Every fantasy football draft includes players who look safe on the surface but come with major hidden risk. Whether it's a quarterback downgrade, crowded target share or declining efficiency, several wide receivers are primed to underdeliver at their current costs. While many managers chase upside with every early pick, identifying potential fantasy football busts is just as important.
In this breakdown of wide receivers to fade, we look past the surface-level hype and focus on the red flags. These players carry serious downside risk based on role, situation or expected efficiency- exactly the kind of names that can sink your 2025 roster. For more updated trends and preseason shifts, keep tabs on fantasy football news and build your board around verified opportunity, not projection.
Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers, WR19
Tetairoa McMillan has long-term star potential, but the 2025 environment is unfavorable. Bryce Young made modest improvements late in 2024, but he still averaged fewer than 200 passing yards in four of the Panthers' final five games. This offense is expected to remain low volume and conservative.
With Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette and Ja'Tavion Sanders competing for short-range targets, McMillan's upside is capped. There is also a risk that defenses will adjust to Young's tendencies after film surfaced on his late-season success. McMillan may become a reliable NFL receiver, but it is hard to justify a WR19 draft cost in this offense.
Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs, WR20
Xavier Worthy produced some late-season spikes in 2024, but they came while
Every fantasy football draft includes players who look safe on the surface but come with major hidden risk. Whether it's a quarterback downgrade, crowded target share or declining efficiency, several wide receivers are primed to underdeliver at their current costs. While many managers chase upside with every early pick, identifying potential fantasy football busts is just as important.
In this breakdown of wide receivers to fade, we look past the surface-level hype and focus on the red flags. These players carry serious downside risk based on role, situation or expected efficiency- exactly the kind of names that can sink your 2025 roster. For more updated trends and preseason shifts, keep tabs on fantasy football news and build your board around verified opportunity, not projection.
Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers, WR19
Tetairoa McMillan has long-term star potential, but the 2025 environment is unfavorable. Bryce Young made modest improvements late in 2024, but he still averaged fewer than 200 passing yards in four of the Panthers' final five games. This offense is expected to remain low volume and conservative.
With Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette and Ja'Tavion Sanders competing for short-range targets, McMillan's upside is capped. There is also a risk that defenses will adjust to Young's tendencies after film surfaced on his late-season success. McMillan may become a reliable NFL receiver, but it is hard to justify a WR19 draft cost in this offense.
Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs, WR20
Xavier Worthy produced some late-season spikes in 2024, but they came while Rashee Rice was sidelined. When Rice is healthy, Worthy shifts back into a secondary deep-threat role, one that often doesn't deliver consistent fantasy production.
The deep passing game struggled last year, even with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, and that issue may not be fully resolved. Worthy may flash early, but when fantasy playoffs arrive, he could find himself in a role rather than a focal point. For managers seeking playoff reliability, Worthy at WR20 carries serious bust risk.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos, WR24
Courtland Sutton had a strong stretch in the middle of last season, averaging 95 yards per game from Weeks 8 through 13. But once Marvin Mims gained a larger role after the Week 14 bye, Sutton's production dropped to 62 yards per game over the final five.
Denver improved its backfield and defense in the offseason, signaling a possible shift toward a more run-heavy approach. With TE Evan Engram added and more competition for targets, Sutton's 2024 usage may not repeat. If the Broncos lean on ball control, Sutton may slide into the 800-yard range and fall short of his WR24 draft position.
Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots, WR39
Stefon Diggs was on pace for a 1,000-yard season before tearing his ACL midway through last year. Turning 32 years old in November, Diggs enters a season that often marks a steep decline for elite wideouts. Few receivers maintain top-tier production at this age, especially coming off a major injury.
The Patriots' quarterback situation adds more concern. Drake Maye is still developing, and New England is unlikely to support a high-powered passing game. Even with a WR39 price tag, Diggs may not deliver WR45 value if his efficiency and target volume drop off sharply.
Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers, WR43
Jauan Jennings had a breakout season in 2024 with 975 yards, but the circumstances were highly favorable. Ricky Pearsall entered the season recovering from injury, and Brandon Aiyuk was lost in Week 7. The 49ers were also without Christian McCaffrey for much of the year, increasing passing volume out of necessity.
Heading into 2025, Jennings is facing more target competition, and he is already dealing with a preseason calf issue. If Aiyuk gets healthy by mid-season and McCaffrey stays healthy, Jennings may return to a blocking-heavy role. Regression is likely, and his WR43 price tag is a bet on last year's outlier rather than his true role.
Final Thoughts on Fantasy Football Busts at Wide Receiver
Wide receiver can be the deepest position in fantasy, but that depth also makes it easier to get burned by mispriced names. These five players may come with pedigree or recent success, but they all face major situational headwinds that could derail their fantasy output in 2025.
Looking for more player analysis of sleepers and busts? Check this out:
Avoiding early-round mistakes is key to building a winning roster. For more insight into fantasy football sleepers and busts, check out RotoWire's fantasy football articles hub. Every offseason brings new context, and staying informed is the best edge in identifying both breakout targets and potential fantasy football busts.
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