In a league even more focused on aerial play, receivers continue to grow in importance year after year. And if there is one position where talent is not lacking, it is that of receiver.
Receivers with golden hands
Justin Jefferson (Vikings), Davante Adams (Raiders), Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals), Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), Cooper Kupp (Rams), Stefon Diggs (Bills), AJ Brown (Eagles)
Unlike other positions, it is difficult today to bring out only one name at the top of the list. Certainly, Justin Jefferson was dominant last year and could claim to occupy the first position in the ranking alone, but it is too quickly to forget his competitors.
Cooper Kupp’s 2021 season has a place in the NFL history books. And he was on track for another XXL season before his injury in 2022. Davante Adams has remained impressive for almost 10 years and proved last year that he could perform regardless of his quarterback. Stefon Diggs is of the same ilk. Tyreek Hill is absolutely unstoppable once he has reached cruising speed. The connection between Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow is unmatched in the league. As for AJ Brown, his arrival in Philadelphia took him to another level.
The top of the basket
Terry McLaurin (Commanders), Keenan Allen (Chargers), Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins), Mike Evans (Buccaneers), CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys), Deebo Samuel (49ers), Tee Higgins (Bengals), DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett (Seahawks) , Amari Cooper (Browns), DJ Moore (Bears), DeVonta Smith (Eagles), Diontae Johnson (Steelers)
These players represent all-risk insurance for their quarterbacks. When the ball goes in their direction, there is a good chance that the chains will move forward. They lack that indescribable little extra to be part of the elite named above, but all these receivers are nightmares for opposing defenses.
Jaylen Waddle, Tee Higgins and DeVonta Smith, among others, are part of the same receiving corps as players named in the first category. What a luxury for a quarterback to rely on such threats as target number 2. Same thing for the Seahawks duo. Thirty-year-olds Mike Evans and Keenan Allen are still as impactful despite the weight of the years. Deebo Samuel comes out of a more complicated year, but his unique qualities make him a permanent threat. As for Terry McLaurin and DJ Moore, they are probably the two most underrated receivers in the league.
Future receiving superstars
Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions), Brandon Aiyuk (49ers), Garrett Wilson (Jets), Chris Olave (Saints), Christian Kirk (Jaguars), Drake London (Falcons), George Pickens (Steelers), Christian Watson (Packers ), Kadarius Toney (Chiefs)
Younger, less experienced, these players have already shown encouraging signs for their future in this league. Amon-Ra St. Brown has taken on the role of leader in Detroit following the departure of Hockenson, Christian Kirk has successfully negotiated the pressure inherent in signing a contract like his in Jacksonville, and Brandon Aiyuk is increasingly taking on more room in the San Francisco attack despite the presence of players like Samuel, Kittle or McCaffrey.
Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Drake London, George Pickens and Christian Watson have shown promising signs since their rookie season and will have to confirm next year. Kadarius Toney was able to bounce back after a chaotic start with the Giants.
The unclassifiable
DeAndre Hopkins (Titans)
Far too talented to be in the category of “safe bets”. Not as impactful to be part of the “top of the basket”. But still far too strong to be considered a “grandpa who is resisting”. DeAndre Hopkins is too hard to rank in a tier list like this.
His last two years have been marred by injuries, and he’s not as strong as he was in his prime years in Houston. He represented the best of the NFL despite assists from countless average to mediocre quarterbacks. Hopkins is pure beauty, fluidity and ease. Let’s hope for the show that his signing to the Titans isn’t a pre-retirement like Julio Jones, and that D-Hop still has some under the hood.
Safe bets
Chris Godwin (Buccaneers), Mike Williams (Chargers), Michael Pittman Jr. (Colts), Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup (Cowboys), JuJu Smith-Schuster (Patriots), Darnell Mooney (Bears), Gabe Davis (Bills), DJ Chark (Panthers), Courtland Sutton (Broncos)
Not of the class of superstars, these receivers are nonetheless useful players, holders without any discussion being possible. They are not ones who change the course of a season, but are perfectly capable of influencing the course of a game, like Gabe Davis in his 4 touchdown game against the Chiefs in 2021.
