The landscape of fantasy football is constantly in motion. Players gain and lose value over the course of an offseason, especially during free agency or the NFL Draft. In regards to 2025 fantasy football, several wide receivers have seen their fantasy stock plummet due to a lack of volume or competition brought in at the position.
This article will look to identify five wide receivers who should be avoided in 2025 fantasy football drafts. These players are on this list for a variety of factors, but all have the chance of robbing your fantasy team of value if selected at their current ADP. Let’s get into the list!
Garrett Wilson (NYJ)
FantasyPros ADP - WR16
Garrett Wilson presents one of the biggest risks in 2025 fantasy football. The success of the Jets' offense revolves around the play of quarterback Justin Fields, who was acquired during free agency on a two-year, $20 million deal after showing flashes in Pittsburgh last season.
Fields is a much different quarterback than Aaron Rodgers, who was New York’s starter a year ago. Averaging 8.5 career rushing attempts, Fields brings a level of explosiveness to this offense on the ground. Fields’ rushing prowess, as well as the talents of the team’s running back trio (Breece Hall, Braleon Allen, and Isaiah Davis), could cause the team to lean on their rushing attack as the main form of their offense.
It’s also worth noting that even in 2022 when Fields managed to play in a career-high 15 games during the regular season, he only compiled 2,242 passing yards and 17 passing touchdowns to go along with 11 interceptions. These passing stats suggest that Garrett Wilson could end up seeing a low amount of receiving yardage in 2025, even if he commands a surplus of targets.
In the end, Garrett Wilson isn’t the issue. Sure, he has struggled to take the next step since his rookie year, but even then, some of the fault lies on the lackluster quarterback play during his tenure as a Jet. On paper, it doesn’t seem like Fields is a huge upgrade as a passer for New York. If this system is set to operate through the rushing attack, Garrett Wilson may not be worth his ADP in 2025.
Mike Evans (TB)
FantasyPros ADP - WR19
Mike Evans is one of the best wide receivers from the modern era up to this point and could very well end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame soon after his retirement. However, his outlook heading into the 2025 fantasy football season leaves a lot to be desired.
The main problem with drafting Mike Evans at his ADP is the concern of positional competition for targets in this Buccaneers offense. The team is built around quarterback Baker Mayfield and the passing game, but wideouts Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan are all extremely talented and will likely remain significant parts of Tampa Bay’s offense.
Godwin, in particular, is returning from a season-ending ankle injury suffered during the 2024 season and could take back the mantle as the team’s top receiving option if given the chance. He was on a ridiculous statistical pace after registering 50 receptions, 576 receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns in only seven games.
Former Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka was selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, giving Tampa Bay’s offense another big threat through the air. Egbuka is a high-floor, well-rounded, athletic prospect who many consider to be one of the best players in this draft class. He has the skill set and experience to contribute immediately, even in a stacked receiver room.
In my opinion, Mike Evans is a huge risk in fantasy drafts after facing significant statistical regression in 2024. His totals in targets, receptions, yardage, and touchdowns all fell when compared to his 2023 numbers. With increased competition at the position, Mike Evans may have a lower ceiling than many realize and could be one of the biggest disappointments of the 2025 fantasy football season.
DK Metcalf (PIT)
FantasyPros ADP - WR24
Similar to Evans, new Steelers wideout DK Metcalf regressed statistically in 2024. He saw a drop in targets, receiving yards, and touchdowns as second-year star Jaxon Smith-Njigba took hold as the top wide receiver in Seattle.
After the season, Metcalf was traded to Pittsburgh for a 2025 second-round pick. He now finds himself in a difficult position, even as the team’s top receiver. The top quarterback on the depth chart at the moment is Mason Rudolph, who may be a serviceable option but whose abilities as a passer don’t provide Metcalf with any extra fantasy value.
It is still unclear whether or not future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers plans on signing with the team anytime soon, so we must operate as if Rudolph is the starter for the moment. This being the case, the Steelers offense could have a tough time as a unit in 2025 after letting Justin Fields and Russell Wilson hit free agency.
In short, DK Metcalf could face even more regression in 2025 with a poor offense around him. I don’t think he’s worth an early selection at his current ADP.
Cooper Kupp (SEA)
FantasyPros ADP - WR40
Former Rams star wide receiver Cooper Kupp signed with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, slotting into the offense next to rising star Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kupp is currently 31 years old and will fight for a spot as the Seahawks’ second receiver. However, there are a few reasons why I am pessimistic about Kupp’s outlook in 2025.
Firstly, the team could struggle in the passing game department this year. Quarterback Sam Darnold was signed in free agency to a three-year, $100.5 million contract, which, by itself, isn’t an issue. Darnold is a very solid starter at the moment and showed off major production in Minnesota. However, it became painfully obvious towards the end of the season that Darnold has a tendency to struggle under pressure.
Seattle had one of the worst offensive line units in the NFL in 2024, meaning that the group will need to improve a lot to protect Darnold from opposing pass rushers this season. If they don’t, the passing attack could suffer, leading to a drop in production from Cooper Kupp.
It’s also worth mentioning that Kupp has only played 33 out of a possible 51 regular season contests over the past three seasons due to injuries. If this trend continues into 2025, he could be deemed unreliable rather quickly, making him an inconsistent contributor to your fantasy team.
Cooper Kupp hasn’t played a full season since 2021 and is entering the year on a team with an offensive line that struggled mightily in 2024 and a quarterback who falters when feeling pass-rush pressure. Things don’t look great.
Christian Kirk (HOU)
FantasyPros ADP - WR55
After being traded from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Houston Texans this offseason, it seemed as though veteran slot receiver Christian Kirk was in line for a major role in Houston’s offense, with wideout Tank Dell possibly sidelined the entire season. However, the Texans’ selections of Iowa State wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the 2025 NFL Draft complicate things immensely.
Higgins and Noel were two of the most underrated receivers in this draft class, so it isn’t too far of a stretch to predict them to overtake Kirk in volume early in the season. If the veteran receiver isn’t able to rebound from his 2024 season, which ended prematurely due to a collarbone injury, he could face some serious target competition.
It’s hard to even view Kirk as a late-round flyer candidate with the number of talented receivers this offense has to offer. It’s a safe bet to let him hit free agency in your 2025 fantasy football drafts.