Fantasy Football Rookie WR Rankings (Post NFL Draft) - Travis Hunter, Tre Harris, Luther Burden, Jayden Higgins, Matthew Golden, and more

May 4, 2025

RotoBaller's 2025 fantasy football WR rookie rankings by Matt Donnelly. These early WR rookie rankings come right after the 2025 NFL Draft.

For fantasy managers, the time to reshape those rosters begins now. The NFL Draft is over, and those wide receiver prospects we have been downplaying for nearly a year suddenly look much better today than they did several months ago.

That said, here is a look at the top 12 rookie wide receivers for fantasy football.

For a deeper dive into dynasty strategy, rankings, and trade tactics, check out our complete Dynasty Fantasy Football Guide.

Fantasy Football Rookie Wide Receiver Rankings

12. Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions

Detroit continues to add weapons to its arsenal with the selection of 6-foot-4 Isaac TeSlaa, who is an excellent complement to what the Lions ask of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

TeSlaa is not just big; he can move, as evidenced by his 4.43 40-time, and he will be a matchup nightmare when asked to line up in the slot. Despite limited production at Arkansas, TeSlaa made the most of his opportunities, averaging 19.5 yards per reception and creating separation against man coverage. The former Razorback is a willing blocker, which Dan Campbell loves, and he'll be rewarded down in the red zone.

THE DETROIT LIONS NEWEST OFFENSIVE WEAPON

ISAAC TESLAA 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ld6gifpF85

— Crunch Time Sports (@officialctpod) April 26, 2025

Remember, Detroit traded up to get their guy.

11. Kyle Williams, New England Patriots

Don't look now, but the Patriots are low-key building something that resembles an actual NFL offense for their franchise quarterback, Drake Maye. During the early stages of free agency, the Patriots decided to give that "Money Bag" to Stefon Diggs, then added high-end playmakers in TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams in the draft.

Williams, if you recall, was one of the few wide receivers over the last couple of seasons who managed to get the better of Travis Hunter. Williams's versatility in playing both inside and outside will ensure that he is on the field on both two- and three-receiver sets. Williams is considered one of the elite separators from this class and provides Maye with a legitimate weapon for years to come.

10. Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans

From Medicine Hat to Nashville, Elic Ayomanor's journey to the NFL is a road not often travelled. Ayomanor is raw, but he has all the tools necessary to become a real problem for defenses down the road. Like Williams, Ayomanor has the film showing that he can get the better of elite defenders, such as Hunter, who would finish with 294 receiving yards.

For fantasy purposes, Ayomanor is a stash. Calvin Ridley and newly signed Tyler Lockett are on the other side of 30, and Treylon Burks has never lived up to the lofty expectations of a first-round selection. In Ayomanor, Cam Ward has a target that can develop now and pay off dividends in the future.

9.  Jaylin Noel, Houston Texans

Jaylin Noel was the second Iowa State receiver to find himself going from Ames, Iowa, to Houston, Texas, as fellow Cyclone Jayden Higgins was selected one round earlier.

With uncertainty surrounding Tank Dell's future, Houston added insurance with Noel, a dual threat as both a slot receiver and a punt returner. Noel's fantasy impact will have to wait as the Texans are deep at receiver, with Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, Higgins, John Metchie III, and Dell also in the receiver room.

8. Jack Bech, Las Vegas Raiders

One of the worst offenses in 2024 got a facelift at the draft. The Raiders selected Ashton Jeanty in the first round and followed that selection by drafting Jack Bech in the second, joining Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers as Geno Smith's primary reads.

Some may be wary of drafting a TCU alum in fantasy after watching Quentin Johnston, Jalen Reagor, and Josh Doctson fall short in their NFL careers. Bech led an LSU team as a freshman in receptions before transferring to TCU, a team that also included Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. In 2024, Bech recorded 1,034 receiving yards on 62 receptions, with 17 being considered contested, second-most in the Big 12.

people forget that Jack Bech > Malik Nabers & Brian Thomas Jr in 2021 pic.twitter.com/L2pXxXm7kL

— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) March 21, 2025

7. Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans

If it were just Higgins who went to Houston and not Higgins and Noel, then both Iowa State receivers would likely be more highly regarded in fantasy. While they did land in a fantasy-friendly offense, the competition for targets will be an ongoing battle. It's good for C.J. Stroud and the Texans, but not so much for fantasy managers.

