X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

5 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Winners From the 2025 NFL Offseason

Calvin Ridley - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL DFS Picks, Draft Sleepers

Andrew Ball's fantasy football offseason winners and risers at wide receiver. His top WRs who gained value and 2025 fantasy football draft targets.

A relatively weak rookie and free-agent class at wide receiver made the list of offseason losers short.

Quarterback upgrades and vacated snaps make the winners stand out.

Below, we look at offseason winners at the wide receiver position, who at least maintained their long-term value following replacement concerns.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans

Tennessee's wide receiver depth chart, as it currently stands, isn't impressive.

The new regime in Tennessee replaced touchdown machine Nick Westbrook-Ikhine with Van Jefferson (on his fourth team since 2023) and 32-year-old Tyler Lockett. Former first-round pick Treylon Burks caught four passes in five games last season. A pair of day three draft picks joined the fold: Florida's Chimere Dike and Stanford's Elic Ayomanor. It's the Calvin Ridley show.

Not to say it wasn't a similar case last season. Ridley more than doubled Westbrook-Ikhine in the yardage department (1,017 to 497) and commanded 50 more targets than the next pass-catcher, tight end Chig Okonkwo (120 to 70).

But the biggest boon to Ridley's stock is the changes to the quarterback room. 2023 second-round pick Will Levis was a disaster, committing more giveaways than touchdowns and leading Tennessee to a 2-10 record in 12 starts. Veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph filled in the gaps, whether due to Levis' injuries or benching. He was marginally better (1-4 record) with a one-to-one touchdown-to-turnover ratio.

Just 71 out of Ridley's 120 targets were catchable (59.2%), and he led all wide receivers in unrealized air yards. As much as he was involved in the offense, getting the football in his hands was challenging.

While first overall pick Cam Ward should help in that department, the offense is still a work in progress. That places Ridley as a safer-than-last-year WR3 heading into the summer.

 

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Jakobi Meyers has increased his fantasy points per game every season of his professional career, yet remains perpetually underappreciated by the fantasy community. Last year's WR19 is currently being drafted at the end of the WR3 range.

And that's because the Raiders could shift to a ground-based offensive attack with Ashton Jeanty? Or because the team spent a second-round draft pick on receiver Jack Bech?

The positives outweigh the negatives. Yes, the Raiders added Bech (and fourth-rounder Dont'e Thornton Jr.), but out of necessity. Tre Tucker and DJ Turner aren't part of the franchise's long-term plans. Meyers may not be, either, as he's entering a contract year. But that's even more motivation to compile another strong campaign to earn a bag from Las Vegas or another franchise.

None of the above receivers will usurp Meyers as the second option behind tight end Brock Bowers. Meyers is, and will be, Geno Smith's go-to at the wide receiver position.

Speaking of Smith, he's the best quarterback Meyers has played with since his rookie season. It's not a hard bar to clear (late-career Cam Newton, Mac Jones, Aidan O'Connell, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Gardner Minshew II). Amazingly, Meyers accomplished all he has with that ragtag group under center.

Smith averaged a completion percentage over 67% in games under Pete Carroll in Seattle, a notable increase over the 63.6% O'Connell, Minshew, and Desmond Ridder averaged in 2024. Meyers saw a 71% catchable pass rate. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (78%), Seattle's most similar receiver to Meyers, held a much better rate in 2024 and did it with Smith in 2023 as well (76%).

Smith averaged 33.4 pass attempts per game in his two starting seasons in the Pacific Northwest. That number could remain consistent under offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who has slowed down his pace since his days coaching the Eagles and 49ers. It could cause Meyers' total targets to slip, but he can make up for it by securing accurate attempts.

 

Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers

As of this writing, the (healthy) 49ers receivers may be the biggest values in redraft leagues.

Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall are ranked and being selected behind Brandon Aiyuk. This will change as Week 1 approaches, given that Aiyuk is unlikely to be healthy to begin the season after tearing his ACL and MCL in October.

By the end of his San Francisco tenure, Deebo Samuel Sr. was a fraction of the weapon that made him an All-Pro in 2021. He's now in the nation's capital, clearing the way for snaps for other receivers.

Pearsall, a first-round pick in 2024, started his debut campaign on the NFI list due to a gunshot wound during a botched robbery attempt in late August. He missed six games and was bound for a quiet rookie season. When given the opportunity, however, he soared above projections, recording 5.5 receptions, 80.25 yards, and 0.75 touchdown splits in his four starts. Although it's a small sample size, we got a glimpse of his potential in San Francisco's final two games (8-141-1, 6-69-1) once he adjusted to the NFL game.

Jennings, a former seventh-round pick, was the bigger surprise. He more than doubled his previous career-high marks in receptions (77) and yards (975) en route to a WR24 finish (14 PPR points per game) in 15 appearances. His fantasy points per game jumped to 17.36 in the 10 games without Samuel or Aiyuk.

