I keep saying it, but it finally feels real: we are, indeed, so back. It’s the biggest fantasy football draft weekend of the year. It’s the second Fantasy Football Friday of the year here at DraftKings Network. And I’m here to get you set, in this inaugural 2025 Five Lists of Five, with breakout wide receivers (some of them deep) for your fantasy football drafts this weekend.
And let’s just roll back into the common refrain, shall we? All I want is for you to be better than your friends. You’re going to be surrounded by them on Sunday, probably. How sweet would it be if you could be sure you’ve checked every box possible that might guarantee you a resounding victory this week? Some kick-your-feet-up insights? I’ve got some.
I know my audience. The smoke-break audience. The quick-scan-of-the-phone-on-the-way-to-the-fridge audience. The give-me-as-much-info-as-possible-as-fast-as-possible audience. I’m a man of the people.
And so: the Five Lists of Five series. Think of these as byte-sized, two-minutes-to-yourself lists to scan during your weekend as you foam at the mouth for any competitive fantasy edge. As much relevant analysis as I can fit into, like, 250 words per player.
Below: Top five breakout wide receivers for 2025. These are guys in the WR3-5 ADP range that could make the leap to weekly-winning WR2 performances.
Here are the other offerings from my Five Lists of Five: 2025 Fantasy Football Draft edition:
– Top five breakout running backs to draft for 2025 fantasy football
– Top five fantasy football sleepers in 2025 fantasy drafts
– Top five league-winners to draft for 2025 fantasy football
– Top five undervalued unsung heroes to draft for 2025 fantasy football
Follow my handle @dansby_edits for all preseason and fantasy draft kit content—as well as plenty of NFL betting goodies—all summer long. All my other fantasy football draft kit content is at the bottom of this list!
Top five breakout WRs to target in 2025 fantasy football drafts
George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys (WR29)
You can read my full write-up on why I have Pickens ranked as my WR24 for 2025 here. New analysis:
The stars are aligning for Pickens to explode in Dallas. After a trade from Pittsburgh, he steps into a pass-happier offense. Dallas averaged 612 targeted passes the last two years vs. just 472 for Pittsburgh. Even sharing targets with CeeDee Lamb, Pickens can easily top his 125-target pace from 2024. In fact, maintaining last year’s production would only require ~20% target share in Dallas (he hit 27% in 2024), thanks to the higher volume. More importantly, Pickens has elite efficiency: he’s posted back-to-back seasons over 2.0 yards per route run (2.11 and 2.06). That’s a feat achieved by only 29 receivers in their first three years since 2011. Notably, 23 of those 29 went on to average 16+ PPR points per game (a solid WR1/2 level) at least once in their careers. Pickens’ ball skills and downfield prowess (16.7 yards per catch career) make him a big-play threat on every target.
At ~6’3″ with excellent body control, he’s a prime candidate to dominate end-zone looks (he scored nine TDs in 28 games with the Steelers). Health provided, Pickens could flourish with Dak Prescott. Dallas’ new head coach Brian Schottenheimer has kept their passing attack aggressive, and if anything happened to Lamb, Pickens’ target share would skyrocket. Even without that, he’s set up for a third-year breakout—think top-15 WR potential—given his rare efficiency and improved situation.
But, sure. We should all be a bit afraid of his temperament and how that tends to lend itself to his composure in games sometimes.
Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars (WR33)
The rare college two-way star, Hunter enters the NFL with sky-high expectations – and early signs point to a major role in Jacksonville. The Jags took Hunter in the top half of Round 1, and in preseason he played 11 of 12 snaps with the first-team offense (62.5% from the slot). New Jags head coach Liam Coen (a Sean McVay disciple) loves using a slot weapon (Coen’s 2024 Bucs offense had Chris Godwin feasting in the slot before injury). Hunter could fill that role immediately. He’s an explosive athlete with a 97.1 LateRound Fantasy ZAP score (an analytical prospect model). Extremely high for a middle-round WR pick. Historically, first-round receivers with top-notch prospect profiles tend to produce right away. Since 2011, 20 first-round WRs had ZAP >95; they averaged about 13 PPR points per game as rookies. That’s roughly Hunter’s projection at his current price, but he has the talent and opportunity to beat the average.
Jacksonville’s depth chart is wide open behind sophomore WR Brian Thomas Jr., and Hunter’s dynamic skillset (4.4 speed, electric change-of-direction) gives him a chance to be the 1B target for Trevor Lawrence. Expect some learning curve. Hunter is a unique case, having split time at cornerback in college. Come fantasy playoff time, rookie wideouts often hit their stride. Hunter could be a league-winner down the stretch. By midseason, it’s plausible he’s giving you 5–7 catches and 80+ yards regularly, with the occasional blow-up game. Remember, this is an offense likely to be pass-heavy and high-scoring. Betting on a talented rookie in such an environment has paid off many times before. Hunter’s combination of draft capital, role, and athletic pedigree make him a calculated upside pick. Don’t be afraid to reach a round early if you want this potential unicorn breakout on your roster.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (WR45)
Downs is a slot dynamo who thrived despite Indy’s quarterback carousel. As a rookie in 2024 he posted 72 receptions, 803 yards, five TD, finishing as the PPR WR38. His role was underneath (97th percentile slot rate, 6.6-yard aDOT), but his advanced metrics suggest serious upside. In games where veteran Joe Flacco took over and provided competent QB play, Downs commanded a 25.7% target share with 2.38 yards per route run. Elite usage and efficiency. During those weeks he averaged 15.5 PPR points per game, which would’ve ranked as a top-24 WR over the season. He also saw a hefty 32.4% share of first-read targets (9th-best) in that span, showing he can be the go-to guy. By contrast, when raw rookie Anthony Richardson started, Downs’ numbers dipped (10.7 PPR, WR44 pace).
