2025 Rookie Wide Receiver Retool

While the 2025 wide receiver class may not bring the same star power as last year, but it will still provide plenty of fantasy value. With fewer top tier prospects and more uncertainty, the “Receiver Retool” reflects a shift toward depth, team fit, and evolving offensive schemes. This breakdown covers seven rookie WRs selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Each player is profiled with physical measurables, draft capital, prospect evaluation and a realistic fantasy football outlook after the conclusion of Week 1.

NFL First Rounders:

Tetairoa McMillan 6’4 219 (8th CAR)

FFA PPR Seasonal Projection: 223 FPTS / WR28

FFA Week 2 PPR Projection: 12.9 FPTS

Tetairoa McMillan, selected 8th overall by the Carolina Panthers, brings a rare combination of size and skill to the NFL after a dominant three year career at Arizona. In 2023 he recorded 90 receptions for 1,402 yards and 10 TDs, followed by an All-American season with 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and 8 TDs. His 6’4, 219 pound frame gives him the ability to win contested catches and will quickly make him a reliable target for Bryce Young. Despite not testing at the combine, his controlled route running and ability to create separation made selecting him in the top ten a no brainer for the Panthers that have lacked a dominate target.

McMillan projects as a high-floor WR2, due to the draft capital and competition surrounding him. No Panthers WR saw over 20% of the teams target share last year. Per RotoWire, McMillan ranked third among FBS WRs in target share with 32.8%. His length and hands ensure reliability, but his ceiling may depend on volume and not big plays. Second year HC Dave Canales can look to deploy the way he did with Mike Evans as the OC in Tampa and fantasy managers should expect weekly starter production.

In Week 1, McMillan led the Panthers in targets (9), receptions (5), and receiving yards (68). This was good for 11.8 PPR points and a WR28 finish, Bryce will continue to look McMillan’s way and build up chemistry as the season progresses. With his physical traits, there is upside to finish as a top 25 WR if he adapts quickly to NFL coverages and provides a safety net to speed up Young’s development.

Travis Hunter 6’0 188 (2nd JAX)

FFA PPR Seasonal Projection: 212 FPTS / WR30

FFA Week 2 PPR Projection: 10.9 FPTS

Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter was selected second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars after a blockbuster trade. He is a two-way star like we have never seen before, excelling as both a wide receiver and cornerback at Colorado. Labeling his 2024 with a trophy underscores his versatility, with 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 TDs, plus 36 tackles and four INTs on defense. Hunter never left the field in 2024, removing the Kansas State and Arizona games when he missed time due to injury, his percentages increase from 82.9% to 92.8% of the defensive snaps (718/773) and from 86.8% to 94.4% of the offensive snaps (652/691) for a total of 93.6 percent of CU’s snaps from scrimmage (1,370/1,464) in those 10 games. His speed, agile route running, and reliable hands make him a quarterback friendly target for Trevor Lawrence. While the Jaguars plan on how to utilize is still up in the air, the coaches will be looking to position him for success and training staff will try to keep him on the field as much as possible.

Being a massive fantasy outlier as a two-way, Hunter projects as a WR3 to start with top 24 WR upside from his playmaking ability alone. He fits right in Jacksonville’s organization revamp and they hope the high energy will translate to wins after moving their 2025 first round pick to get him. When Hunter does line up with the offense, he will be next to the fantasy WR4 overall from last year Brian Thomas Jr. This duo should draw defensive attention off of each other and new HC Liam Cohen brings an air raid offense from Tampa Bay.

Similar to McMillan, Hunter also led his team in targets (6) and receptions (8) for only 33 receiving yards (9.3 FPTS / WR37). His talent, draft capital, and the Jaguars’ aggressive trade to acquire him suggest he could emerge as game breaker if he is able to transition his college snap percentages to the NFL level.

Emeka Egbuka 6’1 202 (19th TB)

FFA PPR Seasonal Projection: 182 FPTS / WR46

FFA Week 2 PPR Projection: 12.2 FPTS

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a bit of a surprising first round investment into the receiving corps this year, selecting Emeka Egbuka 19th overall. The polished OSU product enters a crowded depth chart, but this is nothing new for Egbuka who recorded 81 receptions for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024. This came next to the Big 10’s 2024 receiving yard and TD leader Jeremiah Smith. In 2022, Egbuka produced his best statistical season with 1,238 total yards and 12 total TDs next to Marvin Harrison who would also go on to lead the Big 10 in receiving yards and TDs in 2023 during Egbuka’s injury absence. Playing and producing at a high level next to that type of target competition speaks volumes about Egbuka’s traits.

