Talented NFL Wide Receivers

NFL 2023 - The NFL's Best Wide Receivers

Wide receivers are essential playmakers in NFL offenses, and they often provide highlight-reel moments with their acrobatic catches and big gains. Their skills and versatility contribute significantly to the success of their teams.

Wide receivers come in various styles, including possession receivers, deep threats, and slot receivers. Here are key aspects of the NFL's best wide receivers:

Catching Passes

The primary role of a wide receiver is to catch passes from the quarterback. They use their hands and body positioning to secure the ball while defending against coverage.

Route Running

Wide receivers run precise routes to get open and create separation from defenders. Route running requires sharp cuts, speed, and agility.

Yardage Gain

Once they catch the ball, wide receivers aim to gain additional yardage by eluding defenders and running downfield. They use their speed, vision, and ball-handling skills to do so.

Blocking

While not their primary responsibility, wide receivers are sometimes asked to block for running plays or screen passes. Effective blocking can create opportunities for running backs and other receivers.

X Receiver

The X receiver lines up on the line of scrimmage on the opposite side of the tight end. They are often the primary deep threat and typically draw the opponent's top cornerback.

Z Receiver

The Z receiver lines up on the line of scrimmage but on the same side as the tight end. They may be used in various roles, including deep routes and short to intermediate passes.

Slot Receiver

Slot receivers line up off the line of scrimmage in the slot position, typically between the offensive line and an outside receiver. They are often used for quick, short-to-intermediate routes and crossing patterns.

Possession Receiver

Possession receivers are known for their reliable hands and ability to catch passes in traffic. They excel at making contested catches and converting crucial third-down situations.

Speed Receiver

Speed receivers are deep threats with exceptional speed. They stretch the field vertically and force defenses to account for their deep routes.

The NFL's 5 Best Wide Receivers

Over the past four seasons, five wide receivers have established themselves as generational stars at the position. DAVANTE ADAMS, STEFON DIGGS, TYREEK HILL and COOPER KUPP each rank in the top-five among wide receivers in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions since 2019 while JUSTIN JEFFERSON has had three prolific receiving seasons since entering the NFL in 2020.

In 2022, Adams, Diggs, Hill and Jefferson each recorded at least 100 receptions and 1,400 receiving yards, marking the fifth season in NFL history in which four-or-more players reached those marks in the same year. They are also the only four wide receivers that have ranked in the top-10 in receiving yards in each of the past three seasons.

JEFFERSON has made an instant impact as the top receiving option for the Minnesota Vikings. In each of the past four seasons, a different player has led the league in both receptions and receiving yards, including Jefferson in 2022. He recorded the seventh-most receptions (128) in a season in NFL history and became just the sixth player all-time with at least 1,800 receiving yards (1,809) in a season.

Among Jefferson’s other accomplishments across his first three NFL seasons with the Vikings:

Became the first player in NFL history with at least 1,400 receiving yards in each of his first three career seasons and over the past two years, became the third player ever with at least 1,600 receiving yards in consecutive seasons.

Has 24 career games with at least 100 receiving yards, the most by a player in his first three career seasons and most by a player in his first four career seasons in NFL history.

Has 4,825 career receiving yards and surpassed Randy Moss (4,163 receiving yards) for the most receiving yards by a player in his first three seasons in NFL history.

Has 324 career receptions and became the third player all-time with at least 300 receptions in his first three seasons.

In 2023, Jefferson can continue to rewrite the receiving record books:

He needs 688 receiving yards to surpass Michael Thomas (5,512 receiving yards) for the most-ever by a player in his first four seasons.

He can become the first player ever with at least 1,250 receiving yards in each of his first four seasons.

He needs 175 receiving yards in his first two games to tie Lance Alworth (52 games) as the fastest player ever to reach 5,000 career receiving yards.

He needs 76 receptions to become the third player ever with at least 400 receptions in his first four seasons, joining Michael Thomas (470 receptions) and Jarvis Landry (400).

Entering his fourth career season, he needs six games with at least 100 receiving yards to tie Randy Moss (30 games) for the most such games ever by a player in his first five seasons.

In his first season as a Miami Dolphin, HILL set career highs and single-season franchise records with 119 catches and 1,710 receiving yards, both the second-most in the league last year. He also added seven scrimmage touchdowns (six receiving, one rushing) and joined Randy Moss as the only wide receivers in NFL history with at least seven touchdowns in each of his first seven seasons. Hill recorded four games with at least 10 receptions and 150 yards in 2022, tied with four other players for the most such games in a season in NFL history.

Among Hill’s other accomplishments across his first seven NFL seasons with Kansas City and Miami:

Has 76 total touchdowns (63 receiving, seven rushing, four puntreturns, one kickoff-return and one fumble-recovery), the thirdmost touchdowns by a wide receiver in his first seven seasons in NFL history.

