With the 2025 fantasy football season right around the corner, many questions still need to be answered about this class of rookie receivers. It’s a very deep group, and I expect many of them to earn roles in their respective offenses in 2025.
Fantasy football is a drastically unpredictable game, so many players in his draft class could perform unexpectedly well immediately.
In this article, we’ll be highlighting 10 rookie wideouts who are solid value selections in relation to where they should be drafted on average in redraft leagues.
Tetairoa McMillan (CAR)
As the first receiver taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, I am confident that Tetairoa McMillan will have an immediate impact as one of Carolina’s top playmakers. He was my top receiver prospect in this year’s draft class, and he presents many qualities that help him to stick out from the rest of this year’s group of rookie pass-catchers.
McMillan’s ridiculous blend of size and athleticism is what propelled him to the top of many draft boards. At 6’4”, 219 lbs, the Arizona product flashes some serious ability after the catch on tape, displaying surprising speed for his size.
He also has a massive catch radius due to his lengthy arms and massive frame. This helps McMillan as a contested-catch specialist, an area in which he has proven to be extremely valuable.
Overall, Tetairoa McMillan is talented enough to take over as quarterback Bryce Young’s top receiver in his rookie season.
Travis Hunter (JAX)
Travis Hunter is one of the most unique prospects in the history of the NFL Draft. A two-way player in college, Hunter won the Heisman Trophy in 2024 due to his stellar play as a wide receiver and cornerback.
Hunter showcases generational ball skills on tape while possessing natural instincts and feel for the game on both sides of the ball. He has a high ceiling at both positions, but the major risk lies in the fact that we don’t know which one he’ll be playing more of.
Jacksonville has stated that they plan to play him on offense and defense, but if Hunter contributes more defensively off the bat, then his fantasy value is hurt as a result. If you’re willing to look past this concern, Hunter could be of great value to 2025 fantasy football rosters.
Overall, I think that Travis Hunter is a high-risk, high-reward selection in fantasy football this season.
Matthew Golden (GB)
One of my favorite wide receiver prospects in this year’s class, Matthew Golden, landed in a relatively muddled receiver room in Green Bay on the first night of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Golden is one of the most athletic receivers in this year’s class, routinely beating with impressive speed and ability after the catch. He also regularly makes difficult catches by high-pointing the football down the field, so his prowess as a deep threat is undeniable. As a route-runner, the Texas product is sharp and precise, capable of cutting up defenses and shaking defenders in order to create separation.
Unfortunately, Green Bay’s depth chart at the receiver position is packed. Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Christian Watson, and fellow rookie Savion Williams headline the group, with Golden expected to fill a starting role immediately.
If he’s able to carve out a role quickly, he could be a steal in 2025 fantasy football. Let’s hope he doesn’t get buried on the depth chart too early in his rookie season.
Jayden Higgins (HOU)
Jayden Higgins was one of the best performers at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl and is one of the highest-floor receivers in this draft class.
At 6’4”, 214 lbs, Higgins is physically imposing at the receiver position. His size helps him to dominate defenders one-on-one. At the Senior Bowl, however, Higgins showed off his impressive speed and quickness off the line of scrimmage and in his route-running, generating separation all over the field.
He profiles to be an instant contributor for quarterback C.J. Stroud and the rest of Houston’s offense. His price should be fairly low in redraft leagues, so grabbing him late is a great idea.
Tre Harris (LAC)
Tre Harris is a perfect example of a player who moves up fantasy rankings due to a landing spot. Harris wasn’t my top receiver prospect in this year’s class, but it’s hard to ignore how well he fits in Los Angeles’ offense.
Harris profiles as a traditional outside receiver and should serve as the perfect complement to sophomore receiver Ladd McConkey, one of the NFL’s best rookies in 2024 while operating in the slot.
The former Ole Miss Rebel should fit in perfectly as a much-needed outside receiver while McConkey continues to win in the slot. Tre Harris is a fluid athlete and deep threat who, with some development, could contribute to this Chargers offense quickly.
Jack Bech (LV)
Jack Bech has been one of this year’s biggest risers at the position ever since the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Bech had arguably the best week of any prospect in attendance in Mobile, boosting his draft stock significantly enough to hear his name called in the second round by Las Vegas.
Bech is a very well-rounded receiver. He has insanely strong hands, excellent physicality, solid athleticism, and effective route-running skills. He should emerge as the team’s second wideout quickly and will catch passes next to Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers in 2025.
While this offense will run through Bowers and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, Bech could be a surprisingly great rookie contributor to this offense.
Kyle Williams (NE)
Kyle Williams shot up draft boards late in the pre-draft process, leading to his selection by New England in the third round of this year’s draft.
Williams is quite possibly the best receiver after the catch in this year’s class, providing second-year quarterback Drake Maye with another dynamic weapon in the passing game. The former Washington State Cougar is a good separator as well and should start the season as the third starting receiver.
Williams could produce right away if his athleticism and yards-after-catch skills translate quickly. Don’t sleep on him in New England’s new and improved offense.
Jaylin Noel (HOU)
Jaylin Noel capitalized on an impressive Reese’s Senior Bowl and was selected by Houston in the third round, reuniting with his college teammate Jayden Higgins. Noel is a dynamic presence from the slot and could start for the Texans right off the bat.
Noel is an elite route-runner and separates effortlessly from defenders. He makes difficult catches look easy and has shown the ability to thrive as a deep threat when necessary.
I expect Jaylin Noel to find a lot of success in the NFL, and this could start in his rookie season. Houston needed help at receiver and selected both Iowa State prospects, both of whom should have solid rookie campaigns.
Jalen Royals (KC)
Jalen Royals was selected by Kansas City in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and while I didn’t view him as an elite prospect, I do believe that he should’ve been taken earlier.
Royals has a unique skill set at the receiver position, relying on lightning-quick speed and elusiveness to win down the field. He should be able to find a role as the team’s third starting receiver and could be a big-play threat for fantasy football teams.
Royals offers boom-or-bust potential in his rookie season and could be an intriguing late-round flyer.
Pat Bryant (DEN)
Pat Bryant had a strong Senior Bowl, leading his name to move up rankings and draft boards before his selection in the third round of this year’s draft by Denver. He profiles as their long-term third receiver and could earn that role as early as his rookie year.
Bryant is a route technician, consistently creating ample separation from opposing corners. He could be a weapon all over the field and should earn snaps quickly next to Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr.
If you’re looking for a player with a decent ceiling late in fantasy drafts, Bryant could benefit from Denver’s need at receiver and produce solid numbers in his first NFL season.