Every year, fantasy football leagues are won by identifying breakout players before your league mates do. Targeting wide receivers who are on the verge of stardom can be the ultimate difference-maker in 2025 fantasy football.
A key that can help to see if a player is going to breakout is comparing the first half of the players first or second season to their second half of that season. A great example of this is Amon-Ra St. Brown. In his rookie season in 2021, through the first nine weeks, he averaged 6.8 fantasy points, a snap share of 67%, a target share of 13.3%, and 1.05 yards per route run.
Looking at weeks ten through eighteen of that same season, he averaged 19.3 fantasy points, a snap share of 82%, a target share of 29.7%, and 2.57 yards per route run. In his rookie year, St. Brown finished as the WR21, and the following season had a breakout season, finishing as the WR7.
Whether it’s an improvement in quarterback play, more target volume, or simply natural progression, these five receivers are set to explode in 2025. Let’s dive into the wideouts you need to prioritize in your drafts.
Ladd McConkey
(WR, LAC)
Ladd McConkey had an excellent rookie season finishing as the WR13 last year in PPR formats with 82 receptions on 112 targets, 1,149 receiving yads along with 7 touchdowns, a snap percentage of 74%, and a target share of 24.5%. He was the true WR1 for the Los Angeles Chargers, and McConkey is ready to dominate his sophomore season.
During McConkey’s rookie season, in the first nine weeks he averaged 12.9 fantasy points, a snap share of 72%, a target share of 25.1%, and 2.22 yards per route run. In the second half of his rookie season he averaged 17.2 fantasy points, a snap share of 77%, a target share of 24.7%, and 3.0 yards per route run. You can see that similar trend from St. Brown that makes me certain McConkey will explode.
McConkey’s refined route running, elite separation skills, and connection with Justin Herbert will allow for him to finish as a top wide receiver this season. Now, McConkey is in his second season set for a breakout year where he can set the tone for your fantasy team.
Rashee Rice
(WR, KC)
Rashee Rice was set to have a breakout sophomore year but had a season-ending injury in game four of the 2024 regular season. Within those games, he completed three, finishing as the WR14 in Week 1, the WR16 in Week 2, and the WR3 in Week 3, while getting injured early in Week 4. Rice flashed that dominance with a large target share from Patrick Mahomes.
Looking at the first twelve weeks of his rookie season, Rice averaged 11.5 fantasy points, a snap share of 49%, a target share of 14.3%, and 2.61 yards per route run. Through the rest of his rookie season and the first three weeks of his sophomore season, he averaged 18.9 fantasy points, snap share of 80%, target share of 28.9%, and 2.96 yards per route run.
Once again, you can see that trend setting up Rice to explode in 2025. Now that he is healthy and Mahomes can hopefully perform well again, Rice is a top wide receiver in the NFL.
Xavier Worthy
(WR, KC)
Xavier Worthy already made headlines by breaking the 40-yard dash record at the 2024 NFL Combine, and now he’s set to break out in 2025 fantasy football thanks to an elite situation. Worthy had an interesting rookie season, as his first year wasn’t great overall, finishing as the WR43. You did, however, see a glimpse of progression. Is it as drastic as St. Brown, McConkey, or Rice?
Looking at the first half of his rookie season he averaged 9.5 fantasy points, a snap share of 64%, a target share of 16.5%, and 1.11 yards per route run. On the second half of that season he averaged 12.3 fantasy points, a snap share of 66%, a target share of 17.2%, and 1.43 yards per route run.
Worthy improved in almost every statistical category throughout the year, and although it wasn't a significant amount, it is still a glimpse of the fact that he can become a breakout player in his sophomore season.
Yes, Rice and Hollywood Brown are healthy, but Brown is aging and if Mahomes can go back to averaging 300 passing yards per game, he can support both Rice and Worthy, allowing Worthy’s ceiling to increase with more volume from Mahomes airing the football out.
Josh Downs
(WR, IND)
Josh Downs is one of my favorite players to target in later rounds because of the progression from year one to two.
In his rookie season he averaged 9.2 fantasy points, a snap share of 69%, a target share of 17.3%, and 1.93 yards per route run. In his second year, he averaged 13.1 fantasy points, a snap share of 65%, a target share of 26.1%, and 2.3 yards per route run.
Downs took a big leap in volume with targets, but he did go down in snap percentage. However, he was also injured last season. The Indianapolis Colts didn’t invest in any wide receivers, but they did invest in the rookie tight end Tyler Warren, who will probably be a red-zone threat. That doesn’t affect Downs as much because he hasn’t made a living from touchdowns during his young career.
In a full PPR format, I am excited to get Downs, his ceiling may be capped due to quarterback play from Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson, but he is set to breakout this year. Downs is the perfect complement to Michael Pittman Jr. and is already running as the full-time slot receiver in Indianapolis. With teams focused on stopping Pittman and Jonathan Taylor, Downs is going to get open early and often.
Keon Coleman
(WR, BUF)
What makes Keon Coleman special is his size-speed combo. At six-foot-four with excellent ball skills, he’s already the Bills' most physical receiver. And with Dalton Kincaid working the middle of the field, Coleman can dominate on the outside and in the red zone.
Coleman, in the first half of his rookie season, averaged 9.3 fantasy points, a snap share of 71%, a target share of 14.4%, and 1.88 yards per route run. The second half, he averaged 7 fantasy points, a snap share of 80%, a target share of 18%, and 1.67 yards per route run.
The Bills didn’t draft any wide receivers, but they did add Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore in free agency. The Bills invested in Coleman as a rookie when he was a raw prospect, knowing he would take time to develop. Also, the Bills had a surplus of rushing touchdowns in 2024, and I don’t believe that is sustainable again this season, so they will may have to throw more in the red zone.
Don't Miss These Breakouts
in 2025 Fantasy Football
Spotting breakout wide receivers before the rest of your league is how you gain a weekly edge. In 2025 fantasy football, these five names stand out for their talent, opportunity, and situation.
Ladd McConkey, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Josh Downs, and Keon Coleman are all wide receivers who have flashed improved efficiency and are set to win you your 2025 fantasy football league.
Target them aggressively in drafts and your future fantasy roster will thank you!