NFL fantasy football owners saw wide receivers Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr and Ladd McConkey tear up fantasy leagues as rookies. Which 2025 NFL Draft picks will have a similar impact to start their NFL careers? With the 2025 NFL season underway, NFL Mocks looks at which receivers are worth starting and who to sit in the first weekend of NFL action.
NFL Week 1 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em
WR – Tetairoa McMillan, WR24, Carolina Panthers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
There will be much intrigue when the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars square off in Week 1. The matchup will feature the top two wide receiver prospects entering the 2025 NFL Draft in No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter and No. 8 overall pick Tetairoa McMillan. Start the Panthers rookie in this one.
The Arizona product was everything with the Wildcats the last two seasons of his collegiate career and will be the No. 1 receiver the Panthers were looking at. He doesn’t blow anyone away as far as speed, but his big body and route running makes him a high-level target for third-year quarterback Bryce Young. Expect McMillan to get off rolling which may force the Jaguars to switch Hunter to cornerback to slow him down.
WR – Emeka Egbuka, WR32, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Fantasy owners are going to love Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka who has been one of the standout receivers through preseason. The Ohio State product is very familiar with playing second fiddle during his collegiate career. In Tampa, he’ll be the WR3 behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. With Evans getting up there in age and Godwin’s injury history, Egbuka could have a more important rookie season than expected.
In what could turn out to be a shootout against the Falcons, expect Egbuka to take advantage of being the third option for Baker Mayfield who has compared to Amon-Ra St. Brown. It won’t take long for him to support that comparison with a big rookie debut.
WR – Matthew Golden, WR48, Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
The Packers first-round pick will begin his crusade up the fantasy football power rankings with an impactful game against the Detroit Lions. It won’t be speed alone that gets Matthew Golden off and running, but his outstanding route running will be on display as he makes his claim as WR1 for Jordan Love in this exciting NFC North Battle.
There won’t be a ton of targets, but when Love does connect with Golden, it will be impactful and earn some valuable fantasy points.
NFL Week 1 Fantasy Football Sit ‘Em
WR – Travis Hunter, WR23, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Carolina Panthers
For Trevor Lawrence to start looking like a franchise quarterback again, the tandem of Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter will need to be as explosive on the field as they are on paper. It all really comes down to Hunter and how he adapts as an NFL wide receiver. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner has the talent, but can he master route running at an elite level?
As a player who will be used on both sides of the ball, it will take a few games before Hunter looks like the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He’ll have all eyes on him once the Jaguars kickoff their season, but he won’t be the best rookie on the field in Week 1. See our Start ‘em pick.
WR –Jayden Higgins, WR60, Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Texans top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft will get off to a hot start against the Rams’ secondary. A big receiver with top level playmaking ability, Jayden Higgins will be a nice complement to Nico Collins in the Texans’ offense. With the mobility of CJ Stroud, expect some extended plays down the field to the former Iowa State star.
As a perimeter threat, Higgins will make life difficult for a Rams’ secondary that ranked seventh last season in yards passing against. There will be plays down the field to be made with focus on the other side on Collins.
NFL Week 1 Fantasy Football Sleeper
WR – Tory Horton, WR93, Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers
The Seattle Seahawks looks like they have themselves a steal in fifth-round pick Tory Horton. Entering the season at WR3 behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, the Colorado State product will get a chance to make plays against the San Francisco 49ers. Although nursing an ankle injury, Horton was a full participant in practice and could play a big role against the 49ers in this NFC West matchup.
For fantasy owners, Horton will be a hot commodity week-to-week given his value and production as a third option for Sam Darnold in the Seahawks’ offense.
Other Sleepers:
- Luther Burden III – Chicago Bears
- Kyle Williams – New England Patriots
- Issac TeSlaa – Detroit Lions