12 Must-Have Fantasy Football Wide Receivers to Target and Draft (2025)

May 22, 2025

Mike Fanelli's 12 must-have fantasy football wide receivers to target and draft for 2025. His early-round, mid-round, and late-round wide receiver draft targets for redraft leagues.

Unfortunately, the 2025 NFL season is still a few months away. However, fantasy football is a year-round game, where players can’t take a day off. That mindset is necessary for dynasty fantasy players. Yet, redraft players also should focus on fantasy football all 12 months of the year.

My favorite offseason activity is to look at the early average draft position and target certain players I want on my redraft teams. Therefore, let’s dive into some of my must-have wide receivers whom I will draft multiple shares of this upcoming season.

The ADP used for this article is courtesy of Underdog Fantasy.

Early Round Targets

Malik Nabers, New York Giants – ADP 9.1 | WR5

Nabers was a fantasy superstar as a rookie despite playing with the worst quarterback unit in the NFL and missing two games with a concussion. The former LSU star was the WR7, averaging 14.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, a higher average than CeeDee Lamb (14.2) and A.J. Brown (14.1).

Despite New York’s awful offense, Nabers had seven receiving touchdowns, accounting for nearly half of the team’s total. Thankfully, the Giants significantly improved their quarterback situation this offseason, adding Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Jaxson Dart. Meanwhile, they didn’t add any meaningful target competition for the superstar wide receiver.

Malik Nabers has a touchdown!

📺: #NYGvsCLE on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/4XDd73juH1

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers – ADP 18.4 | WR11

There are several second-year wide receivers I want on my fantasy team in 2025. However, McConkey is near the top of the list, ranking as my third second-year wide receiver in redraft formats behind Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. The former Georgia star was the WR12 as a rookie despite the slow start, averaging 12.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.

McConkey was Justin Herbert’s best weapon in the passing game. He led the Chargers in receptions (82), targets (112), and receiving yards (1,149) while finishing second in touchdowns (seven) behind Quentin Johnston (eight). While Los Angeles added Tre Harris during the NFL Draft, McConkey should still get drafted as a top-12 wide receiver in redraft leagues.

Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams – ADP 31.8 | WR19

Last year, Adams split time between two lackluster offenses, playing for the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets. Yet, the future Hall of Famer finished the season as the WR14, averaging 14.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, a higher average than Brian Thomas Jr. (14.1) and Drake London (13.6).

Furthermore, Adams was the WR10 on a points-per-game basis despite Garrett Wilson ranking fourth in the NFL with 154 targets. Therefore, fantasy players shouldn’t worry about the veteran with Puka Nacua as the Rams’ No. 1 wide receiver. More importantly, Matthew Stafford has produced multiple WR1s in Sean McVay’s offense in the past.

Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs – ADP 38.6 | WR21

While he should be healthy and ready to play come Week 1, Rashee Rice is likely facing a suspension for an off-the-field incident from last offseason. Therefore, Worthy should start the year as the Chiefs’ clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver. He ended his rookie season as the WR33, averaging 9.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.

More importantly, Worthy ended last year on fire, ranking as the WR10 during the fantasy playoffs, averaging 10.3 targets and 17.5 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, the former Texas star was outstanding in the Super Bowl, totaling eight receptions for 157 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 31.7 fantasy points.

Middle Round Values

Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans – ADP 54.9 | WR30

Few had high hopes for Ridley in his first year with the Titans. While Tennessee’s passing attack was a nightmare, the veteran wide receiver had a productive 2024 season. He was the WR27, averaging 9.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite totaling only four receiving touchdowns.

Yet, Ridley should be significantly better this year. The Titans upgraded at quarterback, selecting Cam Ward with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Furthermore, the team waited until the fourth round to select a wide receiver, meaning no one on the roster should keep Ridley from seeing at least 140 targets this upcoming season.

Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings – ADP 59.7 | WR33

Addison is one of the more underrated young wide receivers in the NFL. After a successful rookie year, the former USC star was outstanding last season with Sam Darnold under center. He finished the year as the WR20, averaging 12.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, positing a higher average than Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11.9).

