Five Wide Receivers To Buy In Dynasty Fantasy Football Leagues

Which wide receivers should fantasy players buy in dynasty fantasy football leagues? Mike Fanelli looks at five pass-catchers who you should be buying in the 2025 offseason in dynasty.

While the 2025 fantasy football season is still months away from redraft players, dynasty players work year-round to build a winning roster.

Many dynasty players fall off the radar after the regular season until the rookie draft. However, now is the perfect time to make league-winning trades.

Everyone loves buy-low trade targets. Yet, sometimes, fantasy players should pay up for a league-winning move. Let’s look at five wide receivers that dynasty fantasy players should buy this offseason.

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Brian Thomas Jr. – Jacksonville Jaguars

Unfortunately, the Jaguars fell well short of expectations this season, especially on offense. However, the future is bright because of Thomas. While everyone had high hopes for Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, the other LSU star rookie was the one who shined the most.

Thomas ended the year as the WR4, averaging 14.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He had 87 receptions on 133 targets for 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns despite playing nearly half the season with Mac Jones under center. Yet, the rookie led the team in every receiving category.

BRIAN THOMAS, JR. 85-YARD TD

📺: #INDvsJAX on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/bfK2p2TlaB

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

Furthermore, Thomas was one of the most efficient pass-catchers in the league. He ranked 16th in targets but finished third in receiving yards and sixth in touchdowns. While much of his success happened with Christian Kirk or Evan Engram out of the lineup, both veterans could be playing elsewhere next season.

Jacksonville’s offense could look significantly different in 2025, even if the veteran pass catchers return. The Jaguars hired Liam Coen as their next head coach. He led a fantasy-friendly passing offense in Tampa Bay last year, where Mike Evans (14.5) and Chris Godwin (16.1) finished as top 10 wide receivers on a points-per-game basis.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Seattle Seahawks

Smith-Njigba had a disappointing rookie season under former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Thankfully, his sophomore year was a breakout one. The former Ohio State star finished the season as the WR10, averaging 11.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. By comparison, DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game in 2024.

The second-year pro’s average depth of target (aDOT) improved by 30% from his rookie season to last year. More importantly, Smith-Njigba’s target volume significantly changed. After averaging 5.5 targets per game as a rookie, the former Ohio State star averaged 8.1 per contest this season. Furthermore, he had six receiving touchdowns, a team-high.

.@Seahawks are fighting! TOUCHDOWN JSN

📺: #NYGvsSEA on CBS/Paramount+
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— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

Reportedly, Seattle could explore trading Metcalf in the offseason with Smith-Njigba’s breakout. The second-year pro had 13 receptions on 20 targets for 249 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 43.4 fantasy points in the two games without Metcalf this year. Furthermore, he averaged 18.4 fantasy points per game in the six contests with double-digit targets.

More importantly, the Seahawks made a change at offensive coordinator for the second consecutive offseason. Seattle fired Ryan Grubb after one year with the team, replacing him with former New Orleans Saints Klint Kubiak. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed had career years under Kubiak before suffering season-ending injuries.

Rashee Rice – Kansas City Chiefs

While the Chiefs try to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls, they won’t have Rice. The second-year star suffered a torn LCL and hamstring tendon in the Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He got hurt when Patrick Mahomes went to make a tackle after throwing an interception.

Unfortunate end of the play with Mahomes diving into Rashee Rice’s knee

Mechanism is a hyperextension which could cause

Best case scenario: Bone bruise/capsule injury

Worst case scenario: ACL tear pic.twitter.com/0feHBp38rp

— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) September 29, 2024

Unfortunately, Rice’s knee injury ended his season. The former SMU star was having an outstanding year before getting hurt. He was the WR4 over the first three weeks, averaging 9.7 targets and 17.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Rice had at least six targets and 13.8 fantasy points in every contest.

Thankfully, the star wide receiver should be 100% healthy for the start of the 2025 season. While Xavier Worthy had an excellent finish to his rookie year, expect Rice to remain the team’s No. 1 wide receiver. Furthermore, Kansas City has several aging pass catchers set to hit the open market over the next two years.

Marquise Brown and DeAndre Hopkins are free agents in March. Meanwhile, Travis Kelce has one year left on his contract after this season. Furthermore, he could retire if the Chiefs win their third consecutive Super Bowl. Rice is one of my favorite trade targets this offseason.

Ricky Pearsall – San Francisco 49ers

The upcoming offseason is massive for San Francisco. It’s also the perfect time to trade for Aiyuk. Many believe the 49ers’ championship window is closing or has closed with an aging roster. While the offense should have everyone back next season, that won’t be the case in 2026.

San Francisco has several pass catchers scheduled to hit the open market next offseason. Deebo Samuel Sr., Jauan Jennings, and George Kittle are heading into the final year of their deals in 2025. While Brandon Aiyuk signed a massive extension before the start of the season, he struggled before suffering a torn ACL in Week 7.

Therefore, Pearsall is an excellent trade target, especially for fantasy players who can wait a year until he is prime to break out in 2026. Unfortunately, the rookie missed the first six weeks after suffering a gunshot wound right before the start of the season. However, he finished his rookie year on fire.

Pearsall had three games with more than five targets as a rookie, averaging 18.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per contest, scoring 15.3 or more in every outing. Furthermore, two of those games came at the end of the season, totaling 14 receptions on 18 targets for 210 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 40.6 fantasy points, ranking as the WR5 over those two weeks.

After review, this play is confirmed a TD! Purdy ➡️ Pearsall for the score.

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— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2024

Romeo Doubs – Green Bay Packers

Green Bay’s passing offense looked like an elite unit at times in 2023 and early in 2024. Unfortunately, the offense became run-heavy, with Jordan Love dealing with multiple injuries last year. However, fantasy players should have high hopes for Doubs moving forward.

While Jayden Reed has the most fantasy value of any Packers’ wide receiver, Doubs is the best trade target this offseason. The former Nevada star is heading into the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, looking for a new deal from Green Bay or another team.

More importantly, Doubs has been Love’s most trusted pass catcher. He was the Packers’ only wide receiver to have more than one game with over seven targets last season. Doubs finished with three games totaling eight or more targets. By comparison, Reed (one), Dontayvion Wicks (one), and Christian Watson (zero) combined for two such performances.

Furthermore, Doubs is arguably Love’s best target in the red zone. The veteran has 12 receiving touchdowns over the past two years. More importantly, he should see more work in 2025, with Christian Watson likely to miss most of the season after tearing his ACL in the Week 18 loss to the Chicago Bears.

Jordan Love lofts it up and Romeo Doubs adjusts for another touchdown!

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— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024

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