He has the versatility to line up anywhere, combined with sharp route running and real YAC toughness will give the opportunity to be a chain mover for Baker Mayfield. The refined skillset he brings from four years at OSU gives Egbuka a safe floor and high ceiling. The Buccaneers already have a potent offense featuring Bucky Irving, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan that ranked third in total offensive yards in 2024. Evans is turning 32 headed into a contract year, Godwin is working back from a season ending ankle injury with a team option after 2027, and McMillan was not enough when injuries hit.

Egbuka exploded for 23 PPR points and a WR4 finish in Week 1. He made his mark, catching 4/6 targets for 67 yards and a game sealing touchdown. Egbuka’s ceiling may be capped for the rest of 2025 if the names ahead of him get healthy and stay elite, but do not be surprised if a major breakout continues.

Matthew Golden 5’11 191 (23rd GB)

FFA PPR Seasonal Projection: 192 FPTS / WR43

FFA Week 2 PPR Projection: 9.08 FPTS

With the second fastest 40 time out of all combine participants (4.29), Matthew Golden ended a 23 year first round WR drought in Green Bay when he was selected 23rd overall. Golden spent his first two seasons at Houston, with freshman totals of 38 receptions for 584 receiving yards and 7 TDs. This came next to Tank Dell who led the American Conference that year with 1,398 yards and 17 TDs. In his sophomore year, Houston only threw for 2,898 yards and he disappointed with 38 receptions for 404 yards and 6 TDs while Dell broke out as a rookie in the NFL. Golden transferred to Texas for 2024, recording 58 receptions for 987 yards and 9 TDs, showcasing the speed that made him the fastest receiver at the combine. The type of controlled speed he possesses allows him to snap off routes on a dime, creating massive amounts of separation and open throwing windows for Jordan Love. While his college production was not off the charts, we saw a similar case last year with Chiefs/Texas WR Xavier Worthy running a 4.21 40 yard dash and listed at 5’11 165.

The concern for Golden aside from his production is the competition and play style in Green Bay. Fantasy Pros charted the Packers 29th in team targets (464) and sixth in rushing attempts (526), compared to 2023 where they ranked 13th in targets (561) and 22nd in rushing attempts (441). They also have not ran a true WR1, with Wicks leading in target share (16.4%) along with Reed, Doubs, and Watson all having similar snap/target percentages. Watson will be working back from a late season ACL tear, Doubs is entering a contract year, and the only other competition added comes from 3rd round WR Savion Williams, leaving plenty of opportunity to be seized.

Weeks 1 and 2 left plenty of question marks surrounding Golden’s rest of season outlook. Playing just 38% of the offensive snaps in week 1, Golden caught his lone two targets for 16 yards and was added to the injury report with an ankle issue. In week 2, Golden played 59% of the snaps and only had two rushes for 15 yards. Their personnel will have to evolve with Jayden Reed out for 6-8 weeks due to a fractured collar bone, and figuring out who will be playing in 2/3 WR sets will be crucial. Golden projects as a boom/bust deep threat in an explosive offense, but building trust through efficient play and twitchy movement could quickly expand his role into much more.

Day Two Takeoff

Jayden Higgins 6’4 214 (34th HOU)

FFA PPR Seasonal Projection: 140 FPTS / WR63

FFA Week PPR 2 Projection: 5.49 FPTS

The Texans let Stefon Diggs walk to the Patriots and Tank Dell will likely be sidelined for 2025, leading to the selection of Jayden Higgins 34th overall. He brings another towering presence to Houston after a standout 2024 season at Iowa State, recording 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and nine TDs. Higgins also had a strong junior year after his transfer from Eastern Kentucky, posting 53 receptions for 983 yards and 6 TDs. Measuring in at 6’4 214 pounds and running a 4.47 40 yard dash he instantly drew comparisons to his teammate, 6’4 222 pound Nico Collins who ran an estimated 4.42 at his Pro Day. The route running and movements at his size are impressively smooth and while he could add advanced routes to his tree, this may not be necessary for production due to the way he leverages his athletic traits.

