WR Breakout Candidates for 2025 🏈

Identifying and rostering the breakout wide receivers in fantasy football is paramount in building a championship-caliber team. Last season, players like Brian Thomas Jr., Ladd McConkey, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba found themselves on a vast majority of title-contending rosters. Here are four candidates Walter has identified as potential breakouts in 2025.

🏈 4 WRs with Fantasy Football BREAKOUT Potential

1. Tetairoa McMillan (WR - Panthers)

Tet McMillan was taken eighth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he has an excellent opportunity to break out in Carolina. Dave Canales, the Panthers' head coach, has had a tendency to feature big-bodied wide receivers such as DK Metcalf and Mike Evans.

McMillan was a dominant and versatile WR as an Arizona Wildcat, and he has minimal competition for quality targets on the Panthers. Jalen Coker is an undrafted WR from Holy Cross who showed some flashes last season, but does not have nearly as much pedigree as McMillan. Xavier Legette was highly-drafted, but did not showcase much consistency in his rookie campaign. And Adam Thielen is 34 and coming off a season-ending injury. If Bryce Young continues the ascension he was on to conclude his sophomore season, McMillan is in a great spot to return on his draft cost. His ADP right now is WR22 in PPR leagues.

Walter's Rank: WR25
Walter's Projected Ceiling: WR13

2. Jauan Jennings (WR - 49ers)

Jauan Jennings was one of Brock Purdy's favorite targets last season, recording seven or more targets in seven of his last nine games. He showcased an impressive ability to have boom games, tallying 25 or more PPR points three times, including a 46.5-point performance. It is also worth noting that Brandon Aiyuk suffered a season-ending injury last season, and it is not out of the realm of possibility that Aiyuk takes a bit of time to reacclimate to NFL speed.

The Niners have one of their most advantageous schedules in recent memory, and we are projecting the San Francisco offense to bounce back after a relatively low-scoring 2024. Jennings ADP is WR33 right now, making him a very affordable breakout candidate.

Walter's Rank: WR36
Walter's Projected Ceiling: WR13

3. Jameson Williams (WR - Lions)

Jameson Williams was more than just a deep threat throughout last season. From Week 12 on, Williams recorded seven or more targets in all but one game. He also accumulated 16 or more PPR points six times in 2024 while missing two games.

On the Detroit offense, he is going to have one of the highest weekly ceilings of any WR, and the WalterPicks projections team is not overly concerned about the new offensive coordinator hindering his growth into a fantasy stud. With a PPR ADP of WR24, Williams cost is well worth it on an electrifying offense.

Walter's Rank: WR31
Walter's Projected Ceiling: WR15

4. Cedric Tillman (WR - Browns)

Cedric Tillman is certainly the longest shot of this group, but we like him as a breakout candidate, especially at his cost. His ADP is WR63 in PPR leagues, meaning he is likely going to go undrafted in most leagues.

Prior to his season-ending injury, Tillman had a three-game stretch where he recorded 18 or more PPR points in each game. Now, Joe Flacco is going to start the season as their quarterback, and he is the perfect fit for Tillman's play style. While not incredibly likely, do not be surprised if Tillman usurps Jerry Jeudy's role as top option on this offense.

Walter's Rank: WR56
Walter's Projected Ceiling: WR45

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