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Jaylen Waddle or Calvin Ridley -- Who should I draft for fantasy football in 2025? Brandon's fantasy football ADP duel and pick recommendations for which wide receiver to draft.
As we are firmly in the heart of fantasy football draft season, each pick and decision made can quickly alter the fate of your team for the 2025 season. Navigating Average Draft Position (ADP) is a skill that separates the savvy from the sidelined, especially when targeting wide receivers projected as WR2 or WR3 options for 2025. These players, typically drafted between the 40th and 70th overall picks, offer a tantalizing mix of reliability and upside, creating tight ADP battles that demand careful consideration as the season draws ever so closer. This article, ADP Duel, dives into the art of evaluating these mid-tier wideouts, such as Jaylen Waddle and Calvin Ridley, whose similar ADPs reflect their potential to anchor your lineup, providing a roadmap to outmaneuver the draft board and secure a competitive edge.
These wide receivers share a common thread of versatility and production, yet their nuances can tip the scales in a close ADP matchup. Waddle’s dynamic role is significantly impacted by the status of Tyreek Hill, and the on-field availability of Waddle himself contrasts with Ridley’s reliance on volume and touchdown potential. Each presents unique opportunities shaped by quarterback play and offensive schemes. The challenge lies in decoding their ADP to identify value -- whether it’s a player poised to outshine their WR2/WR3 label or one whose situation might cap their ceiling. This article will break down these dynamics with real-world examples, guiding you through the intricacies of draft-day decisions as the 2025 fantasy season begins to unfold.
My ADP Duel will arm you with the tools to conquer these WR2/WR3 dilemmas, turning uncertainty into calculated confidence. We’ll analyze specific player comparisons, leveraging ADP trends, statistical projections, and 2025 outlooks to highlight who might elevate your roster beyond their ranking. By the end, you’ll have a clear strategy for navigating those critical moments when two wide receivers are on the clock, ensuring you maximize value and build a lineup primed for success as the season launches. Get ready to sharpen your skills and transform ADP duels into draft-day victories!
Jaylen Waddle - WR, Miami Dolphins
ADP: WR31, 63rd Overall
Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins is a boom-or-bust WR3 option at his current ADP, sitting around the 55th to 65th overall pick (WR3 range) in 2025 fantasy football drafts, offering a blend of speed and consistency that’s like a high-speed train with a knack for surprises.
In 2024, despite a shoulder injury cutting his season to 15 games, he still managed 58 receptions for 744 yards but could only muster two touchdowns. This dragged his average down to a disappointing 10.0 PPR points per game (WR50 overall), a dip from his 2023 output of 1,014 yards and four TDs on 72 catches.
His standout moment came in Week 12 against the Patriots with 144 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his 4.43 40-yard dash speed that turns defensive backs into bewildered spectators.
With Tua Tagovailoa’s expected return to full health, a subpar offensive line, and what could be one of the NFL’s worst defenses, Waddle’s 18.4% target share could climb back to his 2022 peak (24.1%). This would make his mid-round ADP a clever steal if the Dolphins are constantly facing negative game scripts, forcing the team into more pass-heavy situations and increasing the opportunities for Waddle.
Injuries have played a major part in the perception of Waddle in the fantasy community over the last two seasons. You also have to add in the competition for targets with Tyreek Hill, as long as he keeps himself in good standing with the team, but dismissing Waddle is like overlooking a sprinter in a marathon -- pure oversight!
His 2023 consistency (11 games with 50+ yards) and playoff surge (17.2 PPR points per game over the final four weeks) prove he’s more than a speedster, especially with a 2025 schedule featuring soft matchups against the Falcons and Bengals. Compared to Calvin Ridley, who’s tied to a volatile Titans offense, Waddle’s 26-year-old legs and 72.1% snap rate could give him a higher floor on an offense that could be chasing points every week.
Drafting him here is like betting on a speed demon ready to outrun the doubters -- chuckle at the skeptics and watch Waddle race to your fantasy glory!
Calvin Ridley - WR, Tennessee Titans
ADP: WR32, 64th Overall
Calvin Ridley of the Tennessee Titans is an under-the-radar WR3 gem at his current ADP, sitting around the 60th to 70th overall pick (WR30-WR32 range) in 2025 fantasy football drafts, offering a blend of proven talent and upside that’s like a magician pulling a rabbit from an unexpected hat.
In 2024, he caught 64 of 120 targets for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns across 17 games, averaging 11.7 PPR points per game (WR36), a solid rebound after a gambling suspension derailed his 2022 campaign.
His highlight reel included a 25.4-point explosion against the Chargers in Week 10 with 84 yards and two touchdowns, proving his deep-threat ability, while leading the NFL with 1,849 air yards despite shaky quarterback play from Will Levis and Mason Rudolph.
With rookie Cameron Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in 2025, now under center and showing early chemistry, Ridley’s 2025 outlook brightens, making his mid-round ADP a clever bargain for those fantasy managers prioritizing other positions in the early rounds.![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 663 448"></svg>)
Some might twitch at his 30-year-old legs or the uncertainty of Ward’s rookie season, but skipping Ridley could prove to be that fatal mistake made during the draft that would have paid dividends for those constructing a roster looking for upside.
His 2024 durability (no missed games) and second straight 1,000-yard season (after 1,016 with Jacksonville in 2023) show he’s still got juice, especially with a projected 25-30% target share in an offense lacking depth beyond Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson.
Compared to Waddle, who battles Hill for targets and is seemingly always banged up, Ridley’s clear WR1 role provides fantasy managers with the comfort of consistent targets while also having the ability to pop big scoring weeks.
The Titans’ 2025 schedule is littered with matchups in which the team could be facing trailing game scripts, opening up the chances for garbage time point accumulation, and Ward’s college deep-ball prowess (45.6% completion rate on deep throws) could unlock more scores.
Drafting him here is like betting on a veteran ready to steal the spotlight -- chuckle at the doubters and watch Ridley soar to your fantasy triumph!
Fantasy Football Verdict - Waddle vs. Ridley
In one of the more intriguing ADP Duels I have done this season, this is a decision that could make or break the build of your WR group for the 2025 season.
In the drafts that I have participated in so far, I have seen both of these players being drafted as WR4s in heavy WR builds, but for the most part, you see both Waddle and Ridley landing in the WR3 range.
To the naked eye, some managers may see these two players presenting similar value, but once you find yourself diving into the advanced metrics and underlying circumstances surrounding their roles, there is one player who brings a higher ceiling and potential to push your team over the edge to become a contender.
Although both players find themselves on teams that could be forced into pass-heavy game scripts more often than not, the ruling for me comes down to quarterback play at the end of the day.
Even with the shaky health of Tua Tagovailoa coming into play, the rapport that Waddle has with him presents an upside that I do not believe can be matched by Ridley and the expected inconsistencies you’ll see with a rookie QB in the NFL.
Factoring in the wild situation surrounding Hill this offseason and my expectations of a progression of touchdown totals, Waddle takes the edge in this battle in the WR3 range.
Jaylen Waddle, you are the winner of this ADP Duel!
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