The NFL season is quickly approaching, and fantasy drafts are starting. At DraftKings, you can play an array of different season-long fantasy contests.
This is a look at the top ten rookie wide receivers to target in 2025 dynasty drafts.
1) Travis Hunter- Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Hunter was taken second overall in the 2025 NFL Draft and seems destined for stardom in the NFL. Hunter was a player the likes of which had never been seen in modern college football. His ability to perform at wide receiver and cornerback was unprecedented, causing him to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy. The even more shocking part is that Hunter plans on doing the same in the NFL. Hunter is headed into his rookie season with plans to play on both sides of the ball, which will be fascinating to watch, but makes his fantasy value more complicated.
If Hunter were just playing wide receiver, he would be the unquestioned top rookie wide receiver for dynasty drafts. He has great hands, is a dynamic playmaker in open space, and has a tremendous work ethic and attitude. Also, getting Trevor Lawrence at quarterback is better than a receiver drafted second overall could’ve hope for. In a duo with Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter should click right away. The only concern is that if he ends up playing more on the defensive end, he will see fewer offensive snaps. However, the plan seems to be for Hunter to primarily play receiver, only playing get-off-the-field downs on defense. That makes Hunter someone who can’t be passed up in dynasty drafts this summer.
2) Tetairoa McMillan- Carolina Panthers
Tetairoa McMillan was the next receiver taken in the draft and is capable of being a star at the next level. McMillan is a great athlete with tremendous hands. He finished in the top five in the nation in receiving yards in each of his last two seasons at Arizona. He is capable of making acrobatic catches, battling through double coverage and being an elite goal-line target. The Panthers had two rookie receivers excel last season, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. These three young receivers, along with the veteran Adam Thielen, should make for a good group of targets for Bryce Young as he continues his development.
At the end of last season, Bryce Young was playing the best football of his NFL career. Young and Dave Canales finally unlocked something and this offense started to look competent at worst. The Panthers made strides to keep improving over the offseason, including drafting McMillan. If things progress from where they were last season and McMillan seizes the WR2 role, or even the WR1 role, he should be a great fantasy asset right away. Also, Adam Thielen is in the final year of his contract in Carolina. If McMillan proves himself as a rookie, he should be the clear WR1 on this team moving forward, making him a great dynasty asset.
3) Matthew Golden- Green Bay Packers
Matthew Golden is one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class. The Packers have been seeking a real WR1 ever since Davante Adams left town. Jordan Love has shown great promise at quarterback, but the Packers haven’t been able to get to the next level. A big reason for that is the inconsistent wide receiver play. Their receivers have had injury issues and nobody from their young group has emerged as a top-tier target for Love. Matthew Golden could be the guy who emerges as the leader of the group. He has all of the traits needed to succeed in the NFL and will have great coaching from Matt LaFleur.
Golden averaged 17.0 yards per catch last season and had nine receiving touchdowns last season at Texas. His receiving touchdowns mark led the SEC last season, and he ended up with more receiving yards than any player on the Packers had last season. If Love and Golden click, he could become a fantasy superstar right away. The biggest red flag around Golden is that he could get lost in the shuffle of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and others. However, there is a vacancy to fill on that offense and Golden is fully capable of rising to the occasion.
4) Emeka Egbuka- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Emeka Egbuka is looking to carry on the tradition of great Ohio State receivers in the NFL. Egbuka played alongside some incredible wide receivers at Ohio State, including Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jeremiah Smith, but always managed to carve out a niche for himself. That is a promising sign for somebody coming into an offense that already has Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan and more. Evans is one of the most targeted receivers in football, but others have shown an ability to thrive due to the defensive attention Evans gets.
Egbuka’s ability in the slot could make him an immediate starter alongside Evans and Godwin. If that’s the case, Egbuka should see a lot of single coverage and have the chance to explode as a rookie. Then, from a dynasty perspective, he could become the WR1 in Tampa Bay as Evans and Godwin age out. Baker Mayfield has thrived the last couple of seasons in Tampa. Between his quarterback play and the veteran wide receiver leadership, Egbuka should hit the ground running with the Buccaneers.
