The NFL’s top wide receiver groups in 2024 have shifted based on this current off-season. With free agency and the draft, teams have added more talent on the offensive end. Wide receiver has grown into a premium position because of the importance of playmakers, in today’s wide-open game. Unlike quarterback, offensive tackle, pass rusher or even cornerback. Scarcity isn’t the main factor in the rise of the need for wide receivers. Receivers of today are massively more talented and deeper than ever before. Teams now are looking for quality and depth among having the best-receiving groups. There were a total of 27 wide receivers that earned 1,000 yards last season. That number is up from 23 ten years ago and 14 from 20 years ago. Organizations are now investing heavily in that position.
Honorable Mentions:
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals were probably the number one overall receiving group a season ago, now they are on the outside looking in. Tyler Boyd left this off-season in free agency and the team will now be depending on Andrei Iosivas or rookie Jermaine Burton. Tee Higgins had an off-year and then requested a trade this off-season after being franchised tagged.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers may have one of the most skilled young wide receiver groups in the NFL. Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks could all be really good. All of these receivers must stay healthy and prove it on the field. This group will have the potential to be a top-level receiving core.
Los Angeles Rams
When healthy Cooper Kupp is arguably the NFL’s best wide receiver. Kupp will turn 31 soon and is coming off two injury-plagued seasons. Puka Nacua, the rookie sensation who came on strong last season, fully emerged. With the rise of Nacua, he compliments Kupp’s ability very well and gives the Rams another top target. The lack of guarantees surrounding Kupp’s health is one of the main reasons Los Angeles is not making the list.
Philadelphia Eagles
A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith both earned 1,000 receiving yards in back-to-back seasons. The Eagles as a team started out hot but then the entire team fell into a slump to finish the year. They will have yet another offensive coordinator that will take over as well and they lack a third receiving threat for this offense. However, the offense should be better, but it may not live up to the level they were at when they went to the Super Bowl.
San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel are both excellent playmakers. They should still be able to continue to produce in the Kyle Shannahan offense. That is if both receivers are still on the team together. Trade rumors have circulated all off-season and they could move one of them before the season starts. The 49ers also drafted Ricky Pearsall in the first round of this season’s draft. This could very well signal one of the other two wideouts may be traded soon.
5. Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have the NFL’s best wide receiver, Justin Jefferson. At 24 Jefferson was on track to lead the league in receiving yards for back-to-back seasons, if he didn’t get injured. Due to his nagging injuries, Jefferson only played a total of ten games last season. The Vikings added rookie Jordan Addison last season, an explosive young receiver. In Addison’s rookie campaign, he caught 70 passes for 911 yards and led all rookies with ten total touchdowns. He and Jefferson should both continue to improve however, this group is dependent on who will be the quarterback.
4. Houston Texans
This Texans team seems to have found something with quarterback C.J. Stroud, and this team will continue to add talent around him. Stroud developed great chemistry with wide receiver Nico Collins who finished eighth in the NFL with 1,297 receiving yards. They also added rookie Tank Dell who looked great in his first year, adding 709 receiving yards. However, the difference maker within this group is newly acquired Stefon Diggs. With the addition of Diggs, this can be a highly explosive group and Stroud could enter into elite status.
3. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have the best pure wide receiver group in the NFL with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Hill’s record speed is second to none. He led the league in 2023 with 1,799 receiving yards and has accomplished two consecutive seasons of 1,700 yards. With Waddle, they make up the league’s fastest wide receiver duo. Waddle has posted 1,014 yards in his first three seasons. As well as adding Odell Beckham Jr. as a third option, it can open things up for everyone on this offense.
2. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are the consistency of all the top-rated wide receiver groups. D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are heading toward their sixth season playing together. In a similar fashion, they both led the league in receptions and receiving touchdowns since they began playing together. Metcalf has had three 1,000-yard seasons in the last four campaigns. Seattle also added Jaxon Smith-Nijba to the roster last season, he added 63 receptions for 628 yards. As well they added a new offensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who should be able to unlock this trio for the long haul.
Chicago Bears
Having the Chicago Bears as the top-rated of all wide receiver groups could be shocking, however, they put together an elite wide receiver group this off-season. D.J. Moore had 1,300 yards receiving this year. General Manager Ryan Poles made sure to surround rookie quarterback Caleb Williams with as much talent as possible. The Bears traded to get Kenan Allen. With Moore and Allen, the Bears have the league’s only pair of wide receivers with 1,200 yards. They also added Rome Odunze via the draft. Adding Odunze creates a complementary group of targets. Moore is at his best creating at the catch, while Allen will work the short to intermediate places on the field with precise route running. Then the rookie adds the big vertical threat to the offense. Two years ago the Bears arguably had the worst wide receiver group now potentially having the top is quite the swing of events.
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