurin in the final year of his contract and Deebo Samuel on a one-year deal with an extensive injury history, Lane has a realistic path to becoming the starting slot receiver in Washington - especially with last year's third-round pick Luke McCaffrey failing to impress. Lane is a dynamic playmaker and elite athlete. Measuring in at 5-foot-10, 191 pounds, he ran a sub-4.4 40, jumped at least 11'0″ in the broad, and cleared 40″ in the vertical, making him one of just eight WRs to hit all three athletic benchmarks since 2003. He ranked 4th in the 2025 class in YAC per reception (8.5) and has over 100 career kick/punt returns, reinforcing his playmaking ability in space.
|
|
114.
Noah Brown
WAS (at PHI)
|
|
115.
KaVontae Turpin
DAL (at NYG)
KaVontae Turpin quietly showed explosive potential in 2024, finishing 26th among all WRs in yards per route run (2.06) and earning targets on 26% of his routes - an elite rate. Though he never played more than 50% of snaps in any game, Dallas clearly values his dynamic skillset, re-signing him to a three-year, $18 million deal this offseason. With George Pickens presumed to be the WR2, Turpin still has a chance to carve out a meaningful role, especially in creative packages. He's a deep sleeper to monitor, particularly in best ball formats or return-yardage leagues.
|
|
116.
Olamide Zaccheaus
CHI (vs . DET)
|
|
117.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith
LAC (at DEN)
KeAndre Lambert-Smith quietly put together one of the most underrated profiles in the 2025 rookie WR class. After four years at Penn State, he transferred to Auburn and broke out in a big way, posting a 31% dominator rating with a 50-981-8 receiving line. It's rare to see a player switch to the SEC and immediately produce, but Lambert-Smith finished top-5 in the conference in total receiving yards and averaged nearly 20 yards per catch. Drafted in the 5th round by the Chargers, Lambert-Smith lands in a favorable spot as a downfield weapon for Justin Herbert.
|
|
118.
Gabe Davis
BUF (vs . NYJ)
|
|
119.
Isaiah Bond
CLE (at CIN)
|
|
120.
Demarcus Robinson
SF (vs . SEA)
|
|
121.
John Metchie III
NYJ (at BUF)
|
|
122.
Tai Felton
MIN (vs . GB)
|
|
123.
Mack Hollins
NE (vs . MIA)
|
|
124.
Chimere Dike
TEN (at JAC)
|
|
125.
Diontae Johnson
FA (BYE)
|
|
126.
Curtis Samuel
BUF (vs . NYJ)
|
|
127.
Jahan Dotson
PHI (vs . WAS)
|
|
128.
Hunter Renfrow
CAR (at TB)
|
|
129.
Allen Lazard
NYJ (at BUF)
|
|
130.
Savion Williams
GB (at MIN)
|
|
131.
Zay Jones
ARI (at LAR)
|
|
132.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
PIT (vs . BAL)
|
|
133.
Greg Dortch
ARI (at LAR)
|
|
134.
JuJu Smith-Schuster
KC (at LV)
|
|
135.
Van Jefferson
TEN (at JAC)
|
|
136.
Jalin Hyatt
NYG (vs . DAL)
|
|
137.
Jamari Thrash
CLE (at CIN)
|
|
138.
Tyquan Thornton
KC (at LV)
|
|
139.
Jacob Cowing
SF (vs . SEA)
|
|
140.
Efton Chism III
NE (vs . MIA)
|
|
141.
Arian Smith
NYJ (at BUF)
|
|
142.
Jordan Watkins
SF (vs . SEA)
|
|
143.
Xavier Hutchinson
HOU (vs . IND)
|
|
144.
Kalif Raymond
DET (at CHI)
|
|
145.
Devontez Walker
BAL (at PIT)
|
|
146.
Jake Bobo
SEA (at SF)
|
|
147.
Sterling Shepard
TB (vs . CAR)
|
|
148.
Jonathan Mingo
DAL (at NYG)
|
|
149.
Jimmy Horn Jr.
CAR (at TB)
|
|
150.
KhaDarel Hodge
ATL (vs . NO)
|
|
151.