Most often, they are number 2 on their committee. But some (Pittman, Smith-Schuster, Sutton, Chark) are number 1 within their franchise, which raises the question of the overall level of said group of receivers. Despite all the goodwill in the world, these players are not (or no longer, like Godwin or Cooks) of a sufficient level to carry out an aerial attack towards the heights.
The recipient grandpas are resisting
Adam Thielen (Panthers), Allen Robinson II (Steelers), Marvin Jones (Lions), Robert Woods (Texans)
They’re not as lively as they used to be. Granted, none of these four players has ever been a huge star in the NFL, but all of them have that quality of durability. It’s not the majority of players who have passed through the NFL who can claim to have lasted a decade in the big league.
What they’ve lost in explosiveness they make up for with a keen knowledge of what a good receiver does. Adam Thielen, for example, was never a No. 1 wide receiver, but he always knew how to be a perfect fit for superstars, first Stefon Diggs and then Justin Jefferson. His role with the Panthers will be to best shape a young group of receivers. Allen Robinson is coming off a tough two seasons, but he shouldn’t have to be the boss in Pittsburgh, which should suit him just fine.
Good but…
Hollywood Brown (Cardinals), Jerry Jeudy (Broncos), Chase Claypool (Bears), Devante Parker (Patriots), Rashod Bateman (Ravens), Treylon Burks (Titans)
In a class council, these players are those who have an average of 10.5 when they could aim for 16 without batting an eyelid. An overflowing talent, but an inability to confirm all this potential.
They were all drafted relatively high, showed undeniable qualities, but still did not implement the promises seen in college. Hollywood Brown and Chase Claypool were even traded, but nothing helped. It’s up to them to change that. Mention to Treylon Burks, author of a disappointing rookie season, but who still has time to bounce back.
The perfect complement
Tyler Boyd (Bengals), Hunter Renfrow (Raiders), Mecole Hardman (Jets), Olamide Zaccheaus (Eagles), Curtis Samuel (Commanders), Donovan Peoples-Jones (Browns), Isaiah Hodgins (Giants)
The class of soldiers. They’re not the most prominent, the most popular or the most celebrated, but they’re always there when you need them. For some, like Tyler Boyd or Olamide Zaccheaus, they are in the shadow of players much stronger than them, but are the perfect complements. Others have a different profile, like Hunter Renfrow, a precious little jig in the slotor Curtis Samuel and Mecole Hardman, perfect gadgets for their attack.
For Isaiah Hodgins, it’s a little different. He would be the ideal receiver to be number 3, even number 2 of a good aerial attack. Unfortunately for him, and especially for his team, he is the best receiver in his group.
The bottle class of recipients
Jahan Dotson (Commanders), Romeo Doubs (Packers), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks), Jordan Addison (Vikings), Quentin Johnston (Chargers), Zay Flowers (Ravens), John Metchie III (Texans)
They are young, they are beautiful, they smell like hot sand.
Jahan Dotson and Romeo Doubs haven’t had a chance to show too much in their rookie season yet, but the little seen was promising. The rookie class is, on paper, not as enticing as others, but everyone will have a golden opportunity to show what they are made of. As for John Metchie III, his debut is highly anticipated, both on a sporting and human level. A year after he was diagnosed with leukemia, everyone is waiting for him to finally start his NFL career and leave his health issues in the locker room.
Receivers subscribed to the infirmary
Michael Thomas (Saints), Odell Beckham Jr. (Ravens), Calvin Ridley (Jaguars), Tim Patrick (Broncos), Jameson Williams (Lions)
When they arrive in town, the stadium staff double-checks to see if the medical cart has been refueled. Michael Thomas, Odell Beckham Jr. and Calvin Ridley showed so much in the NFL that they could easily have made it to the top two categories if their bodies left them alone. Tim Patrick, he is a good receiver of complement, but two injuries during two consecutive offseasons prevented him from showing his qualities.
After arriving in the NFL injured, Jameson Williams recovered slowly and played parts of the game late last season. But he had the good idea (like Calvin Ridley before him) to bet on football. Result of the races: 6 games suspension.
