Quarterbacks rule the NFL, but receivers aren’t far behind. Every team needs a top-flight receiver, and every team wants one. Unless you have someone like Patrick Mahomes at QB, you probably aren’t going far without a star receiver in your offense.
With that in mind, and with both free agency and the draft behind us, we’ve updated our NFL WR rankings. And when you’re done, be sure to check out our other top positional rankings.
Offense: QB | RB | TE
Defense: DT | EDGE | CB | S
Who’s the Best Wide Receiver in the NFL?
Note: We excluded most of this year’s draft picks from these lists. There simply isn’t enough data. But there were exceptions, including for some rookie receivers, as wideouts arguably are more primed to contribute right away than any other positions.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
You certainly could make a case for Tyreek Hill, as he just put together one of the best seasons for a receiver in league history. But this wouldn’t even be a debate if Jefferson were healthy for all of last season.
After leading the league with 128 catches and 1,809 yards in 2022, Jefferson missed seven games due to a hamstring injury but still finished with 68 catches for 1,074 yards in 10 contests. When he was on the field, it was clear he still was the best receiver on the planet.
Still just 24 years old, Jefferson’s best days might be ahead of him — assuming the Vikings figure out their quarterback situation.
NFL WR Rankings | 2-32
2) Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Hill is a headache off the field, but he’s a game-breaking freak when he’s on the gridiron.
Hill’s long-awaited regression remained on hold in 2023, as he finished with 119 catches for 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns. If it weren’t for a late-season leg injury, he might’ve become the first receiver to hit 2,000 yards.
At this point, doubt Hill at your own risk. Yes, he’s 30, and, at some point, his size and age will catch up with him. But for now, he’s still outrunning everyone and everything — including NFL defensive backs.
3) CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb could rank second on this list next year, if not higher. He’s that good.
An all-around stud, Lamb racked up a league-leading 135 receptions last season to go along with 1,749 yards and 12 TDs. It was the fourth straight season that his reception, yardage, and touchdown totals all increased. And he still has missed just one game since entering the NFL in 2020.
At 24 years old, Lamb is an established star who keeps getting better.
4) Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
Davante Adams, 31, might be entering the back nine of his career. But you wouldn’t know it.
Adams is still the best route runner in the game, and his release package is unparalleled. He’s also posted at least 100 catches and 1,000 yards in five of the last six seasons, including four straight.
Adams is no longer the top fantasy option at the position, and his QB situation is a concern. Still, he remains one of the very best receivers in the NFL.
5) Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase can elevate over your dome, run by you down the sideline, or take a slant 80 yards. The only thing keeping him from being the most dominant WR in the NFL is that he doesn’t quite have the route-running chops of the top four.
But it’s not a weakness, either. It’s something Chase has continued to show strides in. His rapport with QB Joe Burrow, who missed most of last season due to injuries, makes for some of the most impressive receptions in any given week.
Chase’s boom-or-bust style still produced 100 catches for 1,216 yards and seven TDs last season.
6) A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
A.J. Brown faded down the stretch last season, but his start was incredible. He posted at least 127 receiving yards in every game from Weeks 3 through 8 while amassing five touchdowns.
When the dust settled, Brown had 106 catches for 1,456 yards and seven scores. He’s still in his prime and should be in line for another big season.
7) Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
It’s not often we see an entire group of amateurs on the internet who know better than the professionals tasked with selecting players. However, everyone but the league saw Amon-Ra St. Brown coming from a mile away.
St. Brown is a nifty player after the catch, and the improvements he’s made in his timing from the slot have made him a very friendly receiver to QB Jared Goff.
MORE: Highest-Paid Wide Receivers in the NFL
He’s not the biggest or most explosive receiver in the league, but St. Brown plays with impressive strength and fluidity. One could even venture to claim he’s “gritty” and has quickly proved himself to be one of the best pass catchers in the game.
8) Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk is a great route runner, great after the catch, and a true sideline threat. What’s not to like?
It’s not a hot take to suggest Aiyuk is better than Deebo Samuel. It’s just a fact.
Another player who gets better every season, Aiyuk finished 2023 with 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
9) Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans
Stefon Diggs was excellent over his four seasons with the Buffalo Bills, but he eventually wore out his welcome. Now he’s on the Houston Texans, who acquired him from the Bills in an early April trade.
The veteran wideout will turn 31 in November, but make no mistake: He still is one of the best receivers in football.
Diggs is a fantastic route runner and one of the quicker receivers in the game. Even a “down” season still saw him post 107 catches for 1,182 yards and eight TDs in 17 games.
10) Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
At this point, it’s probably safe to assume Samuel will never recapture the dual-threat dominance he enjoyed in 2021. But he’s still one of the more dangerous weapons in football when healthy.
