Quarterback still is the most important position in the NFL, but wide receivers are closing the gap both in terms of relevance and finances.
Several receivers signed lucrative contracts ahead of the start of the 2024 season, while one notable one got left out.
With the 2024 NFL season entering Week 3, Pro Football Network asked our NFL staff to rank their top wide receivers.
Below you’ll find our consensus WR rankings, and then be sure to check out our other positional rankings as well.
Offense
QB Rankings | RB Rankings | TE Rankings
Defense
DT Rankings | EDGE Rankings | CB Rankings| SAF Rankings
Special Teams
Kicker Rankings
1. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson left the Week 2 game against the San Francisco 49ers with a quad injury and is considered day-to-day.
He missed seven games due to a hamstring injury in 2023, but he’s still the best receiver in the league when healthy. In 62 career games, Jefferson has racked up 6,091 receiving yards.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON 97 YARD TUDDY!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/0PJs9mheCK
— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
Jefferson was ranked as the league’s No. 1 wide receiver by 78% of PFN’s staff and, more importantly, by Minnesota Vikings ownership, which made him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.
2024 STATS: 8 Receptions, 192 Receiving Yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 24.0 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 1
2. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Not even the law can slow down Hill, who rebounded from his pregame traffic stop and handcuffing in Week 1 to catch seven passes for 130 yards and a touchdown.
Hill was unstoppable for much of the 2023 NFL season and finished sixth in the MVP voting, receiving the second-most votes among non-quarterbacks behind San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.
Last season, Hill led the NFL in target share (33.7%), targets per route run (36.9%), and yards per route run (3.88).
Hill continues to dominate despite being 30 years old, and he has the ultimate respect of his peers, who recently ranked him the No. 1 player in the NFL Top 100.
He’s going to play at least four games without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is on injured reserve after sustaining another concussion. If Hill can continue to put up big numbers with a backup quarterback, he could have a stronger case to climb to No. 1.
Hill received two No. 1 votes in this latest poll.
2024 STATS: 10 Receptions, 154 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 15.4 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 2
3. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
Lamb’s receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown total have improved every year that he’s been in the NFL, and he’s going to need to pick up the pace to have that continue in 2024.
In 2023, Lamb led all players with 135 receptions and 680 yards after the catch while also totaling 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns.
MORE: Simulate the Rest of the NFL Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor
Lamb is a superstar who is being paid like one, and the Cowboys will lean on him again this season after he received 29.9% of the team’s target share in 2023.
His durability also is elite, with Lamb missing only one game since his rookie year.
2024 STATS: 9 Receptions, 151 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 16.8 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 3
4. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase hasn’t put up Chase-like numbers in 2024, and a lot of that is due to skipping all of training camp as part of a contract hold-in and facing a Kansas City Chiefs defense Sunday that consistently double-teamed him.
The receiver’s most notable play in the 26-25 loss was a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that killed a Cincinnati drive that could have given them a two-score lead late in the fourth quarter.
Chase’s rankings ranged from No. 3 to No. 6 to stay put at No. 4.
2024 STATS: 10 Receptions, 97 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 9.7 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 4
5. Davante Adams, New York Jets
Adams turns 32 years old in December, but he continues to produce. He’s the NFL’s best route runner, with a release package that is unparalleled.
Last season, Adams’ 33.1% target share was second among all WRs as he topped 100 catches and 1,000 yards for the fourth consecutive season (and five of the last six).
Adams’ rankings were between 3 and 6 from PFN staffers. Now, he reunites with Aaron Rodgers on the New York Jets.
2024 STATS: 14 Receptions, 169 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 12.1 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 5
6. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Brown missed Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons and is expected to be out “a couple of weeks.” But that’s not enough to drop him in the rankings.
Last season, Brown recorded at least 127 receiving yards in every game from Weeks 3-8 while also totaling five touchdowns.
But the team’s meltdown in the second of the season resulted in Brown’s numbers dipping.
The Eagles expect Brown to continue to put up huge numbers, as they signed him to a three-year extension that will pay him $32 million per season.
With new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and the addition of running back Saquon Barkley, Brown could be tougher to defend than ever.
2024 STATS: 5 Receptions, 119 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 23.8 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 6
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
St. Brown, who signed a four-year, $120 million extension this offseason, is tied for fifth in receptions after snaring 14 in the Lions’ first two games.
He’s one of the biggest draft steals in recent memory; he slipped to the fourth round in the 2021 NFL Draft, and 16 receivers were selected before him (and, yes, St. Brown can name every single one).
In addition to outplaying his draft slot, the Lions star has become one of the league’s most reliable wide receivers, despite playing through a torn oblique, toe injury, and hand, foot, and mouth disease at various points last season.
MORE: Who Are the NFL’s Highest-Paid WRs?
