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Dan Fornek's fantasy football wide receiver value picks and late-round sleepers for 2025. His draft targets for best ball include Dont'e Thornton Jr., and more.
We are a week away from the first game of the 2025 NFL season. For many, that means it is time to finally start drafting teams in redraft formats. However, there is also still time left to keep attacking best ball drafts.
At this point in the summer, we have all the information we can get to put together the best lineups possible. A key to building a successful lineup in best ball that can win in the playoff weeks is to identify late-round targets that can provide big scoring weeks. There are still plenty of late-round values in drafts, even with the preseason coming to a close.
This article contains eight late-round wide receivers (based on Underdog’s ADP) that are sleepers heading into 2025. Check them out below.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) rankings
- Quarterback (QB) rankings
- Tight end (TE) rankings
- Defense (D/ST) rankings
- Kicker (K) rankings
- FLEX rankings
- Dynasty rankings
Joshua Palmer, Buffalo Bills
ADP: 136.5, WR60
Palmer wasn’t the biggest producer during his four years with the Los Angeles Chargers, but he was a consistent presence on the field and effective when given opportunities. The veteran receiver averaged just 63.0 targets, 38.5 receptions, 582.5 receiving yards, and 1.5 touchdowns the last two seasons, but did have at least 15.0 yards per reception.
It was somewhat surprising when Palmer signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, given his past production. However, from a fantasy perspective, it does allow him to be fantasy relevant in 2025.
None of Buffalo’s returning contributors from 2024 were targeted more than 97 times. Only one player (Khalil Shakir) had a target share above 20%. Nobody on the team had over 1,000 receiving yards. Palmer’s ability to get quick separation should allow him to earn targets with Josh Allen.
Josh Palmer is now easily the best separator on the Bills.
He ranked 10th of 160 qualifying receivers in route win rate last year. Next-closest Bills receiver (Amari Cooper) ranked 61st.
H/T: @Boorish_Sports @FantasyPtsData pic.twitter.com/o5Vbd8AjIB
— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) March 10, 2025
It is never a bad idea to draft a player with a role on a good offense late in best ball drafts. Grabbing Palmer gives you a starting receiver tied to a top-end quarterback who has proven he can earn targets down the field. That is a good bet to make.
Kyle Williams, New England Patriots
ADP: 149.3, WR64
The Patriots overhauled their offense this offseason to create an environment that would allow second-year quarterback Drake Maye to thrive. New England signed free agents Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins and drafted wide receiver Williams in the third round of the draft.
Williams emerged as an intriguing prospect over the course of the draft cycle thanks to his production at Washington State in 2024 (70 receptions for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns) and a strong performance at the NFL Combine (4.40 40-yard dash at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds).
Could be cool when Kyle Williams gets to play with a QB who can put it on him with anticipation pic.twitter.com/UsoH4cpJY7
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 9, 2025
The rookie showed that his speed and ability to win at the line of scrimmage would translate to the NFL throughout the summer. Williams caught three of seven targets for 24 yards but didn’t get many opportunities to win down the field. Unfortunately, an injury kept him out of the team’s third preseason game.
Williams has returned to practice, but will have to battle to climb the depth chart and earn a role with the starting offense. It certainly helps that he is the most dynamic deep threat tied to a quarterback with the arm strength to take advantage of his speed.
Williams may not factor into starting lineups early in the season, but he can emerge as the secondary target earner as the season goes on. There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the Patriots’ offense, so Williams is a fine flier to take late.
Dont'e Thornton Jr., Las Vegas Raiders
ADP: 158.8, WR67
Thornton was an afterthought coming into the draft process, thanks to his limited production in four collegiate seasons while splitting time between Oregon and Tennessee. However, he was certainly an intriguing process considering he averaged 21.4 yards per reception over four seasons, including an NCAA-leading 25.4 yards in his final season at Tennessee.
Thornton showed that his speed was legitimate at the NFL Combine, running a 4.30 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5, 205 pounds. That performance was enough to get him drafted in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders had previously taken a wide receiver (Jack Bech) in the second round, so it seemed like Thornton would be buried as a rookie.
However, the fourth-round pick wasted no time establishing himself as a piece of the Raiders’ offense. Thornton was working with the first team throughout OTAs and carried that momentum into the preseason. The rookie caught three of eight targets for 43 yards and a touchdown, consistently working with the first team.
Dont’e Thornton Jr.
-Extremely rare size/speed combination
-6’4.5” and runs a 4.3!!!
-Has been starting X receiver for Raiders all summer
-2024 Ranks in the Nation:
-1st in YAC/Rec (10.7)
-3rd in YPRR (3.72)
-27th in ADOT (16.5)pic.twitter.com/O68NChhUzz— Ben Cummins (@BenCumminsFF) August 24, 2025
Thornton will likely be used as a deep threat to take off the defense, but he could have boom-or-bust weeks with Geno Smith, one of the most accurate deep passers in 2024, throwing him the football. It will only take one deep shot for him to produce a double-digit fantasy week, giving him excellent upside in the late rounds of best ball drafts.
Pat Bryant, Denver Broncos
ADP: 174.8, WR71
Bryant was a surprising third-round pick by the Denver Broncos thanks to his mediocre production at Illinois. Bryant had just 137 receptions for 2,095 yards and 19 touchdowns in 46 career games. It seemed like his performance at the NFL Combine (6-foot-2, 204 pounds with a 4.61 40-yard dash) would push him into the late rounds.
Head coach Sean Payton loves big receivers, and Bryant has the size he covets along with the versatility to play both outside and in the slot. His strong performance during the preseason (eight receptions on 12 targets for 110 yards) was enough for the Broncos to trade second-year receiver Devaughn Vele, opening up an immediate path to playing time.
There is still plenty of competition for touches in Denver, but Bryant has proven that he can earn targets in Denver throughout the preseason. The Broncos offense is expected to take a step with Bo Nix in his second season, which gives him a chance to produce fantasy-relevant weeks throughout the season.
Tory Horton, Seattle Seahawks
ADP: 176.3, WR72
Horton could have been drafted much higher in the NFL Draft if he hadn’t suffered an injury during his final season at Colorado State. In 2022 and 2023, Horton averaged 83.5 receptions, 1,1133.5 receiving yards, and 8.0 touchdowns. He was well on his way to matching those totals through six games (26 receptions for 353 yards and a touchdown) before his season ended early.
The drum beat continues for Tory Horton.
Career stats and rank since 2020 (186 players):
2.46 YPRR (57th)
3615 yards (5th)
27 touchdowns (20th)Don’t miss out on Horton in dynasty and is a decent late round flier in 2025
— Jeremy (@PopesFFH) August 8, 2025
Horton fell to the fifth round despite his excellent collegiate production and strong combine performance (6-foot-2, 196 pounds and a 4.41 40-yard dash). It seemed like it would be an uphill battle for the rookie to carve out a role in a Seattle pass-catching group that featured Jaxon Smith-Njigba and free agent additions Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Instead, Horton had an excellent preseason (four receptions on nine targets for 43 yards and a touchdown) and beat out Valdes-Scantling for the WR3 role in Seattle. Horton has already shown the ability to make plays throughout the summer, and now will have an opportunity to establish himself in a receiver group that is lacking high-end talent after Smith-Njigba.
The fantasy production won’t be consistent in a Seattle offense that is designed to run the ball effectively, but he can provide big weeks thanks to his blend of route running and speed. Those spike weeks could factor into lineups in the final rounds of your best ball drafts.
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars
ADP: 188.4, WR76
Brown struggled to show much during his time with the Washington Commanders, but was able to get an opportunity in his fourth season. During the Commanders’ playoff run, Brown caught 14 of 18 targets for 229 yards and a touchdown, showing the speed and playmaking ability that got him drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Brown hit free agency and signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a one-year deal to try and secure a long-term deal next offseason. Brown has had a fantastic camp and has established himself as a piece of Jacksonville’s three-receiver sets with Brian Thomas Jr. and rookie Travis Hunter.
The veteran receiver also has more upside than meets the eye despite competing for targets with two first-round picks. We still have no idea how much Jacksonville will utilize Hunter on offense and defense, which could allow Brown to see an increased amount of time in two-receiver sets. Hunter playing both ways also elevates his risk of injury.
Four seasons of subpar production are suppressing Brown’s ADP, but he showed that he can command targets in the playoffs last season. He has an opportunity to take another step with a Jaguars offense that has plenty of upside in 2025.
Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins
ADP: 209.3, WR87
A summer oblique injury has forced Tyreek Hill to miss most of the preseason. That has allowed second-year receiver Washington to build rapport with Tua Tagovailoa and earn the WR3 spot in Miami.
Washington was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft after posting 110 receptions for 1426 yards and nine touchdowns during his final college season at Virginia. He is more of a slot receiver at the NFL level thanks to his intelligence, strong hands, and ability to generate yards after the catch.
There hasn’t been any good news this offseason regarding Hill, who is coming off a career-worst season in 2024. If Washington can continue to get open as well as he has in the preseason, he could provide scoring weeks in best ball formats.
Jaylin Lane, Washington Commanders
ADP: 212.7, WR91
Washington drafted Virginia Tech’s Lane in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after five inconsistent collegiate seasons at Middle Tennessee State and Virginia Tech. In 54 career games, Lane posted just 203 receptions, 2,532 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns. One thing that Lane does provide is excellent top-end speed.
The rookie measured in at 5-foot-10, 191 pounds at the NFL Combine while running a 4.34 40-yard dash. He impressed enough throughout the preseason to sit out the final preseason game, an indicator that he had done enough to earn a role in 2025.
Targets will be hard to come by in Washington next season with Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Zach Ertz in the offense. However, Lane also offers a trait (speed) that none of those players can provide. If he can consistently see the field, he will have an opportunity to post boom weeks thanks to his ability to stretch the defense, paired with Jayden Daniels’ ability to buy time to attack defenses deep.
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