Undervalued wide receivers to watch in 2025 fantasy football
Fantasy managers are always on the hunt for under-the-radar players who can pay off in drafts and on weekly lineups. The latest analysis highlights several receivers who have shown elite traits or flashed big upside, then explains what could unlock even more production in 2025. Here’s a consolidated look at key names and why they merit consideration, along with the risks to monitor.
Nico Collins
Collins has established himself as one of the league’s most productive route runners, posting a 93.2 receiving grade over the last two seasons—the best mark among all wide receivers. He also boasts a strong fantasy profile, averaging 0.612 fantasy points per route run in PPR leagues—the top mark at the position over the past two seasons. His yards per route run (3.0) and touchdowns per route (0.02) are among the elite figures as well. When Collins is open, he’s difficult to handle, thanks to his yards-after-catch ability and high-quality targets.
The main caveat is volume. Collins runs fewer routes than many peers, leaving him in the 7th–8th ranked range for fantasy points per game over the past two seasons. He’s also missed time in every season to date, which can cap his weekly upside. However, the team is switching to Nick Caley as offensive coordinator, with Cam Caley’s background leaning into three-receiver sets. If Collins can secure more playing time and stay healthy, his per-target efficiency suggests he can sustain high-level production and push into top-tier WR territory again.
Drake London
London showed a breakout in 2024 after a coaching and quarterback change, rising from a borderline fantasy starter to a must-start option with top-10 upside. He moved to a near-elite 90% snap rate and delivered a much higher 27.2% target rate, ranking among the league leaders. The Falcons’ improved quarterback situation—culminating in stronger play from the passer—helped London become a more consistent producer, finishing 14th in fantasy points per game and fifth in total fantasy points among wide receivers.
A big driver of London’s enhanced production was increased work from the slot, where his 39.6% slot rate was the highest by far. He also posted a high target share on routes run from the slot, which boosted efficiency (he averaged 2.57 yards per route run from the slot). Those gains came even though the Falcons remained a run-first offense at times, suggesting there’s room for even more upside if the offense continues to progress and the quarterback play remains strong. Regression is a consideration, but London’s early-season trajectory with Penix Jr. hints at continued upside in 2025.
Rashee Rice
Rice’s 2024 production was impressive when fully healthy and playing regularly for the Chiefs. In his best complete stretch (11 full games with at least 70% of team snaps), he averaged 17.9 PPR fantasy points per game, and he excelled as a yards-after-catch producer (highest YAC per game among the group) while boasting a strong receiving grade (88.9) and solid yards-per-route (2.54). When healthy and on the field with a competent quarterback, Rice has shown the potential to be a high-volume, high-efficiency option in Kansas City’s prolific offense.
Risks dominate the current outlook: Rice is expected to begin the season with a suspension, with reports suggesting a 3–7 game penalty stemming from a car crash case. There’s a wide range of predictions about the exact suspension length. In addition, his LCL injury—though reportedly not an ACL tear—adds a layer of medical uncertainty at the start of the year. On the upside, the Chiefs’ offense under Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes has a history of supporting multiple fantasy receivers, making Rice a strong stash target if the suspension is shorter than feared and he can return to peak form quickly.
Jameson Williams
Williams has carved out a potential breakout path in Detroit after overcoming an ACL tear prior to his rookie season and a later suspension in 2023 for league policy. In 2024, he emerged as a top-30 fantasy WR, delivering a postseason-like uptick in efficiency and playtime. He posted steady snap counts and contributed sizable yardage with multiple games of 75+ receiving yards after Weeks 10–18, culminating in solid per-game fantasy scoring in a high-powered offense.
The Lions’ offensive direction is shifting under new coordinator John Morton, who has experience with varied WR rotations and personnel groupings. Williams’s combination of speed, playmaking ability, and performance in 2024 support a potential leap in 2025, provided the target competition remains manageable and the offense continues to play to his strengths. There are risks, of course, including the team’s overall target distribution and Williams’ own health and discipline history, but the talent is undeniable.
Trevor Hunter
Hunter is a more unconventional case. After spending the past two seasons at Colorado as a two-way contributor (wide receiver and defensive back), he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars with a clear path to a significant offensive role. In the early preseason look, he aligned with the starting unit and logged substantial snaps in 11-personnel packages, including several plays on the outside and in the slot. He showed the versatility to line up in multiple spots, including five slots in a recent limited viewing, signaling a potential for flexible usage in 11 personnel-heavy offenses.
Hunter’s raw tools are enticing, and the Jaguars’ commitment to 11 personnel could unlock a bigger role for him if he continues to seize opportunities. The caveat is a limited track record on offense and the uncertainty around his specific role in regular-season game plans. If the coaching staff fully embraces his upside, Hunter could emerge as a surprising fantasy asset in deeper or best-ball formats.
Other notes and considerations
– Awarding risk versus reward: All five players carry a mix of elite traits and situational risk. Collins and London carry the strongest path to reliable, high-end production if opportunity and health cooperate. Rice offers big upside in a high-powered offense but carries suspension risk. Williams has a clear breakout potential with a favorable offensive scheme, but his production depends on target distribution and health. Hunter represents a high-ceiling dart throw for those drafting deep or looking for a league-winner in the late rounds.
– Team context matters: Offense philosophies, such as pace, personnel usage (11 vs. 12 personnel), and quarterback play, will heavily influence each player’s ceiling. Monitoring coaching staff changes and early-season snap counts will be critical.
– Injury and discipline caveats: Collins’ ongoing health history, Rice’s upcoming suspension, and Williams’ and Hunter’s relative inexperience at high volume in the pros all require caution. The upside remains compelling, but risk assessment should guide how aggressively you roster them.
Summary and takeaways
– The common thread across these players is elite or near-elite underlying talent paired with improving or favorable circumstances (coaching changes, quarterback upgrades, or increased snap shares).
– For managers aiming for late-round upside or weekly-flex plays, Collins, London, Rice (if the suspension aligns), Williams, and Hunter each offer a plausible path to strong fantasy returns in 2025.
– The best approach is to monitor early-season usage, injury reports, and official suspensions (for Rice) to optimize the exact moment to buy in on these players in drafts.
A hopeful note
Rising coaching staff, improved quarterback play, and expanded roles point to a brighter outlook for these receivers. If even two of them hit their ceiling, many fantasy teams could reap significant rewards in 2025.
If you’d like, I can convert this into a concise, publish-ready post with a headline and a short deck, or tailor it to a specific scoring format you use. I can also add a quick table of projected week-by-week usage based on the latest coaching staff signals.