Fantasy football 2025 dynasty wide receiver rankings, from Ja'Marr Chase to Adam Thielen

New York Times

5 days ago

Welcome to the third installment of my dynasty rankings review series. In case you missed it, I previously reviewed the quarterback and running back positions; now I turn my attention to the receivers.
In addition to the rankings, the added tiers will help further segment the players, a useful tool during start-up drafts when trying to determine positional depth as a draft unfolds. For reference, you can find all my rankings on FantasyPros.
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There's a lot of variance among fantasy analysts when ranking receivers. As is the case with other positions, I give extra priority to production, even as a player approaches an age cliff, when other analysts begin fading that player. Other factors, such as production consistency, quarterback quality, contract specifics and injury history, also factor in. As I tend to build my dynasty squads through receivers, it's the position I obsess over in my rankings.
The names here won't surprise anyone, though I suspect many dynasty managers could take issue with some players not appearing in this tier. If you don't see an expected player, it's likely due to my inclusion of an existing risk factor I'm weighing. In many cases, this applies to second-year players or upside names suffering from quarterback quality issues that I want to see play out before upgrading.
Most upside: Brian Thomas, JAX
Most value: A.J. Brown, PHI
Most risk: CeeDee Lamb, DAL
There's not much to say about these elite eight receivers. If not for a new quarterback, Justin Jefferson would headline this group.
CeeDee Lamb should benefit from the addition of George Pickens, but the new situation and Dak Prescott's inability to remain healthy introduce risk.
There's a lot to like about Brian Thomas Jr. due to size, production and age, and, should Trevor Lawrence finally take the next step, it's not out of the question that BTJ vies for WR1 in dynasty, both in ranking and production.
Any of these receivers could easily appear in the tier above. It's never my plan to control the number of players in any tier, as can be seen here with only six players represented. Instead, I allow my confidence in the players to determine where the tiers break.
Most upside: Drake London, ATL
Most value: Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI
Most risk: Garrett Wilson, NYJ
Drake London may finally be ready to make the leap into the tier above, but he'll need solid play from second-year quarterback Michael Penix for that to occur. Still only 23, London has the size and profile I look for, and he finally put it all together in 2024.
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Marvin Harrison Jr. has been a frequent trade target after some managers grew frustrated with the rookie's production and consistency. Savvy managers looking to rebuild should target the high-ceiling player in his second season if any discount is offered.
At some point, Garrett Wilson must produce to maintain his present premium. Paired with his collegiate quarterback, Justin Fields, Wilson needs to surpass his 2024 touchdown total (seven) to maintain this ranking. Entering his fourth season, Wilson looks primed to take the next step, but his quarterback situation remains a risk, and should Fields not pan out, it will mean yet another quarterback change for Wilson.
I love everything about Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but I'm not fully confident that new quarterback Sam Darnold is the upgrade needed to vault JSN to a WR1. If he is, Smith-Njigba may sneak into my first tier by midseason.
Ladd McConkey had a stellar rookie season, but, like Wilson above, I'm looking for more touchdown production lest he slip into a possession-style role that rarely makes my first tier.
A broad third tier provides a mix of significant upside and established production. This is the tier that is likely to elicit the most comments from readers, as my style of ranking begins to diverge from that of many analysts.
Most upside: Travis Hunter, JAX
Most value: Rome Odunze, CHI
Most risk: Chris Olave, NO
Most underappreciated: Mike Evans, TB
Biggest sleeper: Jameson Williams, DET
I simply don't know how to rank rookie Travis Hunter. His ceiling is tremendous, but a combination of raw skill, role mystery and quarterback quality does create a risky situation.
Rome Odunze checks nearly every box as a potential impact WR1, but competition for targets and reliance upon Caleb Williams' development saps his value. For me, all arrows are pointing up.
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If not for his concussion history, Chris Olave could be vying for Tier 1 inclusion, but his health remains a concern (until it doesn't). This could be a make-or-break year for Olave in that regard. Quarterback quality also remains a significant question mark.
Mike Evans is in his age-32 season, but there's no questioning his durability or production. Competitive teams should be price-checking for acquisition. He's been a frequent value-on production anchor for me in new start-up drafts.
