The Best and Worst WRs of Rounds 1-5

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Today I’m taking a look at the wideouts being drafted in each of the first five rounds, and calling out the best and worst draft decisions of the group. Be prepared on draft day with my wide receiver breakdowns.

Today in 5 minutes or less, you’ll learn:

• The best WRs of the first 5 rounds 💪 

• Pass-catchers to avoid at current ADP 🛑 

• How to get access to The Fantasy Accelerator 🏆 

• The latest news from around the NFL 🏈

Round 5:

Best: Travis Hunter (JAX), ADP 55.0

This one’s got some risk baked in since Hunter has expressed a desire to play both ways. There’s no telling how that may play out. But, the top wide receiver in the 2025 draft class holds an exciting skill set that should be put to use immediately by the Jaguars. They didn’t trade up for him for no reason.

Hunter should benefit from playing alongside Brian Thomas Jr., who already dazzled in his rookie season. The duo have the skills to give opposing defensive backs fits. I’m grabbing some shares in my drafts this year.

Worst: Jordan Addison (MIN), ADP 60.5

Addison has flashed a skill set showing he’s a solid NFL wide receiver. The problem is the situation. Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson will command a lot of targets, but even when Hockenson was out last season, Addison didn’t see a significant volume bump. His WR21 finish was skewed by a high touchdown rate, which helped to shadow his lower target volume.

Complicating matters is the uncertainty around J.J. McCarthy. Most pundits think he’ll be just fine, but I’d rather see it play out before drafting Addison at the end of the 5th, especially with other better deals available.

Round 4:

Best: DK Metcalf (PIT), ADP 47.5

Metcalf’s freak athleticism hasn’t gone anywhere. The Steelers’ fans should be happy with him, as he is one of the best in the game at beating man coverage and creating explosive plays. But, now that Aaron Rodgers has signed, I’m more bullish on Metcalf than before.

Consider: Rodgers supported Garrett Wilson to the tune of 101 receptions, 1,104 yards, 7 TDs, and the WR10 finish last season. For whatever we want to say about Rodgers being over the hill, Metcalf can replicate that kind of production with him.

Worst: Courtland Sutton (DEN), ADP 48

Sutton had a terrific stretch run last year, with 4 top-10 finishes and 6 touchdowns after Week 9. It was encouraging to see him producing with the developing Bo Nix. However, the Broncos’ offense got stronger this season with the additions of Evan Engram in free agency and Pat Bryant in the 3rd round of the NFL draft. Then there’s the added competition from Marvin Mims as well.

I’m not saying Sutton won’t turn in some good production for stretches this season, I’m just saying Round 4 might be a bit too early to draft him.

Round 3:

Best: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA), ADP 27.5

DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett had been the mainstays in the Seattle WR room. Both are gone, which means JSN is the de facto alpha receiver in the building. Cooper Kupp is aging fast, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling has never been more than a complement piece.

JSN finished as the WR9 in PPR formats last season, and that was after improving his ADOT and yards per route metrics. Sam Darnold will be throwing him the ball, and if he can replicate some of that Minnesota magic, JSN could be in line for a monster year.

Worst: Terry McLaurin (WAS), ADP 30

Terry’s draft cost is just too high in the middle of Round 3. Sure, he was the WR7, but his touchdown rate was unsustainably high last year. He was 15th in total receptions with 82, but was 2nd in touchdowns, with 13.

Making matters worse, he has to share touches with Deebo Samuel, and to a lesser degree, Zach Ertz. For as good as Jayden Daniels is, Terry is probably more valuable as a 5th-rounder rather than a top-30 draft pick.

Round 2:

Best: A.J. Brown (PHI), ADP 18

Brown is a proven superstar being drafted smack in the middle of the second round. Yes, there are concerns about the Eagles’ run-pass ratio, but Brown gobbled up about half of their air yards while posting a stellar 3.16 yards per route run (2nd). This man can play.

If you enter round 2 without a WR, or you want to create a monster pairing, Brown is a terrific choice with top-5 upside. Don’t hesitate if he’s available here.

Worst: Tee Higgins (CIN), ADP 23

I have nothing against Higgins as a player. I agree with Ja’Marr Chase that he’s the top dawg on mostly any other team in the NFL. The problem arises when you consider the competition with arguably the best receiver in the game, combined with Joe Burrow’s typical slow starts.

Higgins will create huge production a lot of weeks. But as long as Chase is healthy, the second round is just too early to get after him.

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