Wide receiver is having another renaissance. This isn't the first time teams have evaluated how important wide receivers are, but it does seem like one of the first times there are great receivers on almost every team. We can count on one hand how many teams are missing that true number-one wide receiver, and those teams usually have a field of players who can qualify as number two or number three.
As we embark on another regular season, we look at which team is in the best position at the wide receiver position. Just because a team has the best wide receiver doesn't mean the position is in the best shape. Depth might be just as key as superstardom. Potential has a place in this, as well, as we have a group of rookies who can make an impact right away.
NFL Power Rankings: Projecting the best receiver groups in the league
32. Carolina Panthers
Top 3: Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo, DJ Chark Jr.
The Carolina Panthers traded up to the first-overall pick to take Bryce Young, but they paid a dear price to do it. They had to send D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears, along with a bunch of other draft picks. The Bears had the worst wide receiver group we've seen in a long time last year, especially after Darnell Mooney went down. Now, they take from the Panthers, who take that bottom spot.
This year's Panthers squad has a few new names at the top, but they are still missing that top guy. Adam Thielen would have been a decent top guy in 2018, but he hasn't hit 1,000 yards in a season since then. DJ Chark has been a good number two for a while, but on this team, he needs to be more than that. They drafted Jonathan Mingo with the 39th-overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, and he might be the top guy quickly.
The Panthers are in a weird spot. They have Young, who needs to gain confidence. Yet, they gave up asset capital to get him, and now they might have a putrid offense. It seems like it's all up to Mingo or the wild outside shot of Terrace Marshall Jr. coming on top of this depth chart if they are going to dig out of the bottom spot on the rankings.
31. Houston Texans
Top 3: Nico Collins, Robert Woods, John Metchie III
The Houston Texans are "fighting" for that "top" spot with the Panthers, as their wide receiving core got worse over the offseason. The reason they avoid the spot as the worst group is their youth does hold a lot of potential. Trading Brandin Cooks to the Dallas Cowboys and replacing him with Robert Woods does not breed confidence for that room. However, Nico Collins and John Metchie might be pretty good.
Obviously, Collins and Metchie have to prove themselves this year. Metchie is coming back from a fight with Leukemia. He's not ready right now to jump back on the field, but there are a lot of high hopes based on his previous talent. He could be their number one by season's end, or he could still be working his way back on the field.
Collins has been a player we've been hearing about since he joined the league in 2021. He's been thoroughly below average over the past two seasons. He's never hit north of 500 yards in a season, and he's never had more than 100 yards in a game. Collins has the hype again, and he's listed as the top receiver for CJ Stroud. The first two quarterbacks taken are dealing with the two worst wide receiving cores in the league. That's not what you want.
30. Arizona Cardinals
Top 3: Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore, Greg Dortch
The situation got complicated in Arizona when DeAndre Hopkins was unceremoniously cut in the offseason. They tried to trade him, but nobody wanted to pay their price. Now, the Cardinals are sitting with one of the worst rosters in the league. The wide receiver position isn't as bad as some other positions, but nobody can really say it's good.
Marquise Brown is listed as the number one, but Hollywood isn't stealing any headlines anytime soon. The Cardinals traded a first-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for Brown in what many thought was a good-faith gesture to Kyler Murray (who played together at Oklahoma). He didn't have the natural chemistry with Murray many hoped, and he finished the season with 709 yards on 107 targets. After scoring 21 touchdowns over his first three seasons, he had just three touchdowns last season.
Rondale Moore is the hope here that he could steal the number one spot. With a lot of question marks at quarterback (they haven't announced a starting QB, when Murray will be healthy, or whether they might work with multiple QBs based on scheme), the wide receivers need to be on the ball, both literally and figuratively. Moore is the best bet to eventually get there. Despite his small stature, he has the best chance to be a true number one.
The depth beyond Brown and Moore is ... rough. Greg Dortch is a fine player, but he feels like a number four who's playing as a number three. Michael Wilson was a third-round pick this year, so we'll see how he can contribute. At the end of the day, the number one receiving group would have trouble making Josh Dobbs or Clayton Tune look good (if Murray can't return).
29. Indianapolis Colts
Top 3: Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs
Another rookie quarterback and another terrible crop of wide receivers. The only difference the Indianapolis Colts have that the Panthers and Texans don't is they have a superstar running back. However, Jonathan Taylor is out for at least four weeks and he's fighting for a new contract. Still, having Taylor eventually in the backfield helps take pressure off Anthony Richardson and what is left of this wide-receiving core.
Everything falls on the shoulders of Michael Pittman. There was talk he was going to jump into the upper echelon of wide receiver last season. That didn't happen. In fact, the opposite happened. Despite catching 99 balls, he failed to break 1,000 yards receiving. He averaged 9.3 yards per reception, and his longest catch of the season was for a paltry 28 yards. He had 99 catches, and the longest was 28 yards? This feels like a poor man's Wes Welker.
