5 WRs After Round 15 That Could Be Week 17 Winners! 

Number 1 Might Surprise you! 

By Tim Goldberg (@FireUpFantasyTG) on X and YouTube

June 2, 2025

It’s always the superstars that get the money, fame, and glory, but it’s the late-round gems that end up making the biggest difference in Week 17.

I have found five wide receivers going after Round 15 who check all the boxes; strong matchups, big-play upside, and almost no cost.

These are the kinds of players that sneak into your lineup and can win you championship. 

Let’s talk about them! 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

Number 5 - Dontayvion Wicks

Wicks could not have picked a better matchup, facing off against the brutal Ravens secondary in Week 17. The same Ravens who allowed the 2nd-most passing yards and were torched for the 5th-most 20+ yard receptions last season.

Now while the Best Ball world is busy debating whether Jayden Reed or Mathew Golden is the Packers’ WR1 (spoiler alert: it doesn’t matter) Wicks is just sitting there in round 18, waiting for his shot.

In the one game Wicks saw more than 7 targets, he dropped 24.8 points. That’s not a fluke, it’s more of a “hey, maybe let me play more” kind of stat. 

Wicks put up similar numbers to Romeo Doubs last year, but Doubs is going four rounds earlier. And with Christian Watson, still allergic to football, the path for volume is wide open.

If Wicks turns into what we thought he was or even 80% of that, he’s the kind of late-round hammer that wins tournaments. Close your eyes, smash the draft button, and when you win all the money, tell your friends you knew it all along!

Disclaimer: I usually would suggest staying away from any man who has “Dont” in his first name, yet here we are.

Number 4 - Tutu Atwell

 Atwell draws a favorable Week 17 matchup against the Falcons, who gave up the third-most receptions of 20+ yards last season. Atlanta did not have much choice but to lean hard into a “bend but don’t break” philosophy in 2024. Atlanta showed were vulnerable to big plays, but were solid in the red zone. However, they finished dead last in sacks and bottom three in third-down defense, so the defense was extremely hot and cold.

Translation: they can be beat deep, but if you don’t score, enjoy your 20-yard field goal.

With Cooper Kupp now in Seattle, Puka Nacua is the clear alpha, and Davante Adams isn’t far behind. That leaves Tutu as the No. 3 option, primarily operating out of the slot. And with the outside guys drawing most of the defensive attention, the explosive playmaker might just have room to cook… when McVay isn’t busy running Kyren Williams into the ground, that is.

Last season, Atwell averaged 10.9 fantasy points in games where he saw at least four targets. He didn’t find the end zone, but he is still one of Sean McVay’s favorite projects and is expected to see more snaps in 3-WR sets alongside Puka and Adams. This could be the year Tutu puts it all together and finally breaks out.

Tutu is currently going in the 19th round; that’s basically a free lottery ticket. And let’s be honest, are you really going pass on a free lottery ticket?

 No. So, click Tutu, hit your mega millions, and thank me later! 

Number 3 – Alec Pierce

Alec Pierce gets a dream Week 17 matchup against Jacksonville, a defense that allowed the most passing yards in the NFL last season. If you are looking for a big-play threat in a potential shootout, this is exactly the kind of spot you target.

Despite limited volume in 2024, Pierce showed he can produce when called upon. He had four spike weeks of 25.4, 24.5, 18.1, and a massive 27.2-point performance in Week 17, right when it mattered most. Pierce scored 7 touchdowns on just 37 receptions, thriving as a deep threat who can stretch defenses and create explosive plays.

Quarterback uncertainty in Indy is real, we can only hope Anthony Richardson doesn’t lose that battle to Danny Dimes, that would really be pathetic... but either way, Pierce’s role as the primary vertical option remains intact. Michael Pittman continues to be underwhelming, and rookie tight end Tyler Warren will likely draw short-area coverage.

That opens the door for Pierce to make his mark downfield once again, especially against a shaky Jaguars secondary. Available in rounds 15/16 of drafts, he is a high-upside flyer who’s already shown he can deliver when the money is on the line!

Number 2 — Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

In Week 17, NWI (idk if people call him that) gets a Bucs defense that gave up the most 20+ yard completions and the third-most passing yards last year. That is the exact kind of matchup you are looking for.

In 2024, he had a stretch where he scored in 8 of 11 games, with spike weeks of 22.7 and 21.1.

Now Westbrook-Ikhine is catching passes from Tua, and with Tyreek’s situation up in the air and Waddle’s health always a concern. There is a real path to volume and upside. 

Nick is basically free in the 20th round, and he has already shown he can deliver consistently. If we were not afraid to rip Malik Washington last year, I certainly am not afraid to go with NWI this year. This is a no brainer and a potential tournament winner. Just do it.

Number 1 — Isaac TeSlaa

Teslaa is a 6’4” athletic freak with 4.43 speed. He tested in the 88th percentile or better in the long jump, broad jump and 20-yard shuttle, earning him a 9.93 athleticism score, the highest among all wide receivers at the 2025 combine.

Last year, he posted the fourth-highest passer rating when targeted and earned a perfect rating on passes 20+ yards in the air, this speaks volumes for his big play ability. It is no surprise Detroit traded up in the 3rd round to draft their guy. 

And yes, yes, we know The Lions have tons of weapons... but hey, they like utilize everyone in Detroit, even Dan Skipper…. their left tackle…. 

So, I don’t see why Teslaa couldn’t walk into the 78 targets Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond accounted for last year and make an impact off his sheer athleticism.

In week 17 he gets the Vikings, a defense who allowed the 4th most passing yards in 2024 and the 2nd most completions of 20+ yards. With St. Brown, Jamo, Laporta and Gibbs drawing all the attention, this leaves opportunity for TeSlaa to make some sneaky plays, and I believe he will take full advantage of that.  

TeSlaa is a total dart in the 19th round, but he is the kind of dart that wins you two million bucks, and you like two million bucks, don’t ya??? 

So, there you have it, five players who might win you a tournament, or might haunt your exposure all season. But just remember, anyone can draft Saquan Barkley and Derrick Henry and feel like a winner, but it takes a real sicko to dig deep, connect some questionable dots and take a stand on a late round hidden gem.

Because, you know what they say, “a diamond in the rough is just block of shit until someone is crazy enough to go look for it,” and that block of shit are these five players!