I believe 2025 is the year Jameson Williams proves he's much more than a risky deep threat. My bold prediction is he will outproduce Amon-Ra St. Brown in fantasy production in the year to come.
My other favorite targets from this tier are Tee Higgins, DeVonta Smith, Jerry Jeudy and Emeka Egbuka, for any combination of value, production and upside. I'm fading DK Metcalf, DJ Moore and Rashee Rice.
A mix of value, intrigue and community groupthink helps highlight the names in this tier.
Most upside: Ricky Pearsall, SF
Most value: Deebo Samuel, WAS
Most risk: Xavier Worthy, KC
Most underappreciated: Jalen McMillan, TB
Biggest sleeper: Jalen McMillan, TB
Biggest sell: Tyreek Hill, MIA
Davante Adams finds himself in the perfect situation and should be productive again for competitive teams. If you aren't competitive, move him immediately.
Deebo Samuel has tremendous value in Washington but is also a risky asset due to injury history.
Xavier Worthy is at risk of becoming just another deep-threat option who doesn't produce consistently enough in fantasy to maintain his ranking.
The opportunity for Ricky Pearsall is not reflected in the rankings of most analysts and presents significant value.
Tyreek Hill could populate any of these categories and is difficult to rank. Age and quarterback issues remain, but he can be acquired for competitive managers.
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I'm most excited about Jalen McMillan. The arrival of rookie Emeka Egbuka has rendered McMillan an afterthought after his standout rookie season. He's a significant value-on acquisition for me, with eyes on 2026.
Michael Pittman, Chris Godwin and Brandon Aiyuk are all in crossroads seasons and have a lot to gain or lose. For this reason, I'm steering clear of acquiring them.
I like to think of the fifth and sixth tiers as where dynasties are solidified. Without question, your build will determine your initial success, but after the glitz of the top tiers fades, managers are left with what appear to be uninspiring options. Careful and smart selections over these next two tiers can provide significant production and, potentially, future dynasty stars.
Most upside: Tre Harris, LAC
Most value: Calvin Ridley, TEN
Most risk: Keon Coleman, BUF
Most underappreciated: Jakobi Meyers, LV
Biggest sleeper: Jayden Higgins, HOU
Biggest sell: Stefon Diggs, NE
Tre Harris has been one of my favorite prospects for a long time, and his drafted situation is a good one.
Calvin Ridley was quietly the WR29 (PPR) in 2024 and should have upside with rookie Cam Ward under center.
I'm concerned that if Keon Coleman doesn't establish himself as something more than a red zone weapon, he'll fade from the radar. It's uninspiring that he had only eight receptions over his final five games of 2024.
Jakobi Meyers remains completely uninteresting but quietly ranked as WR30 last season despite missing two games.
Jayden Higgins has the look of a WR1 but is behind Nico Collins in the pecking order. Quarterback C.J. Stroud regressed in 2024, and target competition is present. That said, I still love Higgins' profile and have been targeting him early in the second round of rookie drafts.
I have no shares of Stefon Diggs and fully expect he'll be off the dynasty radar this time next year.
I'm steering clear of Josh Downs, Khalil Shakir, Rashid Shaheed and Jauan Jennings, while Cooper Kupp has enough production value for competitive teams. I'm intrigued as to whether Rashod Bateman can take the next step after his new contract.
Similar to Tier 5, I'm targeting undervalued production assets and value-on developmental prospects here.
Most upside: Troy Franklin, DEN
Most value: Marquise Brown, KC
Most risk: Christian Watson, GB
Most underappreciated: Alec Pierce, IND
Biggest sleeper: Marvin Mims Jr., DEN
Troy Franklin had a good early camp, and I think he takes another step in Year 2 with his college (Oregon) quarterback, Bo Nix, under center.
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The Chiefs badly need receiver consistency to stop the dynasty slide of Patrick Mahomes, and a fully healthy Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown should pay dividends, especially with Rashee Rice back in the fold.
Christian Watson tore his ACL late in 2024 but recently posted a workout video showing good progress. That said, the injury bug remains a constant companion for Watson, and the Packers seem content to move on.
Alec Pierce was PPR's WR43 last year while missing two games. I think he flirts with the 1,000-yard plateau in 2025.
Don't sleep on Marvin Mims, who finished 2024 with 13 receptions on 13 targets and four touchdowns over his final two regular-season games. If he can remain healthy, he offers upside.
You can find my remaining Tier 7 players at the link above at FantasyPros.
If you have questions or comments, you know what to do. Please follow me on Twitter and Threads: @DLF_Jeff.
(Photo of Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins: Sam Greene / Imagn Images)