Though Houston looks like a spot with 175 vacated targets and due for a bounce back after ranking 21st in passing yards, it may not be enough to support a reliable fantasy receiver outside of Collins. They added veteran WR Christian Kirk on a one year deal and Higgins’ Iowa State teammate, Jaylin Noel in the third round. The Texans also moved on from Laremy Tunsil in a trade with the Commanders, selecting Aireontae Ersery with the 48th pick to replace the Pro Bowl tackle. Stroud will have new faces to get acquainted with this offseason, building some chemistry in camp will be big for Higgins. If he starts the year slow and struggles in the role they give him next to Collins, Kirk or Noel may prove to be the better option for the win now Texans.

Kirk was held out of Week 1 and the offense looked stagnant, scoring only 9 points. Higgins played 43% of the snaps, catching 2/3 targets for 32 yards. The WR2 role is still up for grabs in Houston, Higgins has the athletic upside to take it, and this offense has the ability to be lethal with Stroud under center.

Luther Burden 6’0 206 (39th CHI)

FFA PPR Seasonal Projection: 123 FPTS / WR69

FFA Week 2 PPR Projection: 4 FPTS

Luther Burden, selected 39th overall by the revamping Chicago Bears, is a dynamic playmaker from Missouri. His best statistical season came in 2023, where he recorded 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and 9 TDs, earning First-Team All-SEC honors. Burden isn’t the most physically imposing WR, but his YAC explosiveness from his 4.41 40 time makes him an intriguing piece for Ben Johnson’s new offense. Despite a dip in 2024 junior year production (61 receptions, 676 yards), Burden’s film and combine performance was good enough for him to be an early second rounder. This ends up being a bit of a fall for Burden, who was projected as a first rounder since his 2023 breakout and packed with a ton of talent.

The fall is a bit concerning, but a similar comparison here is Ladd McConkey. Both taken in the early second round by new coaches, shaky college production, and McConkey only being 188 pounds. The meticulous but aggressive route running of McConkey is what Burden needs to work on in Chicago. On his routes, there are times he doesn’t seem to be running full speed until he catches the ball. With Keenan Allen likely out and bringing in Colston Loveland 10th overall there are plenty of mouths to feed here for Caleb Williams. They also invested heavily into the offensive line, but did not add an RB this offseason. This leaves Johnson with Swift, who he coached and moved on from in Detroit after Jamaal Williams outperformed him in 2022.

The Bears opened with 35 pass attempts in Week 1, and Caleb’s development will ultimately set the ceiling for this offense. Luther Burden logged just 27% of the snaps, trailing Olamide Zaccheaus (45%, 7 targets), but that usage hints at a role he could eventually claim. For now, rookie head coach Ben Johnson is easing Burden in, and he’ll likely need time to before a true snap spike comes. Fantasy wise, Burden is still a bench stash with breakout potential if his playing time climbs during the season.

Tre Harris 6’2 205 (55th LAC)

FFA PPR Seasonal Projection: 112 FPTS / WR75

FFA Week PPR 2 Projection: 1.63 FPTS

The 55th overall pick by the Los Angeles Chargers Tre Harris, brings a physical presence after a huge 2024 season at Ole Miss. In eight games, Harris recorded 60 receptions for 1,030 yards and 7 TDs with an astonishing 5.12 yards per route run. 4/8 of these games were against non-SEC teams, including 225 yards vs. Georgia Southern, 179 vs. Furman, and 176 vs. Kentucky. This was his fifth year in college, spending 3 at Louisiana Tech before dominating at Ole Miss. His 6’2 205 pound frame and experience allowed him to make contested catches all over the field for first round pick Jaxson Dart. The Chargers see Harris as another high upside receiver to bolster their offense and learn from a returning Mike Williams. Without the groin injury Harris could have easily been a first round selection, but this remains a weary archetype of WR.

Since drafting Quentin Johnston 21st overall in 2023, the Chargers get another shot at adding a physical, reliable outside presence to now play next to McConkey. Giving Justin Herbert a big, young target he can drop pinpoint passes to downfield where only the WR can get it has always sounded like the perfect fit. The problem with this type of WR is the separation they get due to a the lack of speed, Harris ran a 4.54 40 time (30th/39 WRs) and will have to prove he can get away from NFL corners. The Chargers also brought back 33 year old Keenan Allen, added a first round RB in Omarion Hampton and took two fifth round pass catchers this offseason.

Playing the Chiefs in Week 1, the Chargers leaned on McConkey, Allen, and Johnston. Herbert completed 25/34 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Johnston who finished as the week’s WR3. Harris saw just 8% of snaps, out-snapped by Keandre Lambert-Smith (22%). The floor is low for a rookie WR like Harris, but the potential upside and long-term fit make him a strong dynasty stash and a player to monitor if his role grows.

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