2025 WR Rankings: 10-1 (Fantasy Football)
It was only a whisper, but if you listened closely, you could hear Jason softly say, “It’s football time,” to start Thursday’s show. Sure, it’s the first week of preseason action, but football is back!
On Wednesday, the Ballers went over the WRs 20-11 in their half-PPR rankings. On Thursday, they counted down their top 10 half-PPR WRs. While it’s unlikely we’ll see all of the names on this list playing in this week’s preseason action, we will get to see some of them (ATTN: Cincinnati Bengals). You can probably guess who the fellas rank as the No. 1 WR in all of football, but check out how the rest of the wideouts shake out in the rankings!
A reminder that Andy, Mike, and Jason are now back to shows FIVE days a week until the end of the season, so make sure to find The Fantasy Footballers Podcast on all of your devices.
For a deeper dive into the WR rankings, check out the UDK, and a reminder that the Ballers update their rankings daily, so check the most up-to-date rankings here.
10. Drake London (ATL)
Andy: 9 / Jason: 9 / Mike: 11
Sleeper ADP: 2.05 (WR9)
Last year’s WR6, betting on Drake London this year, is betting on Michael Penix Jr. being a competent QB. But even if Penix Jr. doesn’t pan out as hoped, target consolidation makes London a rather safe investment. Although it was a small three-game sample size, Penix. Jr targeted London a whopping 39 times in his starts last year. It’s unlikely that Kyle Pitts, Ray-Ray McCloud III, or Darnell Mooney (currently injured) demand so many targets that it pulls from London’s share.
And if things go right, it only means an even higher ceiling for the 24-year-old wideout. Mike asked if London could finish in the top 3 at his position, and Jason believes it’s possible if Penix Jr. turns out to be worthy of his top-10 draft capital. If nothing else, he ranks as a B in our consistency metric, making him worthy of his ADP.
First Four Matchups: TB / @MIN / @CAR / WAS
9. A.J. Brown (PHI)
Andy: 7 / Jason: 10 / Mike: 10
Sleeper ADP: 2.06 (WR10)
Andy is a little higher than consensus on A.J. Brown, and makes the case that despite his dip in fantasy production last year, he was actually slightly better on a points per game basis than in 2023. Injury plus Saquon Barkley‘s dominance on the ground are the two main factors that really hampered Brown’s fantasy numbers. He simply wasn’t necessary in the second half of games when the Eagles were steamrolling opponents.
Ranked as the WR10 for both Mike and Jason, Brown represents the last WR before a major tier break in Jason’s calculations, making him comfortable with Brown as his WR1, and the same goes for Mike.
A lot will depend on the Eagles’ defense, regarded as one of the best units in the league. If the defense is as good as last year, Philadelphia could once again rely on the running game in second halves and limit the passing attack, making Brown less necessary.
First Four Matchups: DAL / @KC / LAR / @TB
8. Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX)
Andy: 11 / Jason: 8 / Mike: 7
Sleeper ADP: 2.02 (WR8)
With Andy being higher on A.J. Brown, in turn, he is the lowest of the Ballers on Brian Thomas Jr., ranking him outside of his top 10 based on his projections. His main contention was that the numbers BTJ accumulated last year came when Trevor Lawrence wasn’t playing and when multiple pass-catchers were out due to injury. He saw a 20% target share in the first nine weeks of the season with Lawrence at the helm, and that number skyrocketed to 32% when Mac Jones took over.
While everyone agrees that Thomas Jr. is a skilled wideout who can dominate in all aspects of the game, he comes with a little more risk than the rest of the players in the top 10. Poor play from Lawrence or Travis Hunter eating into his target share are possibilities, but it’s important not to overthink it when it comes to a talented, young WR who has already proven he can be one of the best in the league.
First Four Matchups: CAR / @CIN / HOU / @SF
7. Malik Nabers (NYG)
Andy: 8 / Jason: 6 / Mike: 6
Sleeper ADP: 1.11 (WR6)
Despite missing two games last season, Malik Nabers racked up 170 targets, 23 more than the previous record for a rookie wideout. Like with BTJ, Andy mentioned having a little bit of trepidation with Nabers due to the questions surrounding the Giants’ QB play and offense as a whole. But again, don’t overthink the situation when it comes to his talent and skill.
