The math here is simple – one of the biggest factors to wide receiver production in the NFL is… quarterback play. I know, I know, you have come here for Dynasty Fantasy Football information and I am talking straight rocket science. Quarterback play is not the only factor or variable in wide receiver production, as we see players perform to elite levels despite mediocre quarterback play. Still, ceilings can be limited in these cases. Every year we have quarterbacks drafted to NFL teams, free agency acquisitions for the position, and players who leap forward as passers that correlate to risers for the wide receiver position.
Examples from 2024: Terry McLaurin and Courtland Sutton. The Commanders selected rookie Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick while the Broncos selected Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick, both of whom had stellar rookie years. The result –
- Terry McLaurin: 117 targets, 82 receptions, 1,096 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns, 15.8 Fantasy points per game (PPG), and a WR7 finish overall for Fantasy Football
- Courtland Sutton: 135 targets, 81 receptions, 1,081 receiving yards, eight touchdowns, 14.1 Fantasy PPG, and a WR15 finish overall for Fantasy Football
Looking at the above two examples draws the question, what wide receivers can gain a quarterback upgrade this off-season to follow a similar path towards a leap in Fantasy Football production? The below list of players who could follow suit are players who can be risers in Dynasty Fantasy Football Leagues. Identifying potential production changes before your competition is a major way to gain an edge in your Dynasty Fantasy Football Leagues.
Wide Receivers Due for QB Upgrades in 2025
Understanding the Quarterback Market
Before we dive into the wide receivers who could rise in 2025 with a quarterback upgrade, we need to understand who those available quarterbacks might be. We can categorize the potential quarterback upgrade candidates into two separate categories: the 2025 NFL Draft Class Rookies and NFL Free Agents.
The Top 2025 NFL Draft Class Prospects:
- Cam Ward (Miami)
- Shedeuer Sanders (Colorado)
- Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)
- Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
- Quinn Ewers (Texas)
- Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
The Top NFL Free Agents:
- Sam Darnold
- Justin Fields
- Russell Wilson
- Jameis Winston
- Mac Jones
Malik Nabers, Giants
Year one for Malik Nabers meant a stellar rookie season. His 170 targets were the second-highest for the position. His 109 catches ranked third. His 1,204 receiving yards ranked seventh. Nabers scored seven touchdowns, finished sixth in total Fantasy Points, and averaged 18.2 PPG. This production came with the combination of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito, and Tim Boyle at quarterback. The Giants currently have the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. A quarterback upgrade for Nabers in 2025 could result in a WR1 overall Fantasy finish.
On a side note related to Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson is a Fantasy Football sleeper moving forward as well. Even with Nabers present, Robinson earned 140 targets which was tied for 10th for the position. Wan’Dale finished as the WR36 in 2024, but similar to Nabers can take a leap forward in 2025 as the sidekick in New York.
Garrett Wilson, Jets
In 2024 we finally saw the breakout Fantasy season for Garrett Wilson, who was targeted 154 times, caught 101 passes for 1,104 yards, scored seven touchdowns, finished 10th in total Fantasy Points, and averaged 14.8 PPG. Wilson has produced over 1,000 yards for three straight seasons but has never had any signs of a Franchise Quarterback in New York. The Jets will be parting ways with Aaron Rodgers, who finished the year with 3,897 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns but has still been a lesser version of his former self. A quarterback upgrade for Wilson in 2025 could mean a top-five finish for the position in Fantasy Football.
Jerry Jeudy, Browns
2024 was the best season to date for the former first-round selection from 2020, Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy had never produced 1,000 yards in the NFL but finished 2024 with 1,229 which ranked sixth for the position. Jeudy’s 145 targets ranked seventh in 2024 and he finished tied as the WR12 in total Fantasy Points with an average of 14.2 PPG. Jeudy’s best games in 2024 came with Jameis Winston under center, but he played in just 12 games with Deshaun Watson playing in seven, Dorian Thompson-Robinson playing in seven as well, and Bailey Zappe making an appearance. Jeudy averaged 13.6 Fantasy PPG back in 2022 with the Broncos as well, which ranked 19th. The Browns have the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and can hopefully bring some stability this off-season for Jeudy which could mean another top 12-15 Fantasy finish in 2025.
George Pickens, Steelers
In 2023, George Pickens was targeted 106 times, caught 63 balls for 1,140 yards, scored five touchdowns, and averaged 12.3 Fantasy PPG. 2023 was 12 games of Kenny Pickett, five of Mitchell Trubsiky, and four of Mason Rudolph playing quarterback. Pickens played in 14 games in 2024 which resulted in 103 targets, 59 catches, 900 receiving yards, three touchdowns, and 11.7 Fantasy PPG. 2024 was a split between Justin Fields and then Russell Wilson, who are both free agents in 2025. The hope here is that stability will finally be brought to the quarterback position for Pickens, which can result in him having a breakout Fantasy Football year.
Calvin Ridley, Titans
Since returning to football in 2023, Ridley has produced over 1,000 receiving yards in both Jacksonville and then Tennessee. Ridley finished 2024 as the WR28 for Fantasy Football, averaging 11.7 Fantasy PPG. Ridley caught 64 of his 120 targets for 1,017 receiving yards and scored four touchdowns. Will Levis played 12 games for the Titans and Mason Rudolph in eight. The Titans have the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which gives them plenty of power to shape their team for next season. Ridley is the clear WR1 on a team that can have the next rookie to veteran quarterback to wide receiver connection.
Jakobi Meyers, Raiders
In 2024 Jakobi Meyers earned 129 targets, caught 87 of them for 1,027 yards, scored four touchdowns, finished as the WR19 for Fantasy Football, and averaged 14.5 Fantasy PPG through 15 games. Very solid season for a guy who always seems underrated for Fantasy Football. This 2024 productive season came with Gardner Minshew playing in 10 games, Aidan O’Connell playing in nine, and Desmond Ridder playing in six. Meyers averaged 13.5 Fantasy PPG in 2023, the season prior. For 2025, the Raiders have the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft which could mean addressing the quarterback position for the combination of Meyers and the greatest rookie tight end of all time, Brock Bowers.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Suggestions
- BUY Jerry Jeudy with an early 2025 second-round draft pick (2.01 – 2.03)
- BUY Jakobi Meyers with a later 2025 second-round draft pick (2.09 – 2.11)
- BUY Calvin Ridley if you are a contender with a late second-round or early third-round draft pick
- BUY Wan’Dale Robinson with a mid 2025 third-round draft pick