The rest of the wide receiver room is paltry at best. Alec Pierce was a decent deeper threat, with 14.5 yards per reception, but he was inconsistent and frustrating. Despite his yards per reception, Pierce only had two touchdowns. They also have Josh Downs, a high-upside rookie out of North Carolina. He could be decent, but not many third-round picks make a huge impact in year one.
This comes down to Pittman. If he can bounce back with an exciting QB under center and not the corpse of Matt Ryan, then the Colts might actually surprise some analysts. For now, this is one of the worst corps in the league.
28. Tennessee Titans
Top 3: DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
The Tennessee Titans are a team that takes a step in a different direction. There is a clear number one (DeAndre Hopkins), the future number one (Treylon Burks), and some fliers (Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Kearis Jackson). This would have been the worst group if Hopkins chose New England or another team in the race. Adding his dynamic ability, even at 31 years old, is a difference-maker for whoever ends up as the long-term answer under center.
Hopkins can still be a 1,000-yard receiver in the right situation. Most situations are the right situation for a physical freak of Hopkins caliber. He can make Ryan Tannehill look like a top 20 QB. After Hopkins' suspension last season, some thought he'd come back a lesser player. He ended up recording 717 yards in nine games. His three touchdowns were the worst since his rookie year, but that's more of a mark on the Cardinals' offense than his personal performance.
Burks could really hit this season. He has much lower expectations thanks to Hopkins. The former first-round pick can play against lesser defensive competition and find more space to run. He's also playing in a pretty putrid division, which will help him gain confidence and pad his stats.
The depth at the position isn't great. They are fliers at best, like we said before. It's the Hopkins and Burks show. If one of them doesn't meet expectations, the position is seriously flawed.
27. New York Giants
Top 3: Isaiah Hodgins, Parris Campbell, Darius Slayton
The Giants are a weird one to rank. There's no clear number one, but there might be four number twos. Darren Waller is going to be the top pass-catcher, and Saquon Barkley is a clear number two. Yet, there are four intriguing receiving options for Daniel Jones to target and two others that could grow into decent options.
We'll start with Isaiah Hodgins. He's the number one on just about every depth chart despite Darius Slayton leading the team in receiving yards last season. It was his playoff performance that put him on the map, catching eight balls for 105 yards and a touchdown. The huge upset of the Vikings was one of the biggest highlights for Giants fans since they won their last Super Bowl more than a decade ago.
Speaking of Slayton, he's either the number two or number three on this roster. Based on last year's statistics, he deserves to be one of the top two options. He was consistent, but he was never great. Parris Campbell is very similar, playing that type of role with the Colts last season. Campbell went to the Giants to carve out a better role with a more established QB.
The real wild card here is Jalin Hyatt. You've probably seen him drafted in your fantasy leagues despite being listed fifth on the Giants' depth chart. He has a ton of talent and the Giants WR room has an opening for a top guy. Hyatt has an outside chance to take it. Add in Wan'Dale Robinson and Sterling Shepard, and this Giants receiving core has plenty of talent.
26. Green Bay Packers
Top 3: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed
The Green Bay Packers are entering a new era under Jordan Love. One year removed from losing Davante Adams, one of the best receivers in the league, they lose former MVP Aaron Rodgers under center. This offense is completely different, and now they hope one of their young wide receivers can pop.
Christian Watson is the obvious pick to be the number one. He has the over-the-top speed that can stretch a defense. He did it every so often last season, but he didn't do it often enough that we have confidence he's a certified number one. He only caught 41 passes last year, and he watched as Allen Lazard led the team in receiving.
All the Veterans are gone. It's down to Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed to make magic happen for Jordan Love. Doubs was a fantasy sleeper last season, but he finished the year with just 425 yards. Unlike Watson, who averaged 14.9 yards per reception and scored seven touchdowns, Doubs didn't make the most of his receptions.
Now, they are adding second-round pick Jayden Reed to the mix. Rumors show he's played really well so far. It is just training camp and preseason, but it's better than the latter. If all three can live up to their potential, the Packers might have a really good group here. Of course, that's a tall ask.
25. Atlanta Falcons
Top 3: Drake London, Mack Hollins, Scott Miller
The Atlanta Falcons are a team with an insane collection of weapons on offense. They took Bijan Robinson in the first round this season, one of the best running back prospects we've seen in a long time. They took Kyle Pitts last year, another superstar prospect looking to break out. They already have Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson in the backfield. The Falcons don't need great wideouts if they have a great QB, but they don't. So despite having great talent across the depth chart, the receivers need to step up this season.
First and foremost on that list is Drake London. The former first-round pick showed flashes last season but never found consistency. He did finish his rookie season with 866 yards, good for 30th in the NFL. Only Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave had more yards as a rookie last season. London is expected to make the jump in year 2.
