The Ringer Fantasy Football Show – "WR Sleepers, Tiers, and Fears 2025"

Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck
Date: August 8, 2025
Topic: Wide receiver tiers, sleepers, values, and strategies for the 2025 fantasy football season

Overview

This lively, insight-packed episode dives deep into 2025’s fantasy wide receiver landscape. The trio of Heifetz, Kelly, and Horlbeck break down their annual WR tiers, share their biggest fears, debate rapid risers, and identify the must-have (and must-avoid) talent for fantasy teams. The crew tackles both the big names and the sneaky sleepers, debates the impact of aging vets, fresh faces, and QB/coaching situations, and helps listeners grapple with which WRs can actually win (or lose) you your league. They also share memorable banter on coachspeak, NFL “smelling salt” bans, and even a wild New Jersey zoo conspiracy theory to close out the show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. News Roundup: WRs & NFL Weirdness

• Jordan Addison (MIN) suspended: 3 games for a “Wet Reckless” plea. Minimal fantasy impact, already adjusted in ranks.
• Keenan Allen returns to Chargers: Signed for a year, questions remain about his role alongside young WRs and how it might affect Lad McConkey’s upside.
  • Craig: "I like when the vet comes back to the old team, tutoring the younger guys. Like Jurassic Park when the old cast returns." [05:34]
• Mike Williams retires: Tried returning but walked away at camp.
• NFL bans smelling salts on the sidelines: NFLPA clarifies players can "BYO" salts. Amusing riff on pregame rituals and legal subterfuge, with George Kittle and Baker Mayfield examples.
  • Heifetz: "Now, I’m sure George Kittle is going to buy like pallets of smelling salts and just store them in his locker." [09:05]
  • Craig: "What if George Kittle becomes like the smelling salts seller in the NFL?" [09:16]

2. Overarching WR Draft Strategy (2025)

• General Philosophies:
  • Stars & Scrubs at WR: Heavy focus on landing one (or more) of the clear top-12/15 WRs, then skipping the "dead zone" and banking on rookies/late flyers for backfill.
  • "I think the eliteness, how far I would consider receivers elite…I feel so much more confident in the top, like, dozen receivers." — Heifetz [13:12]
  • "You kind of can't go broke making a profit on wide receivers." — Craig [14:49]
  • Critical difference between 2WR and 3WR starting lineups: vastly increases the positional importance.
  • Rule of Thumb: "I need five receivers in the first 10 picks." — Heifetz [14:49]

3. Wide Receiver Tiers – Detailed Breakdown

Tier 1 – “No Questions” Megastars

• Jamar Chase (CIN), CeeDee Lamb (DAL)
  • "These are the elite, undisputed real-life receivers who honestly, I have no questions." — Heifetz [17:04]
  • Both offer elite production, no QB questions, proven chemistry, teams likely to lead NFL in passing attempts.

Side note: The consensus No. 1 fantasy pick almost always misses time (injury jinx theory).

Tier 2 – Superstar CLub with a Question Mark

• Justin Jefferson (MIN): Talent undisputed, but JJ McCarthy is an NFL rookie.
• Nico Collins (HOU): WR1, but huge OL turnover and new OC.
• Puka Nacua (LAR): Could win Triple Crown if Stafford stays healthy (concerns over his back).
• Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET): New coaching staff, worse O-line.
• Malik Nabers (PIT): Russell Wilson then rookie Jackson Dart possible at QB.
• Tier expanded to include: Brian Thomas Jr., Drake London, AJ Brown, Lad McConkey, Tyreek Hill [24:24]
  • "If you look at what they did last year, they’re all within like a point of each other." — Craig on the expanded tier [24:38]

Tyreek Hill Special Discussion:
– Debate whether Tyreek is being underdrafted and written off “over the hill.”

• Craig: "Would you be surprised for a second if Tyreek Hill was the number one overall wide receiver this year?" [27:00]
• Heifetz: "He literally had 1800 yards even though the Dolphins had the third fewest passes after halftime that season. If he had run as many routes as Calvin Johnson, he’d have had 3000 yards." [28:13]
• Concerns: Miami vibes, Tua’s health, Tyreek’s wrist and offseason feuding.
• Consensus: If Miami bounces back, Tyreek is a screaming value in round 3.