The takeaway: Downs is quarterback-sensitive, but the talent is real. He creates separation with quickness (4.45 speed, excellent change-of-direction) and sure hands (only 1 drop in 2024). He was targeted on 30% of his routes, reflecting how often he shook open. The Colts are hoping to get more consistent QB play in 2025 by announcing Daniel Jones as the starting QB over Anthony Richardson. Downs could explode past his ADP. Even with last year’s turmoil, he notched eight PPR top-24 weekly finishes. He’s a high-floor PPR flex as is, but any improvement in Indy’s passing efficiency could vault Downs into the WR2 conversation, given his hefty target rate and YAC ability. He’s a prime late-round third-year breakout candidate who could flirt with 90+ catches and 1,000 yards if things break right.
Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (WR50)
Mooney quietly rebounded last season with 64 catches, 992 yards, five TDs after joining Atlanta in free agency back in 2023. Though just 5’11”/177, he’s a burner (4.38 speed) who surprisingly ran many short routes early on with Kirk Cousins at QB. Even so, Mooney’s average target depth was 12.8 yards (83rd percentile), underscoring his field-stretching ability. Now Atlanta is transitioning to strong-armed second-year Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback, which could unlock Mooney’s deep game. Penix isn’t shy about heaving 50/50 balls or challenging tight windows downfield. That’s a perfect match for Mooney’s skillset. We saw flashes of their chemistry late in 2024: in Week 17, Mooney hauled in a laser 30-yard sideline shot from Penix that barely cleared the defender’s helmet. If Penix leans on Mooney’s speed on deep outs and go routes, Mooney could go from “possession guy” to home-run hitter again.
One red flag: a shoulder injury in camp will cost Mooney the preseason, but assuming full recovery, the upside is huge. The Harris Almanac notes that in a best-case scenario, Mooney could deliver a Jaylen Waddle circa 2022 season (Waddle had 1,356 yards and eight TDs that year). In other words, Mooney has the talent to smash his draft cost if Atlanta’s offense opens up. With defenses focused on Drake London, a healthy Mooney can consistently win one-on-one matchups outside. He’s just one year removed from a 1,055-yard campaign in Chicago, and at 28 is in his prime. Don’t be shocked if Mooney pushes for 1,100+ yards and 7–8 scores as Atlanta’s field stretcher, making him a high-ceiling WR2.
Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills (WR51)
Despite a rough, injury-marred rookie season, Keon Coleman entered camp looking like a breakout waiting to happen. In 2024, he appeared in 13 games and flashed serious potential: he hauled in 29 catches for 556 yards and four touchdowns while being sidelined by a wrist injury that cost him several weeks. When he was on the field, his impact was undeniable—he averaged a staggering 19.2 yards per reception, placing him among the league leaders for players with 40+ targets. His ability to win downfield was further evidenced by his 15.2-yard average depth of target, ranking within the top eight among receivers. Coleman’s explosiveness was also apparent in his Explosive Play Rating (EPX), which clocked in at 116—well above league average—signaling his ability to break plays consistently downfield.
During training camp, Coleman turned heads with one standout performance in joint practice. Reports suggest Josh Allen and Coleman clicked immediately in the slot, with Coleman consistently beating coverage and taking home a pair of practice scores. Analysts across fantasy circles are eyeing him as the Bills’ top breakout candidate heading into 2025. Buffalo’s offense remains among the most potent in the league, and with slot roles more open (especially given injuries to other receivers), Coleman is poised to capitalize heavily.
If he can stay healthy and cut down on drops, this size-speed combination could make him a red zone threat and consistent deep-play scorer. There’s real upside here—think leading target share in key game scripts and a path to WR2 production with WR1 boom-game potential.
Dan Johnson’s full fantasy football draft-kit (Fantasy Frontlist 2025)
If you’re interested in my other rankings, which do inform some of my departures from the industry consensus (FantasyPros) rankings here, check them out:
Fantasy football 2025 WR ranks: Top 30 wide receivers to target on draft day
Fantasy Football 2025 QB ranks: Top twelve quarterbacks to target on draft day
Fantasy Football 2025 RB ranks: Top 25 running backs to target on draft day
And, of course, here’s my Fantasy Football Frontlist for 2025—full rankings, big-board, cheatsheet, everything you need. The white whale!
