The running back dead zone has generally been between the third and sixth rounds of fantasy football drafts. Running backs in this range have struggled historically compared to wide receivers and even tight ends in the same span.
A couple of factors go into the running back dead zone. The top one is fantasy players pushing running backs up in the ADP after seeing an early run at the position in the first two rounds. However, that has changed over the past few years. The general public has become more willing to draft wide receivers early in their fantasy drafts.
With more wide receivers getting drafted in the first two rounds, running backs have been more appropriately ranked and drafted. While the dead zone isn’t as significant as in the past, there are several wide receivers that fantasy players should target over running backs in this range.
Let’s look at my seven favorite wide receivers to draft inside the running back dead zone in 2025.
Wide Receivers to Target: Fantasy Football RB Dead Zone
Davante Adams (LAR): ADP 33.4 | WR15
The future Hall of Famer split time between two lackluster offenses last season. Yet, Adams finished the year as the WR11, averaging 17.2 PPR fantasy points per game, a higher average than Brian Thomas Jr. (16.7) and Drake London (16.5). Furthermore, he was the WR9 on a points-per-game basis despite Garrett Wilson ranking fourth in the NFL with 154 targets. More importantly, Matthew Stafford has produced multiple WR1s in Sean McVay’s offense in the past. Therefore, fantasy players should love being able to draft Adams as a high-end WR2.
Garrett Wilson (NYJ): ADP 33.6 | WR16
Unfortunately, Wilson has played with several below-average quarterbacks in his career. However, he was outstanding last season with Aaron Rodgers. The former Ohio State finished as the WR10, averaging a career-high 14.8 PPR fantasy points per game, ranking fourth in the NFL with 154 targets. While Justin Fields is far from an elite passer, Wilson had success catching passes from him at Ohio State. More importantly, the Jets lack any other reliable options in the passing game. Don’t be surprised if Wilson leads the league in targets in 2025.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI): ADP 36.4 | WR19
Fantasy players who drafted Harrison as a top-10 wide receiver last year were massively disappointed after he finished his rookie season as the WR30, averaging 11.6 PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, Harrison struggled to connect with Kyler Murray, hauling in only 54.4% of his targets, the second-lowest among wide receivers with at least 75 targets. Yet, he led the Cardinals with eight receiving touchdowns, ranking 13th in the NFL, totaling more than Tyreek Hill (six). Expect him to have a bounce-back sophomore year after bulking up this offseason.
DK Metcalf (PIT): ADP 51.4 | WR22
Last year, Metcalf took a backseat to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The former Ole Miss star was the WR32, averaging 12.7 PPR fantasy points per game, the lowest average of Metcalf’s career since his rookie season in 2019. Yet, he is primed for a bounce-back year after getting traded to the Steelers this offseason. Metcalf is the team’s only meaningful weapon in the passing game. More importantly, Aaron Rodgers loves targeting his No. 1 wide receiver. Last year, his top wide receiver averaged 10.7 targets and 17.4 fantasy points per game.
Xavier Worthy (KC): ADP 58.2 | WR26
Worthy was the WR10 during last year’s fantasy playoffs, averaging 21 PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 19.6 or more in every outing. According to Fantasy Points Data, his 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). Unfortunately, Rashee Rice is facing a potentially heavy suspension to start the 2025 season, giving Worthy a chance to build off his rookie year and become Patrick Mahomes’ top wide receiver.
Tetairoa McMillan (CAR): ADP 60.2 | WR27
While the Panthers won’t have an elite passing offense this season, fantasy players should expect Bryce Young to make McMillan a weekly starting wide receiver. Last year, he was one of the top pass catchers in college football, ranking 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). More importantly, no one on the team will keep McMillan from seeing at least 125 targets as a rookie.
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, Ridley was significantly better with Mason Rudolph starting than with Will Levis. He averaged more PPR fantasy points per game (14.8 vs. 10.5), a higher yards per route run (2.46 vs. 1.81), and nearly twice as many receiving yards per contest (84 vs. 49.8) with the veteran quarterback. Imagine how well Ridley will play with Cam Ward under center and no meaningful target competition.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
