This list is ranked after the first week. It is based on overall talent, production so far as well as projected production for the rest of the season. This isn’t just a who had the best week list. It accounts for all the above. These are the best wide receivers in the NFL going into week 2.
TIER 6:
Devonta Smith:
After a dud of a performance in week one, look for Devonta Smith to bounce back. A.J. Brown is a target hog, but Smith is too good to not get looks.
WEEK 1 STATS: 0 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 receptions and 4 targets
Brandon Aiyuk:
I put absolutely no stock into the week 1 game against the Bears. It will go down as one of the worst weather games of the year meaning passing the football at a high rate was not an option.
WEEK 1 STATS: 40 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 receptions and 3 targets
Allen Lazard:
Expected back in week 2, Allen Lazard should end up being Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target. He is an athletic freak who wouldn’t have dropped that 75-yard touchdown bomb.
WEEK 1 STATS: Did not play
Hunter Renfrow:
I believe in Hunter Renfrow as a talent, the problem is the players around him. He’s not going to get more targets than Darren Waller and definitely won’t get more than Davante Adams. That being said I don’t think this Raiders offense will struggle as much as they did in week 1.
WEEK 1 STATS: 21 yards, 0 touchdowns, 3 receptions and 6 targets
Tyler Lockett:
Geno Smith proved the haters wrong with his efficiency, but he definitely won’t be a volume passer. Tyler Lockett is turning 30 and is known for his speed. D.K. Metcalf is the alpha for this offense.
WEEK 1 STATS: 28 yards, 0 touchdowns, 3 receptions and 4 targets
Robert Woods:
I’m not quite sure what the Titans were doing in week 1. Robert Woods will nearly always be on the field because he is a great blocker. He needs more targets.
WEEK 1 STATS: 13 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 receptions and 2 targets
Jarvis Landry:
What a week from Jarvis Landry. He is still extremely reliable, but I have a feeling Chris Olave will continue to get more involved in this offense on top of Michael Thomas being the guy.
WEEK 1 STATS: 114 yards, 0 touchdowns, 7 receptions and 9 targets
Chase Claypool:
It’s clear that Chase Claypool is mostly just a deep threat guy. With Mitchell Trubisky throwing him those deep balls, it’s going to be tough for him to have those breakout weeks like in his rookie year.
WEEK 1 STATS: 36 yards, 0 touchdowns, 4 receptions and 6 targets
Tyler Boyd:
With Tee Higgins out with a concussion week 1, Tyler Boyd stepped up like he usually does. He is an extremely reliable slot wide receiver on one of the most pass heavy teams in the NFL.
WEEK 1 STATS: 33 yards, 1 touchdowns, 4 receptions and 7 targets
Kadarius Toney:
The Giants seem to hate Kadarius Toney. They threw him out for 8 snaps, but when he had the football in his hands he looked as explosive as ever. I think he was limited due to disciplinary issues.
WEEK 1 STATS: 23 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 receptions and 0 targets
TIER 5:
Julio Jones:
HE’S BACK! Julio Jones looked pretty damn good for a 33 year old. All he has to do is stay healthy and Tom Brady will continue to find ways to get him involved.
WEEK 1 STATS: 69 yards, 0 touchdowns, 3 receptions and 5 targets
Allen Robinson:
Sean McVay talked about the expanded route tree of Allen Robinson, but we did not see it. I can’t see him being as bad as he was in week 1.
WEEK 1 STATS: 12 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 receptions and 2 targets
Drake London:
We all saw why Drake London was the first Wide Receiver selected in the NFL draft. His explosiveness is tremendous for his size and should be a rising star.
WEEK 1 STATS: 74 yards, 0 touchdowns, 5 receptions and 7 targets
Amon-Ra St.Brown:
He just keeps producing. 12 targets in week 1 and he delivered. Expect him to be the main cog in this offense. Hopefully Jared Goff can continue to produce.
WEEK 1 STATS: 64 yards, 1 touchdowns, 8 receptions and 12 targets
Juju Smith-Schuster:
6 receptions for 79 yards in his first game as a Chief. Not bad at all. Patrick Mahomes is the prince that was promised and will make all of his Wide Receivers look great including the reliable Juju.
WEEK 1 STATS: 79 yards, 0 touchdowns, 6 receptions and 8 targets
Christian Kirk:
I was one of the people claiming Christian Kirk was overpaid. I might be wrong on this one. Kirk looked great and should be extremely reliable going forward.
WEEK 1 STATS: 117 yards, 0 touchdowns, 6 receptions and 12 targets
Adam Thielen:
He has passed on the crown. Justin Jefferson is now the alpha on this team. It was a quiet game for Thielen in week 1, but look for him to have some breakout weeks as teams focus their attention on Justin Jefferson.
WEEK 1 STATS: 36 yards, 0 touchdowns, 3 receptions and 4 targets
Darnell Mooney:
No Wide Receiver could produce at a high level in this rainstorm of a game. I still believe in Darnell Mooney. Expect him to be the go-to receiver of Justin Fields going forward.
WEEK 1 STATS: 8 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 receptions and 3 targets
TIER 4:
Courtland Sutton:
Sutton was the lesser receiver of the duo in week 1, but look for that to shift back and forth week to week. I thought Russell Wilson played better than the public perceives. Good things to come going forward.
WEEK 1 STATS: 72 yards, 0 touchdowns, 4 receptions and 7 targets
Jerry Jeudy:
Jeudy was the star of this passing attack. He looked great all night long. I can’t see that changing anytime soon. Like I said above, expect some weeks of Sutton out-producing him.