That only came to light because St. Brown was featured in Netflix’s series “Receiver,” which documented the pain he was in.
2024 STATS: 14 Receptions, 132 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 9.4 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 7
8. Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Aiyuk’s decision to hold out from training camp until he received a new contract might be playing into the receiver’s slow start.
The holdout was Aiyuk’s response to his trade request not resulting in anything getting done, but he eventually signed a four-year, $120 million extension just before the start of the regular season.
Aiyuk had the widest voting margin among the top 10, getting ranked as high as No. 8 and as low as No. 15.
Despite playing in an offense full of talented weapons, Aiyuk racked up the seventh-most receiving yards in the NFL last season. He’s going to need to overcome a slow start to get back into the top 10 this year.
2024 STATS: 6 Receptions, 71 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 11.8 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 8
9. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans doesn’t get enough credit for his consistency. He’s surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in all 10 of his NFL seasons, holding the record for most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to start a career.
And he has produced regardless of who is under center, whether it’s Tom Brady and Baker Mayfield or Mike Glennon and Josh McCown earlier in his career.
MIKE. EVANS.
📺: #WASvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/P3WxOCrinb— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
Evans is 30 years old, but he’s incredibly durable — missing just seven games due to injuries in 10 seasons — and he has yet to show any signs of decline.
2024 STATS: 8 Receptions, 103 Receiving Yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 12.9 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 9
10. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Despite being ranked as low as No. 21 by one voter, Nacua still climbed one spot to get in the top 10.
But with Nacua on injured reserve and facing the possibility of missing the first half of the season, he may not be in the top 10 for long.
Nacua exceeded all expectations as a rookie, especially considering he was picked in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He hit the ground running, with 39 receptions and 501 receiving yards in his first four NFL games — only Jefferson had more yards over the first month of the 2023 season.
The Rams WR broke the NFL’s rookie single-season records for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486). Also, Nacua ranked fourth among all receivers in receiving yards and eighth in receptions.
2024 STATS: 4 Receptions, 35 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 8.8 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 11
11. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
The Aaron Rodgers-to-Wilson connection everyone expected to be so fun to watch in 2023 is off and running this year with Rodgers returning from his Achilles injury.
One PFN staffer ranked Wilson as high as No. 6, while two had him as low as No. 16.
He will get his second chance to shine in a standalone game in three weeks when the Jets play the New England Patriots on Thursday.
2024 STATS: 10 Receptions, 117 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 11.7 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 12
12. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Waddle would be WR1 on most NFL teams, but he’s a clear WR2 to Tyreek Hill.
Hill and Waddle complement each other well and keep defensive coordinators up late at night. Waddle increased his yards per route run from 2.46 in 2022 to 2.52 last year while also improving his drop percentage, contested catch rate, and broken tackles.
The 25-year-old’s durability has been a bit of an issue, but he’s a game-breaker when healthy.
Like Hill, Waddle will need to overcome the loss of Tua Tagovailoa for at least four games if he wants to climb back into the top 10.
2024 STATS: 9 Receptions, 150 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 16.7 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 10
13. DJ Moore, Chicago Bears
After posting career highs in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,364), and touchdowns (nine) during his first season in Chicago, the Bears rewarded Moore with a four-year, $110 million contract extension to ensure that Moore will be paired with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams for the foreseeable future.
MORE: Ranking the Best WRs in NFL History
There have been some early growing pains with Williams, which has reduced Moore’s effectiveness, but he still climbed a few spots in the rankings.
Moore is excellent after the catch and can explode for huge games, as evidenced by last season’s eight-catch, 230-yard, three-TD performance against the Washington Commanders.
He averaged 5.9 yards after the catch last year, and he’s right on that number again through two games this season.
2023 STATS: 11 Receptions, 89 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 8.1 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 15
14. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Collins is the NFL leader in receiving yards through two games, which is why he climbed three spots in the rankings.
The staff was all over the board on Collins, with two people ranking him No. 7, while two had him as low as No. 19.
The arrival of C.J. Stroud certainly helped Collins break out with a career year in 2023, but it’s possible the 25-year-old’s best days are still ahead of him. And playing alongside Stefon Diggs should help open the field even more for Collins this season.
Add Tank Dell, and the Texans have the NFL’s best wide receiver trio.
2024 STATS: 14 Receptions, 252 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 18.0 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 17
15. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
Smith is similar to Waddle in that he would be a No. 1 receiver on most teams. But due to the presence of Brown, Smith is the 1B in Philadelphia.
With Brown expected to miss a few more games, Smith will have a chance to show he can be a true WR1.
The 25-year-old is ultra-fast and a great route runner, making him a very difficult cover.