The Falcons made some changes with their other receiver spots. Last season, Olamide Zaccheaus was the second receiver in this offense. This year, they added Mack Hollins from the Raiders and Scotty Miller from the Buccaneers. They both held different roles with those teams, but they showed flashes of brilliance in some bigger moments.
The depth really falls from there. London's perceived ascension is saving the ranking here. If he can lift his game like Olave and Wilson did, then the Falcons are in decent shape.
24. Cleveland Browns
Top 3: Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Donovan Peoples-Jones
This is where it starts to take a turn. The Cleveland Browns have a pretty good receiving core. Yet, they don't come close to top 20 in the league. Amari Cooper is still a star in his position. Despite playing with Jacoby Brissett and a severely downtrodden Deshaun Watson coming off serious allegations, Cooper still broke 1,100 yards receiving yards. He averaged 14.9 yards per reception and scored nine touchdowns. He's 29 years old, but he looks like he can still do this for years.
Donovan Peoples-Jones had one of the quietest 839-yard seasons in history. He had a slowish start and a slow finish, which cost him his first 1,000-yard season. Imagine this team, with Watson flailing at the end of the year, putting up two 1,000-yard seasons? Peoples-Jones is an interesting name in this offense now that Watson is looking to put the past behind him.
The Browns took a chance on Elijah Moore, a former top prospect within the New York Jets who got lost in that wide receiver room. This season, he pegs to be the Browns number two. He has the skillset, but does he have everything else it takes to be a successful wide receiver in the NFL? This is the year to find out.
As a unit, the Browns have a very solid group of wide receivers. If Moore can step up, this unit will be higher on next year's rankings.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
Top 3: Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling
The Kansas City Chiefs have a weird collection of receivers on paper, but this might be a good unit when it's all said and done. Of course, Patrick Mahomes is going to make peanut butter out of peanut shells, so it doesn't really matter who's catching the ball. He lost Tyreek Hill, who went and had the best season of his career, and he won the Super Bowl without him. The Chiefs lost Juju Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman Jr. this offseason, and we all expect the Chiefs to miss exactly zero beats.
Kadarius Toney came to the Chiefs last season in a trade with the Giants. The former Florida Gators standout never found his footing in the Big Apple (but really New Jersey). He struggled at first in Kansas City, but in the team's biggest moment, he was in the right place at the right time. His one catch in the Super Bowl only went for five yards, but it scored the go-ahead touchdown. Can he build off that momentum?
Skyy Moore is another potentially good receiver. He had his ups and downs last season, but he could find his spot this season. With so much in flux at this position, Moore can easily steal that number-one spot. Someone has to get these Mahomes targets, and Moore could do more with them if he gets his hands on them.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling has just as much a chance to take that number-one spot. He has a ton of skill, and now he has a year as a veteran in this offense. He had decent numbers, but he can do even better this season.
Of course, this offense is driven by Travis Kelce. However, there was an injury scare for Kelce this week. How will that impact this offense as a whole? There could be 100+ targets injected into the wide receiver room. That could really show us who is the top guy, or there might be enough to make multiple players look like top options.
22. Washington Commanders
Top 3: Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel
The Washington Commanders have been doing Terry McLaurin dirty for basically his entire career. He would be considered one of the best of this era if he was with a better franchise, but he stayed loyal to Washington, and he's been lifting up quarterbacks every year. Despite the turmoil at the quarterback position last season, McLaurin was able to record career highs in receiving yards and first downs. He's their star, and that won't change for a long time.
Behind McLaurin, there's a lot of skill but not a lot of certainty. Jahan Dotson could be a really good player, but he comes with question marks. He's expected to make "the jump" in his second year in the league. He wants to build Sam Howell up under center. If the Commanders really have found their answer at QB, it could bring enough for everyone to eat in this wide receiver room.
The Commanders decided to keep Curtis Samuel. He didn't have the greatest season after joining the team last offseason. He caught 64 balls, but he averaged just over 10 yards per reception. The Commanders were hoping he would take a step forward, and he was kind of average for most of the season. Can he live up to his $10 million salary?
This room can be really good. McLaurin is a sure thing, and Samuel/Dotson can be great if everything works in their favor.
21. New Orleans Saints
Top 3: Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, Rashid Shaheed
We will get to New Orleans Saints star wideout Chris Olave in a moment, but we have to start with Michael Thomas. The former superstar hasn't been great since 2019. He's dealt with injuries and inconsistencies since the pandemic season. Thomas has been holding onto his spot with the Saints ever since. The hope that he can stay healthy and show just a glimpse of his former self has New Orleans hanging on. It's hard to put anything of note into that basket. Thomas is a luxury if he works out, but he should not be relied upon, especially with Derek Carr learning a new system in a new city.
