We rank out all the wide receivers playing in the Wild Card round as you prepare for playoff fantasy football.
The 2025 NFL Playoffs have arrived and this weekend brings the six matchups of the Wild Card round. The schedule opens on Saturday afternoon when the Texans host the Chargers and wraps on Monday night when the Rams face the Vikings.
Playoff football brings with it several opportunities for more fantasy football. There is daily fantasy football with plenty of game options available, and playoff fantasy football that feels a little more like traditional regular season fantasy football.
The opening round will feature some huge names among the wide receivers in action. It’s been a record-setting year for wide receivers, and many of the biggest names will be playing this weekend. Justin Jefferson was the top scorer or right behind among wide receivers in most fantasy leagues and he’ll open on the road against the Rams. Mike Evans is now second all-time with consecutive 1,000 yard seasons and will face the Commanders at home in a potential shootout.
The weekend opens with a notable rookie getting the spotlight as Ladd McConkey makes his playoff debut against the Texans. Fellow rookie Keon Coleman will take the field on Sunday when the Bills host the Broncos. Rookie Xavier Worthy will be in action next week when the Chiefs come off their bye.
Injuries to monitor
Quentin Johnston/Joshua Palmer, Chargers — Johnston was listed as limited with a thigh injury on Tuesday, but then was downgraded to a DNP on Wednesday with an illness adding to the designation. He returned to limited practice on Thursday and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. Palmer did not practice at all this week and has been ruled out. We gave Derius Davis a modest bump because of these injuries.
Zay Flowers, Ravens — Flowers sprained his knee in Week 18 and the team has ruled him out for Week 18. He was a DNP in practice all week and Ian Rapoport had previously reported he was a “long shot” to play in the Wild Card round.
Christian Watson, Packers — Watson injured his knee and head coach Matt LaFleur said “it’s not good” when asked about the injury. It’s reportedly at least a torn ACL.
DFS value plays
The Flowers injury opens the door for Rashod Bateman. While Mark Andrews would already have seen plenty of work even if Flowers was healthy, Bateman becomes an intriguing option against the Steelers.
For Packers-Eagles, the Christian Watson injury means one of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs or Dontayvion Wicks could be in line for a breakout game. Tight end Tucker Kraft will see a lot of DFS plays due to the Watson injury, but you can roll the dice with one of Reed, Doubs, or Wicks against the Eagles. My bet would be on Doubs.
Amari Cooper has underwhelmed since joining the Bills, but he is incredibly talented and comes in at a cheap price this weekend.