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JP Sticco's top fantasy football sleepers and late-round values for 2025 draft. His undervalued wide receivers to target, including Khalil Shakir, Roman Wilson, and more.
Discovering undervalued wide receivers is the secret to championship success in fantasy football. This analysis highlights four compelling "sleeper" wideouts for the 2025 season: Ricky Pearsall, Khalil Shakir, Tre Harris, and Roman Wilson.
Each player, navigating unique team situations, proven roles, or emerging opportunities, is poised to significantly outperform their current fantasy draft position. Ignore them at your peril; these are the low-risk, high-reward targets that can elevate your fantasy roster to contender status.
All four of these wide receivers fall outside the top 40 in the current 2025 RotoBaller fantasy football rankings.
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Ricky Pearsall: Path to Opportunity
The 49ers selected Pearsall with the 31st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida. This pick raised some eyebrows at the time, given that the 49ers already had established and highly productive wide receivers in Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel Sr. on their roster, not to mention George Kittle at tight end and Christian McCaffrey in the backfield.
Many assumed the 49ers had no immediate need for a first-round wide receiver. However, the savvy 49ers organization was looking ahead, recognizing the substantial salary-cap implications of keeping or re-signing both Aiyuk and Samuel in 2025. While they had reportedly explored trading Aiyuk last offseason, they ultimately chose to re-sign Aiyuk and play out Samuel's contract.
A Look Back at Ricky Pearsall's Rookie Season
Pearsall's rookie campaign faced an unforeseen challenge when he was unfortunately shot in the chest toward the end of the preseason. This breaking news seemingly dimmed all hope for him as a fantasy asset in 2024. Yet, Pearsall made a remarkable return to action in Week 7. He was quickly thrust into a prominent role due to a week-to-week injury to Jauan Jennings and a significant ACL and MCL tear for Aiyuk.
In his 11 games during the 2024 season, Pearsall recorded 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns. There was a dip in production midseason, as he failed to catch a pass in Week 12 through Week 14, leading him to fall off the fantasy radar for a brief period.
However, he re-emerged strongly again in Week 15 with four catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. Pearsall finished the final two weeks of the season ranking as WR7 and WR14, respectively, showcasing his late-season potential.
A Clear Path to Production in 2025
Now, looking ahead to 2025, the landscape has dramatically shifted. Aiyuk is recovering from a torn ACL/MCL suffered in Week 7 of last season, and Samuel has been traded to the Washington Commanders. All eyes are now on Pearsall and Jennings to help the 49ers' passing game, at least until Aiyuk returns.
While Aiyuk currently has no definitive timetable for his return, he is expected back at some point this season. Pearsall will have a crucial opportunity at the start of the season to prove his worth to the 49ers coaching staff and to Brock Purdy, solidifying himself as the WR2 behind Aiyuk once he's back.
Fantasy managers should temper some expectations, as the 49ers still boast arguably the league's best receiving tight end in Kittle and the best receiving running back in McCaffrey. However, Pearsall will beat out Jennings and establish himself as the second option in the passing game behind Kittle while Aiyuk rehabs his knee. Once Aiyuk returns, a slight dip in Pearsall's production is possible.
But the key questions will be: How much will the 49ers rely on McCaffrey in the passing game, knowing his injury history? How much lingering effect and time will Aiyuk need to get back to full speed, and why would the 49ers drastically alter their game plan if their offense continues to be elite with Pearsall playing a significant role?
The opportunity is undoubtedly there for Pearsall. Don't be surprised if he finishes as a top-25 wide receiver in 2025 and becomes a staple on many championship-winning fantasy rosters. Sitting at WR44 in drafts, you are getting a steal in the middle round of your redraft fantasy leagues.
Khalil Shakir: An Undervalued Gem For Fantasy Football
Shakir, averaging 12.2 PPR fantasy points per game in 2024, is ranked as WR40 on RotoBaller's 2025 preseason rankings. Primarily operating from the slot for the Buffalo Bills, Shakir led the team in receptions (76), receiving yards (821), and targets (100) last season, all while missing two games.
Playing alongside arguably the NFL's best quarterback, Josh Allen, and having solidified himself as Allen's most trusted target, fantasy managers should gladly jump on the chance of making Shakir their WR3/flex option without hesitation.
Addressing Khalil Shakir's Concerns
Some offseason chatter has focused on the Bills' 2024 second-round draft pick, Keon Coleman, as a potential second-year breakout candidate. While this could certainly be the case, it doesn't significantly diminish Shakir's fantasy value. The Bills also signed Joshua Palmer this offseason, but Palmer primarily plays as the Z-receiver and doesn't directly compete with Shakir's slot role.