At least the Saints have their star in Olave. He played most of last season without Thomas, and he was able to find space in just about every defensive scheme. Defenses weren't able to gameplan because he could beat them in so many different ways. His slants were second to none. He'd find openings in the middle of the field and could beat cornerbacks deep and drive safeties out of position. He was such a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
These are the two pieces that have the Saints knocking on the door of the top 20. The rest of the team is fine. Rashid Shaheed averaged 17.4 yards per reception last season. Tre'Quan Smith had his hype last year, but he might do better with zero expectations coming his way.
The Saints have a ton of pass-catching options. Beyond the receivers, they have three quality tight ends (if we can call Jimmy Graham that in 2023) and Alvin Kamara catching balls out of the backfield (when he returns from suspension). This is an offense worth watching, but it will be driven by Olave and Thomas.
20. New England Patriots
Top 3: Juju Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne
Here we have one of the most intriguing groups of receivers in the league. The Patriots went all in on the position this offseason, giving Juju Smith-Schuster a $12 million per season contract, extending DeVante Parker, keeping cut candidate Kendrick Bourne, and drafting Kayshon Boutte as a flier. He's looked really good so far. After a disastrous offensive season, the Patriots are committed to turning things around for Mac Jones under his college offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien.
Smith-Schuster is coming off a Super Bowl championship, where he was tied for a game-high seven receptions. He wasn't able to break free, but he was reliable in catching the ball when it came his way. The Patriots wanted to bring his experience on the field. He is a tad overrated (he's only had one 1,000-yard season in his career), but he's still good as part of a committee.
DeVante Parker had a rough first season in New England. Nobody had a good offensive season last year, but the new three-year, $33 million contract extension he signed this offseason shows the Patriots think there's more than what they've seen so far. There has to be. He only had 539 yards and three touchdowns.
Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, and Kayshon Boutte could all take that third wide receiver spot. They could be really good, but Mac Jones has to have a major bounce-back for that to happen. This group could rise on the list, or it could fall if last year wasn't an anomaly.
19. Los Angeles Chargers
Top 3: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer
This is one that could look bad because of how low the Los Angeles Chargers are, but there's so much that could go wrong with this unit. Keenan Allen is 31 years old, and last season was the first time he failed to catch at least 97 balls in six seasons. The last time he did, he only played one game that season. He's still listed as Justin Herbert's number-one option, but are we seeing the start of a decline?
Mike Williams is the hope of this offense. The big-play maker led the team in receiving, but that was just 895 yards. He averaged 14.2 yards per reception. That's pretty good, but it's not great for the type of receiver Williams is. He should be knocking the tops off of defenses. Instead, he was bottled up way too often.
The Chargers dealt with way too many injuries at receiver last year. They lost seven games from Keenan Allen, four games from Williams, and one game from Joshua Palmer. Even when they were healthy, they didn't look the same.
Still, this is a very talented unit. Chargers first-round pick Quentin Johnston looks to gain a larger portion of the receptions as the season goes on. Right now, he's marked as fourth on the depth chart. He should be much higher by year's end, possibly even ahead of Allen.
18. Chicago Bears
Top 3: DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool
This might be high for a Chicago Bears team that was dealing with a decrepit receiving core last year. Darnell Mooney was injured. Chase Claypool never got used to the scheme. Justin Fields ran for his life, and the Bears earned themselves the number-one overall pick.
All the pain was worth it to get DJ Moore. The Bears used that number-one pick to get the Carolina Panthers' number-one receiver along with a few other picks. They used their first pick on Braxton Jones, a future star on the left side of the offensive line. So far, the trade is paying major dividends for the Bears, and it propelled them into the top 20 of this list.
Moore isn't the only reason the Bears have progressed their wide receiver position into a formidable position. Darnell Mooney can be a really good player when he's healthy. He started to show flashes of a partnership with Fields last season before he got hurt. He only scored two touchdowns, but they came in the last three games of his season. He was finally getting consistent when his season ended.
Claypool can be anything at this point. The once star-prospect of the Pittsburgh Steelers now is hanging onto his NFL career. After the Bears overpaid for Claypool near the trade deadline last year, he needs to show he can contribute to this offense in a meaningful way.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Top 3: Christian Kirk, Calvin Ridley, Zay Jones
The hype for Calvin Ridley is real. After missing an entire season for gambling allegations, Ridley seems to have come back as good, or maybe better than before. He has the speed intact, and he's ready to move on from all the issues he faced at the end of his Atlanta Falcons career. He will likely be the Jaguars' number one in due time.
Christian Kirk was the surprise of the 2022 offseason. The Jaguars gave him the bag after a decent-at-best career with the Cardinals. He not only lived up to the contract in its first year, he made analysts question what the Jaguars saw and what we were all missing when they signed him. He caught 84 passes for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns.