"If you ask Jauan, he says 'I'm number one. And that's his mindset, and that's why we love Jauan. That's how he sees himself. He sees himself as a dominant player." - Klay Kubiak, San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator

Brock Purdy will soon be locked in as San Francisco's franchise quarterback (with an extra $50M a year to boot), keeping continuity and familiarity in the offense. Tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey remain among the NFL's top weapons at their positions. A good NFL offense is always good for fantasy football.

Because of San Francisco's injury-riddled 2024 season, the 49ers have the easiest strength of schedule entering the new year. The 49ers won't face any of last season's top 11 scoring defenses.

 

Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns

Is Cedric Tillman a priority target in redraft leagues this year? No.

Is his dynasty value still intact after an offensive overhaul in Cleveland? Yes.

The 2023 third-round pick gave us the briefest of flashes during his second season. During a four-game stretch (Weeks 7 through 11), Tillman was always on the field, scoring three touchdowns, and averaged 10 targets and 18.6 PPR points per game (WR7). Head coach Kevin Stefanski and then-quarterback Jameis Winston made him an offensive priority.

Wide receiver is the only position Cleveland didn't make big changes to in the offseason. The Browns drafted their future starting running back in the second round, Quinshon Judkins, and added a complementary piece, Dylan Sampson, in the fifth round. Nick Chubb, third on the franchise's career rushing list, isn't likely to return to the team.

Tight end David Njoku remains on the roster and will likely be second in the target department behind Jerry Jeudy. He has new competition in rookie Harold Fannin Jr., a finalist for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation's best collegiate tight end.

That's a lot of offensive firepower selected in the NFL Draft, but they notably didn't add any rookie wide receivers. The only new face in the locker room is veteran Diontae Johnson, on his fourth team in a year. He replaces Elijah Moore, who is now a member of the Buffalo Bills.

Tillman won't be drafted as more than bench depth (currently in the WR6 range) because of the quarterback room. Former first-round pick Kenny Pickett, the odds-on favorite to take the first snap in Week 1, failed out of Pittsburgh with a touchdown rate under 2 percent. Joe Flacco was a fantasy league winner the last time we saw him in orange and brown, but didn't carry that momentum into Indianapolis, and he's now in his 40s. The other options are two rookies, third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cleveland Cavaliers

Tyrese Proctor Selected by Cavaliers With the No. 49 Pick
Portland Trail Blazers

Caleb Love Lands with Trail Blazers
Dallas Mavericks

Ryan Nembhard Signs a Two-Way Deal with Mavericks
Orlando Magic

Noah Penda Drafted and Traded to the Magic
Phoenix Suns

Rasheer Fleming Taken With the First Pick of the Second Round
Jordan Lawlar

on Injured List at Triple-A
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Josh Giddey

Receives Qualifying Offer from Chicago
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Andre Szmyt

Browns Sign Andre Szmyt to One-Year Deal
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Wilfried Pene

Patriots Waive Wilfried Pene
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Aaron Rodgers

Lauds DK Metcalf as "Big Reason" Behind Move to Pittsburgh
Emeka Egbuka

to Have Big Role in the Offense
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Records 11 Strikeouts
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Grey Zabel

in Line to Start at Left Guard
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Shemar Stewart

Bengals Still High on Shemar Stewart
Marc-Edouard Vlasic

Sharks Buying Out Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Staying in Downtown Cincinnati Through 2036
Bucky Irving

Improves Footwork and Pass Protection
Jamie Benn

Stays in Dallas on One-Year Deal
Reilly Smith

Signs New One-Year Deal with Vegas
Michael Kesselring

Traded to Sabres
Josh Doan

Moves to Buffalo
JJ Peterka

Mammoth Acquire JJ Peterka
Evander Kane

Traded to Canucks
Justin Tucker

Receives 10-Game Suspension
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on Thursday
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Leaves Early With Bruised Forearm
Will Levis

Has Been "Good Teammate" this Offseason
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Leaves Early Thursday After Being Hit by Pitch
Tyler Shough

Prepared for Ups and Downs of Rookie Season
Devontez Walker

John Harbaugh High on Devontez Walker
Ogbo Okoronkwo

Ogbo Okoronkwo Cut Loose By Browns
Bryce Harper

Could Return on Monday
Walter Nolen

III Fitting in Well Early On
Jalon Walker

Making Seamless Transition to the NFL
Kenneth Grant

Impressing With his Work Ethic
Tyler Booker

Viewed as Day 1 Starter
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers Extend Todd Bowles, Jason Licht
Max Muncy

Mashes Home Run No. 12, Drives in Six
Miami Heat

Miami Selects Guard Kasparas Jakucionis
Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Takes Nolan Traore in the First Round
Utah Jazz

