Where do the top pass catchers in the league settle in?
As we progress with our positional rankings across the division landscape, the next set to be ranked is the wide receiver rooms.
1. NFC East
Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders
The number one target in Dallas, CeeDee Lamb, is entering his sixth year. Lamb also secured his fourth consecutive 1,000+ receiving-yard season in 2024. The Cowboys made a move in May to get George Pickens from Pittsburgh in exchange for two future mid-round draft picks.
There is a bright future ahead at WR for the Giants. Malik Nabers, a 24’ first-round draft pick out of LSU, burst onto the scene and established himself as one of the top young receivers in the league. He hauled in 109 receptions for more than 1,200 yards last season. New York also has reliable options like Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton.
Super Bowl LIX champions Philadelphia Eagles have an explosive offense, thanks in large part to arguably the top WR duo in the league. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have caused opposing defenses many headaches over the last three seasons as teammates.
The Washington Commanders made it to the NFC Championship game last year, but fell just short of winning it all. WR Terry McLaurin was the lead threat in the offense, but Washington made a big trade after the season’s end to bring in Deebo Samuel Sr. from San Francisco. Speed will rule in 2025.
2. AFC North
Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Ravens possess a unique situation with a three-headed WR monster that features Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and DeAndre Hopkins. After playing in SBLIX with Kansas City last year, Hopkins signed a one-year deal to join Baltimore in hopes of making another deep playoff run.
Cincinnati has an elite receiver duo of its own with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase joined an exclusive company last season as he became just the fifth wideout since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to achieve the “Triple Crown,” leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Only Jerry Rice, Sterling Sharpe, Steve Smith Jr., and Cooper Kupp had done so previously.
In Cleveland, there are a couple of new faces around. Jerry Jeudy was traded to the Browns ahead of last season after spending the previous four seasons in Denver with the Broncos. The Browns also signed Diontae Johnson this offseason after he had a whirlwind campaign that saw him bounce around Carolina, Baltimore, and Houston.
Pittsburgh has been active in the trade markets as of late. In addition to trading away Pickens to Dallas last month, the Steelers made another move in March, enabling them flexibility at the WR spot. PIT brought in longtime Seattle Seahawk DK Metcalf to bolster their offense.
3. NFC North
Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
In addition to DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, the Chicago Bears also took Missouri WR Luther Burden III in the second round of this year’s draft. The trio of weapons paired with another year of experience from QB Caleb Williams should give the Windy City football team enough firepower to improve upon a dismal 5-12 record.
The power of Detroit’s receiving game relies heavily on the versatile Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Each wideout finished last season with over 1,000 yards and should continue to be a dangerous combo in the Motor City.
Lambeau Field is home to a bevy of wide receivers. On Green Bay’s roster, you can find Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Mecole Hardman, etc. The Packers certainly have no shortage of options through the air.
Minnesota is where you will find the counterpart to Ja’Marr Chase: his college teammate Justin Jefferson. Jefferson finished 2024 second in receiving yards and is without a doubt a top-three WR in the NFL. The Vikings also have Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor, who round out the position.
4. NFC West
Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
Marvin Harrison Jr. heads a sub-par group in Arizona that has not had a 1,000+ yard wide receiver since 2020. In addition to the second-year pass catcher, the Cardinals have Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch in their depth chart.
After failing to trade him, the Rams released Cooper Kupp earlier this year. Kupp, an All-Pro wideout, left Los Angeles for another division rival. Even so, the Rams still have a ton to look forward to at WR with the likes of Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Tutu Atwell.
As mentioned earlier, Deebo Samuel is no longer a 49er. With his departure, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall remain on the roster. There is talent to be found, but all three players missed some time in 2024.
DK Metcalf leaves Seattle? Insert Kupp. Cooper headed north to play for the Seahawks, partnering with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. One would think that this receiving trio will be more than enough to help Sam Darnold feel more comfortable.