Tier 3 – High-End WR2, High-Floor, Some Ceiling Questions

• Mike Evans (TB), Jackson Smith-Njigba (SEA), Tee Higgins (CIN), Davante Adams (LAR), Garrett Wilson (NYJ), Terry McLaurin (WAS), Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI)
  • Tee Higgins shoutout: "In games that he and Jamar Chase played, Higgins actually out-targeted Chase 108-107." — Kelly [43:27]
  • Some debate about how far to dip on MHJ and McLaurin.

Tier 4 – Breakout Hopefuls, Productive WRs with More Uncertainty

• DJ Moore (CHI), DK Metcalf (PIT), Tet McMillan (CAR), Jameson Williams (DET), George Pickens (DAL), Jalen Waddle (MIA), Courtland Sutton (DEN), Xavier Worthy (KC), Rashee Rice (KC), Calvin Ridley (TEN), Devonta Smith (PHI), Zay Flowers (BAL), Travis Hunter (JAX), Chris Olave (NO)

  • Critical insight: This is the last tier where you want your WR3 — after this, you get nervous about starting them.

  • "If this is the third wide receiver on your team, you're feeling good. If they're the second, you’re a little nervous." — Craig [56:18]

  • Extra concern for Bears passing game development, dire warning for DJ Moore stock.

  • Tet McMillan Love: “If there’s any of these guys who’ll become a top-10 WR by end of year, it’s Luther Burden… but Tet’s rock solid and could immediately be a star.” — Craig [56:52]

  • Zay Flowers faded: "He’s game-scripted out… basically invisible in the red zone." — Kelly [60:56]

Tier 5 – Dart Throws, Rookies, and "Why Not?" Veterans

• Zay Flowers (moved down from prior tier), Rome Odunze (CHI), Jacoby Myers (LV), Deebo Samuel (WAS), Jerry Jeudy (CLE), Jaden Reed (GB), Jordan Addison (MIN, suspended), Ricky Pearsall (SF), Jauan Jennings (SF), Emeka Egbuka (TB), Matthew Golden (GB), Ja’Lynn Polk (NE), Khalil Shakir (BUF), Michael Pittman (IND), Darnell Mooney (ATL)
  • Ricky Pearsall (SF) & Emeka Egbuka (TB) get big sleeper shouts
    • DK: “Can’t open Twitter or BlueSky without five people talking about how awesome Egbuka looks at camp.” [69:02]
    • Love for Niners WRs and Pearsall specifically.
  • Matthew Golden (GB) potential: “Packers took a WR in round one for first time in 20 years. He’s the likely leading receiver.” — Heifetz [71:38]

Tier 6 – “Breaking Glass” Only

• Chris Godwin (TB), Hollywood Brown (DET), Cooper Kupp (SEA), Josh Downs (IND), Rashid Shaheed (NO), Brandon Aiyuk (SF, likely out), Keon Coleman (BUF), Christian Kirk (HOU), Adam Thielen (HOU), Jalen McMillan (TB), Jaden Higgins (HOU)
  • Strong warnings about Keon Coleman: “He’s a project. If he was a 5th rounder, he’d barely make the team. But he’ll play.” — Heifetz [76:22]
  • Heavy skepticism on Saints and Bears WR2s, but Shaheed is a value.
  • “If you have to play these guys in September, I’m a little squirrely.” — Heifetz [74:42]

Tier 7 and Below – Deep Sleepers, Dynasty Stashes, and Waiver Fodder

• Names like: Romeo Doubs (GB), Marvin Mims (DEN), Trey Harris (LAC), Cedric Tillman (CLE), Quentin Johnston (LAC), Jalen Coker (CAR), Luther Burden (CHI), Xavier Legette (CAR), Wandale Robinson (NYG), Josh Palmer (BUF), DeAndre Hopkins (BAL), and more.
  • "Luther Burden is easily one of the most electric players," potential league-winner but likely dynasty pick first — Craig [83:38]
  • "This is the tier when half your draft is gone and everyone is just scrolling their phones cluelessly." — Danny H [85:39]

4. Big Themes & Notable Lessons

Age & the Vet Bounceback

• "Is the biggest edge in fantasy just ‘reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated’ for older veterans?" — DK [32:07]
• Discussion of how player longevity, prep, and advanced health tech may throw old age curves out the window for outlier WRs (Evans, Henry, Tyreek).