Became the fifth player in NFL history to record at least six touchdown receptions in each of his first seven seasons, joining Larry Fitzgerald, Marvin Harrison, Don Hutson and Randy Moss.

Has nine career games with at least 10 receptions and 150 receiving yards, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tim Brown (nine) for the fifth-most such games in NFL history. Only Antonio Brown (10 games), Andre Johnson (10), Julio Jones (10) and Jerry Rice (10) have more.

In 2023, Hill can reach additional notable career milestones:

He needs four touchdowns to become the fifth wide receiver with at least 80 touchdowns in his first eight career seasons, joining Jerry Rice (108), Randy Moss (99), Marvin Harrison (83) and Terrell Owens (83).

He needs 110 receptions to become the third player ever to reach the mark in three consecutive seasons, joining Antonio Brown (2013-15) and Wes Welker (2007-09).

He can become the fifth player in NFL history with 10 career games with at least 10 receptions and 150 receiving yards.

One of the most consistent players in the NFL since entering the league in 2014, DAVANTE ADAMS led the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions and ranked third with 1,516 receiving yards in 2022, his first season as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. He is one of five players in NFL history with four-or-more career seasons (four) with at least 1,300 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions and became the fourth player in NFL history with at least 10 touchdown receptions in at least six of his first nine seasons, joining Jerry Rice (seven seasons), Marvin Harrison (six) and Randy Moss (six).

Among Adams’ other feats across his first nine NFL seasons with Green Bay and Las Vegas:

Has 14 career games with at least 10 receptions, 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception, the most such games in NFL history.

Has 769 receptions for 9,637 yards and 87 touchdowns since entering the NFL in 2014 and became the fourth player with at least 700 receptions and 80 receiving touchdowns in his first nine career seasons in NFL history, joining Marvin Harrison, Calvin Johnson and Jerry Rice.

Became sixth player with at least two touchdown receptions in 20-or-more games (21) within his first nine seasons in the Super Bowl era, joining Jerry Rice (29 games), Terrell Owens (23), Marvin Harrison (21), Randy Moss (21) and Cris Carter (20). In 2023, Adams can join Marvin Harrison (1999-2002) as the only players ever to reach 100 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions in four consecutive seasons.

Since joining the Buffalo Bills in 2020, STEFON DIGGS ranks tied for first with 338 receptions and fourth with 4,189 receiving yards over the past three seasons. He has recorded at least 100 receptions and 1,200 receiving yards in each of his three seasons in Buffalo and became the first player in NFL history to reach those marks in each of his first three seasons with a team.

Other notable accomplishments from Diggs’ first eight NFL seasons with Minnesota and Buffalo:

Is one of seven players ever to record at least 100 receptions and 1,200 receiving yards in three-or-more consecutive seasons.

Has 703 career receptions and became the sixth player ever with 700 receptions in his first eight career seasons, joining Marvin Harrison (759 receptions), DeAndre Hopkins (747), Antonio Brown (733), Torry Holt (712) and Brandon Marshall (712).

This season, Diggs needs 97 receptions to become the fourth player ever with at least 800 receptions in his first nine seasons in NFL history, joining Marvin Harrison (845 receptions), Antonio Brown (837) and Torry Holt (805).

The top four leaders in both receptions and receiving yards over the past three seasons, there are multiple records that a combination of Adams, Diggs, Hill and Jefferson can accomplish in 2023, including:

Adams and Diggs can join Antonio Brown (six consecutive seasons from 2013-18) and Marvin Harrison (four seasons from 1999- 2002) as the only players to reach 100 receptions in four-or-more consecutive seasons.

Adams and Jefferson can become the first players ever with at least 1,500 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons and join Julio Jones (six consecutive seasons from 2014-19) and Marvin Harrison (four consecutive seasons from 1999-2002) as the only players ever with at least 1,350 receiving yards in four-or-more consecutive seasons.

Hill and Jefferson can join Antonio Brown (four consecutive seasons from 2013-16), Larry Fitzgerald (three seasons from 2015-17), Jerry Rice (three seasons from 1994-96) and Wes Welker (three seasons from 2007-09) as the only players with at least 105 receptions in three-or-more consecutive seasons.

Over the past four seasons, COOPER KUPP ranks second among wide receivers in receptions (406), fourth in receiving yards (4,894) and tied for fifth in touchdown receptions (35). Last season, he had 75 receptions for 812 yards and seven total touchdowns (six receiving, one rushing) in nine games and is one of three players with at least 75 receptions in each of the past four seasons.

> standout accomplishments from Kupp’s first six NFL seasons with the Rams:

Became the sixth player in NFL history with at least 20 games (20) with at least five receptions, 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in his first six career seasons, joining Randy Moss (28 games), Jerry Rice (22), Lance Alworth (21), Marvin Harrison (20) and Sterling Sharpe (20).