5) Luther Burden III- Chicago Bears
Luther Burden III was a standout player at Missouri and is another weapon being added to Caleb Williams’ arsenal. After a disappointing rookie season, Williams is hoping to thrive under new head coach Ben Johnson, the most sought-after offensive mind in the coaching market this offseason. The biggest issue for Burden will be getting touches right away. Between Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, D’Andre Swift and fellow rookie Colston Loveland, there are a lot of players looking for touches this season. However, just like Egbuka, Burden’s ability in the slot could give him a leg-up. Despite there being so many other options in this offense, Burden should get a high percentage of snaps due to the amount that he’ll be used in the slot. If this offense clicks with Ben Johnson, it could be a big year for Luther Burden III.
6) Tre Harris- Los Angeles Chargers
Tre Harris is an intriguing target for Justin Herbert to utilize this season. Harris was a 1,000-yard receiver at Ole Miss last season, and the Chargers used a second-round pick on him due to his versatility. Ladd McConkey came into this offense last year and immediately excelled, finishing tenth in the NFL in receiving yards last season. Harris hopes to have the same instant impact, and the role should be there for him. McConkey can play in the slot and excels with breaking routes in the middle of the field. Meanwhile, Harris will be the big-bodied receiver on the outside that the Chargers hoped Quentin Johnston would be. Harris has the chance to be the perfect complement to McConkey, and with a good quarterback throwing him the football, he should thrive right away in Los Angeles.
7-8) Jayden Higgins & Jaylin Noel- Houston Texans
It only makes sense to talk about this duo together. Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel were teammates at Iowa State, then both got drafted by the Texans. Higgins was a second-round pick, while Noel went in the third round. Higgins and Noel both combined for over 2,000 yards in their final two seasons at Iowa State. They were an incredible duo in college, and the Texans hope that will translate to the NFL. The Texans have a clear WR1 in Nico Collins, but their injury problems at that position caused them to be so aggressive in drafting both of these receivers. Tank Dell is likely to miss the entire 2025-26 season with the knee injury he suffered last season, and Collins has dealt with injury issues his whole career, only playing 12 games last season.
The Texans also traded for Christian Kirk as a veteran option at receiver. Higgins and Noel will both have a chance to prove themselves as players who should get more targets ahead of Kirk. Noel also has more potential to play in the slot as a possible replacement for Tank Dell, although John Metchie III will likely start the season as the primary slot option. Even if both former Cyclones are relegated to a backup role to start the season, Metchie played just 13 games last season, and Collins has never played a full season in his career. There should be plenty of opportunities for the duo to prove themselves. Higgins has the higher upside with the more NFL-style frame; however, both receivers are worth a shot in dynasty fantasy leagues this season.
9) Jack Bech- Las Vegas Raiders
Jack Bech is one of the easiest players to root for in all of football. After suffering a family tragedy earlier this year, he has shown tremendous strength and is exactly the type of character you want on your football team. Bech is also a massive talent, going for over 1,000 receiving yards at TCU last season. He was a second-round draft pick for the new-look Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders brought in Pete Carroll to be their new head coach, Geno Smith to be their new quarterback and used their first-round pick on superstar running back Ashton Jeanty, all joining last year’s standout tight end Brock Bowers.
This Las Vegas offense and coaching staff are now full of experience, unlike last season. Bech should be in a position to thrive from the jump with this quarterback-head coach combination. Jakobi Meyers is the WR1 in Las Vegas, but after him, there is no clear WR2. Brock Bowers will likely be the primary target for Geno Smith, but at wide receiver, there is an opportunity that Bech can grab. Geno Smith finished fourth in the NFL in passing yards last season, and with a pass-heavy approach, Bech could be in for a strong rookie year.
10) Kyle Williams- New England Patriots
Kyle Williams is a name flying under the radar this offseason. He wasn’t a huge name in college, mainly because he spent his final year in limbo at Washington State. The program was not even a part of a conference in Williams’ final year, and playing on the West Coast, not many people got the chance to watch him. However, he finished eighth in the country in receiving yards and fourth in receiving touchdowns last season. He is a dynamic playmaker who was worth a third-round pick for New England.
The Patriots brought in Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels to lead this new era in New England with Drake Maye at quarterback. The Patriots also made several moves at wide receiver, bringing in Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins to join Pop Douglas. That receiver room is a bit crowded, but Williams will have the chance to make his mark. Stefon Diggs is aging and only played eight games last year due to injuries. Mack Hollins is a solid veteran but is not a long-term solution for the Patriots at wide receiver. They will want to give guys like Kyle Williams a chance to prove themselves. If everything clicks with Drake Maye and Josh McDaniels, Williams could be a great player to stash in dynasty leagues as a potential future star in that offense.