Team/Coach Context Reigns Supreme

• "You’re drafting the whole family – the coach, the QB, the O-line, not just the WR." — Heifetz [53:01]
• Heavy skepticism on Bears, Saints, and other “bad vibes” teams where new coaches or rookie QBs are learning on the fly.

Auction Draft Lean:

• “Don’t be afraid to pay up for WRs. The guy who overspends for stud wide receivers always looks scary. He’s right." — Craig [14:49]
• Go get two or three elite ones ('Ferraris in the garage'), especially in 3WR lineups.

Nods to Rookies and Anonymity

• Non-SEC/Ohio State rookies/young WRs (like Tet McMillan, Ricky Pearsall, Matthew Golden) get under-drafted due to anonymity and team bias.
  • "The truth is, receivers who don’t come from the SEC or Ohio State are just kind of more anonymous." — Heifetz [57:55]

Overarching Final Rule

• "Half your first 10 picks should be WRs. If you’re relying on WRs from outside the top 50-70 overall, you are in trouble."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "These are the elite, undisputed real-life receivers who honestly I have no questions." — Heifetz [17:04]
• "If you just get two of these top 12-13 WRs, you feel invincible." — Craig [25:19]
• "Lad McConkey might as well be named Lad Mahonkey." — Craig [35:36]
• "Would you be surprised for a second if Tyreek Hill was a number one overall wide receiver this year?" — Craig [27:00]
• "Sometimes we need to take the horrific rookie seasons and just delete them – this is kind of Caleb and Rome Odunze’s rookie year." — Heifetz [67:28]
• "With receivers you can’t go broke making a profit... The floor of your team is just so high." — Craig [14:49]
• "If you're in this tier, your draft has gone off the rails." — All on deep sleepers [85:39]

Funniest Moment:

• Craig to Heifetz: “We need an All-Costanza team: the guy that infects your heart most, fades him…and he’s always wrong!” [78:33]

Important Timestamps

• Smelling salts ban discussion: [07:02 – 11:16]
• WR draft strategy/tier theory: [12:18 – 14:49]
• Tier 1 reveal and debate: [17:04 – 24:24]
• Tyreek Hill under-the-radar value: [26:44 – 31:39]
• Tier “big pool” debate: [24:24 – 32:05]
• Mike Evans/Tee Higgins as 'ignored' elite WRs: [43:27 – 46:03]
• Rookie WR love (Pearsall, Golden, Egbuka, McMillan): [65:00 – 72:36]
• DJ Moore/Bears skepticism: [54:07 – 56:32]
• Niners WR (Pearsall) breakout case: [65:00]
• Waiver/deep league picks and lottery tickets: [82:34 – 85:58]

Episode Highlight: Low-Stakes Conspiracy Theory (Zoo Bear in New Jersey)

Email from listener Andrew: A hilarious, elaborate case that a local New Jersey zoo is faking a black bear's existence—no one's seen it in years, could have escaped/incited an incident, with the zoo “pretending” it still exists.

• "Is it possible that Jelly escaped from the zoo and they just keep up the ruse so they don't get in trouble?" — Andrew’s email [92:06]
• The hosts vow to visit and investigate if they can during their upcoming NYC trip.

Takeaways for Fantasy Drafts

• Prioritize at least one (preferably two) from the “big 13” WR tier.
• Avoid “vibes risk” teams (e.g. Bears, Saints) unless the value is enormous.
• Rookie WRs (especially early draft capital) are often bigger values than the public thinks.
• Don’t fade veterans just because of age—if they haven’t declined, don’t assume they will.
• After WR50-60, the cliff comes fast: fill your depth before you’re forced into the luck-and-pray portion of the draft.

Final Thoughts

Draft with tiers, not just ranks. Know the cliff points and target the proven studs before the “just-a-guy” tier hits. Look for values and don’t forget the offense context—situation can make or break even the most talented WRs. And if you find yourself deep in rookie/no-name territory, swing for upside, not stability!

“If you’re listening to this show, you are ahead of everyone else in your draft!” — Craig [85:52]

For complete rankings and more: fantasyfootball.theringer.com

For laughs, zoo conspiracies, and more: ringerfantasyfootball@gmail.com

(End of summary. Low-stakes bear conspiracy not included in serious WR analysis, but highly recommended for listener morale!)