In 15 games last season, Samuel registered 60 catches for 892 yards and seven TDs to go along with 37 rushes for 225 yards and five scores. He just needs to stay on the field.
11) Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Puka Nacua started the season on a torrid pace. Yet, it seemed unlikely that a fifth-round rookie, even one as seemingly gifted as him, would continue that streak. But Nacua blew by every expectation during his record-breaking season. He even outshined teammate Cooper Kupp.
At just shy of 6’2″ and a hair over 200 pounds, but with sub 32″ arms, Nacua isn’t winning because he’s bigger. And while he offers more burst than you’d expect from a receiver that size, he’s not an otherworldly athlete, either.
But that’s not what makes a receiver, and pairing Nacua’s skill set with QB Matthew Stafford has made for a dream combination. He’s comfortable in traffic, has strong hands, and is wise beyond his years against zone coverage, which Stafford has capitalized on throughout last season.
12) Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears
Keenan Allen was leading the NFL in receptions last year before suffering an injury late in the season. He still finished with 108 catches for 1,243 yards and seven TDs in what was his final campaign for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Now a member of the Chicago Bears, Allen should be a valuable security for No. 1 pick Caleb Williams. However, his injury history and age (he turned 32 in April) forecast a potential regression for one of the game’s more prolific receivers.
13) Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans is a big, fast downfield threat who has consistently been undervalued as a route runner throughout his career. While he won’t snap routes off like Diggs, Evans uses his frame incredibly well and can play with a defender’s leverage to create separation underneath.
Evans re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency, as did Baker Mayfield. So, don’t be surprised if Evans extends his record of 10 consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 yards.
14) Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
Between explosiveness, size, and playmaking ability, few receivers are more difficult to cover 1-on-1 than Terry McLaurin. His career has been marked by awful QB play, but it’s allowed him to show off the fact that he’s one of the best bad-ball receivers in the game.
Some say McLaurin lost a step in 2023, but we think his dip in production was more about playing with Sam Howell, who unraveled late in the season. McLaurin still finished with 70+ catches and 1,000+ yards for the fourth straight season.
15) DJ Moore, Chicago Bears
Is he underrated or overrated? The answer might be somewhere in the middle.
Regardless, DJ Moore is a consistently productive receiver who posts big numbers despite playing with bad quarterbacks. In 2023, he registered career highs in catches (96), yards (1,364), and touchdowns (eight) — despite catching passes from Justin Fields.
What will his production look like with Allen on the other side of the field and Williams at quarterback? That remains to be seen.
16) DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
DeVonta Smith probably would be the No. 1 receiver on most teams. But in Philly, he’s overshadowed by Brown, who’s a better all-around wideout.
Nevertheless, Smith is a stud in his own right. Ultra-fast and a great route runner, Smith registered 81 catches for 1,066 yards and seven TDs in his third season. Don’t be surprised if he truly breaks out in 2024.
17) Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
In a league where everyone searches for the “next Tyreek Hill,” the Miami Dolphins also have the next-closest thing. The only thing keeping Jaylen Waddle from elevating his stock is his inconsistent hands and injury issues.
He struggles to finish through contact, and we rarely see the spectacular acrobatic catches we get from Hill. Still, Waddle remains productive as Miami’s second option.
18) Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Garrett Wilson finished tied for the seventh-most targets in the NFL in 2022 as a rookie. He entered the league as a high-quality route runner, but he’s still shifty after the catch, and his aerial attack is disrespectful to opposing DBs.
Unfortunately, we won’t see Wilson’s true potential until he gets the benefit of adequate quarterback play. That shouldn’t be an issue in 2024 — if Aaron Rodgers can stay on the field.
19) Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Think Nico Collins is glad C.J. Stroud showed up?
After combining for 927 yards over his first two campaigns, Collins broke out in 2023 by racking up 80 catches for 1,297 yards and eight TDs. A true deep threat, Collins is an ascending talent at 24 years old, even though we still need to see a bit more.
With Diggs now in the fold, Collins’ numbers might slip in 2024. But he still figures to be one of the more dangerous downfield threats in the game.
20) DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
DK Metcalf is still an athletic freak who’s capable of breaking a game open. But it also seems like he’s plateaued.
Since posting 1,303 yards in 2020, Metcalf has finished with 967, 1,048, and 1,114 yards in the last three seasons, respectively. Metcalf is a good player but already might have seen the best he has to offer.
21) Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
He still deserves a spot on this list — but he’s falling.
Injuries, age, and ridiculous usage clearly have caught up with Kupp. His targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns went down in each of the last two seasons, and he now might be the second-best receiver on his team.
