Every fantasy season brings breakout stars, and the WR position is ripe with young talent ready to make the leap. Matthew Golden, Khalil Shakir, Rome Odunze represent compelling breakout candidates who could significantly outperform their current draft cost.
Here's an in-depth look at 3 young players poised for significant leaps in production.
Matthew Golden (WR, Green Bay Packers)
ADP: 119.8
Projected: 202.1 pts, WR41 finish
Key Metrics: 953 projected receiving yards, 113 projected targets
Matthew Golden emerges as a compelling breakout pick for 2025 due to a confluence of opportunity and talent. Drafted in the first round by the Green Bay Packers, Golden benefits from a receiving corps riddled with injuries, positioning him as a potential WR1 or WR2 from the onset. With Christian Watson sidelined and others like Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks missing significant time, Golden's early-season snaps and targets are virtually guaranteed. His strong after-catch skills and route-running fit seamlessly into Matt LaFleur's established offensive scheme, which historically supports multiple productive receivers. With a projected 202.08 fantasy points and an ADP of 119.8, Golden is poised to deliver significant value as a late-round steal.
Khalil Shakir (WR, Buffalo Bills)
ADP: 97.5
Projected: 208.4 pts, WR34 finish
Key Metrics: 952 projected receiving yards, 111 projected targets
Khalil Shakir is poised for a breakout 2025 fantasy season, highlighted by his impressive efficiency of 10.95 yards per target from the slot last year. This efficiency surpasses the projected 8.52 yards per target for 2025, underscoring his potential in Buffalo's restructured offense. With an ADP of 97.5, Shakir presents value, especially following the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, which opens up a significant target share. In 2024, Shakir led the Bills with 76 receptions for 821 yards and 4 touchdowns, establishing a strong connection with Josh Allen. As the primary slot receiver in Joe Brady's offense, Shakir is expected to maintain a high target volume, making him a compelling fantasy target with WR2/3 upside.
Rome Odunze (WR, Chicago Bears)
ADP: 77.7
Projected: 218.8 pts, WR30 finish
Key Metrics: 1011 projected receiving yards, 122 projected targets
Rome Odunze is a prime breakout candidate for 2025, driven by his projected 8.27 receiving yards per target, indicative of a deeper route tree and expanded role in the Bears' offense. With Ben Johnson, formerly of the Lions, taking over as head coach, the Bears are transitioning to a more aggressive, vertical passing attack. This shift aligns perfectly with Odunze's skill set, as he's set to benefit from increased high-value targets as the clear No. 2 receiver behind DJ Moore. The departure of Keenan Allen further solidifies Odunze's role, while QB Caleb Williams' expected Year 2 leap should enhance target quality. Odunze's blend of size, speed, and contested-catch prowess makes him a high-upside fantasy target poised to exceed his ADP of 77.7.
The Bottom Line: Your Draft Strategy
Targeting breakout picks at the WR position can elevate your fantasy team with high-value performance at a lower draft cost. Players like Matthew Golden, Khalil Shakir, and Rome Odunze are poised to take significant leaps, offering a blend of untapped potential and dynamic playmaking ability. When drafting, focus on securing a mix of proven veterans and these breakout candidates to balance reliability with upside. Prioritize breakout WRs in the middle to late rounds, where their potential for explosive growth can provide a critical edge in your lineup. This strategy optimizes your WR roster for both stability and high-risk, high-reward scenarios.