From 2020 to 2022, had at least five receptions in 23 consecutive games, tied with DeAndre Hopkins (23 consecutive games from 2018-20) for the second-most consecutive games with at least five receptions in NFL history, trailing only Antonio Brown (36 games from 2013-15).

In 2021, recorded the second-most receptions (145) and secondmost receiving yards (1,947) in a single season in NFL history and became the fourth player since 1970 to lead the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions (16) in the same season, joining Jerry Rice (1990), Sterling Sharpe (1992) and Steve Smith (2005).

Class of 2019 Wide Recievers

In 2022, A.J. BROWN ranked fourth in the NFL with a careerhigh and Eagles single-season franchise record 1,496 receiving yards, had a career-high 88 receptions and tied his career high with 11 touchdown receptions. This season, he needs at least 50 receptions, 850 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions to become the fifth player ever to reach those marks in each of his first five seasons, joining Gary Clark, A.J. Green, T.Y. Hilton and Randy Moss.

DIONTAE JOHNSON has 37 games with at least five receptions since 2020, the third-most among wide receivers over the past three seasons. In 2023, he needs 85 receptions to become the fourth player ever to reach the mark in four of his first five seasons, joining Jimmy Graham (four seasons), Brandon Marshall (four) and Michael Thomas (four).

Last season, DK METCALF had career-high 90 receptions for 1,048 yards and six touchdowns, his second-career 1,000-yard season. This season, he needs 900 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions to become the third player ever to reach those marks in each of his first five seasons, joining A.J. Green and Randy Moss.

Last year, TERRY MCLAURIN had 77 receptions for a career-high 1,191 receiving yards and five touchdowns and is one of five wide receivers with at least 75 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past three seasons. In 2023, he needs 50 receptions and 900 receiving yards to become the fourth player ever to reach those marks in each of his first five career seasons, joining Mike Evans, A.J. Green and Randy Moss.

Since 2019, DEEBO SAMUEL is the only player with at least 3,000 receiving yards (3,230) and 750 rushing yards (782). In 2023, he can join Charley Taylor as the only players in NFL history with at least 4,000 receiving yards and 1,000 rushing yards in their first five career seasons.

Class of 2020 Wide Recievers

Last season, BRANDON AIYUK set career highs in receptions (78), receiving yards (1,015) and touchdown receptions (eight), his firstcareer 1,000-yard season.

TEE HIGGINS had 74 receptions for 1,029 yards and career-high seven touchdown receptions in 2022, his second-consecutive 1,000-yard season. In 2023, he needs at least 65 receptions, 900 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions to become the third player ever to reach those marks in each of his first four seasons, joining A.J. Green and Randy Moss.

Since entering the NFL, JUSTIN JEFFERSON leads all players in receiving yards (4,825) and games with at least 100 receiving yards (24) over the past three seasons, and ranks third in receptions (324) since 2020.

Last season, CEEDEE LAMB set career highs with 107 receptions for 1,359 yards and nine touchdowns, the fifth-most receptions and sixth-most receiving yards in the NFL in 2022. Lamb, along with Jefferson, can join Alvin Kamara, Jarvis Landry and Michael Thomas as the only player ever with at least 70 receptions in each of their first four seasons.

Class of 2021 Wide Recievers

JA’MARR CHASE had career-high 87 receptions for 1,046 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022 and joined Randy Moss as the only players under the age of 23 with at least 2,000 receiving yards (2,501) and 20 touchdown receptions (22) in NFL history. This season, he needs 80 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards to become the fourth player ever to reach those marks in each of his first three seasons, joining Odell Beckham Jr., Justin Jefferson and Michael Thomas.

In 2022, DEVONTA SMITH set career highs with 95 receptions for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns, his first-career 1,000-yard season. He registered 13 games with at least five receptions, tied for the third-most in the NFL last season.

AMON-RA ST. BROWN established career highs with 106 receptions for 1,161 yards and six touchdown receptions in 2022 and joined Michael Thomas and Odell Beckham Jr. as the only players ever with at least 90 receptions and 900 receiving yards in each of their first two seasons. In 2023, he needs 104 receptions to become the fourth player ever with at least 300 receptions in his first three seasons, joining Justin Jefferson (324 receptions), Michael Thomas (321) and Christian McCaffrey (303).

Last season, JAYLEN WADDLE recorded 75 catches for a careerhigh 1,356 receiving yards and eight touchdowns and has four career games with at least 10 receptions, tied with Odell Beckham Jr. (four games) and Christian McCaffrey (four) for the most such games by a player in his first two seasons in NFL history. Waddle, along with Chase, can join Odell Beckham Jr., Justin Jefferson and Michael Thomas as the only players ever to reach 75 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in each of their first three seasons.

