These Are Must-Target Rookie WRs for the 2025 Fantasy Football Season

With NFL preseason in full swing, it’s time to look beyond the veterans and shine a spotlight on some rookie wide receivers who are already making noise. For sharp fantasy football managers and sports bettors, players like Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tetairoa McMillan of the Carolina Panthers are emerging as high-upside, value plays worth monitoring closely.

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Emeka Egbuka Gaining Steam in Buccaneers Offense

Tampa Bay rookie Emeka Egbuka, out of Ohio State University, is rapidly climbing the depth chart and generating serious buzz in training camp. Known for its legacy of producing elite receivers, Ohio State continues the tradition with Egbuka, who’s earning valuable reps in the absence of Chris Godwin and with Mike Evans seeing limited preseason action.

Baker Mayfield-Egbuka Chemistry is Building

The most important takeaway for fantasy and betting markets? Egbuka is building real-time chemistry with starting quarterback Baker Mayfield. These first-team reps are crucial for timing, trust, and future targets. In dynasty and keeper leagues, Egbuka should be considered a sleeper WR pick who could return serious value, especially if Godwin misses time or Evans declines due to age.

Key Fantasy Takeaway: Egbuka’s rising target share and rapport with Mayfield give him legitimate upside in PPR leagues. Target him in the later rounds of redraft formats or aggressively stash him in dynasty/keeper leagues.

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Tetairoa McMillan Ready to Lead Panthers’ Receiving Corps

Another rookie wideout with the potential to smash expectations is Tetairoa McMillan, aka Ted McMillan, of the Carolina Panthers. After an eye-popping preseason catch, he’s become a player to watch, but the hype isn’t based on one play—it’s based on opportunity and talent.

Clear Path to WR1 Role in Carolina

With Adam Thielen aging, Xavier Legette yet to stand out, and Jalen Coker playing a secondary role, McMillan is positioned as the alpha receiver in Carolina. He has all the traits—route running, hands, and football IQ—to become rookie WR1 in fantasy formats.

McMillan was the first wide receiver taken in many early mocks for a reason. Now, he’s poised to outperform his Average Draft Position (ADP) by a wide margin.

Key Fantasy Takeaway: In PPR formats, McMillan could approach 100 catches as a rookie. Draft him as a WR3 with WR1 upside and expect major production, especially in leagues where value is key in the middle rounds.

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Betting and Fantasy Strategy: Draft Smart, Bet Smart

If you’re targeting value in both sports betting and fantasy football, players like Egbuka and McMillan are your golden tickets. Consider these strategies:

• Draft Strategy: Target rookie wideouts in Rounds 8–12 who have WR2 or WR1 ceilings.

• Keeper/Dynasty Leagues: Be aggressive. Both Egbuka and McMillan are likely to exceed expectations and offer long-term value.

• Player Prop Bets: Watch for preseason and early season reception and yardage props on these rookies—odds may favor the sharp bettor.

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