2024 STATS: 14 Receptions, 160 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 11.4 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 13
16. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
There has been no movement from Kupp in the rankings, but he is expected to miss an extended amount of time with an ankle injury. Depending on how long he is out and forgotten about, he could drop out of the top 32.
Kupp was off to a great start with a league-high 18 receptions, and it looked as though a repeat of 2021 could be on the way when he racked up 1,947 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, winning Offensive Player of the Year and then Super Bowl MVP.
Last season, Kupp’s target share dipped to 25.6% after it was over 30% in 2021 and 2022 — largely because of the emergence of Nacua. Kupp also averaged 1.99 yards per route run, which was a 0.62 decrease from 2022.
2024 STATS: 18 Receptions, 147 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 8.2 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 16
17. Deebo Samuel Sr., San Francisco 49ers
Even before the season started, it seemed unlikely that Samuel would ever match his monster 2021 campaign, when he totaled 1,405 receiving yards, 365 rushing yards, and 14 total touchdowns in San Francisco’s crowded offense.
And a calf injury is going to make a return to those numbers even more difficult, as Samuel is expected to miss multiple games.
Still, he’s one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL when healthy, and he totaled 12 touchdowns in 15 games last season. The Niners have PFN’s top-ranked running back, top-ranked tight end, and two top-20 wide receivers.
2024 STATS: 13 Receptions, 164 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 12.6 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 17
18. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
Rice’s 44-yard touchdown reception from Patrick Mahomes is the kind of splash play that forces people to take notice, and several voters on the panel certainly did just that.
Mahomes ➡️ Rice, what a connection!
📺: #CINvsKC on CBS/Paramount
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/5jkq5qhePc— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
Rice wasn’t even in the top 32 in our initial rankings, but one voter had him as high as No. 10 on his ballot.
After nearly reaching 1,000 yards as a rookie and going through a tumultuous offseason with his car accident, Rice is off to a strong start in one of the league’s top offenses.
2024 STATS: 12 Receptions, 178 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 14.8 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: N/A
19. Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans
Many people were wondering how Diggs would fit in with his new team, and so far, so good — at least in terms of appearing content, which often wasn’t the case in Buffalo.
Diggs is off to a slow start production-wise, and three voters ranked No. 24 or lower.
PFN’s staff wasn’t sure what to think of Diggs’ on the first ballot either, as some ranked him as high as No. 8 while others had him as low as No. 35.
Diggs is still very talented and one of the league’s best route runners, but he turns 31 years old in November. After ranking as PFN’s No. 9 WR last year, Diggs has dropped quite a few spots, but he could climb back up this list with a monster year in Houston.
2024 STATS: 10 Receptions, 70 Receiving Yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 7.0 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 18
20. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Olave jumped from No. 27 in last year’s WR rankings to No. 19 in the first polling this year, largely because of his talent and remaining untapped potential. The 24-year-old has proven to be a dangerous downfield option, and he improved his receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns as a sophomore.
With Michael Thomas no longer on the roster, he should take another step forward. Also, the Saints ranked last in the NFL in pre-snap motion and play-action in 2023, so perhaps Olave will benefit from the Saints hiring Klint Kubiak as their new offensive coordinator.
2024 STATS: 6 Receptions, 92 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 15.3 Yards Per Reception
21. DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
Metcalf is a physical specimen and athletic freak who can break a game open. He’s a terrific red-zone weapon, and he had the sixth-most red-zone targets in the NFL last season (23), which resulted in six of his eight touchdowns.
However, with the addition of Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Seattle and Geno Smith’s regression, Metcalf posted his fewest targets (119) and receptions (66) since his rookie season.
DK Metcalf WIDE OPEN for a 56-yard TD!
📺: #SEAvsNE on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/nLjzMeiUub— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
Smith is playing better, and the Seahawks are 2-0, and Metcalf should start to climb the rankings if the offense continues to be more than just a complement to a strong Seattle defense.
2024 STATS: 13 Receptions, 158 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 12.2 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 20
22. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Godwin has a well-rounded skill set and he’s extremely consistent, topping 80 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons.
And he’s off to the kind of start that could see him surpassing those numbers easily in 2024.
Also, it’s worth noting that new offensive coordinator Liam Coen has said that Godwin will move back to the slot full-time and play the Cooper Kupp role in this offense, so he could be poised for a huge season.
2024 STATS: 15 Receptions, 200 Receiving Yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 13.3 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 26
23. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
Harrison made the initial rankings even though he had yet to play an NFL game. The 22-year-old is a phenom who’s widely regarded as the best wide receiver prospect in recent memory, and he showed flashes of that last weekend.
PFN’s Draft Analyst Ian Cummings described him as “the most complete player on record at his position.” He was virtually unguardable at Ohio State, which is why the Cardinals selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Harrison, who leads the NFL with 26.8 yards per catch, finds himself in a great situation with Kyler Murray under center, and there’s a good chance that Harrison will rank much higher on this list next year.
