3 Wide Receivers Who Could Be The Next Breakout WR1 | 2025 Fantasy Football
Fantasy Football 2025: Predicting The Next Breakout WR1
Every fantasy football season delivers a new set of wide receivers who leap from mid-tier contributors to elite, weekly difference-makers. In 2025, the hunt is on for the next wideout to break into the top-12 fantasy WR ranks for the first time—the coveted WR1 tier. Whether it’s a high-volume breakout, an elite talent rising with better QB play, or a rookie ready to dominate, identifying these players early can win leagues.
Here are three wide receivers poised to make that leap in 2025, headlined by a long-awaited breakout from Garrett Wilson, a sophomore surge from Rome Odunze, and an alpha rookie stepping into the spotlight in Carolina.
Garrett Wilson: The WR1 Breakout We’ve Been Waiting For
Garrett Wilson has flashed elite traits since entering the NFL, but fantasy managers have had to settle for “solid” rather than spectacular results. Across his first three seasons, Wilson has finished WR30, WR32, and WR18 in fantasy points per game. Not exactly the numbers you’d expect from a player many believe is a future superstar.
But context matters.
Despite underwhelming quarterback play—including two years with Zach Wilson and a past-his-prime Aaron Rodgers in 2024—Wilson has never seen fewer than 147 targets in a season. He’s cleared 1,000 yards in all three of his campaigns and set career highs in receptions (101), yards (1,104), and touchdowns (7) last season. Even with Davante Adams soaking up attention and targets (thanks to his long-time friendship with Rodgers), Wilson still managed a 26% target share and a 32.7% air yard share—both ranking inside the top 21 at the position.
Now, entering 2025, everything has changed for the Jets.
A revamped coaching staff. A new offensive identity. And perhaps most importantly—a new quarterback in Justin Fields.
This offense will emphasize quick timing throws and designed space for receivers—an ideal fit for Wilson, who ranked No. 3 in evaded tackles per touch in 2024, per PlayerProfiler.com. The short-area passing game will feed into Wilson’s ability to turn routine catches into chunk gains. And the volume will be there—he’s still the alpha and No. 1 read on nearly every dropback.
Skeptical about Fields? Go back two years to when he helped DJ Moore post 96 receptions, 1,300+ yards, and 8 touchdowns on a bottom-six pass volume offense. Wilson is a better separator and more refined route-runner than Moore, and in this consolidated offense—where the touches will be funneled to Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, and Fields himself—he’s going to feast.
With over 150 targets all but guaranteed and a career-high touchdown total in sight, 2025 is the year Garrett Wilson finally joins the WR1 ranks.
Rome Odunze: Ready to Ascend in Year 2
Rome Odunze entered the league as one of the most polished, NFL-ready receivers in the 2024 class, and while his rookie season stats may not jump off the page, the flashes were undeniable.
Even with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen ahead of him on the depth chart, Odunze led the Bears in targets and receiving yards in four games, finishing with over 100 targets and 54 receptions. He ranked top-12 in both deep targets and red zone looks, while placing 19th in yards per reception among WRs with at least 40 catches.
So why didn’t the production match the opportunity? In short—accuracy.
Odunze had the highest rate of inaccurate targets (26.7%) among players with 50+ targets and finished third in unrealized air yards. He was getting valuable looks downfield and in scoring situations, but they just weren’t connecting consistently.
That’s likely to change in 2025.
With Ben Johnson—one of the NFL’s top offensive minds—coming in as head coach, and Caleb Williams entering Year 2 with a stronger supporting cast and better offensive line, Odunze is poised to explode. Johnson should help streamline the offense, increasing Caleb’s efficiency and allowing more of those high-value Odunze targets to translate into catches and touchdowns.
Odunze will remain the primary downfield and red zone option, but expect a more well-rounded role as well—using his size, athleticism, and after-the-catch ability on quick-hitting routes and designed plays. With Keenan Allen gone, there’s a target vacuum, and Odunze is fully equipped to fill it.
He has all the traits of a true WR1 in fantasy and should make a big second-year leap into the top-12 conversation.
Tetairoa McMillan: A Rookie Alpha in the Making
Don’t sleep on Tetairoa McMillan.
At 6’4” and 219 pounds, McMillan brings prototypical X-receiver size to the NFL, and he’s stepping directly into a WR1 role for the Carolina Panthers in 2025. He’s a physical, contested-catch winner with better-than-expected agility and YAC ability, and there’s little standing in his way for immediate volume.
The Panthers’ depth chart behind him is paper-thin: aging Adam Thielen, 2024 disappointment Xavier Legette, and undrafted second-year player Jalen Coker. In other words, McMillan will be Bryce Young’s top target.
Bryce Young showed meaningful growth down the stretch in 2024, and if he takes a real step forward in Year 3, McMillan could become the biggest beneficiary. With trust in Young growing, expect the coaching staff to increase pass volume—especially with McMillan giving them a legitimate go-to option in all phases: on the boundary, in the red zone, and on third downs.
The rookie should easily eclipse 120 targets, and given his frame and skill set, double-digit touchdowns are well within reach. He might not quite hit Malik Nabers’ rookie numbers, but don’t be surprised if he outperforms Marvin Harrison Jr.’s rookie season.
With target dominance, scoring upside, and a path to immediate WR1 usage, McMillan is a rookie breakout waiting to happen—and a dark horse to crash the WR1 party as early as 2025.
Conclusion
Finding the next fantasy WR1 before the breakout happens is all about spotting elite talent, undeniable opportunity, and the right offensive environment. Garrett Wilson has the volume and now finally has a competent system. Rome Odunze is ready to turn his opportunity into production with improved quarterback play. And Tetairoa McMillan walks into a dream scenario for a rookie wide receiver.
Draft accordingly—these three receivers could be the biggest steals of the 2025 fantasy football season.
