Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Best Ball Rankings For 2025 (Tiers 1-3)

We continue to progress through the initial weeks of the 2025 offseason as a rising number of fantasy football managers are building rosters in best ball drafts. Your participation in these leagues provides an enticing opportunity to become involved in the early 2025 draft process.

The best ball format also supplies the benefit of finalizing all forms of roster management immediately upon the conclusion of each draft. The team at RotoBaller shares your enthusiasm for the best ball draft process and is delivering the resources that you need to prepare for upcoming drafts and assemble your rosters. That includes this breakdown of Tiers 1-3 in our updated rankings at wide receiver.

15 different receivers are contained in these tiers while 17 receivers have ADPs that are located in Rounds 1-3 of current FFPC best ball drafts. We will integrate every new development that impacts the fantasy landscape into these rankings throughout the offseason, and you can find the latest fantasy football rankings here.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings (redraft)
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings
• 2025 NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
• Best ball fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Best Ball Rankings

Tier 1

Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua, Nico Collins, CeeDee Lamb, Malik Nabers

Ja'Marr Chase was firmly entrenched within the elite tier of wide receivers before the 2024 regular season. However, he has ascended to the pinnacle of his position after becoming the sixth wide receiver to capture the receiving triple crown (receptions/yards/touchdowns) during the Super Bowl era, while stockpiling an assortment of league-best numbers last season.

JA'MARR CHASE IS THE TRIPLE CROWN KING 👑

He's only the second player to lead the NFL in all three categories in the same season since 2005 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FBUFyJX38u

— ESPN (@espn) January 6, 2025

Chase led all wide receivers with a career-best 175 targets while securing 10+ in nine of his final 13 matchups. He also led all wide receivers in receptions (127/7.5 per game), receiving yards (1,708/100.5 per game), and touchdowns (17), while establishing career-highs in each category. Chase also paced his position in routes run (743), yards after catch (799), receptions of 40+ yards (eight), and games of 150+ yards (three).

He was targeted on 23.6 percent of his routes, averaged a league-best 23.7 points per game, and led the league in first-read targets (147), according to Fantasy Points Data.

Chase will also sustain his extensive history of collecting targets from Joe Burrow, as the tandem extends its track record of high productivity. That solidifies the rationale for seizing Chase at the onset of all drafts.

Justin Jefferson accumulated 576 targets (9.6 per game), 392 receptions (6.5 per game), and 5,899 receiving yards (98.3 per game) from 2020-2023 while operating with Kirk Cousins in 57 contests during that sequence.

However, any trepidation surrounding Jefferson’s prospects of delivering another prolific season without Cousins under center was unnecessary.

JUSTIN JEFFERSON 97-YARD TOUCHDOWN‼️

WHAT A DOT FROM DARNOLD 🎯

(via @Vikings)pic.twitter.com/k35nKPTi4o

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 15, 2024

Jefferson flourished with Sam Darnold spearheading Minnesota’s sixth-ranked passing attack (237.8 yards per game) while finishing second in receiving yards (1,533/90.2 per game). He also rose to third in air yards (1,709), fourth in targets (154/9.1 per game), fourth in receptions (103/6.1 per game), and sixth in yards per route run (2.51).

Jefferson also captured a league-high 28 catches of 20+ yards, tied for the league lead in games of 100+ yards (five), finished third in points per game (18.7), and was second in route participation (92.2 percent), according to Fantasy Points Data.  

It is currently unclear whether the Vikings will retain Darnold or proceed with their original plan to infuse J.J. McCarthy under center. However, Jefferson will supply elite-level production regardless of who is launching passes in his direction. That has cemented him among the top two receivers who should be selected during your drafts.

Anyone who secured Puka Nacua as their WR1 during the 2024 draft season was justified in their decision following his historic 2023 rookie year. Nacua suffered a knee injury during the Rams’ season opener and did not reemerge from injured reserve until Week 8. However, fantasy managers still benefited from their investment after he resurfaced, when he reaffirmed his place among the league’s top-tier receivers.

Nacua led his position in targets per route run (37.6 percent) and yards per route run (3.52) from Weeks 8-17 while eclipsing 95+ yards in seven of his 10 matchups during that sequence.

