Fantasy Football Breakouts: Wide Receiver Sleepers and Draft Targets For 2025

Mike's breakout wide receiver and draft sleepers for 2025 fantasy football leagues. His top value picks at the WR position for 2025 fantasy football drafts.

The 2025 NFL regular season is still several months away. Much will change between today and the start of fantasy football redraft leagues in August.

However, it’s never too early to prepare for the upcoming fantasy football season. Therefore, let’s look at nine of my favorite wide receiver sleeper candidates for 2025.

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

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Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers – ADP 72.2 | WR40

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 while recovering from a gunshot wound during an attempted robbery during the preseason. Yet, the former Florida star shined 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

Christian Kirk, Houston Texans – ADP 103.8 | WR53

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 and 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. Meanwhile, Tank Dell will likely miss the 2025 season with a significant knee injury.

Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos – ADP 112.1 | WR57

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 half-point PPR 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

Jayden Higgins, Iowa State – ADP 144.7 | WR65

Higgins is one of my favorite wide receiver prospects in the NFL Draft. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the Iowa State star is one of my top sleeper wide receiver candidates for next season. Last year, he had a breakout season, totaling 87 receptions for 1,183 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, leading the team in receptions and scores.

Some NFL Draft experts have compared Higgins to Nico Collins coming out of Michigan a few years ago. I agree with the comparison, believing the Iowa State receiver can be a star early in his career in the right situation. Despite his impressive collegiate numbers, Higgins could be an even better pro, especially in a fantasy-friendly offense.

Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers – ADP 153.4 | WR66

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.

BRYCE YOUNG TO JALEN COKER. 83-YARD TD.

📺: #DALvsCAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/9DdQnhGIEP

— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024

Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns – ADP 156.5 | WR67

Many considered Tillman a fantasy afterthought heading into last season. He averaged 2.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game as a rookie, totaling 224 receiving yards and zero touchdowns in 14 contests. However, the former Tennessee star shined after the Browns sent Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills before the trade deadline.

Tillman was the WR1 over the first three weeks without Cooper, averaging seven receptions on 10.7 targets for 85 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 18.7 fantasy points per game. While he missed the final six weeks with a concussion, Tillman is an appealing sleeper, depending on who is under center for Cleveland.

Joshua Palmer, Buffalo Bills – ADP 181.1 | WR75

Buffalo lacks a clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver on the roster. Instead, it has several similarly talented pass-catchers. While Palmer hasn’t been a consistent difference-maker in his career, fantasy players should put him on their sleepers list for 2025 despite averaging only 5.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game last season.

Last year, Mack Hollins had some solid fantasy performances with the Bills, totaling 10.6 or more fantasy points in three games with at least four targets over the final eight regular-season contests with Josh Allen under center. Palmer likely fills Hollins' role in the passing game after the veteran signed with the New England Patriots in free agency.

Patriots have agreed to terms with WR Mack Hollins on a two-year, $8.4 million deal that maxes out at $10.4 million. (via @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/NmK4A3T5Bu

— NFL (@NFL) March 10, 2025

Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers – ADP 208.4 | WR85

Fantasy players should forget about Williams' 2024 season after the veteran wide receiver split time between the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately, he never got on the same page with Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, averaging only a career-low 2.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.

Furthermore, Williams was coming off a torn ACL he suffered during the 2023 season. Yet, fantasy players should consider using a late-round pick on the veteran. He rejoined the Chargers in free agency after the team lost Joshua Palmer. The last time Williams caught passes from Justin Herbert, he averaged 13.6 fantasy points per contest.

Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars – ADP 238.3 | WR106

The Jaguars moved on from multiple veteran pass-catchers this offseason, trading away Christian Kirk and releasing Evan Engram. Yet, the team didn’t make any massive additions to the receiving corps, only signing Dyami Brown and a pair of blocking tight ends in free agency. Therefore, Washington could have a significant role in 2025.

Last year, the former Penn State star stepped up after Christian Kirk suffered a broken collarbone. Washington was the WR34 from Week 13 through Week 18, averaging 9.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he found the end zone in back-to-back games to end the season. Don’t be surprised if Washington shines in the Chris Godwin role of Liam Coen’s offense.

Get Mossed!@CPW11_ | #TENvsJAX on CBS pic.twitter.com/Nqap11v3Zc

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 29, 2024

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