Tank Dell
HOU (vs . IND)
|
|
152.
Skyy Moore
SF (vs . SEA)
|
|
153.
Malachi Corley
CLE (at CIN)
|
|
154.
Casey Washington
ATL (vs . NO)
|
|
155.
Javon Baker
SF (vs . SEA)
|
|
156.
Robert Woods
FA (BYE)
|
|
157.
Konata Mumpfield
LAR (vs . ARI)
|
|
158.
Tyler Johnson
NYJ (at BUF)
|
|
159.
Derius Davis
LAC (at DEN)
|
|
160.
Kendrick Bourne
SF (vs . SEA)
|
|
161.
Russell Gage Jr.
FA (BYE)
|
|
162.
Theo Wease Jr.
MIA (at NE)
|
|
163.
Xavier Gipson
NYG (vs . DAL)
|
|
164.
David Moore
CAR (at TB)
|
|
165.
Trent Sherfield Sr.
ARI (at LAR)
|
|
166.
Ashton Dulin
IND (at HOU)
|
|
167.
Scotty Miller
PIT (vs . BAL)
|
|
168.
Mason Tipton
NO (at ATL)
|
|
169.
Charlie Jones
CIN (vs . CLE)
|
|
170.
DeAndre Carter
CLE (at CIN)
|
|
171.
Cedrick Wilson Jr.
MIA (at NE)
|
|
172.
Tylan Wallace
BAL (at PIT)
|
|
173.
Ricky White III
SEA (at SF)
|
|
174.
Ben Skowronek
PIT (vs . BAL)
|
|
175.
Antwane Wells Jr.
FA (BYE)
|
|
176.
Malik Heath
ATL (vs . NO)
|
|
177.
Justin Watson
HOU (vs . IND)
|
|
178.
David Bell
FA (BYE)
|
|
179.
Xavier Smith
LAR (vs . ARI)
|
|
180.
Beaux Collins
NYG (vs . DAL)
|
|
181.
Tyrell Shavers
BUF (vs . NYJ)
|
|
182.
Mitch Tinsley
CIN (vs . CLE)
|
|
183.
Trey Palmer
NO (at ATL)
|
|
184.
Jalen Brooks
ARI (at LAR)
|
|
185.
Devin Duvernay
CHI (vs . DET)
|
|
186.
Dominic Lovett
DET (at CHI)
|
|
187.
Dee Eskridge
MIA (at NE)
|
|
188.
Ainias Smith
CAR (at TB)
|
|
189.
Anthony Gould
IND (at HOU)
|
|
190.
Mecole Hardman Jr.
BUF (vs . NYJ)
|
|
192.
Brycen Tremayne
CAR (at TB)
|
|
193.
Lucky Jackson
FA (BYE)
|
|
194.
Michael Gallup
FA (BYE)
|
|
195.
Velus Jones Jr.
SEA (at SF)
|
|
196.
Bub Means
NO (at ATL)
|
|
197.
LaJohntay Wester
BAL (at PIT)
|
|
198.
Gage Larvadain
CLE (at CIN)
|
|
199.
Bryce Oliver
TEN (at JAC)
|
|
200.
Ryan Miller
NYG (vs . DAL)
|
|
201.
Ryan Flournoy
DAL (at NYG)
|
|
202.
Jamal Agnew
ATL (vs . NO)
|
|
203.
Tahj Washington
MIA (at NE)
|
|
204.
Xavier Weaver
ARI (at LAR)
|
|
205.
Simi Fehoko
ARI (at LAR)
|
|
206.
Dareke Young
SEA (at SF)
|
|
207.
Braxton Berrios
HOU (vs . IND)
|
|
208.
Austin Trammell
JAC (vs . TEN)
|
|
209.
Bo Melton
GB (at MIN)
|
|
210.
Darius Cooper
PHI (vs . WAS)
|
|
211.
Nick Nash
ATL (vs . NO)
|
|
212.
Tommy Mellott
FA (BYE)
|
|
213.
K.J. Osborn
ATL (vs . NO)
|
|
214.
Jahdae Walker
CHI (vs . DET)
|
|
215.
Chris Blair
ATL (vs . NO)
|
|
216.
