4 WR3s With WR1 Potential (2025 Fantasy Football)

There are multiple ways to dominate your fantasy football draft. One of those ways is finding wide receivers outside the top 24 that could end the season as a top 12 guy.

Last year, four wide receivers had an ADP outside the top 24 heading into the 2024 season but finished as a WR1 in PPR scoring. Brian Thomas Jr. had an ADP as the WR48 but ended the year as the WR4. Terry McLaurin had a career season with Jayden Daniels under center, finishing as the WR7 despite a WR31 ADP.

Meanwhile, Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a popular sleeper candidate, ending the year as the WR9 after getting drafted as the WR40 on average. Most surprising of all was Jerry Jeudy. The veteran had a WR55 ADP but finished last season as the WR12 after ending the year on fire with Jameis Winston under center.

Which wide receivers drafted in the 25-36 range have a chance to finish top-12 in 2025? Let’s look at four potential candidates.

Fantasy Football WR3s with WR1 Potential

ADP via FantasyPros

Jameson Williams (DET): ADP 57.8 | WR25

Many called Williams a breakout candidate heading into last year after dealing with injuries and suspensions his first two seasons in the NFL. The former Alabama star had a career year, finishing as the WR22, averaging 14.1 PPR fantasy points per game. Yet, Williams only had 91 targets, ranking 47th in the league, seeing fewer than Elijah Moore (102) and Hunter Henry (97). Furthermore, he was the only wide receiver to finish as a top-24 wide receiver with fewer than 97 targets.

While the former Alabama star had only a 17.6% target share and 79.9% route participation rate, Williams proved that he is one of the top big-play receivers in the NFL. Four of his seven receiving touchdowns totaled 52 or more receiving yards. More importantly, head coach Dan Campbell has called for Williams to have an expanded role on offense in 2025. Don’t be surprised if the former Alabama star is a top-12 wide receiver this season with an increase in volume.

Xavier Worthy (KC): ADP 58.2 | WR26

Worthy had a solid rookie year, finishing as the WR33, averaging 11 PPR fantasy points per game. However, he started to shine after Rashee Rice suffered a season-ending knee injury. More importantly, the former Texas star ended the year on fire. Worthy was the WR10 during the fantasy playoffs, averaging 10.3 targets and 21 fantasy points per game, totaling 19.6 or more in every outing. Furthermore, he was outstanding in the Super Bowl, totaling two touchdowns and 35.7 fantasy points.

Worthy’s 0.61 fantasy points per route run ranked 15th out of 88 wide receivers with at least 50 routes during the fantasy playoffs, posting a higher average than Ja’Marr Chase (0.47), per Fantasy Points Data. Unfortunately, Rice is facing a potentially heavy suspension, giving Worthy a chance to build off his rookie season finish and become Patrick Mahomes’ top wide receiver. He could have a breakout year if the Chiefs’ passing attack returns to elite form.

Tetairoa McMillan (CAR): ADP 60.2 | WR27

Last year, McMillan was one of the top wide receivers in college football despite lackluster quarterback play. His quarterback, Noah Fifita, completed only 60.5% of his pass attempts and finished 97th in PFF’s passing grade (73.1). Yet, McMillan finished third in the country with 1,319 receiving yards. Furthermore, he ranked sixth in yards per route run (2.87), second in missed tackles forced (29), and fourth in contested catches (18) among 42 wide receivers with at least 100 targets last season (per PFF).

Meanwhile, the Panthers quietly had one of the better passing attacks late last year. According to Fantasy Points Data, Bryce Young finished first in hero throw Rate (11.4%) and sixth in completion percentage over expectation among quarterbacks with 35 dropbacks from Week 16 through 18. More importantly, Carolina has no one on the roster to keep McMillan from seeing at least 125 targets this season. Don’t be surprised if he has a Brian Thomas Jr.-like finish to his rookie year.

Calvin Ridley (TEN): ADP 65.2 | WR31

Some believe Ridley will be this year’s Terry McLaurin – a veteran having a career season thanks to a massive upgrade at quarterback. Last season, McLaurin was the WR31 drafted in ADP but finished as the WR7, averaging 15.8 PPR fantasy points per game, a career high. Meanwhile, Ridley was the WR28 last year, averaging 11.7 fantasy points per game, a career low. However, he was significantly better with Mason Rudolph than with Will Levis under center.

* via Fantasy Points Data

Not only was Ridley far more productive with Rudolph than Levis, but his targets (8.6 vs. 6.2) and receiving yards (84 vs. 49.8) per game also significantly improved. Meanwhile, the Titans let Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and his team-high nine receiving touchdowns leave in free agency, replacing him with past his prime Tyler Lockett and a pair of Day 3 rookie picks. Imagine how well Ridley will play with Cam Ward under center and no meaningful target competition.

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