Furthermore, Addison is one of the top touchdown scorers in the league. He had 10 touchdowns on 108 targets in 17 games as a rookie. Last season, the star receiver had nine receiving touchdowns on 99 targets in 15 games. After ranking top 10 in receiving touchdowns in back-to-back years, I’m all in on Addison in 2025.

Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers – ADP 75.8 | WR42

It has been an interesting offseason in San Francisco. The 49ers traded away Deebo Samuel Sr. and have had trade talks surrounding Brandon Aiyuk. While Jauan Jennings was the team’s most consistent wide receiver in 2024, Pearsall is the one fantasy players should target next season, despite a rocky rookie year.

Unfortunately, Pearsall missed the first six weeks recovering from a gunshot during an attempted robbery during the preseason. Yet, the former Florida star shone when getting the ball. He averaged 18.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in the three contests with six or more targets, scoring three receiving touchdowns.

Ricky Pearsall goes 46 yards for his first career TD!

📺: #SFvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/R7zjs0naAm

— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots – ADP 77.3 | WR43

Diggs suffered a torn ACL in the Week 8 win over the Indianapolis Colts, ending his season. However, the veteran was playing well before getting hurt, ranking as the WR9 over the first seven weeks, averaging 7.9 targets and 12.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite splitting targets with Nico Collins and Tank Dell.

Reportedly, Diggs should be ready for Week 1 of the upcoming season. The veteran takes over as the Patriots' No. 1 wide receiver with limited and inexperienced options behind him on the depth chart. While the injury is a concern, Diggs should see the target volume needed to finish as a high-end WR3 in 2025.

Late Round Sleepers

Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos – ADP 118.3 | WR58

Denver’s offense became fantasy-friendly late last season. Courtland Sutton was the only non-quarterback fantasy players could trust for most of the year. However, Mims started to shine over the final two months. He scored 12.3 or more half-point PPR fantasy points in four of the final seven regular-season games, including at least 18.4 in three outings.

Many believed the Broncos would have made a splashy addition at the wide receiver position this offseason. However, that didn’t happen because of how Mims ended last year. He averaged 6.5 receptions for 77 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 22.9 fantasy points per game over the final two weeks, making several big-time plays for Bo Nix and the offense.

BO NIX ABSOLUTE CINEMA.

📺: #DENvsCIN on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/LpdaNr6sVi

— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024

Christian Kirk, Houston Texans – ADP 126.5 | WR61

Kirk got traded to the Texans earlier this offseason after spending the past three years with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The veteran wide receiver had a disappointing 2024 season, ending the year as the WR95, averaging 7.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, he missed the final nine games with a broken collarbone.

Yet, Kirk was a solid fantasy wide receiver before last season. He averaged 11.1 fantasy points per game over his first two years with the Jaguars, finishing as the WR11 in 2022. More importantly, the veteran should be Houston’s clear-cut No. 2 wide receiver after Stefon Diggs left in free agency despite the rookie additions. Meanwhile, Tank Dell will likely miss the 2025 season with a significant knee injury.

Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers – ADP 193.8 | WR79

While he isn’t a household name, Coker is one of my favorite wide receiver targets this upcoming year. The Panthers didn’t add a big-name wide receiver this offseason despite needing a go-to pass-catcher. However, the former undrafted free-agent rookie could quickly become Bryce Young’s best weapon in the passing game.

The former Holy Cross star finished last year playing well, ranking as the WR47 over the final four weeks, averaging five targets and 8.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite having only one receiving touchdown. Furthermore, Coker averaged 15.1 fantasy points per game in the three contests with at least six targets last season. He could have a sophomore-year breakout in 2025.

Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers – ADP 212.3 | WR91

Unfortunately, Wilson’s rookie season was ruined by injuries. The former Michigan star played in only one game, totaling only five offensive snaps in the Week 6 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Yet, he was a talented prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft after totaling 12 receiving touchdowns in his final season at Michigan.

More importantly, Wilson could be the Steelers’ No. 2 wide receiver this year after the team traded away George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Pittsburgh didn’t use any of its seven picks in the NFL Draft on a pass-catcher. Therefore, don’t be surprised if Wilson has a breakout sophomore year with defenses focused on stopping DK Metcalf.

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