As noted, Shakir operates predominantly from the slot and isn't heavily involved in 12 or 21 personnel groupings (1 RB, 2 TE, or 2 RB, 1 TE). He was on the field for only 15% of the Bills' snaps in these run-heavy formations in 2024. Conversely, Shakir was on the field for a commanding 85% of snaps in 10 or 11 personnel (1 RB, 0 TE, or 1 RB, 1 TE).
Many experts point to the Bills' anticipated continued success as a Super Bowl contender as a reason to fade Shakir. The argument is that elite teams, often leading in games, will lean more on run-heavy 12 and 21 personnel to chew the clock, thereby limiting Shakir's snap share. My counterargument is simple: Will it be any worse than last year?
Shakir has earned Allen's trust and is poised to remain Buffalo's top target in 2025. There shouldn't be a dip in his production. He scored 10 or more PPR points in 14 of his 18 games played last season, including the playoffs.
The Upside is Real
While Shakir may lack the explosiveness to be a traditional WR1 or WR2 in terms of raw talent, his consistency and reliability make him an exceptional value as your WR2/WR3 or flex option, with legitimate upside. If he can recapture his 2023 yards per catch efficiency (15.7 YPC compared to 10.8 in 2024), Shakir could easily secure 90 receptions for 1,000+ yards and eight touchdowns over a full season.
You should be all in on his blend of consistency and upside. Securing Allen's clear, proven favorite target isn't just smart; it's a difference-maker. Don't fall victim to undervaluing Shakir, who currently sits at WR40 in RotoBaller's preseason rankings; instead, embrace his consistent production and roster him as a high-floor WR3/flex with substantial upside.
Give me Shakir over options like Jennings (WR39) and Jakobi Meyers (WR41), and say goodbye to weekly flex dilemmas.
Tre Harris: The Chargers' New Weapon
Standing at a commanding 6'2" and tipping the scales at 205 pounds, Harris is precisely what the doctor ordered for the Los Angeles Chargers. Since drafting Justin Herbert in 2020, the Chargers have been desperately searching for that elusive big-bodied receiver, a player who could not only outrun the coverage but also consistently capitalize on Herbert's cannon arm.
After selecting Quentin Johnston with the 21st overall pick in 2023, the Bolts seem poised to move on from what have largely been two disappointing seasons to kick off his career.
The Quentin Johnston Conundrum
While some might argue that Johnston's 2024 season was pretty good, posting 711 yards and eight scores, a deeper dive into the analytics paints a different picture. Johnston was targeted a whopping 91 times yet only reeled in 55 of them.
If you know anything about Herbert, it's that he boasts a strong and remarkably accurate arm. That 60% completion rating points squarely to the inability of Johnston to get on the same page with his quarterback. On top of that, Johnston dropped seven of those 91 targets, tying him for the 18th most in the league -- a list you do not want your No. 2 option to be on ever.
The Solution to Offensive Woes
The Chargers desperately needed to solidify their passing attack, building a reliable complement to the steady-handed Ladd McConkey, whom they drafted last year. With the 55th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bolts did exactly that, snatching up Harris out of Ole Miss. Over the last two NCAA seasons, Harris has ranked an astounding first and ninth in yards per route.
This isn't just a statistical anomaly; it's a clear signal that the Chargers want a weapon who can consistently take the top off defenses, not only opening up their heavy run scheme but also clearing crucial space for McConkey underneath. Harris has already showcased the elite speed and imposing size to outrun or outjump even the most aggressive defenders.
A Proven Collegiate Star
As a redshirt sophomore at Louisiana Tech, Harris exploded for 935 yards and 10 touchdowns on 65 catches in just 12 games. Eager to prove he belonged with college football's "big boys," Harris transferred to Ole Miss in 2023. There, he nearly replicated his final year at Louisiana Tech, securing 54 passes for 985 yards and eight scores for the Rebels.
Many scouts lauded Harris' game, but he made the astute decision to return for his final year of eligibility, aiming to deepen both his knowledge of the game and his route tree before entering the NFL. In a shortened 2024 season, Harris put up some truly gaudy numbers in just eight games. He caught 60 passes for 1,030 yards and seven touchdowns.
He didn't just prove he was capable of making an NFL roster; he demonstrated the raw potential to become an immediate starter.