Kupp is still a dangerous pass catcher, but his days as an elite talent might be over.
22) Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Tee Higgins’ future in Cincinnati is unclear, but his talent remains obvious.
Injuries limited Higgins to just 42 catches for 656 yards and five TDs in 12 games last season, but he still was a force when on the field. He also racked up 74 catches and at least 1,000 yards in the previous two campaigns.
MORE: What Could the Bengals Get in a Trade for Tee Higgins?
Higgins is a big-play threat and probably would be the No. 1 option on plenty of other teams.
23) Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
Calvin Ridley is a gifted route runner whose precision is rarely matched in the NFL. His production wasn’t as impressive as expected with Jacksonville, but he still topped 1,000 yards.
Now with the Tennessee Titans, Ridley should serve as Will Levis’ top option. Ridley is overrated, and he doesn’t deserve that contract, but he’s a good receiver.
24) Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
Michael Pittman Jr. isn’t a true No. 1 receiver, but he’s closer than you might think.
Tall and a deceptively good athlete, Pittman in 2023 registered career highs with 109 catches and 1,152 yards. Now on a new contract, he’s entrenched as Anthony Richardson’s top pass catcher.
25) Tank Dell, Houston Texans
Tank Dell was one of the NFL’s rising stars before breaking his leg late in the season. Still, in 11 games, he racked up 47 catches for 709 yards and seven TDs.
If his rehab goes well, Dell could be in for a monster season. The addition of Diggs also should enable the Texans to slow-play Dell’s return to high usage.
26) Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
There’s a strong chance that Marvin Harrison Jr. will be much higher on this list next year. He’s arguably the most talented receiver prospect in a decade and has all the tools to be a perennial Pro Bowler. Harrison, immediately Arizona’s best receiver, also should see a ton of targets in his rookie campaign.
With all that said, he still has a lot to prove, and we couldn’t justify ranking him within the top 25.
27) Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
We shouldn’t be surprised that a Brian Hartline-coached wide receiver hit the ground running as a professional pass catcher. Chris Olave is a player similar to the mold of Ridley, except he’s a more dangerous downfield option because of the extra horsepower he has under the hood.
But as talented as Olave is, his play in 2023 was confounding. He seemed to be on a different page than QB Derek Carr, who at times seemed to be on a different page than reality.
28) Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
Amari Cooper is a tough player to evaluate. He’s definitely overrated, and most of the NFL’s top cornerbacks aren’t scared of him. But the numbers are the numbers.
Cooper has posted at least 1,000 yards in five of the last six seasons, including the last two for the Cleveland Browns. There’s some quit in him, but we’re also talking about a receiver who racked up 265 yards in Week 15 with Joe Flacco at quarterback. Such is the Amari Cooper experience.
29) DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans
He is past his prime, but DeAndre Hopkins is still capable of big games. In 17 games for the Titans last season, Hopkins finished with 75 catches on 137 targets for 1,057 yards and seven scores.
That’s not crazy production, but it’s better than many expected. Let’s see what he has in store for his age-32 season.
KEEP READING: Ranking the NFL’s Best WR Trios
30) Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
Drake London didn’t sign a new contract, but he was one of the winners of free agency.
The 2022 first-round pick was solid but ultimately disappointing in his first two seasons, finishing with 866 yards and 905 yards, respectively. But now Kirk Cousins is his quarterback, and London should be in line for a breakout season.
31) Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
Zay Flowers came as advertised in 2023. The rookie was a bit up and down, but by the end of the season, he was Lamar Jackson’s top pass catcher. Flowers ended his rookie campaign with 77 catches for 858 yards and five TDs — and the arrow is pointing up.
32) Malik Nabers, New York Giants
This was between Malik Nabers, George Pickens, and Christian Kirk. And you could make arguments for all three. But the pick here is Nabers, whom some teams ranked ahead of Harrison during the pre-draft process.
Nabers is explosive, uber-talented, and relatively polished as a route runner. Don’t be surprised if the No. 6 pick has an even better rookie season than Harrison, who was drafted fourth overall.
Unranked Rookie Receivers
- Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze, the ninth pick in the draft, has all the tools to be a No. 1 receiver in the NFL. He’s athletic, ultra-competitive, and freakishly talented. But he also will compete for targets with Allen and Moore, so Year 1 expectations should be tempered. - Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
There’s some bust potential with Brian Thomas Jr., whom the Jags selected with the 23rd overall pick. But the LSU product also has the speed and raw playmaking ability to put up huge numbers in the pros. - Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
One of the fastest receivers in this year’s class, Xavier Worthy was selected with the 28th overall pick. He still has a lot to work on, but his speed should lead to an immediate role in the Patrick Mahomes-led offense.