Zay Jones was surprisingly good in 2022. After a career in Buffalo and Las Vegas, Jones joined the Jaguars as a flier and put up career highs. Trevor Lawrence targeted him 121 times, showing he had a ton of trust in the veteran.
This is a very good unit. They lose a little luster because we have to see Ridley do it in the regular season. If he can be the player he was in Atlanta, this unit is moving far up in the rankings, and then Trevor Lawrence is probably going to be a top-five QB.
16. Denver Broncos
Top 3: Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr.
The Denver Broncos hope to make a huge jump in the standings after hiring Sean Payton this offseason. They traded a first-round pick, something that is a premium for this franchise after sending a boatload to the Seahawks for Russell Wilson. Wilson will have a microscope on him after one of the worst quarterback seasons we've seen from a star in a long time. This wide receiver room should help his case.
It starts with former Alabama standout Jerry Jeudy. We've been waiting for the true breakout from Jeudy, but it hasn't come. Injuries and inconsistency have stopped him from hitting that extra gear. This season, with the Payton offensive machine behind him, Jeudy should be able to put together his best season.
Courtland Sutton is a very good number two. He is probably underrated based on where he ranks across the league. Sutton has had a little trouble with consistency, but he has a big game here and there. If Jeudy can stay healthy, Sutton should have a really good season.
The injury to Tim Patrick is really unfortunate, but Marvin Mims Jr. is a fantastic backup plan. The rookie could get more opportunities if he proves himself early in the season. It all comes down to who gets chemistry with Wilson early in this new offense.
15. Detroit Lions
Top 3: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Marvin Jones Jr., Jameson Williams
Spoiler alert: We are ranking the Lions as if Jameson Williams is on the team. Of course, the former first-round pick is suspended for just about half the season, but he will be back and he could turn this offense into a juggernaut. There is a reason he was taken so early despite missing most of last season due to an injury he suffered in college. Lions brass is very excited about what he might bring to the table.
While we wait, the Lions have Amon-Ra St. Brown and Marvin Jones Jr. to hold things down. St. Brown has been close to taking a jump into that next tier of wide receiver. He's a playmaker who makes those plays in the biggest spot. Last season, he broke 100 receptions and 1,100 yards after proving his status as a draft steal in his rookie year. If he does it again, then it's undeniable that he's one of the best in the league. The Lions would also be ranked higher on this list.
Marvin Jones Jr. is a decent receiver. He's great as a number three. He'd just fine as a number two. Once Williams comes back, this unit could jump to another level.
This does need Jared Goff to play at the same level he did last season. He was quite good for most of last year, and his receivers definitely helped him out. St. Brown seems pretty quarterback-proof, but Jones and Williams likely need to have the best of Goff to go off.
14. Los Angeles Rams
Top 3: Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell
Like thousands of fantasy owners across the world, we are worried about the health of Cooper Kupp. He hurt his hamstring and is reportedly seeing a specialist about it. We hate everything about this situation. If Cooper Kupp is a shell of himself, this Los Angeles Rams team is going to plummet, both in the standings and in this ranking.
However, if Kupp is what he was the past two seasons before the injury, the Rams are in great shape at the position. Kupp had one of the greatest receiver seasons ever in 2021. He was on pace for a similar season last year before an ankle injury needed surgery and ended his season. Kupp is everything to this Rams offense. Matthew Stafford should probably retire or take the year off if Kupp isn't around.
Van Jefferson is a decent wide receiver, but he's had trouble really breaking out. After a good season in 2021, he was putrid last season. He played all but one game, yet he finished the year with 220 yards. Ew.
Two other names worth mentioning are Tutu Atwell and Ben Skowronek. Atwell is a player Sean McVay really likes, and he could get ample opportunities to show he was right. Skowronek has had a few decent moments, but he's currently fifth on the depth chart. If he really proves he can stay healthy, he might get a chance to shine later in the season.
13. New York Jets
Top 3: Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman
Maybe the New York Jets should be higher, but some of the decisions they made this offseason are pretty strange at the wide receiver position. Garrett Wilson is obviously a stud, and we will go more in-depth in a moment, but spending big money on Allen Lazard, and adding Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb seems like going too far to impress Aaron Rodgers. This is like someone who goes out and buys a Honda Civic to impress their significant other. Like, we like the Honda Civic, but was it really necessary?
Lazard is a good receiver, and he was the best among a young group in Green Bay last year. He followed Rodgers to East Rutherford, and they hope to help grow their connection. Hardman is coming off a championship season with the Chiefs, but he never lives up to the hype there. Can he do better with a new set of expectations?
