The Path To WR-1
Chew picks four Wide Receivers in the hunt to finish as THE WR-1 in fantasy in 2025.
There can only be one WR-1! But for the sake of this article I will make the case for four WR’s that have what it takes to finish as THE WR-1 in 2025. Since it’s no fun to just pick the usual suspects, I will pick two WR’s in 1-12 of redraft rankings and two from the 13-24 range. My selections are based on FantasyPros redraft rankings. And in case you missed it check out The Path To QB-1 and The Path To RB-1.
*Fantasy scoring settings include PPR with no additional bonuses. And WR-1 for this article is based on total points and not points per game unless otherwise noted.
WIDE RECEIVERS IN THE 1-12 RANGE
CeeDee Lamb (ADP: WR-3)
The Cowboys tumbled to a sub-500 record and third in their division amidst a lost season with Dak Prescott’s uneven play and tearing of his hamstring in Week 9. But with a healthy Dak Prescott and a ho-hum running back room I expect Dallas to once again be top-5 in the NFL in pass attempts. And it wasn’t long ago that Lamb was atop all wide receivers, finishing as THE WR-1 in 2023 with a league-leading 135 receptions.
Does Lamb jump back up to 181 targets in 2025? Unlikely. But I do believe Lamb can finish top-5 in receptions, yards, and touchdowns which will put him squarely in contention for THE WR-1. New addition to the wide receiver room George Pickens will likely take on 100+ targets and serve as Lamb’s best running mate since Amari Cooper but there is enough passing volume to go around and this opens up opportunities for Lamb. For 2025, I am planting my flag for Lamb as THE WR-1.
A.J. Brown (ADP: WR-11)
I know, I know, Saquon Barkley this, tush push that. And with A.J. Brown coming of his second fewest targets in his career why on earth would he be a candidate for finishing as THE WR-1? Well a “down” season for Brown had him finish as the WR-12 in fantasy points per game. Brown’s efficiency cannot be ignored as he generated 16.1 yard per reception which was the highest among the top-24 receivers in fantasy points per game. To get Brown to THE WR-1 it will take that same efficiency and a little bit of touchdown luck.
For 2025, I do think Saquon Barkley continues to have a significant 300+ touch role and Jalen Hurts will tush push when given the opportunity. But I see a 100+ target season for Brown, which is within reason, and a double-digit touchdown performance in 2025. The touchdowns are harder to predict but given Brown’s efficiency and the high octane Eagles’ offense this is a bet I am willing to make.
WIDE RECEIVER IN THE 13-24 RANGE
Garrett Wilson (ADP: WR-13)
Garrett Wilson COULD have his best fantasy season in 2025 but what does that mean? Well pairing Wilson with his college quarterback has to make the QB-WR connection a little bit easier. Wilson is coming of his best overall fantasy season (WR-10) in 2024 due primarily to seven touchdowns which matches the prior two years combined. And at the moment Garrett Wilson is “battling” with Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, and Mason Taylor for targets.
Wilson is primed for yet another season as the target-leader for the Jets in 2025 but what will set this season apart is the yards and touchdowns. Justin Fields’ rushing ability will no doubt be utilized alongside Breece Hall to churn out yards. But this also opens up Wilson for opportunities downfield so he can at least match the seven touchdown season from 2024. A lot of things need to go right for Wilson to be THE WR-1 but stranger things have happened.
Tyreek Hill (ADP: WR-15)
During Tyreek Hill’s nine seasons in the NFL he has the following overall fantasy finishes: WR-25, WR-9, WR-3, WR-32, WR-2, WR-6, WR-2, WR-2, and WR-18. A healthy Tua Tagovailoa and, hopefully, healthy offensive line could give us a glipse of the Tyreek Hill of old. Again, we are a year removed from back-to-back WR-2 finishes and this offense is similar to that of prior seasons.
What Hill needs is a healthy season from Tua and a capable offensive line, and I am not sure which is the bigger hurdle in this pursuit. Hill enters what could be his last season in Miami as contractually the Dolphins could pull the figurative ripcord after the 2025 season. If the stars align, Hill is beyond capable to putting up WR-1 numbers as one of the league’s most explosive receivers. But is it enough to finish as THE WR-1? Only time will tell…
So you made it this long and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow dynasty degenerates I would greatly appreciate it!