Puka Nacua has played 28 regular season games.

During the time that I have yard per route run data available (2013-24), Puka's rate through an initial 28 career games blows any other WR out of the water 👇 https://t.co/dslYOVhWxb pic.twitter.com/UkXCPtFYD9

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) January 8, 2025

Nacua also rose to third in target share (33.1 percent), third in receptions per game (7.5), fourth in yards per game (95.5), and second in points per game (19.8). He also finished fourth in first-read target percentage (34.8 percent), according to Fantasy Points Data.

Cooper Kupp has missed 18 matchups since 2022 and Los Angeles appears destined to extract him from its receiving arsenal. This leaves Nacua primed to provide managers with a third consecutive season of exceptional production. It also supplies the rationale for selecting him among the top three receivers during your drafts.

It was unclear whether Nico Collins could replicate the numbers that he delivered during his 2023 breakout season (109 targets/80 receptions/1,297 receiving yards) as fantasy managers constructed rosters during the 2024 draft season. This was the byproduct of Tank Dell’s promising rookie year, along with the offseason trade that injected Stefon Diggs into Houston’s receiving weaponry.

C.J. Stroud finds Nico Collins for a RIDICULOUS catch 😱

📺: #CHIvsHOU on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/juzYKPSJfP

— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2024

However, Collins captured a 29.1 percent target share and a league-high 489 receiving yards (122.3 per game) from Weeks 1-4. He was also second in targets (43/10.3 per game), receptions (30/7.5 per game), and yards per route run (3.24).

Collins was sidelined from Weeks 6-10 (hamstring) but secured a 29.1 percent target share from Weeks 11-17. He was also fourth in yards per game (83.8), seventh in points per game (17.6), and seventh in receiving yards market share (33.7 percent), according to Fantasy Points Data.

Collins should seize another massive target share as Diggs is a free agent who turned 31 in November and is recovering from a torn ACL. Dell will likely miss the 2025 regular season due to the significant knee injury that he suffered in December. Those factors have launched Collins among your most enticing options in Round 2 of upcoming drafts.

CeeDee Lamb was the first wide receiver to be selected during the majority of 2024 drafts, following the career-best numbers that he assembled during 2023. Lamb paced all wide receivers in targets (181 targets/10.6 per game), receptions (135/7.9 per game), and yards after catch (695), was second in receiving yards (1,749 yards/102.9 per game), and rose to third in touchdowns (12).

Lamb failed to match those results in 2024. He operated with Cooper Rush and Trey Lance under center from Weeks 10-18 after Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring issue. Lamb also contended with a shoulder injury that sidelined him in Weeks 17-18.

CeeDee Lamb using all of the field for this 44-yard gain!

📺: #CINvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus & ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/Esw4SLzR1A

— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2024

However, Lamb still finished sixth in targets (152) and was among the four receivers who averaged 10+ per game (10.1). He was also sixth in receptions (101/6.7 per game), targets per routes run (28.3 percent), and yards after catch (560), and rose to seventh in points per game (17.6).

Lamb’s talent remains unquestioned, as does his role as the Cowboys’ most critical receiving weapon. That preserves his status as a WR1 while supplying your incentive to target him near the conclusion of Round 1 in your drafts.

The Giants seized Malik Nabers with the sixth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. This immediately launched the explosive playmaker atop New York’s depth chart, and he capitalized by delivering a collection of impressive numbers during his exceptional rookie season.

Nabers breaks free for a 59-yard TD! 🤯

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/yF3NBMXpoS

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 29, 2024

Nabers led all wide receivers with a 34.8 percent target share. Ja'Marr Chase was also the only wide receiver who exceeded Nabers’ target total (170), while Nabers also averaged a league-best 11.3 per game. Nabers also led all wide receivers in first-read targets (154), according to Fantasy Points Data.

He also established a new record for receptions by a first-year wide receiver (109/7.3 per game), while finishing second in air yards share (45.7 percent), third in targets per route run (31.0 percent), and seventh in receiving yards (1,204/80.3 per game).