Wilson is quickly putting his name next to Chase and Jefferson as one of the best pass catchers in the league. If he can dominate with a new face of the franchise under center, there will be no debate he deserves to be in that tier. If the rest of the team can catch up to Wilson, this will easily be a top-ten unit by season's end.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Top 3: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer
Some may be surprised to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers high on any list, but they really do have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. They just have possibly a bottom-three quarterback throwing the ball, and that changes the perception of the team overall. As for receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are still a formidable duo that can compete with just about anyone in the league. They are getting older, so regression is possible, but we haven't seen evidence of that yet.
Evans might actually crush this season. He's in a contract year, and he'll be motivated by the fact the Bucs didn't pay him his rightful salary (at least in his mind). With that motivation, he could lift Mayfield up with some ridiculous plays and his usual consistent production. We forget that Mike Evans hasn't fallen short of 1,000 yards since he entered the league in 2014. That's 10 years of 1,000-yard seasons, no matter who the quarterback was.
Godwin is still a great possession receiver who is another year removed from the devastating torn ACL and MCL that ended his 2021 season prematurely. It's a statement to the player he still is that he was so productive last season. Sure, they are missing Tom Brady in Tampa, but Godwin and Evans have proven to make any quarterback look great.
It stinks that the Buccaneers lost Russell Gage to injury in camp, but Trey Palmer has looked good as a sixth-round rookie. He takes the number three spot, and he could be a draft steal before it's all said and done.
11. Baltimore Ravens
Top 3: Odell Beckham Jr., Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers
This might come as a surprise to some, but the Baltimore Ravens receiving unit is really, really good if everyone hits even close to their potential. Of course, there are some insane question marks surrounding the wide receiver room, probably more than any room in the league. We just don't know what this is going to look like, but we're excited to find out.
Odell Beckham Jr. comes in as the veteran who we haven't seen since he won a Super Bowl with the Rams in February 2022. He tore his ACL in that game, and he spent the entire next season recovering. After a tumultuous stint with the Cleveland Browns, Beckham was much better in LA. He got better every week and eventually looked more like the Odell we know in the playoffs. He had a huge touchdown in the Super Bowl before he got hurt. Now, what is he going to look like more than 18 months since his injury? He doesn't need to be a superstar if one of the young receivers breaks out.
Rashod Bateman is the most likely breakout candidate. The sophomore showed flashes last year, but it was literally flashes. It was quick and gone in a flash. He only played seven games due to injury, and he finished with under 300 yards. Yet, he's listed first on the depth chart this year. They have a lot of faith that Bateman can be the guy in this offense.
The Ravens came over the top, using a first-round pick on Zay Flowers. This is a receiver a lot of analysts liked in the NFL Draft. He doesn't need to break out necessarily, but he adds another speed element to this offense, which might be very hard to play against. Add in Mark Andrews, and Lamar Jackson has everything he needs to dominate the AFC like he did in his MVP year.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers
Top 3: Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson II
As we jump into the top ten, we immediately start with an interesting team and wide receiver room. The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers can go any which way this season. We can see them being considered top three by the end of the season, or they can fall all the way out of the top 20. This is a volatile group, that's for sure.
Let's start with Diontae Johnson. It's still preposterous that he finished last season without a touchdown. The simple Law of Averages says that won't happen again. Even if Johnson bounces back, is he still this team's number one? He had a decent season outside the touchdowns last year, but Kenny Pickett seemed to build more chemistry with George Pickens.
Speaking of Pickens, he could lift this unit up to new heights. He was amazing when it came to highlight-reel catches. He could get up and get the ball at the high point every single time. However, he surprisingly finished the season with just 801 yards despite playing every game. The Steelers also added Allen Robinson for a surprising price, so it's clear they brought him in to use him in this offense.
This comes down to what Pickett is going to be. Many are talking like he's ready to take a step toward stardom, but we forget he only had seven touchdowns and nine interceptions last year. Is he really ready to become a star? If so, this could be a top unit in the league.
9. Las Vegas Raiders
Top 3: Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, Jakobi Meyers
The Las Vegas Raiders aren't in the top 10 in most position groups this season, but they absolutely deserve to be here. The Raiders are a team in flux with a desperate head coach who is known for getting the most out of his offenses. Now, with even more weapons at wideout, what can we expect out of this unit?
At the top, Davante Adams proved last season he was the star in the Packers offense, coming to the Raiders and still dominating. He led the league in touchdowns with 14, which accounted for half of the passing touchdowns total of the entire team. Adams is a difference maker who's on another level. Can Adams do it again now that Jimmy Garoppolo is the man throwing him passes? We don't see why not.
Jakobi Meyers was the Raiders big offseason signing a three-year, $33 million deal. He will fight Hunter Renfrow for the number two spot, but we expect enough throw to come both their ways to feed their need to receive. Meyers has the health on his side, and he joins the team he accidentally helped win a game last season.
The depth falls off a little from here, but the top three names are enough to push any offense. Add in Michael Mayer, who might be really good by midseason, and this offense could surprise some folks. If Garoppolo can stay on the field, all three receivers could approach 1,000+ yards. We don't expect all three to hit it, but there could be some chatter it would come close.
