6 Breakout Wide Receivers to Draft (2025 Fantasy Football)

August 10, 2025

25 5 minutes read

Every fantasy football season is defined by the players who exceed expectations, and 2025 will be no different. Whether it’s a rookie running back making the leap, a wide receiver capitalizing on a new opportunity or a quarterback putting it all together, breakout players are the backbone of championship rosters.

To help you stay one step ahead of your league, we asked our panel of fantasy experts to spotlight their favorite breakout candidates across every position. These aren’t just hyped names — they’re players with the talent, opportunity and situation to dramatically outperform their current fantasy football average draft position (ADP).

From ascending running backs like RJ Harvey and Quinshon Judkins to second-year wide receivers like Ricky Pearsall and Rome Odunze, and even overlooked quarterbacks and tight ends ready to surge, this is your fantasy football cheat sheet for finding this year’s biggest fantasy football risers.

Let’s dive in.

Fantasy Football Breakout Candidates

Breakout Wide Receivers

Which wide receiver has the best shot at having a breakout year in 2025 and why?

Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF)

“Ricky Pearsall‘s second-year breakout season is here. Deebo Samuel has departed for new pastures and Brandon Aiyuk will possibly (probably) not be ready for the start of the season after his knee injury last year. Glimpses of what Pearsall could become were on full display at the end of the season last year, with Pearsall recording 210 yards on 14 catches with two scores to end what was a wild rookie campaign, to say the least. Being drafted as a WR4, Pearsall carries easy WR2 upside in 2025 that could grow if Christian McCaffrey is unable to stay healthy. ”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

“While Ricky Pearsall is dealing with a hamstring injury, the second-year pro is primed for a breakout season in 2025. The 49ers traded away Deebo Samuel earlier this offseason. Meanwhile, Brandon Aiyuk likely will miss the first part of the year recovering from a torn ACL and MCL injury. While Jauan Jennings was the team’s most consistent wide receiver last season, Pearsall shined to end the year. He was the WR5 over the final two weeks, averaging 20.3 half-PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, the former Florida star averaged 18.6 fantasy points per game in the three contests with six or more targets, scoring three receiving touchdowns. Pearsall could quickly become Brock Purdy‘s top wide receiver with a strong training camp performance.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)

“Ricky Pearsall hasn’t had the best luck since being drafted by the 49ers. A gunshot would cost him time in training camp and the regular season in his rookie campaign, and he’s currently dealing with a hamstring, which is never a good thing for a wideout. However, Pearsall emerged during the second half of the 2024 season, and Kyle Shanahan knows how to scheme his receivers open as well as any other coach. With Brandon Aiyuk most likely starting the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and Deebo Samuel now with the Commanders, Pearsall could be a steal at his current ADP if he can stay healthy. ”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)

Xavier Worthy (WR – KC)

“Xavier Worthy is a prime breakout candidate in 2025 after flashing elite speed and playmaking ability late in his rookie season. With Rashee Rice returning from injury and Travis Kelce entering his 13th season, the Chiefs are looking for a dynamic weapon to step up, and Worthy fits the bill. His record-breaking 4.21-second 40-yard dash gives Patrick Mahomes a true vertical threat, and Kansas City leaned on him heavily down the stretch in 2024. If he continues to refine his route running and earns consistent targets, Worthy could emerge as a top-20 fantasy wide receiver by season’s end. His combination of opportunity, speed and quarterback play makes him one of the most exciting fantasy assets heading into 2025.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)

Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI)

“Marvin Harrison Jr. had a bad rookie campaign and finished as the fantasy WR26 in 2024. I think we can all remember when this was a good rookie season. Harrison finished the season healthy and looks to be in great shape. We can expect that he will compete with Trey McBride for the top target on the team. Harrison scored eight receiving touchdowns last season on 114 targets and averaged 14.3 yards per catch. You can draft him as a WR2 and aim for WR1 upside.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)

“Marvin Harrison Jr. I know that look. I can feel it. Harrison didn’t live up to many fantasy drafters (and my) hopes or expectations last year. Sometimes it takes players a few years to make the leap. A lot of people wrote off another one of Ringo’s picks, Jameson Williams, last year at this time, and they’re eating some tasty crow this summer. I like mine with honey mustard. Anyway, I digress. I don’t know if it’s going to be this year, next year or 2027, but sooner or later, Harrison is going to be a fantasy star. He’s just too talented and dedicated to his craft not to reach his immense potential.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)

Jayden Higgins (WR – HOU)

“Jayden Higgins of the Houston Texans is the undervalued wide receiver with the best shot at a breakout year in 2025. Drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Higgins’ elite ball skills, 6-foot-4 frame and 4.43-second 40-yard dash make him a perfect fit as an outside “X” receiver opposite Nico Collins in Houston’s pass-heavy offense that is projected for 627 pass attempts. With Stefon Diggs gone and Tank Dell likely sidelined for 2025 due to a multi-ligament knee injury, Higgins has a clear path to significant targets, especially as Christian Kirk and Jaylin Noel primarily compete for slot roles. Higgins’ college production at Iowa State (87 receptions, 1,183 yards, nine touchdowns) and Senior Bowl MVP performance signal pro-ready talent, yet his ADP around pick 120 in best ball drafts keeps him under the radar. Houston’s aggressive trade-up to select him at No. 34 overall shows their belief in his potential, and a rebound from C.J. Stroud could elevate Higgins to WR2 production. If the Texans’ offensive line improves, Higgins’ ability to win contested catches and generate yards after the catch makes him a prime breakout candidate for fantasy managers seeking value.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)

Keon Coleman (WR – BUF)

“Keon Coleman is going to break out in a major way for the Bills. Before he got hurt and the team signed Amari Cooper, he was starting to become more involved in the passing game, including two top-15 wide receiver finishes in Week 7 and Week 8. Not only does he have big play ability, but his frame will be an additional asset this season, with teams likely keying in on the Bills’ ground game in the red zone. We saw Coleman drop 60 points in a pickup basketball game this summer, and I bet we will see that bounce on display a little more this season. on his headtop”
– Justin Henry (JHen Fantasy)

Rome Odunze (WR – CHI)

“Rome Odunze has all the ingredients for a second-year breakout. Despite battling injury and a dysfunctional offense as a rookie, he still led the Bears in end-zone targets (10th overall) and air yards down the stretch. He caught just three of those end-zone looks, a number likely to regress positively. With Keenan Allen gone (vacating over 100 targets) and Ben Johnson (former Lions offensive coordinator) calling plays, Odunze is positioned to become Caleb Williams‘ go-to guy as they both enter 2025 as sophomores. The former top-10 overall pick has a WR3 floor with clear WR1 upside if the Bears’ offense takes off in Year 2. ”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)