What is a must-have wide receiver? The definitions can range all over the place.
To me, a must-have receiver is a player who offers you great value at his ADP. The teams with the most fantasy success are the ones who can maximize their pick value and get a great return on investment.
The following are 15 must-have wide receivers who I really like at their current ADP.
Malik Nabers (New York Giants): After a huge rookie season, Nabers is poised for an even bigger 2025. With an upgraded quarterback situation, he projects to command a massive target share and could realistically challenge for the overall WR1 title. Nabers’ elite talent and increased offensive support make him a high-end fantasy asset with a ceiling that is hard to match.
Drake London (Atlanta Falcons): London is primed for a breakout season with the Falcons’ pass-heavy offense and another year of rapport with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. He is a target hog with excellent red zone potential, which should lead to a significant increase in touchdowns. London’s high-volume usage and red zone dominance make him a strong candidate to finish as a top-10 fantasy receiver.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals): Harrison is a generational talent who is the unquestioned WR1 in Arizona. With an entire offseason to build chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray, Harrison is a lock for over 1,000 yards and has a legitimate shot at double-digit touchdowns. He’s a must-have due to his immense talent and the opportunity to become a true alpha receiver.
DK Metcalf (Pittsburgh Steelers): Metcalf landed in Pittsburgh with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has historically elevated his receivers. Metcalf’s big-play ability and red zone presence will make him a top-tier fantasy option in a Steelers’ offense that could be much more explosive. With a more stable quarterback situation, Metcalf should easily produce WR2 numbers with WR1 upside.
Courtland Sutton (Denver Broncos): Sutton is poised to have a solid 2025 campaign, especially with a full offseason to build more chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix. Sutton quietly finished as a high-end WR2 in 2024 and is still being drafted below that range. His rapport with the young quarterback and his reliable touchdown production and opportunity for a huge target share make him a high-floor, high-upside pick.
Zay Flowers (Baltimore Ravens): Flowers is poised for a huge season as Lamar Jackson’s top target in a dynamic Ravens offense. He has the elite speed and quickness to create separation and the playmaking ability to turn short passes into long gains. With a full, healthy season of chemistry with Jackson and a clear role as the team’s top receiving option, Flowers is a must-have receiver with high-end WR2 upside.
Calvin Ridley (Tennessee Titans): Ridley is a value pick who could exceed expectations in the Titans’ offense with a new quarterback in Cam Ward. Ridley saw a high volume of targets last season and is the clear number one receiver in Tennessee. His high target share and deep-threat ability make him a reliable WR2 with upside, making him a steal at his current ADP.
Jerry Jeudy (Cleveland Browns): Jeudy’s career finally took off in Cleveland in 2024, and he’s now poised to build on that success in 2025. With a full season in the Browns’ offense, he projects to be a target-dominant receiver. His strong finish to last season and a rising target share make him a great mid-round target with WR2 potential.
Rome Odunze (Chicago Bears): Odunze is a breakout candidate in his second season, as he will serve as the undisputed WR2 in Chicago. The question is not whether he will be utilized in Ben Johnson’s offense, it’s how much D.J. Moore and Luther Burden cannibalize each other’s production. Odunze has his own defined outside role. With a full offseason to build chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams and an offense that should be more efficient, Odunze should see a significant increase in targets.
Khalil Shakir (Buffalo Bills): Shakir may not be the type of receiver who can put up WR1 numbers, but he offers great value at his ADP and he is certainly a focal point of Josh Allen and the Bills offense. He has earned the trust of Allen and is a reliable, high-volume slot receiver. Shakir offers a solid floor in PPR leagues and has the potential to finish as a low-end WR2.
Jayden Reed (Green Bay Packers): Reed is an exciting fantasy prospect who has shown flashes of elite playmaking ability in a committee role. While he may not command a huge target share, his explosive yards-per-route-run and touchdown upside make him a valuable asset. He is a high-upside WR3 who can deliver spike weeks. Rookie Matthew Golden is all the rage this offseason, but he’s not a true alpha receiver, meaning Reed will still have a big role in the offense due to his versatility.
Emeka Egbuka (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Egbuka is a rookie wide receiver who was drafted to a crowded Bucs receiving room, which may limit his immediate fantasy output. However, his strong route running and reliable hands give him a safe floor and a path to being a PPR flex option. With Chris Godwin’s lingering injury issues and Mike Evans pushing 65 years of age, the rookie could see his playing time and target level rise exponentially as the season goes on.
Tre Harris (Los Angeles Chargers): Ladd McConkey is a smart and savvy route runner. But he’s not an alpha. The Chargers went out and got an alpha in Tre Harris via the draft. Does that mean Harris will overtake McConkey in targets? No, of course not. But it does mean Harris will eat into McConkey’s share and, because of Harris’ big frame, will be a significant presence in the red zone. He offers great value later in drafts and is worth adding for depth to your receiving corps.
Demario Douglas (New England Patriots): Douglas is one of my favorite deep sleepers as I think he is primed for an important slot role. He has a chance to exceed expectations if quarterback Drake Maye takes a step forward in his development. As a slot receiver, he has the potential to be a high-volume target in the short passing game, especially with a young quarterback looking for a safety blanket.
Dont’e Thornton Jr. (Las Vegas Raiders): Thornton is a another deep sleeper whom I find myself taking often. He has a chance to carve out a role in the Raiders’ offense due to his freakish measurables. With elite build-up speed, he could be a field-stretching deep threat who can deliver week-winning upside. While his target share is not guaranteed, he is a great late-round pick for fantasy owners in deeper leagues looking for a home-run threat and a potential red zone target.
