Wide receiver is a cornerstone position in fantasy football, offering the potential for explosive weekly production. However, not all receivers are created equal in terms of predictability.
As we look ahead to the 2025 season, a fascinating crop of pass-catchers presents significant challenges for fantasy owners attempting to project their output. These are the players whose range of outcomes is exceptionally wide, making them either league-winners or frustrating busts.
Understanding the factors contributing to their volatility is crucial for making informed draft decisions and navigating the fantasy season.
Here are 9 wide receivers who are difficult to rank.
Brian Thomas Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars): I was very high on Thomas last offseason so only moderately surprised by his huge success last year. But between his ridiculous rookie numbers and the addition of Travis Hunter, Thomas is difficult to rank for 2025. He showcased his big-play ability in 2024 and became a primary target for Trevor Lawrence. His athleticism and clear connection with Lawrence offer immense upside, but the volatility comes from a relatively small sample size of elite production and the potential for target competition.
Nico Collins (Houston Texans): Collins broke out in 2023 with a fantastic season alongside C.J. Stroud, and followed it up with another solid campaign in 2024 despite missing some time. His 2025 ranking is complicated by a couple of factors. While he established himself as a clear alpha receiver, he has a history of hamstring injuries that have caused him to miss time. He hasn’t played a full season yet through his first four years. The Texans also added Christian Kirk and drafted rookie receivers, potentially creating more competition for targets. If Collins can stay healthy and maintain his dominant target share, he’s a top-tier fantasy option. However, his injury history and the new additions introduce a degree of volatility.
Garrett Wilson (New York Jets): I think Wilson is one of the most gifted wide receivers in the league, but it also hasn’t translated to the kind of fantasy success you’d expect from that talent. Wilson’s fantasy value for 2025 is a rollercoaster due to the Jets’ perennial quarterback uncertainty. While he’s an undeniable talent who has consistently produced despite poor QB play, the hope for a full season with Justin Fields at the helm is where Wilson’s fantasy prospects this season hinge. Fields’ dual-threat ability means fewer overall pass attempts, which could cap Wilson’s target volume. While he remains the clear WR1 for the Jets, the efficiency of the passing game and the overall offensive scheme will dictate whether he can consistently deliver WR1 numbers.
Tetairoa McMillan (Carolina Panthers): McMillan, as a highly-drafted rookie in 2025, presents significant volatility. While he has the physical tools and college production to be a future alpha receiver, he’s stepping into a Panthers offense with a young, still-developing quarterback in Bryce Young. There’s also the presence of Adam Thielen, who has been a reliable target hog. McMillan’s ability to command immediate volume, develop chemistry with Young, and overcome potential rookie growing pains will determine his fantasy output. He has high upside but also a wide range of outcomes.
Rashee Rice (Kansas City Chiefs): Rice is arguably the most volatile receiver to rank for 2025 due to a looming multi-game suspension stemming from off-field legal issues. While he showed immense promise as a reliable target for Patrick Mahomes, fantasy owners must factor in how many games he’ll miss and how he integrates back into the offense. The Chiefs also have Xavier Worthy, creating more competition. If his suspension is short, Rice could be a tremendous value, but the uncertainty surrounding its length and the impact on his role makes him a high-risk, high-reward pick.
Rome Odunze (Chicago Bears): Odunze enters his sophomore season in 2025 as a fascinating, yet volatile, prospect. He has immense talent and is tied to a promising young quarterback in Caleb Williams, but the Bears’ wide receiver room is crowded with D.J. Moore and the recently drafted Luther Burden III. While he showed flashes in his rookie year, the primary question for 2025 is whether he can carve out a consistent and high-volume target share alongside two other solid receivers — not to mention alongside two pretty solid tight ends. His ceiling is incredibly high, but the competition for targets makes his weekly floor somewhat unpredictable.
Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints): Olave, like his old college teammate, Wilson, is another one of those supremely talented receivers who just hasn’t been able to translate that to fantasy success. Part of it has been due to quarterback play, but a lot of it has been a result of injuries. Olave’s fantasy value for 2025 is tied directly to both those issues. While he’s demonstrated elite route-running and big-play ability, the Saints’ offense has often been stagnant, impacting his touchdown upside and consistent volume. He’s clearly the top target in New Orleans, but if the quarterback situation doesn’t stabilize or the offense remains inefficient, Olave could continue to be a talented player whose fantasy production doesn’t always match his real-life ability.
Jaylen Waddle (Miami Dolphins): Waddle’s volatility stems from being the clear second option behind Tyreek Hill in a dynamic, yet sometimes inconsistent, Dolphins offense. Not to mention, he’s had sporadic bouts of injuries, or playing hurt. When Hill is healthy and dominant, Waddle’s target share can fluctuate. While he’s incredibly efficient and explosive, his fantasy production relies heavily on touchdown efficiency and big plays, as his volume isn’t always elite. Any injury to Hill could elevate Waddle’s status, but otherwise, he’s subject to the ebbs and flows of being a complementary piece in a run-heavy offense that also features another alpha WR.
Ricky Pearsall (San Francisco 49ers): Pearsall is a highly volatile ranking for 2025, primarily due to the crowded and dynamic 49ers offense. While he had an impressive finish to his 2024 season, the presence of Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and George Kittle means he’ll be fighting for targets. Kyle Shanahan’s scheme spreads the ball around, and while Pearsall’s talent is evident, predicting his consistent weekly involvement is difficult. If one of the top receivers were to be traded or suffer an injury, Pearsall’s value would skyrocket, but without such a clear path, he’s a high-upside, high-risk play.