8. Buffalo Bills
Top 3: Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Khalil Shakir
This one might come as a surprise to some, but we really like this Buffalo Bills wide receiver unit. Of course, it starts with Stefon Diggs. Despite his strange offseason, Diggs is one of the greats in the NFL. He just got paid, so we don't expect him to be upset about much this season. He could lead the league in receiving. Josh Allen relies on Diggs in moments of need, and with the Bills schedule this year, that can come more often than some expect.
The depth has some concerns, but we're deciding to bet on the talent. Gabe Davis can take the top off a defense. Even last year, when he failed to live up to expectations, he still had a few great moments. We expect to see the Davis from two years ago this year. He will be a legit number two in this offense.
We might be too high on Khalil Shakir, but we even liked him coming out of the draft. At Boise State, this kid could flat-out make plays. It likely took him a year to get used to the NFL cadence, schedule, and opponents, but he should be ready to take the next step. He made a few plays in the preseason, showing he's ready to do it at this level.
This team should once again have one of the best passing offenses in the NFL. The receiving core is going to have a ton of opportunities that they can turn into stats. This should be a great unit by the middle of the season.
7. Dallas Cowboys
Top 3: CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup
The Dallas Cowboys always seem to have a great wide receiver on the roster. Since the days of Michael Irvin, the most popular team in the NFL needed a "star" (pun intended) at the position. Now, that star is CeeDee Lamb. Lamb keeps getting better every year, putting up better stats in yards, touchdowns, and receptions every season. This year, he comes in with a full slate of expectations. If the Cowboys are going to take the next step, Lamb has to take them there.
The Cowboys added help for Lamb when they traded for Brandin Cooks. The perennial 1,000-yard receiver joins a Cowboys team that is sure to pass a ton. After leaving what was a rough situation in Houston, he gets Dak Prescott (or Cooper Rush or Trey Lance) who will upgrade the passes coming his way. Does Cooks have enough left in the tank to still be great as a number two?
Michael Gallup is a great talent at the position, but he's struggled with injuries in his career. He missed three games last year, and he just never really looked like himself. Is he really a 400-yard receiver at this point in his career, or can he get back to the 1,000-yard guy he was in 2019? We're now three seasons removed from that, so it will take some convincing to say he can get there.
This is a really good unit, but it feels like the ceiling is stunted. Can they get into the top five, or is this the top of their expectation? We suppose we'll find out sooner rather than later. Losing offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has to be a consideration, too. Will that impact the passing stats?
6. San Francisco 49ers
Top 3: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings
The San Francisco 49ers just seem stacked to the gills at every position. Wide receiver is no different. Of course, they have the weapon that is Deebo Samuel, playing primarily wide receiver after his contract negotiation last offseason. With Christian McCaffrey spending the entire season in the Bay Area, Samuel can officially focus all his efforts on running routes.
Last season, Samuel was way below his normal production. He only played 13 games, and he failed to break 700 yards receiving and 250 yards rushing. He always seemed like he was playing hurt. This season, with the full offseason program under his belt, we expect to see the Samuel from two seasons ago.
Brandon Aiyuk has been on the cusp of breaking out for two seasons now. Most expect him to finally take another step in the right direction. If he does, this will be one of the best duos in the National Football League. He had his first 1,000-yard season last year, leading the team. Now, with Brock Purdy the mainstay at quarterback, Aiyuk should be even better.
No matter what, Kyle Shanahan is going to get the best out of this group. He just knows how to run an offense. It doesn't matter who is playing where, that is the X factor here. That's why a player like Jauan Jennings or Ray McCloud could break out.
5. Seattle Seahawks
Top 3: DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba
The Seattle Seahawks have an insane trio at wide receiver. Despite already boasting DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett at the position, they used their first-round pick on Ohio State standout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. This gives the Seahawks easily a top-five unit, with a chance to rise even higher in the ranks. The Seahawks made it a point to build around Geno Smith despite many wondering if they would try to upgrade at QB, curious if last season was all smoke and mirrors.
Starting with Metcalf, he is still one of the best burners in the league. He has elite speed and catching ability, and he put up another 1,000-yard season with Geno Smith at QB. Lockett did the same thing. Having two wide receivers break the 1,000-yard mark, especially with Geno Smith under center, is an amazing accomplishment. Now, they are adding a very skilled receiver in JSN to the mix. This is an insane trio of wide receivers.
How can any defense game plan for these three? It's impossible. There is no trio of cornerbacks that can stop them if they hit their peak.
There are two things holding this team back from being even higher on the list. Metcalf is great, but he is just outside that upper echelon of wide receiver. Every team ahead of this has that one guy who can dominate all by himself. Also, Smith-Njigba had surgery like two weeks ago. We have to see what he is going to look like and whether that will slow him down. For now, this unit seems unstoppable.
