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Mike Fanelli's wide receiver rankings analysis for 2025 fantasy football. His expert breakdown for the wide receiver position highlighting potential NFL sleepers and busts.
While the NFL world is focused on the upcoming draft class, the fantasy football community is already planning for next season. Many things will change between today and the start of the regular season in September. Yet, it’s never too early to prepare for the upcoming fantasy season.
Therefore, let’s take an early look at the wide receiver position for 2025 fantasy football drafts. Below are three early round studs, three mid-round values, and three late-round sleepers I will target in my fantasy drafts later this year.
The ADP used for this article is courtesy of Underdog Fantasy.
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Fantasy Football Early Round Stud Wide Receivers
Malik Nabers, New York Giants – ADP 9.1 | WR6
Despite catching passes from Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito, and Tim Boyle, Nabers had an outstanding rookie year. He finished the season as the WR7, averaging 14.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite missing two contests with a concussion. The former LSU star finished second in the NFL with 170 targets.
Furthermore, despite playing two fewer games, Nabers had only five fewer targets than the league leader, Ja'Marr Chase. Meanwhile, the Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency. While the veteran quarterbacks are far from ideal starting options, they are significant upgrades over last year’s unit. Nabers has overall WR1 upside next season.
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons – ADP 15.8 | WR9
Fantasy players finally saw London play at a high level after the Falcons fixed their quarterback situation last offseason. While Kirk Cousins got benched and was far from the best quarterback in the league, the veteran helped make London an elite fantasy wide receiver. The former USC star ended last year as the WR5, averaging 13.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.
More importantly, London was outstanding with Michael Penix Jr. under center. He was the WR1 over the three weeks the rookie quarterback started, averaging 7.3 receptions on 13 targets for 117.3 receiving yards and 19.4 fantasy points per game, totaling two touchdowns. Furthermore, London saw a 39 percent target share with Penix starting.
Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs – ADP 37.3 | WR20
Anyone who drafted Worthy last year knew he would be a second-half player. The former Texas star scored two touchdowns and 19.8 half-point PPR fantasy points on three touches in his NFL debut. However, he scored four or fewer fantasy points in three of the following five games. Yet, Worthy was one of the top fantasy wide receivers to end last season.
He was the WR33 in 2024, averaging 9.3 fantasy points per game and totaling six receiving touchdowns and three rushing scores. More importantly, Worthy was the WR10 during the fantasy playoffs, averaging 17.5 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he dropped 157 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 31.7 fantasy points in the Super Bowl against an elite defense.
MAHOMES TO WORTHY FOR A 54-YARD TD.
📺: #KCvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/ZAYGWXNr1V— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
Fantasy Football Mid-Round Value Wide Receivers
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – ADP 58.6 | WR33
Godwin missed the final nine games last year with a dislocated ankle. However, the former Penn State star was one of the top wide receivers in fantasy football before getting hurt. He was the WR2 over the first seven weeks, averaging 16.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, only 0.8 fewer than Ja'Marr Chase.
The veteran wide receiver’s 17-game pace was 121 receptions for 1,399 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Godwin would have ranked in the top three in every category with those 17-game-pace numbers. Thankfully, he re-signed with the Buccaneers this offseason, keeping him with his favorite quarterback. Last year, Godwin was Baker Mayfield’s first read on 31.7 percent of his pass attempts (per Fantasy Points Data).
Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers – ADP 72.6 | 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
Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos – ADP 111.9 | WR56
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.
Fantasy Football Late-Round Sleeper Wide Receivers
Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers – ADP 150.8 | WR65
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
Jayden Higgins, Iowa State – ADP 152.1 | WR66
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.
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.
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