Barring injury (his hurt toe is a minor concern ), Nabers should flourish with the Giants likely playing from behind in the majority of their games. As mentioned on previous shows, New York has the most difficult schedule in the league and could very easily start the season 0-4. While that means the ball will have to be aired out, it also could mean multiple changes at the QB position. There is uncertainty baked in with drafting Nabers, but he’s the focal point of an offense that will have to keep up in most games.
First Four Matchups: @WAS / @DAL / KC / LAC
6. Nico Collins (HOU)
Andy: 6 / Jason: 7 / Mike: 5
Sleeper ADP: 1.12 (WR7)
What jumped out from the get-go when discussing Nico Collins was Andy and Jason’s belief that he could finish as the WR1 on the season. He was on a blazing pace to start last year and could have finished as the top wideout had he not gotten injured.
Collins is the undisputed leader of the receiving corps, flanked by two rookie WRs and a veteran in Christian Kirk. While Kirk and the rookies won’t be as fantasy relevant, they should make things easier for Collins, giving him more opportunities to hit paydirt.
First Four Matchups: @LAR / TB / @JAX / TEN
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET)
Andy: 4 / Jason: 4 / Mike: 8
Sleeper ADP: 1.08 (WR5)
Mike is the lowest on Amon-Ra St. Brown as his WR8, with things shaking up that way based on his early projections, but also mentioned his ranking continues to fluctuate. A potential Jameson Williams breakout could also hamper ARSB, making him less relevant than in seasons past.
But when it comes to feeling safe every week at the WR position, it doesn’t get any safer than St. Brown. You can close your eyes and start him every week, no matter what, knowing he rarely ever busts. His ceiling might not be the overall No. 1 WR, but at least your blood pressure will be in check when you roster him as your WR1.
First Four Matchups: @GB / CHI / @BAL / CLE
4. Puka Nacua (LAR)
Andy: 5 / Jason: 5 / Mike: 4
Sleeper ADP: 1.07 (WR4)
Entering his WR prime, Puka Nacua was better on a points per game basis last year than his record-setting rookie year in 2023, but injuries kept him from reaching his full fantasy potential.
It’s fair to say that one of the main storylines surrounding Nacua is just that – injury concern. As Jason puts it, he has “Too much dog in him.” Nacua’s fearless play style tends to lead to more bumps and bruises. Plus, Matthew Stafford is facing challenges with his back, further putting Nacua at risk of a top finish. When healthy, Nucua is as consistent as St. Brown, but can also provide boom weeks.
First Four Matchups: HOU / @TEN / @PHI / IND
3. CeeDee Lamb (DAL)
Andy: 3 / Jason: 2 / Mike: 3
Sleeper ADP: 1.06 (WR3)
When it comes to the top three WRs, it’s really nitpicking at this point, as all three are elite players who can lap the field. For CeeDee Lamb, there might be a couple of extra question marks regarding the connection with Dak Prescott. It didn’t look as solid last year in the eight games together before Prescott got hurt, compared to the end of 2023 when Lamb was lights out.
Jason isn’t concerned, however, and thinks the combination of an uninspiring Dallas defense and the lack of a run game could equate to monster numbers for Lamb this year.
First Four Matchups: @PHI / NYG / @CHI / GB
2. Justin Jefferson (MIN)
Andy: 2 / Jason: 3 / Mike: 2
Sleeper ADP: 1.04 (WR2)
Justin Jefferson is currently dealing with a hamstring injury that is keeping him out of practice, but shouldn’t threaten his play when it comes to the start of the regular season, reportedly. He also has a new QB in J.J. McCarthy, who, for all intents and purposes, is a rookie after missing all of last season.
Jefferson proved he could still get it done last year with the uncertainty of QB play, helping elevate Sam Darnold instead of the latter bringing him down. He will try to make the same case this year with McCarthy.
First Four Matchups: @CHI / ATL / CIN / @PIT
1. Ja’Marr Chase (CIN)
Andy: 1 / Jason: 1 / Mike: 1
Sleeper ADP: 1.02 (WR1)
The last time a WR repeated as the WR1 in fantasy was Antonio Brown in 2014 and 2015. Ja’Marr Chase can easily fit that mold this year and repeat as the top fantasy pass-catcher, especially attached to Joe Burrow.
At the time of this writing, Ja’Marr Chase has four catches for 77 yards and a TD in 10 minutes of preseason action as the Bengals take on the Eagles. News flash: Chase is still good at football.
First Four Matchups: @CLE / JAX / @MIN / @DEN