15 Make Or Break Wide Receiver Situations in 2025

15 Make-or-Break WR Situations 

We've had full offensive projections live since February, making us one of the first, if not the first, fantasy football sites in the industry to publish detailed statistical outlooks. But when you release projections just weeks after the Super Bowl, you're forced to make a slew of assumptions. At that point, free agency and the NFL draft hadn't yet occurred, and we had limited information about what the new offensive play-callers intended to do.

Since then, the landscape has become much clearer. We've also seen an onslaught of other analysts publish their expectations. The influx of opinions helps solidify a consensus, and that consensus heavily influences the average draft position (ADP) data we'll see as draft season approaches.

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Even with the benefit of hindsight, unanswered questions remain. Many won't be resolved until deep into training camp or the preseason. These gray areas are where the widest range of viewpoints emerge, and they are the very situations that can swing your fantasy draft. These are the spots where taking a stand matters most, and our goal is to help you gain an edge before you're on the clock.

Let's take a look at the key wide receiver situations and where we stand versus consensus:

• Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI) won't flop again and should be treated as a must-start.
• The Bills (BUF) lack a true alpha, but Josh Allen can still support usable options.
• Tetairoa McMillan (CAR) is the No. 1, but his ADP bakes in too much optimism.
• The Broncos (DEN) have no clear No. 2 behind Courtland Sutton yet.
• The Packers (GB) are deep, unpredictable, and a nightmare for weekly lineups.
• Beyond Nico Collins, Houston (HOU) is talented but impossible to trust in redraft.
• Travis Hunter (JAX) will play full-time receiver but offers WR3-level returns.
• Xavier Worthy (KC) and Rashee Rice both deserve top-25 consideration.
• Tyreek Hill (MIA) is still elite and undervalued despite offseason noise.
• Stefon Diggs (NE) carries risk, but the upside is well worth it at current cost.
• DK Metcalf (PIT) is a draft-day steal if Aaron Rodgers ends up under center.
• Cooper Kupp (SEA) isn't what he was, but WR46 is too low for a player this savvy.
• The 49ers (SF) offer value if you target whichever receiver falls the furthest.
• Emeka Egbuka (TB) and Jalen McMillan are better left for dynasty formats.
• Deebo Samuel Sr.. (WAS) should outplay expectations in his new role.

Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals

Assumption: Harrison will put everything together and be a must-start player in 2025

Marvin Harrison Jr. had a disappointing rookie season, finishing as WR42 on a per-game basis despite being drafted as an immediate plug-and-play fantasy WR1. But while the box scores didn't live up to the hype, the traits that made Harrison a generational prospect remain unchanged. His current ADP as the WR16 reflects that fantasy managers haven't given up, and they shouldn't.
The college production, route-running precision, football IQ, and physical tools are still elite, and now he has a full season of NFL reps under his belt. We sometimes forget that not every receiver hits the ground running. It wasn't long ago that Year Three was considered the litmus test, and second-year leaps are often just as powerful.

Remember, just a year ago, fantasy players were fading Jaxon Smith-Njigba after he finished as WR60 as a rookie. He then blossomed into the Seahawks' top option and a top-20 fantasy asset last season. Harrison is poised to follow the same path. He has the skills, the opportunity, and a rising offense that will flow through him. Don't hesitate to draft him with confidence.

Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Joshua Palmer, Buffalo Bills

Bob Henry's Projections

Jason Wood's Projections

Assumption: Josh Allen will spread the ball around, with the receiving corps all having boom-or-bust weekly outcomes

Many hoped the Bills would land a true alpha receiver to replace Stefon Diggs, but that didn't happen. Instead, they extended Khalil Shakir, signed Joshua Palmer, and are counting on a second-year leap from Keon Coleman, last year's second-round pick. The front office clearly believes it can replace Diggs' production through committee, and Josh Allen has the arm talent to make it work.

Allen is likely to spread the ball around, with weekly volume dictated more by matchups than by a defined pecking order. We agree with the consensus that Shakir is the safest bet to lead the team in targets, but his role is more possession-based, capping his upside as a reliable No. 3 fantasy option. Coleman flashed as a rookie and has the physical tools to become a red-zone weapon, but he'll need to take a big step forward in consistency to become a trustworthy starter. Palmer profiles as a depth piece who could be useful if injuries open the door.

Without a dominant lead receiver, this group could frustrate fantasy managers. All three are best viewed as depth options with occasional upside, particularly in best-ball formats.

Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

Assumption: The excitement for McMillan is palpable, but don't get over of your skis

Tetairoa McMillan should step into the No. 1 role immediately, which gives him a legitimate shot at exceeding expectations. His size, body control, and contested-catch ability make him a natural fit as Bryce Young's top target, and there's little competition for targets in Carolina's revamped receiver room. But with an ADP of WR26, there's not much margin for error, and we prefer several more proven receivers going in that same range.

While Bryce Young showed clear improvement during the second half of 2024, playing more confidently and cutting down on mistakes, the Panthers' offense remains a work in progress. The offensive line is shaky, the scheme is still evolving under a new coaching staff, and the overall talent level is below league average. In that environment, betting on a rookie receiver to deliver consistent fantasy value at a top-30 ADP is asking a lot. Outside of Chuba Hubbard, who has a defined role and a history of outperforming expectations, the Panthers' skill players carry more risk than reward at their current prices.

Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Devaughn Vele, Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant, Denver Broncos

Bob Henry's Projections

Jason Wood's Projections

Assumption: It's anybody's guess who steps into the No. 2 role

Courtland Sutton is the clear No. 1, and veteran tight end Evan Engram may serve as Sean Payton's new “Joker,” but the rest of the receiving depth chart is wide open. Marvin Mims Jr.. has the next highest ADP (WR56), while rookie Pat Bryant is coming off the board much later (WR76). Yet neither player has received any meaningful public endorsement from Payton as the frontrunner for the No. 2 job.

It's a true training camp battle, with Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin also in the mix. Whoever wins the role could have deep-league appeal or provide some bye-week flexibility in redraft formats. As it stands, we don't project Bryant for much, but he's an intriguing riser if camp buzz confirms he's getting first-team reps. This is a situation to monitor closely throughout August.

Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers

Bob Henry's Projections

Jason Wood's Projections

Assumption: The Packers have incredible depth at receiver, but no clear-cut star

Jayden Reed (WR43), Romeo Doubs (WR54), Christian Watson (WR84), and Dontavion Wicks (WR89) were all drafted in 12-team leagues last year, and none delivered consistent value across the full season. Each had individual moments, but the week-to-week volatility made it nearly impossible to trust any of them in starting lineups.

Now the Packers have added rookie Matthew Golden, who brings the highest draft pedigree of the group and could eventually emerge as a key piece. But Green Bay remains a low-pass-volume offense under Coach Matt LaFleur, and we know he prefers to spread the ball around rather than force targets to any one player.

That combination of low volume and heavy rotation makes it hard to project any Packers receiver as a reliable fantasy starter. The talent is real, and someone may eventually emerge, but predicting who that will be and when is a guessing game. Until there is more clarity, this group is better suited for best-ball formats or deep benches.

Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, and Jaylin Noel, Houston Texans