2024 NCAA STATS: 5 Receptions, 134 yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 26.8 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 32
24. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
After a modest rookie year saw the former Ohio State star catch 63 passes for 628 yards, Smith-Njigba looks poised to smash those numbers this year.
Smith-Njigba recorded his first career 100-yard game Sunday in the win at New England, catching 12 passes on 16 targets for 117 yards.
2024 STATS: 14 Receptions, 136 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 9.7 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: N/A
25. Tank Dell, Houston Texans
Stroud pushed for the Texans to select Dell in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and it didn’t take long for them to develop a strong connection. As a rookie, he showed game-breaking ability, recording 47 catches for 709 yards and seven TDs in just 11 games before breaking his leg.
There were some concerns about Dell’s smaller frame (5’10”, 165 pounds) during the pre-draft process, but he proved he’s a terrific vertical threat whether he’s lining up outside or in the slot. Houston is the only team with three wide receivers ranked on this list.
He’s off to one of the slowest starts of anyone on the list, but he still rose two spots in the rankings.
2024 STATS: 4 Receptions, 37 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 9.3 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 27
26. George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh offense is hardly a thing of beauty, which is why Pickens’ numbers are so modest out of the gate.
Pickens is the Steelers’ best outside receiver, and Russell Wilson loves to hit those throws. But Wilson remains sidelined while Justin Fields has led the team to a 2-0 start.
2024 STATS: 8 Receptions, 114 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 14.3 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: N/A
27. Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills
Despite missing two games in 2023, Cooper recorded a career-high 1,250 receiving yards while also posting a personal-best 17.4 yards per catch. He also had the best game of his career, going off for 11 catches, 265 yards, and two touchdowns in a Christmas Eve win over the Houston Texans.
This change of scenery is amazing for Cooper, as he goes from playing with arguably the NFL’s worst starting quarterback (Deshaun Watson) to arguably the best (Josh Allen) on the Buffalo Bills.
2024 STATS: 5 Receptions, 27 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 5.4 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 24
28. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
McLaurin is one of the toughest wide receivers to cover one-on-one, thanks to his size, explosiveness, and playmaking ability. But playing with a rookie quarterback is going to result in some growing pains.
McLaurin has dealt with dreadful QB play throughout his career, but now the Commanders are hoping that No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels eventually can unleash the 28-year-old, who has topped 70+ catches and 1,000+ yards for four consecutive seasons.
2024 STATS: 8 Receptions, 39 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 4.9 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 21
29. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
Another rookie crashes the party as Nabers has been one of the few bright spots for the Giants in the first two weeks of the season.
The No. 6 pick had double-digit receptions and a touchdown in his second NFL game.
How high he climbs on this list could have less to do with Nabers and more with Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.
2024 STATS: 15 Receptions, 193 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 12.9 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: N/A
30. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears
Entering the 2023 season, many people were expecting Allen to regress, but he posted arguably the best season of his 11-year NFL career instead. He recorded career-highs in receptions (108) and yards per game (95.6) while also totaling seven touchdowns. Allen was leading the NFL in receptions in 2023 before suffering an injury late in the season.
MORE: NFL Injury Reports (Updated Daily)
Now, in an effort to surround No. 1 pick Williams with weapons, the Bears added Allen alongside Moore, Rome Odunze, D’Andre Swift, Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, and others.
Can the 32-year-old continue to fight off Father Time?
2024 STATS: 11 Receptions, 89 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 8.1 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 22
31. DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans
Hopkins is still capable of having monster games, as evidenced by his three-touchdown performance against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8 of last season and the three 100-yard games he posted in 2023.
He ranked second among all WRs in air yards (1,905) and deep targets (35) last season, so the potential for big plays is still there.
Can Will Levis and Hopkins build on the chemistry they started to develop last season, and how will the addition of Calvin Ridley impact Hopkins’ production?
It’s been a slow go to start.
2024 STATS: 2 Receptions, 7 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 8.5 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 23
32. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
London caught the game-winning touchdown pass Monday night at Philadelphia to cap a strong game.
KIRK FINDS DRAKE LONDON IN THE END ZONE WITH LESS THAN A MINUTE LEFT 😱
FALCONS TAKE A ONE-POINT LEAD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/47hDFw2RO1
— ESPN (@espn) September 17, 2024
He has shown glimpses of brilliance throughout his first two NFL seasons, but he hasn’t realized his full potential largely due to the Falcons’ run-first offense and poor quarterback play.
Now, with Kirk Cousins under center, the hope is that the 23-year-old could have a career year in 2024.
2024 STATS: 8 Receptions, 69 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 8.6 Yards Per Reception
PREVIOUS RANK: 29
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