Kevin Austin Jr.
NO (at ATL)
|
|
217.
DJ Chark Jr.
FA (BYE)
|
|
218.
Tyler Scott
LAR (vs . ARI)
|
|
219.
Jason Brownlee
KC (at LV)
|
|
220.
Kaden Prather
FA (BYE)
|
|
221.
Kameron Johnson
TB (vs . CAR)
|
|
222.
Michael Woods II
FA (BYE)
|
|
223.
Myles Price
MIN (vs . GB)
|
|
224.
Nikko Remigio
KC (at LV)
|
|
225.
Cody White
SEA (at SF)
|
|
226.
Gunner Olszewski
NYG (vs . DAL)
|
|
227.
Jalen Reagor
FA (BYE)
|
|
228.
A.T. Perry
DEN (vs . LAC)
|
|
229.
Nelson Agholor
FA (BYE)
|
|
230.
James Proche II
TEN (at JAC)
|
|
231.
Alex Bachman
LV (vs . KC)
|
|
232.
Kaden Davis
CLE (at CIN)
|
|
233.
Dalevon Campbell
LAC (at DEN)
|
|
234.
David Sills V
ATL (vs . NO)
|
|
235.
Laquon Treadwell
IND (at HOU)
|
|
236.
Robbie Chosen
WAS (at PHI)
|
|
237.
Terrace Marshall Jr.
PHI (vs . WAS)
|
|
238.
Julian Fleming
FA (BYE)
|
|
239.
Rakim Jarrett
FA (BYE)
|
|
240.
Junior Bergen
SF (vs . SEA)
|
|
241.
Tim Jones
JAC (vs . TEN)
|
|
242.
Lance McCutcheon
TEN (at JAC)
|
|
243.
Ronnie Bell
NO (at ATL)
|
|
244.
Jha'Quan Jackson
FA (BYE)
|
|
245.
Tejhaun Palmer
ARI (at LAR)
|
|
246.
Lil'Jordan Humphrey
DEN (vs . LAC)
|
|
247.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
NYG (vs . DAL)
|
|
248.
Brennan Eagles
FA (BYE)
|
|
249.
Kobe Hudson
FA (BYE)
|
|
250.
Tyler Boyd
FA (BYE)
|
|
251.
Brandon Johnson
TB (vs . CAR)
|
|
252.
Chris Moore
WAS (at PHI)
|
|
253.
Tavon Austin
FA (BYE)
|
|
254.
Irvin Charles
NYJ (at BUF)
|
|
255.
Odell Beckham Jr.
FA (BYE)
|
|
256.
DJ Turner
LV (vs . KC)
|
|
257.
Trenton Irwin
NYJ (at BUF)
|
|
258.
Laviska Shenault Jr.
FA (BYE)
|
|
259.
Michael Strachan
FA (BYE)
|
|
260.
William Fuller V
FA (BYE)
|
|
261.
Erik Ezukanma
FA (BYE)
|
|
262.
Mason Kinsey
TEN (at JAC)
|
|
263.
Elijhah Badger
FA (BYE)
|
|
264.
Jackson Meeks
DET (at CHI)
|
|
265.
Dante Pettis
NO (at ATL)
|
|
266.
Britain Covey
PHI (vs . WAS)
|
|
267.
Ja'Corey Brooks
WAS (at PHI)
|
|
268.
Jamison Crowder
FA (BYE)
|
|
269.
Ke'Shawn Williams
PIT (vs . BAL)
|
|
270.
Jamaal Pritchett
NYJ (at BUF)
|
|
271.
Dalen Cambre
NYG (vs . DAL)
|
|
272.
Traeshon Holden
DAL (at NYG)
|
|
|
273.
David White Jr.
FA (BYE)
|
|
274.
Marquez Callaway
FA (BYE)
|
|
275.
Quez Watkins
PHI (vs . WAS)
|
|
276.
AJ Henning
MIA (at NE)
|
|
277.
Roc Taylor
FA (BYE)
|
|
278.
Jalen Virgil
FA (BYE)
|
|
279.
Luke Grimm
FA (BYE)
|
|
280.
Quincy Skinner Jr.
FA (BYE)
|
|
281.
