Fantasy Football Rookie Wide Receiver Rankings (August Updates): Emeka Egbuka, Luther Burden, Matthew Golden, Dont'e Thornton, Kyle Williams

August 26, 2025

RotoBaller's updated 2025 fantasy football rookie wide receiver rankings. See the top rookie WRs and draft targets, including Emeka Egbuka, Dont'e Thornton Jr., and more.

It's go time for fantasy football, and redraft, dynasty, and rookie drafts are all in full swing. To find the top sleepers and must-have first-year players, check out our updated 2025 fantasy football rookie wide receiver rankings. Below, you will find out where key first-year pass-catchers such as Emeka Egbuka, Luther Burden III, Matthew Golden, Dont'e Thornton Jr., and Kyle Williams stand among all other rookie wideouts.

These rookie rankings will be continually updated all offseason long as depth chart developments, injuries, and more take place, so be sure to check back regularly for updates. In addition to this article, you should also be sure to check out our other dynasty rookie rankings and analysis articles, including in-depth coverage of various NFL rookie profiles. Identifying sleepers and busts among first-year players is key for dynasty and redraft leagues, so we have you covered.

Four of our lead fantasy football analysts -- Phil Clark, Jackson Sparks, Andrew Lalama, and Matt Donnelly -- have put together these fantasy football rookie rankings. In addition to these rookie rankings, in our 2025 fantasy football rankings dashboard, you will also find our team's Dynasty fantasy football rankings. Bookmark that page, and use it to prepare for all of your 2025 fantasy football dynasty league drafts.

Fantasy Football Rookie Wide Receiver Rankings (August Updates)

Rookie rankings are from after the 2025 NFL Draft with August Updates. Bookmark our PPR rankings, Half-PPR rankings, and standard (non-PPR) rankings.

Recent Fantasy Football News for Rookie WRs

Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring) was held out of practice on Monday and Tuesday of this week as a precaution due to a minor hamstring injury, and he also did not suit up for the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. Imaging on McMillan's hamstring came back clean, and head coach Dave Canales wasn't concerned when asked when the rookie wideout might return.

With another full week before the start of the regular season, the 22-year-old should be ready to roll for his NFL debut in Week 1 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 7. Canales chalked up McMillan's hamstring soreness to his high activity during training camp this summer. If fully healthy, McMillan could operate as quarterback Bryce Young's favorite target this year, putting him in play as a WR2 in fantasy drafts.

Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie first-round wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is primed to open his rookie campaign as the team's WR2 behind veteran Mike Evans, with Jalen McMillan (neck) to open the year on Injured Reserve with a "severely sprained neck." McMillan could be out beyond the team's Week 9 bye. Additionally, Chris Godwin (ankle) could open the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which would require him to miss at least the first four games.

Not only will the 22-year-old rookie out of Ohio State have a prime role in a pass-happy offense to begin the year, but all reports out of training camp on Egbuka have been glowing. The 19th overall pick in April's NFL draft could be targeted heavily with Evans drawing plenty of attention across the field. Right now, RotoBaller has Egbuka ranked as the WR32 in fantasy, and his stock is only rising.

Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III ran the ball one time for nine yards in the Bears' 29-27 win against the Kansas City Chiefs. The rookie receiver went without a target for the first time this preseason, and also had an unsportsmanlike penalty called on himself.

Burden did not play any snaps with the first-team offense, with wide receivers D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and Olamide Zaccheaus currently handling the starting duties. The second-round pick will look to progress to a starting role as the season goes on, but Burden should be unstartable in fantasy leagues early in the season.

Dont'e Thornton Jr. Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. recorded two catches for 26 yards and a touchdown in his team's final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. The fourth-rounder out of Tennessee finishes the preseason with three catches on eight targets for 43 yards and a score.

Thornton Jr.'s touchdown grab against Arizona came from starting quarterback Geno Smith on the team's first offensive possession. Thornton Jr. is listed as a starter on the team's depth chart, and he has a chance to emerge as the team's WR2 behind veteran Jakobi Meyers. He could be a solid value as a late-round dart-throw for fantasy managers, particularly in deeper leagues.

Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden hauled in a 39-yard strike on two targets from starting quarterback Malik Willis in the Packers' 20-7 victory over the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field. Golden, the Packers' first-round pick this past April, had to adjust and come back to the ball a little bit, but made a nice adjustment downfield to secure the longest reception of the day for both teams.

The Packers' intent on selecting Golden in the first round signals a big role for the talented rookie out of Texas, and fantasy managers agree. Golden has been a mid-round upside staple in an offense that looks to generate more offense through the air this season than last season's iteration. Could Golden be the next fantasy find like last season's Ladd McConkey and Brian Thomas Jr.? Golden certainly has that level of upside as a WR3 in fantasy drafts.

Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans

Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins recorded two catches for 18 yards in his team's final preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday. Higgins finishes preseason play with five catches on seven targets for 40 yards. The 22-year-old is listed as a starter at wide receiver alongside veterans Nico Collins and Christian Kirk on Houston's unofficial depth chart. Higgins has excellent size and was a highly productive player in college, recording 87 catches and nine touchdowns in his final season at Iowa State. He should be prioritized as a late-round flier with upside in fantasy drafts.

Kyle Williams, New England Patriots

New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams (undisclosed) returned to practice on Sunday for the first time in a week, per Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. Williams was forced out of the team's second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings after being hit in the head, and as a result, did not participate in the preseason finale against the New York Giants on Thursday.

Williams' return to practice is an encouraging sign for his Week 1 availability. The 22-year-old is not expected to start the season as one of the Patriots' top three wide receivers, but he's a big-play threat who could eventually work his way into a larger role.

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