Class of 2022 Wide Recievers

Last season, CHRIS OLAVE led all rookies with 69.5 receiving yards per game, ranked second in receiving yards (1,042) and tied for second in receptions (72). This season, he needs 13 games with at least 50 receiving yards to become the third player ever with 25-ormore such games in his first two seasons, joining Justin Jefferson (26 games) and Michael Thomas (26).

GARRETT WILSON led all rookies and set rookie franchise records with 83 receptions for 1,103 receiving yards last season. In 2023, he needs at least 80 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards to become the fifth player ever to reach those marks in each of his first two seasons, joining Odell Beckham Jr., Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Michael Thomas.

Veteran Leaders

Among the established group of wide receivers currently in the NFL, many have reached impressive milestones throughout their NFL careers:

KEENAN ALLEN leads all active wide receivers with 796 receptions and ranks third in receiving yards (9,287) since entering the NFL in 2013. He is one of four active wide receivers with four career seasons of at least 100 receptions, along with Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs and DeAndre Hopkins. Allen has nine career games with at least 12 receptions and 100 receiving yards, the most such games in NFL history.

AMARI COOPER has six career seasons with at least 70 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards since entering the league in 2015, the second-most such seasons among active players over that span, and his 55 touchdown receptions are the fifth-most among active wide receivers in the past eight seasons. In 2023, he needs five touchdown receptions to become the fourth player ever to reach the mark in each of his first nine seasons, joining Marques Colston, Marvin Harrison and Don Hutson.

MIKE EVANS, in 2022, became the first player in NFL history with at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his nine career seasons and the fifth player to eclipse 10,000 receiving yards and 80 touchdown receptions in his first nine seasons, joining Marvin Harrison, Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss and Jerry Rice. This season, he needs 1,000 receiving yards to join Jerry Rice (11 consecutive seasons from 1986-96) as the only players ever with at least 1,000 receiving yards in 10 consecutive seasons. Evans also can become the first player ever to reach 60 receptions in each of his first 10 career seasons.

TYLER LOCKETT had 84 catches for 1,033 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023 and is the only player with at least eight touchdown receptions in each of the past five seasons. With eight touchdown receptions in 2023, he would join Jerry Rice (11 consecutive seasons), Marvin Harrison (eight), Antonio Brown (six) and Cris Carter (six) as the only wide receivers ever to reach that mark in six consecutive seasons in the Super Bowl era.

New Faces

Last season, DAVANTE ADAMS, A.J. BROWN and TYREEK HILL were prime examples of standout wide receivers making an instant impact in their first season with a new team. Another breakout performance in 2022 came from CHRISTIAN KIRK, who joined the Jacksonville Jaguars and led them in receptions (career-high 84), receiving yards (careerhigh 1,108) and touchdown receptions (career-high eight). A sampling of wide receivers who will put on a new uniform for the first time in 2023:

ODELL BECKHAM JR. is entering his first season as a member of the Baltimore Ravens. A first-round selection in 2014, he has 531 receptions for 7,367 yards and 56 touchdowns in 96 career games, including five career seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.

BRANDIN COOKS was acquired by Dallas during the offseason and has 630 receptions for 8,616 yards and 49 touchdowns in 132 career games since entering the NFL in 2014. He needs 1,000 receiving yards to become the first player ever to record at least 1,000 receiving yards in a season for five different franchises.

DEANDRE HOPKINS, who joined Tennessee this offseason, has 853 career receptions and became the fourth player ever with at least 850 receptions in his first 10 career seasons, joining Marvin Harrison (927 receptions), Brandon Marshall (882) and Torry Holt (869). In 2023, he can become the second player ever with at least 950 receptions in his first 11 seasons, joining Harrison (1,022 receptions) and join Larry Fitzgerald (1,018 reception) as the only players ever with at least 950 receptions prior to their 32nd birthday.

DJ MOORE, acquired by Chicago this offseason, has 364 receptions for 5,201 yards and 21 touchdowns, including three career 1,000-yard seasons, since entering the NFL in 2018. He led Carolina in receiving yards in each of the past four seasons.

CALVIN RIDLEY, acquired by Jacksonville at the 2022 trade deadline, is expected to make his team debut in 2023. In 49 career games, he has recorded 248 receptions for 3,342 yards and 28 touchdowns, including career highs in receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,374) during the 2020 season.

ADAM THIELEN, who signed with Carolina during the offseason, has 534 receptions for 6,682 yards and 55 touchdowns since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He needs 66 receptions to become the fifth undrafted player in the common-draft era with at least 600 career receptions, joining Antonio Gates (955 receptions), Wes Welker (903), Rod Smith (849) and Danny Amendola (617). Thielen also needs 818 receiving yards to become the fifth undrafted player in the common-draft era with at least 7,500 career receiving yards, joining Antonio Gates (11,841 receiving yards), Rod Smith (11,389), Wes Welker (9,924) and Drew Pearson (7,822).