Let's Take a look at some wide receivers

By Martin Richardson

This is such a wide range of players and such an ambiguous market when it comes to fantasy. I’ve gone with a top 30 here because there are so many players that could end up in your FLEX position as well the fact that by the nature of the position there are more choices to be made. There is nothing better than stashing a player who can slot into your starting team when you need them most.

But with that comes lots more to consider compared to the top 20 running backs. Which WR2 has value in their team? Where do players like Tee Higgins and Jaylen Waddle lie compared to their WR1 counterparts? Can fantasy players expect an immediate return from those new rookies like Tet McMillian and the ultimate FLEX, Tarvis Hunter?

Here is part one of The Touchdown’s Fantasy WR ranking 2025, stating with 30-16.

30. JUWAN JENNINGS

I’m starting with a 49er, but maybe not the one you expected.

Be honest, you’re drafting him because of that one game last season, right? He is a very versatile player. Not the fastest, but in his situation with the 49ers: a returning from serious injury Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall entering year two and no Deebo Samuel; Jennings could easily be WR1 for the 49ers for a chunk of the season. This may appear a risk because of how he has been drafted in previous years, but not this time.

29. Jameson Williams

When Jameson Williams goes off, he goes off. He could get you top end points one week and sit on a goose egg the next. The promise and allure of a player like Williams is what sees him creep up the rankings. But, just like his Lions teammate St Brown, what will the impact of a new play caller be on Williams? Will he be that outrageous vertical threat, or someone who falls under the boom or bust category once again?

28. Jerry Jeudy

The Browns are going to be a team that infuriate Fantasy players so much. They have a top player on their hands with notoriously labelled ‘just a guy’ Jerry Jeudy. With Winston slinging him the ball, he was a WR2 for Fantasy players. But Winston isn’t there. It’s this weird situation of Flacco, Pickett, Gabriel and Sideshow Sanders clamouring to be the signal caller in Cleveland. He could be a steal in the middle of your draft, but only if he gets the right situation at QB. Let’s not forget that Cedric Tilman is a massive factor here. If he is back and healthy, he could impact the value of Jeudy.

27. Courtland Sutton

In my last rankings, I called Joe Mixon Mr Dependable. Well, Courtland Sutton falls under the same name. He was great for Fantasy players with Bo Nix and Sean Payton. They have drafted and recruited well this offseason, so don’t be too shocked if there is a little drop off from last year. But it shouldn’t be too significant for you to avoid drafting him if the opportunity arises.

26. Marvin Harrison Jr

Huge trope alert here: player X has been working out hard, looks better and fitter and will be a difference maker for their team.

Needless to say, it did not work last year with Kyler Murray. 3.6 passes per game from Murray to Harrison Jr left fantasy players frustrated to say the least. There needs to be a leap or there is a narrative that is ready to be written. I’m not sure he gets more of the ball next season when they run it so much (and so well) and Trey McBride is so good when it matters. With very few offensive changes, you do wonder if we’re in for more frustration in 2025.

25. Travis Hunter

And here he is.

This is a gamble. How much will he be at WR, compared to CB. When the first set of reports drop that say he’s mainly at WR, then his stock will rise. Simple as that. But until then, he sits here. If you’ve got him in dynasty, you’re sitting pretty. If you’re drafting in August, watch those camp reports to see how much of an upside he has.

24. Tet McMillan

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This was a bit of a wild draft pick if you ask me. The Panthers had bigger needs but instead they drafted a top WR. No shame in that. They’ve got better and given themselves a chance to win more. He will be the top player for Bryce Young and we know that if he gets the ball a lot, Fantasy players will be happy. He has the skills to get the yards after the catch which will help Fantasy players massively.

23. Rashee Rice

Rice came in as a great waiver wire pick up and finished as a top 5 WR before he was injured where he ripped up everything other than his ACL And before all of the off the field issues. He is now running and that’s promising going into 2025. There may well be a suspension looming because of his off the field issues. And I’m not going to shy away from that, but there are suggestions that it may be a 2026 suspension. Keep an eye on that and once it’s done or prolonged, he may be worth a stash because he is productive in this Reid and Mahomes offense. Should there be no suspension, he could go higher.

22. Jaylen Waddle

He’s rocking if Tua is healthy. He will also benefit if Tyreek Hill decides to finally do what he has flirted with for the past 7 months. He is very much like Smith in the position above, but Smith edges it because he’s in a much more stable situation. Waddle has the upside, but you need to watch the situation with Hill and Tua’s health.

21. Devonta Smith

Given what I said about AJ Brown and Saquon Barkley’s relationship in my RB rankings, Smith’s stock never changed. He has been a fantastic WR2 for the Eagles and fantasy alike. Being part of a good and stable offense shows that he will always be on the upside of conversations throughout his career. Drafting him leaves you in a comfortable position with your WR2 position.

20. Mike Evans

There is case that this is low given the legacy of Mike Evans. Even with his injury he managed to get over 1000 yards (again) and 11 touchdowns; and with numbers like that he gets Fantasy players value as a WR2. When Baker gets cooking, Evans gets the ball. He is such a good redzone and contested catch threat when it matters most and I think he will match those numbers again, even with his vast supporting cast of Godwin, McMillan and rookie Emeka Egbuka. Don’t let me people use them as an excuse not to draft him.

19. DK Metcalf

A huge trade sees him now at the Steelers. It will be interesting to see how Metcalf does in an Arthur Smith offense. He’s the WR1 and just like CeeDee Lamb, who ironically now has George Pickens for company, Metcalf is going to get the majority of ball in games. The only issue, last season Pickens finished as WR36 with this Steelers team. For Metcalf, who is so much better than Pickens, and add Aaron Rodgers to the mix too, there is no way the WR1 of the Steelers finishes so low in fantasy again.

18. Xavier Worthy

This is a weird one a year down the line. There were conversations that centred around Worthy finally being the speedy player the Chiefs have needed since Tyreek Hill was traded. However, Mahomes didn’t really throw the ball over 20 yards in 2024 to Worthy, which may have hampered his production. Is he a breakout candidate. Potentially. Does a winning offense change that much for a player like Worthy? We’ll have to wait and see. But the potential is there. 

17. Garrett Wilson

What a drop off from year. There is a new play caller and QB in New York, but there are still questions about Wilson and how this will work. They will run the ball a tonne, and Wilson is the only person Justin Fields will throw to really. He’s got plenty of upside. But when it doesn’t go well, when will he have his usual tantrum? That being said, he’s had a rough time of it when it comes to QBs and his overall situation. Is this the season we see Wilson be the guy he was hyped to be?

16. Terry McLaurin

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We end Part one looking at one of the hottest teams in the NFL last season: the Commanders and star WR Terry McLaurin.

Now, that was 2024. Let’s see what Year 2 brings for the Commanders offense. McLaurin didn’t have massive yards, but one thing is for sure: he’s a TD monster for Jayden Daniels. The lack of yardage points in fantasy isn’t an issue given just how productive he is in the end zone. If you’re a seasoned fantasy player, you’ve definitely fallen victim to one of those big McLaurin games. And if you haven’t, you’re reading this with a smug look on your face. Don’t be afraid to take him if you’re in need of a WR because people think it’s clever to talk of a Commanders regression.

MARTIN RICHARDSON

NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST

A Yorkshireman living in Lancashire, Martin is a massive NFL fan but his heart belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also a huge Fantasy Football enthusiast and spends far too long crunching the numbers! Follow him at @MRBucsFan31

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