Malik Nabers has himself a TD

📺: #BALvsNYG on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/jyus4FMEjI

— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024

Nabers also finished sixth in points per game (18.2) and assembled his numbers while operating with Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito, and Tim Boyle as New York’s signal-callers.

Nabers should benefit from an upgrade under center during the offseason, as the Giants are positioned to address their glaring need at quarterback. Nabers should also remain embedded among the top six wide receivers you prioritize during your drafts.

Tier 2

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Brian Thomas Jr., A.J. Brown, Tee Higgins

Amon-Ra St. Brown's ADP rose to the middle of Round 1 during the 2024 draft season (ADP 6), and the fourth-year receiver rewarded fantasy managers for their investment by finishing fourth in points per game (18.6). St. Brown remained entrenched as Detroit’s WR1 while finishing second overall in receptions (115/6.8 per game), third in touchdowns (12), and fifth in receiving yards (1,263/74.3 per game).

St. Brown was also eighth in targets (141/8.3 per game) while eclipsing 140+ for a third consecutive season (146/164/141) and averaging 9.2 per game during that span. St. Brown also finished fifth overall in targeted passer rating  (130.8 percent), according to PFF, and was also 10th in yards per route run (2.53) and 11th in targets per route run (26.5 percent).

Oh my...

Amon-Ra St. Brown wants that action today!! 🔥 Touchdown Lions!

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/FfZhDc4MYW

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 3, 2024

St. Brown was also second only to Ja’Marr Chase with a career-high 32 red-zone targets, including 15 targets inside the 10-yard line. Detroit’s transition from Ben Johnson to John Morton as offensive coordinator will not encumber St. Brown from operating as the Lions’ premier receiving weapon. That leaves him primed to deliver consistent WR1 production.

Brian Thomas Jr.. was the fourth wide receiver to be selected during the 2024 NFL Draft, when Jacksonville secured him in Round 1 (23rd overall). This placed him into an aerial attack that seemingly contained significant competition for targets from Christian Kirk, former Bill Gabe Davis, and Evan Engram.

BRIAN THOMAS JR 85-YARD TOUCHDOWN

HE'S LIVING UP TO THE HYPE 🔥pic.twitter.com/xTlkXURWXp

— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) October 6, 2024

However, Thomas operated as the Jaguars’ highly productive WR1 while emerging as a finalist for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

Thomas finished third among all wide receivers in receiving yards (1,282/75.4 per game), fifth in yards after contact (578), and sixth in touchdowns (10). He was also second in receptions of 40+ yards (seven) and second in touchdown market share (52.6 percent), according to Fantasy Points Data.

Those results were partially fueled by his numbers from Weeks 13-18 when Thomas rose to second in targets (70/11.7 per game) and receptions (45/7.5 per game).

Thomas also finished fourth in targets per route run (32.1 percent), fourth in receiving yards (593/98.8 per game), and sixth in yards per route run (2.72) from Weeks 13-18, while vaulting to second in points per game (22.9).

Brian Thomas Jr. big gain of 56 yards!

📺: #HOUvsJAX on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/RdDVUNZK3P

— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024

Thomas will excel as the preeminent receiving weapon in Liam Coen’s offense, and no factor looms to impede his rapid ascension into WR1 territory.

A.J. Brown's overall production declined during 2024 due to the combination of his four-game absence, and the Eagles’ decreased reliance on their aerial attack.

Philadelphia’s restructured offensive approach was the predictable result of Saquon Barkley’s infusion into the attack. The Eagles had ranked 16th in passing yards per game (226.0) during 2023, but they plunged to 29th in 2024 (187.9 per game). Philadelphia also finished dead last in pass play percentage (44.3 percent) last season after ranking 25th in 2023 (54.1 percent).

Jalen Hurts also registered 7.5 fewer attempts per game when contrasted with his average during 2023 (31.6/24.1), as Philadelphia’s second-ranked rushing attack averaged a league-high 36.5 attempts per game.