5. AFC South
Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Houston is set up well for the foreseeable future at wide receiver. They traded a 2026 seventh-round pick to division rival Jacksonville for Christian Kirk this offseason. In April, the Texans also drafted Jayden Higgins in the second round. These two, matched with Nico Collins and Tank Dell, are a scary sight for opposing defenses.
In Indianapolis, Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs have held down the wideout group over the last two seasons. Pittman, the eldest of the three, is seeking his third 1,000+ yard season since entering the league.
The Jaguars have drafted a receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft in back-to-back seasons now. They chose Brian Thomas Jr. in 2024 and then selected Travis Hunter second overall this year after trading up with Cleveland. They are hopeful the two-way player can have an immediate impact under new head coach Liam Coen.
Tennessee took Cam Ward first overall in April’s draft in hopes of revitalizing the Titans offense. On the night before draft day, veteran wideout Tyler Lockett signed a deal with Tennessee to pair with Calvin Ridley and Treylon Burks. Ward will have the opportunity to shine with the current WR room.
6. NFC South
Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
For Atlanta, the team will enter 2025 with Drake London as the top target for Michael Penix Jr. London is playing on the heels of his first career 1,000-yard season. The Falcons also roster Darnell Mooney and the speedy Ray-Ray McCloud III.
The Carolina Panthers used their first-round pick in this year’s draft to take who they hope will be their number one receiver for years to come. Tetairoa McMillan, a University of Arizona product, was selected eighth overall. He is trending to be Bryce Young’s top target with Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette following suit.
The New Orleans Saints dealt with a ton of injuries last season, but is expecting a healthy Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed to return to the lineup this year. Also returning to the Big Easy? Wideout Brandin Cooks, who spent his first three years with the Saints. He signed a two-year contract in March.
I found it difficult not to rank this division higher because of Tampa Bay’s tandem of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Evans tied Hall of Famer Jerry Rice last year with a historical best 11-consectuive 1,000+ yard seasons. But wait, there’s more. The Buccaneers also selected Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the 25’ draft.
7. AFC East
Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets
The bulk of Buffalo’s wide receiver room currently consists of Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Joshua Palmer; three young wideouts who do not have a single 1,000-yard season. Perhaps they can figure it out between themselves with Josh Allen throwing the football and help the Bills finally get over the hump to win Super Bowl in 2025.
Miami has a good WR duo in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but 2024 was a statistically down year for both players. Waddle finished with just 744 yards and two touchdowns while Hill had 959 and six. Can they get back on track this season?
WR Stefon Diggs signed with New England this offseason after spending a season in Houston. Diggs’ pairing with Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel should provide plenty of targets as the Patriots’ other starting wideouts are DeMario Douglas and rookie Kyle Williams.
New York’s number one receiver has been Garrett Wilson since he entered the NFL in 2022. He has started his career with three straight 1,000-yard campaigns and managed 14 TDs. He has a supporting cast of Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard.
8. AFC West
Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers
Courtland Sutton has spent all of his eight NFL seasons in Denver and picked up his second 1,000-yard season last year. Marvin Mims Jr. and Devaughn Vele are the Broncos number two and three guys, respectively.
Kansas City has the most well-rounded receiving group in its division. Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Skyy Moore are the meat of the pass catchers on the roster. Rice only managed to play four games a season ago due to a knee injury that required surgery.
The Las Vegas Raiders are rolling into the new season with Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, and 25’ draft pick Jack Bech. The 2025 Senior Bowl MVP from TCU is a second-round choice hoping to carry over his production in college to the pros.
Los Angeles has a deep receiving group with Ladd McConkey, Mike Williams, Tre Harris, Quentin Johnson, Jalen Reagor, etc. Williams returns to the Chargers after a one-year hiatus spent with the Jets and Steelers.
What do you think about the current state of the wide receivers around the league? Would you make any changes to these rankings? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned as we continue our rankings of other positions on the depth chart!