The dust has settled on the 2025 NFL Draft and the OTAs have been ongoing. While the influx of fresh talent always excites, it’s also a crucial time to assess the veterans whose fantasy outlooks have taken a hit.
For wide receivers, the draft can be a ruthless reset button. Whether a team brought in a direct replacement, failed to address lingering offensive line woes, or signaled a shift to a more run-centric scheme, several established pass-catchers have seen their fantasy stock fall significantly.
This post identifies five wide receivers whose value has been diminished, providing you with the insights needed to avoid potential busts and navigate your 2025 fantasy football drafts with confidence.
Rome Odunze (Chicago Bears): Odunze’s fantasy stock has fallen despite being a high draft pick in 2024. This is an adverse side effect to a new coaching staff. Bears GM Ryan Poles was super anxious the night of the 2024 NFL Draft and almost traded up from Pick 9 to ensure they got Odunze. He had a moderately good rookie season. Then, exit Matt Eberflus, enter new head coach Ben Johnson. With Johnson at the helm, the Bears drafted tight end Colston Loveland in the first round of the 2025 draft and then receiver Luther Burden III in the second round. The team already has D.J. Moore. Suddenly, it looks like Odunze might not be the coveted playmaker that Poles thought he was getting last year. Odunze will still be a good player and should take strides in his sophomore season. He just might not be on the up and up in fantasy circles.
Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints): Olave’s fantasy stock is trending downward, primarily due to persistent concussion concerns and an uncertain quarterback situation in New Orleans. It really is a shame for a player as talented as he is with WR2 talent and WR1 spike week potential. Olave missed significant time in 2024 due to two concussions, bringing his career total to five. This history creates a significant risk for missed games, or even potential early retirement if he suffers another. While the Saints did not draft a wide receiver early and Kellen Moore’s offense could emphasize slot work (where Olave has shown efficiency), the uncertain quarterback play from Derek Carr’s replacement is a big concern. His talent is undeniable, but the health and QB volatility make him a risky pick with a lower floor.
Jalen McMillan (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): I was never big on McMillan last year when so many others were, so I feel vindicated by the latest turn of events. (Don’t worry, I’ll pat myself on the back later). McMillan’s fantasy stock has fallen despite a strong finish to his rookie year in 2024 (7 TDs in his final five games). While he looked like a player ready to take the next step in his sophomore year, the Buccaneers made a significant draft investment by selecting Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Egbuka is a highly talented wide receiver who will immediately challenge McMillan for snaps and targets. While Mike Evans will remain a fixture, the presence of two strong young talents plus Chris Godwin (who is working back from a major injury) creates a crowded target tree for Baker Mayfield. McMillan’s late-season surge may have been a mirage, and his path to consistent volume and fantasy relevance is now much murkier.
Tyreek Hill (Miami Dolphins): I don’t think I’ve ever seen Hill’s value lower. His fantasy stock has taken a notable dip heading into 2025. While still a generational talent, he was a major bust in 2024 relative to his draft expectations. This was partly due to Tua Tagovailoa’s injuries, but even when Tua was healthy, Hill underperformed compared to his 2023 efficiency. He played through a wrist injury that affected his yards per route run and had a second wrist surgery. At 31 years old, the “age cliff” is a concern for speed-reliant receivers. He’s no longer a locked-in top-5 receiver and is a high-end WR2 with more volatility.
Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions): At this point, I’m pretty much out on most Lions players unless the entire industry starts fading them so much that they become values again. The Lions coaching staff has raved about Williams and some are predicting a major breakout for him. But what I see is a volatile personality who has been injured and suspended and who no longer has the best offensive coordinator in the NFL to scheme up plays for him and his running mates. While new OC John Morton has indicated a desire to throw downfield more, and Williams ranked 2nd in the NFL in receiving average (17.3 yards per reception) in 2024, the Lions still have Amon-Ra St. Brown as the clear target hog and Sam LaPorta as an elite tight end. Williams remains a “boom-or-bust” deep threat, which is exciting for best ball leagues, but can be frustrating in weekly lineups.
