Every year, a few true league-winning value picks emerge among fantasy football wide receivers. Last season, this was Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Thomas went off the draft board on average as the WR49 in 2024 fantasy football drafts. Thomas finished as the WR4 overall on the year.
This article is not to say there will be another WR that overachieves as much as Thomas did in 2024. But we can observe situations and opportunities for late-round, young WRs with room to breakout.
Keep scrolling for our top candidates to be the best late-round WR fantasy breakout pick, with FantasyPros ADP in PPR leagues. Just as the case was with BTJ in 2024, all of them happen to be rookies.
TIPS TO WIN YOUR LEAGUE: 2025 Fantasy Draft Kit
Which WR could be this year's Brian Thomas Jr. in 2025 fantasy drafts?
Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ADP: WR44)
Yeah, you have to hear about Egbuka again.
While his hype within the fantasy community has been high, his ADP has not climbed too much. Regardless of where he rises, he's a must-draft player going into 2025.
The opportunity is set for the start of the year, with Jalen McMillan missing a significant amount of time due to his neck injury. Chris Godwin, who had a serious lower-leg injury in 2024, will likely start the year on the PUP list.
Starting QB Baker Mayfield can not stop talking highly of the rookie WR out of Ohio State.
Buccaneers starting QB Baker Mayfield on rookie WR Emeka Egbuka:
— Fantasy Football Circle (@FantasyFBCircle) August 21, 2025
"He stays on the ground, runs through the catch, gets yards after the catch, and reminds me of Amon-Ra St. Brown. He just does everything the right way."
EMEKA TO THE MOON 📈🚀🌕 pic.twitter.com/fX2qttAjDf
There is no reason not to draft Egbuka at his price of WR44; he's sure to smash that capital and more for you in 2025.
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Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers (ADP: WR42)
The analysis around Golden feels a bit lazy heading into 2025. Many seem to dismiss Golden because of the Packers' recent history of WRs.
However, the Packers were clearly impressed by Golden in the draft process. After all, they selected him in the first round with the 25th overall pick. This made Golden the first WR the Packers have taken in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002.
Alright. Take Matthew Golden out. He’s good. pic.twitter.com/4Xporu2iSM
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) August 23, 2025
The only WR competition in this Green Bay offense is Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs. Reed, who provides the biggest threat, is still dealing with his foot injury and is uncertain for Week 1.
If Reed misses time, Golden will immediately step into a large target share in this offense.
WIDE RECEIVER FANTASY RANKINGS: PPR WR | NON-PPR WR
Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans (ADP: WR53)
A good rule of thumb to have when evaluating young talent in fantasy football drafts is if the team is confident in the player, then so should you. As it relates to Higgins, the Texans have shown how confident they are in the WR out of Iowa State.
The Texans used an early second-round pick to select Higgins in the 2025 NFL Draft. Now he is sure to step right into the WR2 role on this team.
Jayden Higgins keeps turning heads in Houston 🧐
— FTN Fantasy (@FTNFantasy) August 7, 2025
He’s now listed as a starter on the Texans’ depth chart and making a strong push behind Nico Collins & Christian Kirk. With his upside as a perimeter receiver, Higgins looks a lot more intriguing for your fantasy draft than Kirk.… pic.twitter.com/WS4pZ8hgVv
He is a reliable option for Stroud and is expected to get the usage necessary for fantasy production.
MORE: Top 2025 fantasy WR sleepers