A.J. Brown makes THIS ONE count for the TOUCHDOWN🦅

pic.twitter.com/Y4JboaFmtd

— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) December 29, 2024

Brown’s troublesome hamstring also sidelined him from Weeks 2-4. However, that did not impede Brown from leading his position in air yards share (50.2 percent) and receiving yards market share (41.6), according to Fantasy Points Data. Brown also finished second in target share (34.4 percent) and yards per route run (2.99) while finishing seventh in yards per reception (16.1).

Brown signed a three-year contract extension in April 2024 and remains cemented as Philadelphia’s WR1. He can also function as a low-end WR1 on your rosters.

Tee Higgins failed to receive the contract extension that he desired before the 2024 regular season, and he eventually played with Cincinnati under the non-exclusive franchise tag.

Now, the Bengals appear primed to utilize the tag for a second consecutive season if both parties do not complete a long-term deal before March 4.

BREAKING: The Bengals plan to franchise tag Tee Higgins for the second straight season, per @JamesRapien. pic.twitter.com/mbbcjUcdpc

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 17, 2025

Higgins had soared atop the list of coveted free agents before the announcement surrounding Cincinnati's decision to tag him, as anticipation surged regarding Higgins' prospects of operating as an unchallenged WR1 in a new environment. Now, the five-year veteran's tenure with the Bengals should ultimately be extended.

Tee Higgins today:

11 catches
131 yards
3 TD
40.1 fantasy points pic.twitter.com/iVHKKA6a3t

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 29, 2024

Hamstring and quad injuries conspired to sideline Higgins during five matchups in 2024, but he still delivered numbers that propelled him to fifth with a career-high average of 18.5 points per game.

Higgins also accumulated 109 targets, including a career-best 24 inside the red zone. He also averaged a career-best 9.1 targets/6.1 receptions per game, secured his highest average in yards per game since 2021 (75.9), and generated a career-best 10 touchdowns.

Higgins turned 26 in January, and his ongoing role as the Bengals WR2 will likely be sustained. That should incentivize you to target him early in Round 3 of your upcoming drafts.

Tier 3

Ladd McConkey, Mike Evans, Drake London, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyreek Hill

Ladd McConkey was the ninth wide receiver to be selected during the 2024 NFL Draft (34th overall).

 However, he operated as Justin Herbert’s primary receiving weapon throughout his initial season, while securing a 72.1 percent snap share and a 24.2 percent target share.

Herbert to Ladd McConkey for the 40-yard TOUCHDOWN.

📺: #LACvsNE on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/YDRjYmV4e9

— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2024

McConkey was ninth among all wide receivers in both yards per route run (2.39) and receiving yards (1,149/71.8 per game), and finished 14th in receptions (82/5.1 per game). He also rose to 10th in receiving yards market share (31.3 percent), according to Fantasy Points Data, was 18th in yards after catch (408), and finished 19th in points per game (14.9).

McConkey also completed his rookie season with a 125.2 targeted passer rating, according to PFF, which vaulted him to seventh overall. His reception and yardage totals also placed him third among all first-year wide receivers behind Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.

McConkey is primed to excel in his current role as the Chargers’ unchallenged WR1. He will also remain an integral resource in the Los Angeles aerial attack if the Chargers add significant competition for targets during the process of free agency or the NFL Draft.

Mike Evans continued to function as a highly productive weapon in Tampa Bay’s third-ranked passing attack (250.4 yards per game) while supplying fantasy managers with WR1 production. Evans also flourished with Baker Mayfield under center for the Buccaneers as Evans eclipsed 1,000+ receiving yards for an 11th consecutive season -- which tied him with Jerry Rice for the NFL record.

Evans also generated 11+ touchdowns for the sixth time in his career and collected 70+ receptions (74/5.3 per game) for the ninth time since 2015. Evans also delivered a prolific sequence from Weeks 12-18 following his return from a three-game absence (hamstring).

Evans tied for the league lead in receiving yards (669/95.6) during that span, while finishing third in yards per route run (3.30), fourth in targets per route run (32.0 percent), and sixth in receptions (48/6.9 per game), including 10 catches of 20+ yards.

Evans also rose to fifth in points per game from Weeks 12-18  (20.7) and finished eighth overall from Weeks 1-18 (17.2). He will turn 32 in August, but the six-time Pro-Bowler has yet to present a discernible sign that a sizable drop-off in his proficiency is imminent.

