With OTAs in full swing, the NFL season is less than 100 days away. It is never too early to start researching for fantasy football for the upcoming season, and you can gain an advantage over your league mates this early. In this article, I tackle the five players that I can’t pass up at their current ADPs. These five guys are Ladd McConkey, Xavier Worthy, Ricky Pearsall, Jakobi Meyers, and Jerry Jeudy. Let’s break down why I have no choice but to draft these receivers at their current ADPs
Ladd McConkey (Los Angeles Chargers)
Ladd McConkey is my absolute man-crush for 2025. This dude’s a PPR machine, and he has WR1 overall potential. From Week 11 through the wild card game last season, he didn’t dip below 14 points, averaging 18.7 points per game with monster 29 and 38-point explosions. The Chargers’ wide receivers behind McConkey have question marks, and the team did not draft a top tight end in the draft. Heading into year two, the improved chemistry between him and Justin Herbert will allow McConkey to start the season stronger. At his current price, he is a steal in any format by the end of the second round.
Xavier Worthy (Kansas City Chiefs)
Xavier Worthy is my breakout star. Last year, from Week 12 to 17, he saw six or more targets every game, averaging 21 points over the final three when the Chiefs leaned on him. He ranked 10th in red zone targets and even got seven red zone rushing attempts there as well. Andy Reid will continue to scheme to find a way to get the ball into Worthy’s hands. With Rashee Rice’s knee injury and legal issues clouding his status, Worthy could be the Chiefs’ top receiver early on. Even if Rice plays, Worthy’s priced at his floor, making him a steal. His late-season surge showed he’s cracked Reid’s offense, and in 2025, he is set to be consistent out of the gate.
Ricky Pearsall (San Francisco 49ers)
Ricky Pearsall is a high-upside gamble I’m all in on, despite his recent OTA injury. It’s early, so I’m not sweating it; he’ll be ready. With Deebo Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk’s return uncertain, Pearsall steps into a golden opportunity. He’s a versatile, tall, lean slot weapon with a 42-inch vertical, ready to dominate the middle of the field. The 49ers offense continues to produce from the receiver position, and Pearsall’s gadget-like role fits perfectly in this high-powered offense. Even when Aiyuk’s back, Pearsall won’t compete directly with Jauan Jennings and Aiyuk, who both play on the outside. This offense supports multiple viable pass-catchers, and at his current ADP, Pearsall’s a steal for those big weeks.
Jakobi Meyers (Las Vegas Raiders)
Jakobi Meyers has steadily improved throughout his NFL career and was a viable flex down the stretch. Last season, he quietly finished as a top-20 fantasy wide receiver and finally hit that 1,000-yard mark. With Geno Smith now at quarterback, it is a significant upgrade from who Meyers caught passes from last season. The Raiders have question marks outside of Meyers at the receiver position, and Smith has always avoided tight ends in the past, making Meyers a valuable asset. With the improved offense in Las Vegas and Meyers being the WR1, his ADP is currently too low.
Jerry Jeudy (Cleveland Browns)
Jerry Jeudy is flying way too far under the radar after his breakout season. Last season, he broke out as the WR16, even with a dumpster-fire quarterback situation. Despite the numbers leaping him to WR16, there was more left on the table as he led the league in total route wins while having a -3.5 expected fantasy points per game. Joe Flacco, currently taking first-team reps, has a history of boosting fantasy receivers in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. The Browns are expected to be a bottom-feeder this season, which could once again result in more passing volume for the Browns offense. Expect Jeudy to build off of his strong 2024 season this year.