Fantasy Football Impact and Outlook
If you believe that Harris can beat out both Johnston and 30-year-old Mike Williams to become the undisputed second option for Herbert, you should also believe that Harris cannot only shatter his current fantasy rank of WR60 (just two spots below Johnston) but also emerge as the kind of player who could single-handedly help you win fantasy football titles in 2025.
Roman Wilson: A Potential Star In Pittsburgh
UPDATE: The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading for Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith. This move negatively impacts Wilson's chances to break out in 2025, though he could still emerge as the WR2 behind DK Metcalf.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' offseason strategy was clear from the outset: Aaron Rodgers or bust. They never wavered. Now that the future Hall of Famer is officially a Steeler, all eyes naturally pivot to his new arsenal of weapons.
After orchestrating a blockbuster trade for star wide receiver DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh seemed primed for a truly star-studded receiving corps with Metcalf and George Pickens. However, the Steelers moved on from Pickens, a decision that makes perfect sense when you consider the striking similarities between his skill set and Metcalf's.
The pressing question now: Who will emerge as Rodgers's critical No. 2 option in the Steel City this season?
Echoes of Green Bay: The Roman Wilson Hypothesis
Rodgers' most dominant seasons in Green Bay shared a common thread with Pittsburgh's current setup: a big-bodied star wide receiver (then Davante Adams, now Metcalf) and a reliable slot maestro (then Randall Cobb, and now… if you haven't already connected the dots, second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson out of the University of Michigan could perfectly embody that Cobb role for Rodgers in Pittsburgh).
Body type, route tree, and mentality -- their similarities are uncanny when comparing Wilson to Cobb. Cobb became "Mr. Reliable" for Rodgers, primarily operating out of the slot, a partnership that flourished for 10 years, yielding 532 receptions for 6,316 yards and 47 touchdowns.
While Rodgers loves his big-bodied receivers for downfield, one-on-one shots along the sideline, he holds a special affinity for his slot targets -- guys who can instinctively find open space when the pocket collapses or during chaotic scramble drills.
The Slot Specialist Pittsburgh Needs
Roman Wilson, the 5'11" and 185-pound wide receiver, possesses all the essential tools to evolve into an elite NFL slot receiver. After his rookie season was largely derailed by injuries, Wilson is poised to silence his doubters in 2025. Much like Cobb, Wilson exhibits a remarkable knack for quickly shedding jams and locating soft spots against zone defenses or simply outrunning defenders on short crossers.
As a senior at Michigan, Wilson primarily lined up in the slot, hauling in 38 passes for 615 yards and 10 touchdowns. Michigan's offensive scheme frequently leveraged his versatility with pre-snap motion, manufacturing mismatches, and effectively diagnosing man versus zone coverages.
Overall, Wilson secured 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final collegiate season. The Steelers recognized this potential, selecting Wilson with the 84th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Slot Battle
Wilson isn't without competition, and the battle for the slot position will be worth monitoring closely during offseason workouts and training camp. He'll be in direct contention with recently signed veteran Robert Woods and third-year wide receiver Calvin Austin III.
While Woods, 33, has battled numerous injuries in recent seasons, Austin did flash some undeniable talent last year for the Steelers, securing 36 passes for 548 yards and four scores.
At the 2025 NFL Annual League Meetings, Steelers beat reporter Nick Farabaugh of PennLive asked head coach Mike Tomlin about Wilson.
Tomlin said, "We're expecting really good things for him in his second year. I think that's a reasonable expectation. I think from time to time, guys get faced with injury, and it derails their start, but by no means do we feel like it's going to define his career."
Fantasy Football Outlook: Wilson's Undeniable Upside
The Steelers, by all means, should explore adding another wide receiver to complement Metcalf. However, Rodgers consistently gravitates toward two primary targets in his offense: a dominant outside threat (which will be Metcalf) and, if he's covered, a highly reliable slot receiver. All signs currently point directly to Wilson filling that crucial slot role.
Before your fantasy drafts, keep a vigilant eye on the fierce slot position battle between Wilson, Austin, and Woods. Whoever emerges as the Steelers' primary slot man this offseason, you should jump all over them in fantasy leagues. If you're drafting today, especially in PPR formats, Wilson might be the pick every single time.
His collegiate pedigree, Rodgers' historical track record with slot receivers, and Coach Tomlin's implicit trust all converge to suggest Wilson will win the slot battle in Pittsburgh and potentially help you hoist your 2025 fantasy football championship trophy.
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