With just over 100 days until the NFL season kicks off and the full schedule now released, it’s the perfect time to start planting your fantasy football flags. I’ve had these five must-draft wide receivers circled since last season ended, and I haven’t forgotten them for a reason. Each one is primed for a major bump in usage and brings that beautiful blend of high floor and sky-high ceiling.
These aren’t just trendy sleepers or post-hype dart throws—these are must-draft studs I want on every one of my rosters. Don’t wait for the August hype machine to catch up. Get ahead. Put them on your radar now.
“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” — Chris Grosser
Must-Draft Wide Receivers for 2025 Fantasy Football
Early Rock-Solid Picks
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
In the six games JSN saw 10-plus targets last season, Smith-Njigba averaged 12.7 targets, 9.2 receptions, and 106 receiving yards along with three total touchdowns during that span. That’s good for 22.8 PPR points and 18.2 Half-PPR points per game—easy WR1 numbers. With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett gonezo, “JSN” has to be the go-to guy, and he’s built to deliver.
If Metcalf and Lockett being out of town isn’t enough to convince you, consider this: Seattle replaced Geno Smith with Sam Darnold, who proved last season he can support a WR1 when Justin Jefferson exploded for 103 receptions, 1,533 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Darnold can absolutely sustain a fantasy alpha, and I believe JSN is ready to step into that role and become a star. Your leaguemates will rue the day they let you draft JSN at any sort of discount.
Predicted Stat Line: 153 targets, 102 receptions, 1,354 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Yeah, Brian Thomas Jr. isn’t sneaking up on anybody after finishing WR4 in both PPR and Half-PPR last season. But that doesn’t mean I’m not aggressively drafting him. In fact, give me a JSN/BTJ stack on all my teams and I’ll sleep like a baby.
Here’s the kicker: BTJ didn’t receive more than 10 targets in a game until Week 12. From that point on, he averaged 11.7 targets, 7.5 receptions, and 98.8 receiving yards along with five total touchdowns—good for 24.0 PPR and 20.2 Half-PPR points per game. With rookie phenom Travis Hunter Jr. joining the fold, expect BTJ to face fewer double teams and unleash even more consistent monster weeks.
Predicted Stat Line: 145 targets, 101 receptions, 1,251 receiving yards, 9 touchdowns.
Mid-Round Studs
Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Worthy didn’t see 9-plus targets in a game until Week 15—but then he flipped the switch. In Weeks 15–17, he finished as the WR10 in both PPR and Half-PPR formats, averaging 10.3 targets, 7.0 receptions, and 63.3 receiving yards per game along with two total touchdowns during that span.
The Texas product should build even more chemistry with future Hall of Famer Patrick Mahomes, and with Travis Kelce another year older and DeAndre Hopkins now catching passes from Lamar Jackson, it’s entirely possible that Worthy emerges as the No. 1 target in this offense next season. Also, if Rashee Rice is available for Week 1, it’ll take some pressure off Worthy and give him more opportunities to torch defenders deep. He’s exactly the kind of weekly lottery ticket I want in my flex spot all season long.
Predicted Stat Line: 138 targets, 100 receptions, 1,112 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns.
Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
Williams’ herculean fantasy finish last season screams breakout potential. In the fantasy playoffs (Weeks 15–17), Jameson finished as the WR9 in both formats, averaging 18.9 Half-PPR and 21.1 PPR points per game. That’s clutch production when it mattered most.
He’s on a pass-heavy team, just 24 years old, and is looking poised to explode this season. With Amon-Ra St. Brown drawing the attention of top defenders, “Jamo” should fly under the radar and see plenty of targets and consistent fantasy production. If he’s still available in the sixth round, I’m sprinting to draft him and plugging him into my flex with confidence.
Predicted Stat Line: 119 targets, 88 receptions, 1,087 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns.
Late-Round Dart Throw
Marvin Mims Jr., WR/KR, Denver Broncos
Mims didn’t see more than four targets in a game until Week 12. But from that point forward, it looked like Sean Payton finally remembered he had a second-round speedster on the roster. Over the final six games, Mims averaged 5.2 targets, 4.3 catches, and 64.2 receiving yards per game, along with an eye-opening five total touchdowns.
In deeper leagues, Mims is the perfect “what-the-heck” flex. Bonus: If your league rewards return yards, he’s gold. He was one of the best in the league last year on special teams and should only improve in 2025.
Predicted Stat Line: 95 targets, 74 receptions, 986 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns.
Target these guys early and often, because value like this won’t last long. Beat the crowd, trust the data, and build a league-winning foundation before your league mates even wake up. The earlier you lock in breakout talent, the more leverage you gain over the competition. Draft smart, draft bold, and let the rest of your league play catch-up all season long.