Higgins likely pencils in opposite Collins, with Kirk operating from the slot in three-receiver sets, presenting him with an opportunity that Noel won't have early on. Given his size and ability to fight through contact, Higgins will be weaponized down in the red zone. Higgins is also one of a handful of pass catchers who averaged more than 3.25 yards per route run versus man coverage last season.

6. Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears

With the addition of Luther Burden III, it appears the Keenan Allen era in Chicago is officially over. Burden will step into the starting slot role on Day 1 next to DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, presenting Caleb Williams with one of the best young wide receiver cores in the NFL. Put those three receivers out on the field along with Colston Loveland, and I'm not sure you have a defensive package that can stop that.

Here is the list of every SEC WR to post 1,200 or more rec. yards during their freshman or sophomore season:

Ja'Marr Chase - 1,780
Alshon Jeffery - 1,517
Mike Evans - 1,394
Jerry Jeudy - 1,315
A.J. Brown - 1,252
Luther Burden - 1,212

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 11, 2025

Burden is an instinctive runner who will be a real yards-after-the-catch maverick on Sundays. New Head Coach Ben Johnson will manufacture touches for Burden and have him line up all over the formation, taking advantage of his unique skill set.

5. Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers

For the first time in 23 years, the Green Bay Packers drafted a wide receiver with their first-round selection. Matthew Golden earned that distinction in front of the Packer faithful, as they hope that his electric playmaking matches their response to his selection. Golden's 4.29 40-time is one reason to get excited, but he plays at that speed, too, finishing the 2024 season with 23 receptions greater than 20 yards.

With Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks failing to separate themselves from the pack, Golden can immediately come in and become the lead dog that Jordan Love needs. 

4. Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Emeka Egbuka would be higher if not for the elite talent the Buccaneers currently have at the receiver position in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Egbuka is a big slot receiver, so it'll be telling for his fantasy prospects when we find out where Godwin aligns. Godwin, like Egbuka, was more productive out of the slot than he was on the outside.

The selection of Egbuka is for the future. Godwin is 29 and coming off an ankle dislocation that cost him much of his 2024 season. Evans is also entering the twilight of his career as he will be 32 when the 2025 season starts, and at some point, the age cliff will hit; Father Time is undefeated and does not care if you have 11 consecutive 1000-yard seasons under your belt.

3. Tre Harris, Los Angeles Chargers

Tre Harris shot up the rankings thanks to his selection to the Los Angeles Chargers, where he comes in as the unquestioned second option in the Chargers' passing attack behind Ladd McConkey. Look, Mike Williams hasn't been productive since 2021. Johnston has been a borderline bust who can produce touchdowns when he's not dropping the ball.

Harris is an excellent route runner who tracks the ball exceptionally well. Against man coverage, Harris averaged 11.06 yards per route run and produced 1,030 receiving yards on 60 receptions in just eight contests.

Before getting hurt last season, Harris was averaging 128.8 yards per game, the most in the country. His 10.4 targets per game, 8.4 receptions per contest, and 5.12 yards per route run were all among the top six in the Nation.

2. Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars

If Travis Hunter were 100 percent committed to wide receiver and wide receiver alone, he would be No. 1 on this list. Playing opposite Thomas will create opportunities for the 2024 Biletnikoff winner, the award recognizing the most outstanding receiver in college.

Just look at Hunter's Reception Perception success by route; it's all green, and green means go. As a receiver prospect, he's right there with Odell Beckham Jr.

OHHH YES!https://t.co/0IzysNnnZ4 https://t.co/qnJoXkme4N pic.twitter.com/YBCEm5LVam

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) March 31, 2025

1. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young needed help, and the Panthers grabbed the best player to ensure Young's future success with the eighth overall pick in Tetairoa McMillan.

McMillan joins a receiver room featuring the ghost of Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker, and Xavier Legette. McMillan's big-play ability after the catch and his ability to turn 50/50 balls into 70/30 balls will help instill confidence in Young's game as he looks to take the next step in his development. Look for Young to look in McMillan's direction early and often in his rookie season.

Just Missing: Jalen Royals (Kansas City), Dont'e Thornton Jr. (Las Vegas), Tory Horton (Seattle), Pat Bryant (Denver), Savion Williams (Green Bay)

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