Walter Clayton Jr. Heading to Utah
Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Drafts Joan Beringer
Justin Fields

Putting in the Work
Portland Trail Blazers

Yang Hansen Drafted by Portland
Oklahoma City Thunder

Thomas Sorber Selected by Thunder
San Antonio Spurs

Carter Bryant Lands in San Antonio
New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Acquires No. 13 Overall Pick Derik Queen From Atlanta
Juan Soto

Smacks Two More Homers
Lenyn Sosa

Goes Yard Twice in Victory
Chicago Bulls

Noa Essengue Drafted by Chicago
Nick Pivetta

Blanks Nationals Over Seven Strong Innings
Yusei Kikuchi

Punches Out 12 in Stellar Start
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Confident he will Return by Friday
Memphis Grizzlies

Cedric Coward Drafted by Portland, Traded to Memphis
Mark Williams

Phoenix Trades For Hornets Center Mark Williams
Phoenix Suns

Suns Land Khaman Maluach in NBA Draft
Toronto Raptors

Collin Murray-Boyles Drafted by Toronto
John Collins

Exercises Player Option
Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Selects Egor Demin Eighth Overall
Zach Neto

No Structural Damage for Zach Neto
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to Take Part in Home Run Derby
Mykel Williams

has Received Positive Reviews
Luis Robert Jr.

Considered Day-to-Day
Kelvin Banks

Jr. Looking Like Saints' Future Left Tackle
Wyatt Langford

Dealing With Side Tightness
Michael Harris II

Returns to Braves Lineup
Alex Bregman

Unlikely to Return Before All-Star Break
Kutter Crawford

to Have Wrist Surgery, "Most Likely" Done for the Year
Luis Robert Jr.

Injures his Hamstring on Wednesday
Xander Bogaerts

Scratched With Shoulder Soreness
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
Eric Cole

Hoping for Better Times at Rocket Classic
Beau Hossler

Searching for Form at Rocket Classic
PGA

Byeong Hun An in Good Form Heading into Rocket Classic
Cameron Young

Looking For Redemption and Possible First Career Victory in Detroit
Collin Morikawa

is The Headliner This Week in Detroit For Good Reason
Si Woo Kim

Back in Competition After Last Week's Withdrawal
PGA

Alex Noren Finishes Tied For 30th at Travelers Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Misses The Cut at RBC Canadian Open
Ryan Poehling

Becomes a Duck
Trevor Zegras

Moves to Philadelphia
Andre Burakovsky

Traded to Blackhawks
Fabian Zetterlund

Remains in Ottawa on Three-Year Deal
Matt Duchene

Signs Four-Year Extension
Jonathan Toews

to Sign with Jets
Ryan Blaney

Drives Through the Field Twice Despite Failing Cool Suit to Finish Third
William Byron

Poor Strategy Ruins William Byron's Strong Run
Kyle Larson

Decent Pocono Run Allows Him to Make Up Some of his Points Deficit
John Hunter Nemechek

Earns Another Sixth-Place Finish in One of His Best Career Races
Jamahal Hill

Gets Dominated At UFC Azerbaijan
Khalil Rountree Jr.

Dominates At UFC Azerbaijan
Rafael Fiziev

Gets Back In The Win Column
Ignacio Bahamondes

Drops Decision At UFC Azerbaijan
Curtis Blaydes

Gets Split-Decision Win at UFC Azerbaijan
Curtis Blaydes

Rizvan Kuniev Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
Denny Hamlin

Falls Short of Victory At Pocono
Chase Elliott

Continues his 2025 Consistency with A Top-Five Run at Pocono
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace's Difficult Weekend Ends with A Tire Failure at Pocono
Chris Buescher

Finishes Well at Pocono with A Solid Top-Five Finish
Tofiq Musayev

Submitted In His UFC Debut
Myktybek Orolbai

Scores First-Round Submission
Nikolas Motta

Gets Finished After Back-And-Forth Fight
Nazim Sadykhov

Scores Second-Round TKO
Bogdan Grad

Drops Decision
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Notch Yet Another Pocono Win
Ryan Blaney

Qualifies 20th but Should Contend at Pocono
William Byron

the Chalk DFS Play at Pocono After Wrecking in Qualifying
Joey Logano

Is Better Than Recent Pocono Record Suggests
Chris Buescher

Looking for Legitimate Pocono Win This Time
Brad Keselowski

Should Be Strong at Pocono This Weekend
Josh Berry

a Safe DFS Option at Pocono After Diffuser Issue
Erik Jones

Is Good at Pocono
Noah Gragson

is a DFS Pivot Option at Pocono
Austin Dillon

is Respectable at Pocono
John Hunter Nemechek

Should Be Avoided in DFS
Christopher Bell

Probably Not Dominant Enough Recently for DFS Play
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace's Lack of Pocono Qualifying Time Makes Him a DFS Must-Have
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF