2025 NFL Draft Instant Impact - Wide Receiver ADP Risers and Fallers

April 30, 2025

Joey's top ADP risers and fallers after the NFL Draft for 2025 Fantasy Football. Wide receivers who saw their ADP impacted from the 2025 NFL draft.

The 2025 NFL Draft was a wild few days. The Jaguars traded up in the first round to select wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, quarterback Shedeur Sanders slipped into the fifth round, and the Raiders took one of the best prospects in the class in running back Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick.

Plenty of wide receivers also saw their fantasy stock rise and fall during the draft. Even though most fantasy leagues won't be drafting soon, it's important to take note of which players could see their ADP rise and fall in the coming months.

So, which wide receivers were most affected by the 2025 NFL Draft? Which wideouts should fantasy managers be targeting in drafts? Let's dive in and find out.

ADP Risers

Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers entered the draft with a clear need at wide receiver. It's safe to say they solved that need after selecting Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth overall pick. This selection immediately gives the Panthers a bona fide WR1 on their offense, and McMillan should immediately have a significant role on offense in Year 1.

WHOLESOME: The #Panthers coach and GM called quarterback Bryce Young after they drafted him a wide receiver, Tetairoa McMillan.

“I love it!”

Tet said that Bryce went into Carolina brass's office earlier in the week and demanded they draft McMillan.pic.twitter.com/5g3fTeieZq

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 25, 2025

That makes this landing spot one of the better ones for McMillan in fantasy. There's a good chance that he leads this team in most receiving categories next season after totaling over 1,300 yards in back-to-back college seasons. So, it's hard not to see his ADP rise in the coming months, considering he'll be competing with Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker, and Xavier Legette for targets in this Carolina offense.

Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns

With the Cleveland Browns on the clock at No. 2 overall, the expectation was that they would select Hunter with that pick. That was certainly not great news for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy's fantasy value for the 2025 season. However, Cleveland wound up moving back a few spots in the first round, and Jeudy eventually became a draft day winner.

Although wide receiver was a need for the Browns in the draft, they didn't take a single wideout across their seven picks. As a result, Jeudy is one of the biggest fantasy risers following the draft. He will remain the go-to option in this Cleveland offense and should lead a wide receiver group that includes Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash, and David Bell. Another Pro Bowl season could be in store for the former first-round pick.

Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals 

Many mock drafts had the Arizona Cardinals taking a wide receiver early in the 2025 NFL Draft. After all, quarterback Kyler Murray could use more weapons in the passing game. Nevertheless, the Cardinals passed on a wide receiver with all seven picks in the draft and decided to focus on defense instead. That makes Marvin Harrison Jr. a big winner from the draft. 

The duo is back pic.twitter.com/uTkF9K8tQG

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 23, 2025

After seeing 116 targets in his rookie campaign, Harrison should be in store for another high-volume season. He is the clear WR1 in this Cardinals offense and should lead the wide receiver room in targets, catches, and receiving yards yet again. Given that there isn't much competition for targets in Arizona, the former Ohio State product should be a high pick in fantasy drafts this summer.

Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans 

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley didn't have the best quarterback play last season. Both Will Levis and Mason Rudolph were inaccurate as passers and didn't help out Ridley in his first year with the team. However, he still totaled 64 catches for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games.

We could now expect better all-around numbers for Ridley next season. The Titans selected quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick and didn't take a wide receiver in the draft until Day 3. That makes the six-year veteran one of the biggest fantasy risers heading into next season. Ward is a massive upgrade for this offense, and the wideout should easily lead this team in the receiving game.

In a lot of ways, this situation is similar to what Terry McLaurin encountered last season. McLaurin was the clear WR1 on that Washington offense with a rookie quarterback incoming. So, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Ridley be a strong fantasy option with Ward now under center, considering he is battling with Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson for targets.

ADP Fallers 

Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears

Although Chicago Bears wideout Rome Odunze wasn't a strong fantasy option in his first season, the former 2024 first-round pick entered the offseason with a 57.5 ADP in Best Ball drafts on Underdog. Unfortunately, that ADP should fall in the coming months after the Bears selected tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III with their first two picks.

Those two additions certainly complicate things in this Chicago offense. Caleb Williams will now have Odunze, DJ Moore, Burden, Cole Kmet, Loveland, and D'Andre Swift to throw to in the receiving game. That's too many mouths to feed on offense, making the former Washington product an ADP faller following the draft.

.@lutherburden3? Stud. pic.twitter.com/zsfyjLNvjf

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 27, 2025

While Odunze will surely get his opportunities in the passing game, he might not be as consistent of a fantasy option as some might have thought entering the 2025-2026 season. The Bears have high hopes for both Burden and Loveland in their first years, and both rookies will see plenty of playing time in Year 1. Therefore, the second-year wideout should see his ADP drop. 

Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers

It was hard to trust Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed in fantasy last year because he had a relatively low target share. Reed finished his sophomore campaign with a 16.2 percent target share. Despite finishing as the WR26 in half-PPR formats, the 24-year-old saw above four targets in just three of the final 11 games of the season.

Now, the Packers added Matthew Golden in the first round and Savion Williams in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Those additions could lead to fewer opportunities for Reed next season. With Golden, Williams, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks all solid weapons for Jordan Love in the passing game, the former Michigan State product should fall in fantasy drafts.

Chris Godwin/Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers  

It was a bit surprising when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with the 19th overall pick. The Buccaneers already have Mike Evans, just paid Chris Godwin $66 million over three years, and 2024 third-round pick Jalen McMillan showed some encouraging signs as a rookie last year. 

However, both Godwin and McMillan should see their ADP fall with the addition of Egbuka. The Buccaneers didn't take a wide receiver in the first round to let him sit on the bench. He will be involved as a rookie and immediately becomes one of the more talented playmakers in that Tampa Bay offense.

With Godwin coming back from that season-ending ankle injury, these two Buccaneers wide receivers will see their ADP fall. Egbuka totaled 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final college campaign at Ohio State in 2024 and figures to be an important offensive piece for Tampa Bay in 2025 and beyond.  

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