Week 1 Wide Receiver Rankings for Fantasy Football: WR Updates Include Travis Hunter, Jameson Williams, Emeka Egbuka, Calvin Ridley, DK Metcalf

September 6, 2025

RotoBaller's updated Week 1 wide receiver (WR) rankings for fantasy football in 2025. Read the weekend updates for our fantasy football WR rankings and win more.

After a strong start to the NFL season on Thursday and Friday, it's finally time to see the rest of the teams begin their seasons. To help you make the right call at the WR spot, check out our updated Week 1 fantasy football wide receiver rankings for 2025. Where do key pass-catchers on the start 'em, sit 'em bubble like Travis Hunter, Jameson Williams, Emeka Egbuka, Calvin Ridley, and DK Metcalf stand for Week 1? Find out below!

Our wide receiver fantasy football rankings for Week 1 are put together by Nick Mariano. In addition to his rankings, below you will also find a summary of the important fantasy football injury news for this week. There are always key injuries to keep track of, so be sure to check back until kickoff.

Be sure to bookmark our fantasy football rankings portal and check back regularly for updates. Most importantly, our free mobile app is a must-have - download it and configure your push notifications. We deliver all the top NFL news, injuries, and fantasy analysis 24x7 with our free push notification alerts... all for free!

Week 1 Wide Receiver Fantasy Football News and Injuries

• Chiefs Downgrade Xavier Worthy to Out
• Jayden Reed Questionable to Play in Week 1
• Christian Kirk Ruled Out for Week 1
• Tyreek Hill Cleared for Week 1
• Jordan Watkins is Doubtful for Week 1
• Jaylin Noel Could Steup in Debut
• Jayden Higgins Could be Very Involved in Week 1
• Emeka Egbuka Offers WR3 Value in Week 1
• Isaac TeSlaa Cleared for NFL Debut
• Jauan Jennings Good to Go For Week 1
• Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman Both Cleared for Week 1

Week 1 Wide Receiver Rankings for Fantasy Football

Be sure to bookmark our weekly PPR rankings, Half-PPR rankings, Standard rankings.

Week 1 Wide Receiver Outlooks for Fantasy Football

Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams finished the 2024 regular season on a tear, recording 34 catches for 463 yards and three touchdowns over his final seven games. Reporting out of Lions' training camp this summer has indicated that the team is looking to involve Williams in the offense even more in 2025, and that new play-caller John Morton wants to push the ball downfield at a higher rate.

That may be difficult to do in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, who feature one of the league's most fearsome pass rushes on paper. Williams did not play in Week 9 against the Packers last season, but he led all Lions in targets (eight) in the Week 14 matchup between the two teams and hauled in five catches for 80 yards. He profiles as a boom/bust WR3/flex option for fantasy managers in Week 1, but his target volume on Sunday could be informative of how the team plans to incorporate him going forward.

Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is set to make his NFL debut against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The Bucs selected Egbuka with their first-round pick during this year's draft. At first glance, Egbuka was brought in as depth, but has quickly moved up the depth chart due to injuries. Both Chris Godwin (ankle) and Jalen McMillan (neck) are sidelined to begin the season.

That being said, Egbuka will line up as the No. 2 wideout alongside Mike Evans in Week 1. The expectation is that the rookie wideout is going to make an immediate impact in Tampa Bay. The Falcons struggled to contain the passing game last season. It's tough to know how a rookie will perform in his first game, but given the circumstances, Egbuka figures to be able to offer WR3 value.

DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf will get his first game action with the team in a Week 1 road matchup against the New York Jets. Metcalf is coming off his least productive campaign since his rookie season, though he still averaged an impressive 15 yards per catch in 2024. Now with a new contract and a new quarterback, Metcalf will hope to re-establish himself as a true WR1.

This won't be an easy task, however, against a New York defense that ranked top-10 last season in receptions, yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points allowed to receivers. Still, Metcalf's potential target volume is tough to overlook given Pittsburgh's lack of depth at the position. While an explosive outing is relatively unlikely, Metcalf is a viable WR2 or flex play in most fantasy leagues this week.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has established himself as one of the most consistent wideouts in the NFL, topping 115 catches and 1,200 receiving yards while scoring double-digit touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. However, St. Brown has historically been held relatively in check by his 2025 Week 1 opponent, the Green Bay Packers. In eight career games against Green Bay, St. Brown has totaled 47 catches for 481 yards and three touchdowns. He failed to reach 60 yards receiving in either of his two matchups against the Packers last season.

One potential variable for 2025 is Green Bay's addition of star edge rusher Micah Parsons (back), who is officially questionable for Week 1 with a back injury but is expected to play. St. Brown is a master of intermediate and short-area route running, so he could be targeted frequently in the quick passing game if Parsons is putting pressure on Lions quarterback Jared Goff. St. Brown profiles as a low-end fantasy WR1 in Week 1 despite the potentially sub-optimal matchup.

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