4. Minnesota Vikings
Top 3: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn
Justin Jefferson is the best wide receiver in the NFL. That holds a lot of water on this list. He was incredible last season, flirting with wide receiver records until the very end. The Minnesota Vikings had a record for wins in one-score games. This team doesn't win 11 one-score games with Jefferson, and Kirk Cousins is floundering without his top target. Cousins knows if he throws the ball up and Jefferson is in the area, he's coming down with it. His catch radius is beyond comprehension, and what he is able to do every week is borderline unfathomable.
Outside of Jefferson, the Minnesota Vikings let veteran receiver Adam Thielen go to the Panthers and they drafted Jordan Addison in the first round. He should have wide open spaces since defenses will be so focused on Jefferson every play. Cousins might have his one-two punch once again.
Addison is just an athlete, pure and simple. He can make plays on the ball, which is exactly how Jefferson got to where he's at. He seems to be self-motivated, which is important when he's facing the lesser defensive back. He will take offense to such small jabs, and it will help him play better.
The rest of the depth is pretty weak, but it doesn't matter. K.J. Osborn and Jalen Nailor don't need to do much. They just need to catch the few balls that come their way. Jefferson is going to make all the plays, and Addison seems like his perfect compliment.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
Top 3: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins
The Philadelphia Eagles might not have great wide receiver depth like some other teams on this list, but it's hard to argue with the capabilities of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Those two might be the most skilled wide receiver duo in football. The Eagles are a mismatch nightmare with those two on the field. Add in Jalen Hurts' rushing ability and the three-headed monster in the backfield, and the Eagles are Super Bowl contenders again.
Brown joined the Eagles last season after they sent a first-round pick to the Tennessee Titans. Brown went wild on the field, catching 88 balls for close to 1,500 yards. He was incredibly consistent, with only three games under 50 yards. He would also have the occasional superstar performance, like his 181 yards against Chicago, his 156 yards and three touchdowns against Pittsburgh, and his 119 yards and two touchdowns against his former team the Titans. Brown even balled in the Super Bowl, putting up 96 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
Smith had a nice year, getting close to 1,200 yards on 96 catches. He had a role to play, and he did it to perfection. He was missing a little of that blazing speed, only averaging 12.6 yards per reception. If he can hit that new level this year, this offense might be even better than last year. However, nobody is complaining about what he did last season.
The Eagles have a dominant offense, and nothing short of injuries to both Brown and Smith would impact them severely. Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus are fine options, but there is a reason the Eagles only have four receivers on the depth chart healthy right now.
2. Miami Dolphins
Top 3: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios
The Miami Dolphins do not have great depth at the wide receiver position. Braxton Berrios is their number three, which is an issue. However, they probably have two of the best receivers in football, possibly two in the top ten at their position, and that vaults them to number two on this list.
Tyreek Hill proved he was a lot more than just the guy who caught passes from Patrick Mahomes. He was a bonafide stud in his first year in Miami. It was a bizarre offseason for Hill, but we expect things to get back to normal now that the NHL is back. He was once on pace to beat Calvin Johnson's record for most receiving yards in a season. He came up short, but it was still an insane season for Hill.
Jaylen Waddle broke out in a big way last season. He was seventh in the league with 1,356 yards. We forget that Tua Tagovailoa dealt with multiple concussions that left them with a carousel of quarterbacks playing. They had Skyler Thompson playing. Yet, Hill and Waddle were both still two of the best in the league. As long as these two keep their speed, there's no way to stop them both on any given play.
Sure, the depth isn't what you want. However, as long as Hill and Waddle are on the field, this team will be very, very good. They are game changers at the position.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Top 3: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd
The Cincinnati Bengals have the best receiving core in the league, and it's not particularly close. Enjoy this while it lasts, because this is probably the last year we see Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd playing together. These are three superstar players. If one goes down, the Bengals still have a great one-two punch. Joe Burrow has been given a fantastic core to start his career.
Let's start with Chase. He is undoubtedly the second-best player at the position. Only his former teammate Justin Jefferson is better, but Chase arguably is more talented than his counterpart. Even in a "down" season last year, his sophomore slump led to 1,046 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games. He has to stay healthy, but if he can, he has a chance to overtake Jefferson as the best at his position.
Tee Higgins has the skill to be a number one in the right offense. He had two massive games before Chase returned from injury (148 yards against Pittsburgh and 114 yards against Tennessee). He's never had less than 900 yards in a season since joining the league. He is incredible, and he should hit career-highs this season barring an injury.
Boyd might be the best number three in the league. There are a lot of intriguing options thanks to the rookies coming into the league, but Boyd is right up there. He rounds out a three-headed monster that puts the Bengals up there with any great offense in the league.
