Building a Championship Roster: Why DK Metcalf and Jameson Williams are Your Mid Round Wide Receiver Heroes

In the strategic chess match of fantasy football, championships are often won in the middle rounds. While the early picks secure the superstars, it's the calculated selections in rounds 4 through 8 that build the depth and upside needed to win your league. This year, two wide receivers stand out as prime "mid round hero" candidates, players with the stats and situational upside to vastly outperform their draft position: Pittsburgh's DK Metcalf and Detroit's Jameson Williams.

By targeting these two receivers, you can construct a receiving duo that blends a high-floor, target dominant alpha with a high ceiling, league winning speedster. Let's break down the data and make the case for why Metcalf and Williams are the keys to your 2025 fantasy title.

The Stable Alpha: DK Metcalf's New Home in Pittsburgh

After six productive seasons in Seattle where he averaged 73 receptions for 1,054 yards and eight touchdowns, DK Metcalf finds himself in an exciting new situation. Traded to the Steelers, he is now the undisputed No.1 wide receiver for future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. This pairing is a fantasy goldmine waiting to be tapped.

Metcalf's value starts with his projected volume and role. With an Expert Consensus Ranking (ECR) sitting at around pick #46, he is being drafted as a WR2, yet his situation screams WR1 potential. In 2025, he is projected for approximately 74 receptions, 1,083 yards, and 7 touchdowns. While those numbers are solid, the ceiling is significantly higher.

The main concern for some has been the presence of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, known for his run-heavy schemes. However, Smith himself has dispelled this notion, stating, "We didn't bring Aaron in here and sign DK for all that money to go run the wishbone." The Steelers intend to leverage the strengths of their new acquisitions.

Metcalf is a physical marvel, standing at 6'4", 235 pounds, and is a speed freak who has consistently been a deep threat and redzone target in his career. Pairing that physical dominance with a quarterback of Aaron Rodgers' stature, who has a long history of feeding his top receivers, creates a recipe for elite wide receiver production. Metcalf offers the high-target floor of a true alpha receiver, providing a stable, week-in, week-out fantasy output that anchors your lineup. Drafting him in the fourth or fifth round is a straight up heist.

The Explosive Phenom: Jameson Williams' Ascent in Detroit

If Metcalf is the stable anchor, Jameson Williams is the lightning strike. After a breakout 2024 campaign where he torched defenses for 1,001 yards and 7 touchdowns on just 58 receptions, the hype for his third season is reaching new levels. Williams is the embodiment of a mid-round hero: a player whose value is tied to explosive, game-changing plays that can single-handedly win you a fantasy matchup. 

Williams' calling card is his elite level speed. In 2024, he finished second in the entire NFL with an impressive 17.3 yards per reception. The Lions' coaching staff has been vocal about their intent to "lean on" Williams more in 2025, and a new offensive coordinator in John Morton is expected to unleash an even more aggressive, vertical passing attack.

While his target volume may not match that of a traditional WR1, his efficiency and big play ability more than compensate. Projections for 2025 have him at around 58 catches for 927 yards and 6 touchdowns, but his track record suggests he can easily exceed those numbers. In his final eight games of last season, he was a force, averaging 16.2 PPR points per game.

With an ECR around #49, a few picks behind DK, Williams is being drafted in the same tier as Metcalf, but he offers a different, yet equally valuable, fantasy profile. He is the higher-risk, high-reward player who can turn a single touch into a 60-yard touchdown.

The Heroic Combination: Building the Perfect WR Corps

Drafting DK Metcalf and Jameson Williams in the middle rounds provides your fantasy team with the perfect blend of stability and upside.

✓ Metcalf gives you the reliable floor. As the clear top target for Aaron Rodgers, he will command a consistent target share, making him a dependable weekly starter.

✓ Williams provides the explosive ceiling. His ability to score from anywhere on the field gives your team the potential for those slate-breaking fantasy weeks that are crucial for a championship run.

Method behind the madness

By locking in this pair, you avoid reaching for receivers in the early rounds, allowing you to build a strong foundation at running back, quarterback or tight end. You then enter the mid rounds to scoop up two players who both possess top-15 positional upside. While your league mates are drafting safe, low-ceiling players, you are building a juggernaut. This season, let Metcalf and Williams be your heroes and win you a championship.

Luke Renton