This past fantasy football season was one for the record books in terms of rookie wide receivers. In PPR formats, five first-year receivers found their way inside the top 35 at the position in total points. Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars was the WR4 overall, with Malik Nabers (WR6), Ladd McConkey (WR12), Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR30) and Xavier Worthy (WR33) not far behind.
Can the 2025 rookie wide receiver class top that level of production? The odds are against it, but there are still many intriguing prospects from the incoming class to consider for both dynasty and redraft leagues. The hype of a rookie class has become an annual tradition in fantasy football circles, but when you see what a talented crop of receivers can do as was the case in 2024, it’s clear the learning curve has gotten shorter for these first-year players.
A lot of variables will factor into the situation rookie wide receivers will face. Team context, offensive environment, depth charts, and injuries will all play a role. They must adjust to new teams, rule changes, and a faster-paced game speed. But 2024 showed that rookie wide receivers can succeed instantly for our fantasy teams.
Here are wide receiver prospects that could make an immediate impact on the 2025 fantasy football season.
- 2025 NFL Draft Guide
- Dynasty Trade Value Chart
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
- Fantasy Football Dynasty Rankings
Dynasty Rookie Wide Receivers
Tetairoa McMillan (WR – Arizona)
Considering his combination of size, athletic ability, and speed, there is likely no better wide receiver prospect in the 2025 draft than Tetairoa McMillan. As a junior at Arizona, he posted 84 receptions, 1,319 yards, and eight touchdowns, all of which were slightly down from his sophomore totals (90/1,402/10). Arizona was a mess on offense this year, but McMillan was a force to be reckoned with each week, even putting up a 300-yard, four-touchdown game this season. At 6’5″ and 212 pounds, McMillan is a Mike Evans clone who should be able to dominate smaller cornerbacks at the NFL level. His landing spot will be very interesting, but he has more of a chance to make an immediate impact than anyone on this list.
TETAIROA MCMILLAN NOW HAS FOUR TOUCHDOWNS AND 248 RECEIVING YARDS ????
IT’S ONLY THE THIRD QUARTER ???? pic.twitter.com/WD7u2uTluc
– ESPN (@espn) September 1, 2024
Luther Burden III (WR – Missouri)
I don’t know if Luther Burden necessarily wants to burn the tape from his 2024 junior season with Missouri, but he sure must be glad the tape from 2023 exists. After posting stellar numbers with 86 catches, 1,212 yards, and nine touchdowns in 2023, Burden took a major step back in 2024 with just 61 receptions, 676 yards, and six touchdowns. He does have the rushing component a la Deebo Samuel (nine rushes for 115 yards and two scores), and that multi-dimensionality will be very attractive to teams this season. At just 5’11”, Burden relies on his speed and yards after the catch ability to generate much of his production. He could very easily wind up as a slot receiver for a team like the Green Bay Packers, as was predicted in our latest NFL mock draft.
Travis Hunter (WR/CB – Colorado)
Will Travis Hunter play full-time wide receiver in the NFL? Only time will tell. He is a ready-to-start-now cornerback in the NFL after emerging as a shut-down corner the last two seasons. He also dominated on offense, racking up 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. All of those were top-five numbers in the country in 2024, but the NFL is likely going to force him to spend the majority of his time on one side of the ball or another. Where he ends up could depend a lot on, well, where he ends up. Hunter’s next team is likely one of the most anticipated in this draft and whether or not they have a weakness in the secondary, at wide receiver, or both, might go a long way to determining where he spends most of his time as he begins his NFL career.
Travis Hunter = Tempo King
He manipulates his defenders with speed transitions, tempo, and footwork.
Special talent.pic.twitter.com/uGkOR4sn49
– Snoog’s Fantasy HQ (@FFSnoog) January 16, 2025
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