Drake London exceeded his previous career highs in a plethora of categories during 2024, while establishing his ability to provide fantasy managers with consistent WR2 production. London operated with a 90.2 percent snap share and vaulted to second in targets per route run (31.2 percent) and third in first-read targets (132), according to Fantasy Points Data.

KIRK COUSINS TO DRAKE LONDON FOR A 30-YARD TOUCHDOWN 🔥

It's Cousins' first passing TD since Week 9 😳 pic.twitter.com/9BXRU4RpLV

— ESPN (@espn) December 17, 2024

London also finished fourth in receiving yards (1,271/ 74.8 per game), sixth in target share (29.4 percent), seventh in receptions (100/5.9 per game), and eighth in touchdowns (nine). He also rose to third in air yards (1,692), fifth in yards per route run (2.51), and finished 14th with an average of 16.5 points per game.

"Touchdown! Drake London — scintillating"

Penix Jr. and the @AtlantaFalcons strike back 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PKDz3RhTdq

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 5, 2025

Surging optimism surrounding London’s prospects of sustaining his statistical momentum in 2025 should be intensified after he thrived with Michael Penix Jr. under center from Weeks 16-18.

London led all wide receivers in targets (39/13.0 per game), receiving yards (352/117.3 yards per game), and yards per route run (3.67). He also tied for the league lead in points per game (23.1) during that three-game sequence. London can be drafted as a high-end WR2 who could easily ascend into WR1 territory this season.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba had finished third behind Seattle teammates DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in multiple categories, including targets, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns during his 2023 rookie season.

However, Smith-Njigba catapulted Metcalf and Lockett in each of those categories during 2024. He also operated as a WR2 for managers who had secured him near his Round 8 ADP (89/WR39) during the draft season.

2 TDs
180 yards
Clutch catches@jaxon_smith1's breakout game was a work of art. @Seahawks @NFLAfrica pic.twitter.com/uh2mpNuOcM

— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024

Smith-Njigba finished fifth among all wide receivers in routes run (663) and was also seventh in receptions (100/5.9 per game). He also rose to 10th in receiving yards (1,130/66.5 per game), 10th in yards after catch (475), and 12th in targets (137/8.1 per game) while eclipsing 11+ in six different contests.

Smith-Njigba also established career highs in yards per target (8.2) and yards per reception (11.3) while finishing 20th in points per game (14.9). The Seahawks have transitioned from Ryan Grubb to Klint Kubiak as their offensive coordinator, which should fuel increased utilization of Seattle's rushing attack. However, that should not inhibit Smith-Njigba from functioning as a WR2 if you secure him for your rosters.

Tyreek Hill was seized near the onset of drafts during 2024 (ADP 3/WR2). However, he failed to approach the numbers that he had attained with Miami during 2022-23.

Hill led all wide receivers in yardage (3,509/106.3 per game) during that sequence. He also finished second in both targets (341/10.3 per game) and receptions (238/7.2 per game) and rose to third in touchdowns (20).

However, Hill dropped to 16th in targets (123/7.2 per game), 19th in receptions (81/4.8 per game), and just 27th in receiving yards (959/56.4 per game) during 2024. Hill’s 288 yards after the catch also placed him 34th overall, while he plunged to 33rd in points per game (12.8).

Tua has been on FIRE today.

2nd TD that should’ve been caught by Tyreek…#GoFins pic.twitter.com/0XTjbTTYoj

— Brady Hamilton (@BradyH_216) December 22, 2024

Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined during six matchups. That led to uninspiring performances from temporary starters Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley, which negatively impacted Hill. Jonnu Smith also secured 111 targets (6.5 per game). This was a massive increase when contrasted with Miami's target leaders at tight end in 2022 (Mike Gesicki -- 52) and 2023 (Durham Smythe -- 43).

Hill is under contract through 2026 and the Dolphins will contend with cap implications if he is traded or released. That could keep Hill in Miami, where he would improve upon his disappointing 2024 numbers if Tagovailoa can achieve sustained health.

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