Risers & Flyers: Wide Receivers

Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman

After reviewing teams from across the country Purple Reign has identified players that look will take a leap in their fantasy value for the 2025 College Fantasy Football Season. These players are divided into two groups:

RISERS

These are players that have some form of past statistic production. These players have a high fantasy floor, presenting less risk when drafting them. The lower risk associated with these players makes them worth drafting in the first two thirds of your fantasy drafts.

FLYERS

These are players that have limited to no past statistical production. These players have a low fantasy floor, presenting more risk when drafting these them. The higher risk associated with the players makes them worth drafting in the final third of your fantasy drafts.

**This article will be updated as position battles sort themselves out through the summer**

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HONORABLE MENTIONS

RISERS

Josh Dallas – Georgia Southern

126.1 Fantasy Points in 2024

After spending two seasons as a back-up at Georgia Southern, Dallas broke into the starting line-up in 2024 and was the WR1 in the offense. This offense is known for high volume of targets for its WR1 but Dallas only received 66 targets which he turned into 46 receptions for 614 yards and 6 TDs. His fantasy performance improved in the second half of the season while first time starter at quarterback JC French’s play was getting worse. Both Dallas and French are back in 2025 and the hopes that French improves his play should translate into more fantasy success for Dallas. From 2022-2023 the WR1’s for head coach Clay Helton have averaged 166 fantasy points with a ceiling of 177 fantasy points.

Chris Dawn – Texas State

98.3 Fantasy Points in 2024

2024 was the second season for Dawn at Texas State, and the first year of him being in the starting-up. He finished the year as the offense’s WR3, with a modest 37 receptions for 418 yards and 6 TDs. The top two receivers from last season are gone, and Dawn looks to become the top receiver for 2025. The quarterback position is going through a long position battle to find a starter and we don’t know if the eventual winner will hurt or help the passing game. Head coach G.J. Kinne can produce successful fantasy receivers, with his WR1 averaging 179 fantasy points. The targets of his WR1’s has been shrinking from 114 to 99 to 70. This is an area of concern for Dawn if this trend continues.

Junior Vandeross – Toledo

169.2 Fantasy Points in 2024

Vandeross has been a regular on the field during his three seasons at Toledo. His first season saw him play in ten games but only logged one reception. His second season he got 76 targets, and last season he registered 124 targets for 85 receptions for 957 yards and 5 TDs. Last season’s top receiver Jerjuan Newton has moved on and Vandeross is ready for the WR1 spotlight. We saw a glimpse of what we could expect this season during the final two games of 2024. Vandeross had 29 targets for 23 reception, 278 yards and 1 TD over those two games. Starting quarterback Tucker Gleason returns and his stellar play provided the best passing game that head coach Jason Candle has seen going back to 2018. The ceiling for Vandeross might be 200 fantasy points so his room as a Riser is more limited than others on this list.

FLYERS

Bryson Graves – Coastal Carolina

60.4 Fantasy Points in 2024

While Jameson Tucker was the leading receiver last season (and he returns for 2025), I’m looking at Graves to be the potential WR1 this year. Last year Graves saw action in 12 games and logged a minimal 38 targets for 27 receptions, 327 yards and 2 TDs. The offense struggled last year and forced a change with new offensive coordinator Drew Hollingshead being hired to right the ship. Hollingshead in two seasons at Western Kentucky feature both a slot and outside receiver as the WR1. While we don’t have a clear trend for WR role, we’ve seen the slot receiver as the more fantasy successful in this offensive system. From a talent standpoint Graves and Tucker are pretty similar. Since Tucker doesn’t hold a talent advantage and he’s an outside receiver, I’m going to place my bet on Graves in the slot.

Sean “JR” Wilson – Florida Atlantic

22.1 Fantasy Points in 2024

Wilson spent three seasons at Virginia where he played in a total of 26 games but only logged 26 receptions. He transfer to Florida Atlantic in the winter hoping to find consistent playing time. Florida Atlantic also hired Zach Kittley as the new head coach this winter and he brings a high volume passing offense with him. We know that slot receiver Easton Messer will be this season’s WR1, but there is fantasy value in the WR2 role. Kittley’s WR2 has a history of up and down fantasy production, but 50% of the time the WR2 hits the 150 fantasy point, 95 target, and 800 yard marks. An outside receiver has been the WR2 75% of the time as well, and that’s where Wilson plays. He stood out during spring camp with his incredible play and his 6’4” frame. Wilson looks to be a lock for the WR2 role in the offense.

PJ Johnson – New Mexico State

54.6 Fantasy Points In 2024

After spending three seasons at New Mexico State with 19 targets, PJ Johnson started to work his way onto the field more in 2024. Last season he was targeted 46 times for 19 receptions, 346 yards and 2 TDs. While these numbers aren’t impressive, Johnson’s 18.2 yards per receptions is. He is the most talented outside receiver on the roster and his explosive downfield playmaking ability matches what new offensive coordinator David Yost looks for in his WR1. Over the last two seasons at FIU, Yost’s top receiver played on the outside and scored 185+ fantasy points. Considering that New Mexico State should be playing from behind for most of the season, the playscript should go in Johnson’s favor to receive plenty of targets.

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