Zach Pascal
FA (BYE)
|
|
282.
John Stephens Jr.
FA (BYE)
|
|
283.
Tru Edwards
LAR (vs . ARI)
|
|
284.
Tom Kennedy
DET (at CHI)
|
|
285.
Michael Bennett
FA (BYE)
|
|
|
286.
Isaiah Williams
FA (BYE)
|
|
287.
Shedrick Jackson
LV (vs . KC)
|
|
288.
Daurice Fountain
FA (BYE)
|
|
289.
Justin Shorter
LV (vs . KC)
|
|
290.
Equanimeous St. Brown
FA (BYE)
|
|
291.
KJ Hamler
FA (BYE)
|
|
292.
Isaiah Hodgins
NYG (vs . DAL)
|
|
293.
Isaiah McKenzie
FA (BYE)
|
|
294.
Malik Taylor
FA (BYE)
|
|
295.
Dylan Drummond
ATL (vs . NO)
|
|
296.
Chase Claypool
FA (BYE)
|
|
297.
Jalen Guyton
FA (BYE)
|
|
298.
Bisi Johnson
FA (BYE)
|
|
299.
Kendall Hinton
FA (BYE)
|
|
300.
Brandon Powell
FA (BYE)
|
|
301.
Michael Bandy
DEN (vs . LAC)
|
|
302.
Keith Kirkwood
BAL (at PIT)
|
|
303.
Anthony Miller
FA (BYE)
|
|
304.
Quentin Skinner
NYJ (at BUF)
|
|
305.
Byron Pringle
FA (BYE)
|
|
306.
Collin Johnson
FA (BYE)
|
|
|
307.
Hal Presley III
TEN (at JAC)
|
|
308.
Phillip Dorsett II
LV (vs . KC)
|
|
309.
Brandon Smith
FA (BYE)
|
|
310.
Kristian Wilkerson
TEN (at JAC)
|
|
311.
Brenden Rice
LV (vs . KC)
|
|
312.
Tulu Griffin
FA (BYE)
|
|
313.
Stephen Gosnell
BUF (vs . NYJ)
|
|
314.
Chandler Brayboy
JAC (vs . TEN)
|
|
315.
Danny Gray
PHI (vs . WAS)
|
|
316.
Brennan Presley
LAR (vs . ARI)
|
|
317.
Ty James
FA (BYE)
|
|
318.
Anthony Schwartz
FA (BYE)
|
|
319.
Jordan Moore
CIN (vs . CLE)
|
|
320.
Jeremiah Webb
NE (vs . MIA)
|
|
321.
Isaiah Neyor
GB (at MIN)
|
|
322.
Tyler Kahmann
FA (BYE)
|
|
323.
Elijah Cooks
FA (BYE)
|
|
324.
Donovan Peoples-Jones
FA (BYE)
|
|
325.
Trishton Jackson
FA (BYE)
|
|
326.
Tyrone Broden
SEA (at SF)
|
|
327.
Cody Thompson
FA (BYE)
|
|
328.
Dontae Fleming
MIN (vs . GB)
|
|
329.
Marcus Kemp
FA (BYE)
|
|
330.
Courtney Jackson
SEA (at SF)
|
|
331.
Silas Bolden
FA (BYE)
|
|
332.
Josh Kelly
HOU (vs . IND)
|
|
333.
Steven Sims Jr.
ARI (at LAR)
|
|
334.
River Cracraft
FA (BYE)
|
|
335.
JP Richardson
CHI (vs . DET)
|
|
336.
Jalen Cropper
DAL (at NYG)
|
|
337.
Jared Wayne
HOU (vs . IND)
|
|
338.
Dennis Houston
TB (vs . CAR)
|
|
339.
Dee Williams
CLE (at CIN)
|
|
340.
Maurice Alexander
CHI (vs . DET)
|
|
341.
Thayer Thomas
FA (BYE)
|
|
342.
Miles Boykin
FA (BYE)
|
|
343.
Andre Baccellia
ARI (at LAR)
|
|
344.
Jimmy Holiday
SEA (at SF)
|
|
345.
Malik Turner
SF (vs . SEA)
|