WEEK 1 STATS: 102 yards, 1 touchdowns, 4 receptions and 7 targets
Brandin Cooks:
This is the alpha Wide Receiver on the Texans. He received 12 targets and caught 7 of them. Davis Mills will continue to lean on the veteran.
WEEK 1 STATS: 82 yards, 0 touchdowns, 7 receptions and 12 targets
Marquise Brown:
With DeAndre Hopkins out with a suspension, Marquise Brown will continue to get peppered with targets. It was a rough outing for the Cardinals passing attack, Brown still ended up with a receiving touchdown.
WEEK 1 STATS: 43 yards, 1 touchdowns, 4 receptions and 6 targets
Rashod Bateman:
With the departure of Marquise Brown, 1st rounder Rashod Bateman is the best Wide Receiver on this team. Lamar Jackson continue to develop as a passer leaving plenty of opportunity for the young receiver.
WEEK 1 STATS: 59 yards, 1 touchdowns, 2 receptions and 5 targets
Amari Cooper:
I feel bad for Amari Cooper. He is still making DBs look foolish, but his stats won’t reflect it. Jacoby Brissett is the worst possible scenario for this passing attack.
WEEK 1 STATS: 17 yards, 0 touchdowns, 3 receptions and 6 targets
Elijah Moore:
The talent is there. Not for Joe Flacco of course, but for Elijah Moore. We saw how dominant he was in limited action last season. When Zach Wilson is back, this passing attack will be more explosive.
WEEK 1 STATS: 49 yards, 0 touchdowns, 5 receptions and 7 targets
Gabriel Davis:
Stefon Diggs is that guy, but man has Gabriel Davis impressed. He will draw a lot of one on ones because of Diggs and has already proved how dominant he is in those situations.
WEEK 1 STATS: 88 yards, 1 touchdowns, 4 receptions and 5 targets
TIER 3:
Tee Higgins:
I love Tee Higgins. He is arguably the best jump ball receiver in the NFL. While he went out due to a concussion in week 1, look for a bounce back week 2. This man is a beast and would be the #1 wide receiver on 80% of NFL teams.
WEEK 1 STATS: 27 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 receptions and 2 targets
D.J. Moore:
Robbie Anderson got the love in week 1, but D.J. Moore is the alpha receiver on this team. Look for him to continue to develop rapport with Baker Mayfield.
WEEK 1 STATS: 43 yards, 0 touchdowns, 3 receptions and 6 targets
Terry McLaurin:
Even with the touchdown, it was a quiet game for Scary Terry. At least it was a solid outing for Carson Wentz. Terry McLaurin will become his go-to guy over Curtis Samuel.
WEEK 1 STATS: 58 yards, 1 touchdowns, 2 receptions and 4 targets
Diontae Johnson:
That sideline one-handed catch will be a candidate for catch of the year. Diontae Johnson is arguably a top 10 Wide Receiver only in terms of talent, but Mitchell Trubisky will cap his upside.
WEEK 1 STATS: 55 yards, 0 touchdowns, 7 receptions and 12 targets
Mike Williams:
Don’t let week 1 fool you. Mike Williams is a beast. He’s got the size. He’s got the speed. Especially with Keenan Allen hobbled with a hamstring injury, look for Justin Herbert to lean on Williams.
WEEK 1 STATS: 10 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 receptions and 4 targets
D.K. Metcalf:
While the 36 yards leaves something to be desired, D.K. Metcalf caught 7 of 7 targets. He is the alpha on this team and looked great in this outing.
WEEK 1 STATS: 36 yards, 0 touchdowns, 7 receptions and 7 targets
Jaylen Waddle:
It’s the Tyreek show in Miami. He immediately became the go-to guy for Tua, but Waddle got his looks in the second half. Jaylen Waddle is too good to be dismissed in this offense.
WEEK 1 STATS: 69 yards, 5 touchdowns, 4 receptions and 5 targets
TIER 2:
Ceedee Lamb:
I thought Ceedee Lamb was going to be a top 10 wide receiver this season because of the high-powered Cowboys’ offense. I couldn’t have been more wrong. With Dak Prescott out for a few weeks, that seems like an impossibility.
WEEK 1 STATS: 29 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 receptions and 11 targets
Deebo Samuel:
The jack of all trades. Deebo Samuel was not going to get much action through the air in that swamp of a game. With the injury to Eli Mitchell though, he got plenty of action on the ground. That should change.
WEEK 1 STATS: 14 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 receptions and 7 targets
Tyreek Hill:
Tua had a couple of errant throws to Tyreek Hill early on, but then they started connecting. This is the fastest player in the NFL today and arguably the fastest player in NFL history. His air yards should continue to be league leading.
WEEK 1 STATS: 94 yards, 0 touchdowns, 8 receptions and 12 targets
A.J. Brown:
We already knew A.J. Brown was an elite talent, but I had my doubts about Jalen Hurts. He proved me wrong week one. This is a physical, do-it-all type receiver who has turned these Eagles into legit Super Bowl contenders.
WEEK 1 STATS: 155 yards, 0 touchdowns, 10 receptions and 13 targets
Keenan Allen:
Mike Williams is the bigger guy, but Keenan Allen is still an elite route runner. While he is out this week due to a hamstring injury, when he is back he will continue to be Justin Herbert’s main target.
WEEK 1 STATS: 66 yards, 0 touchdowns, 4 receptions and 4 targets
Michael Pittman:
Matt Ryan loves Michael Pittman and rightfully so. He is a big bodied receiver who can make plays with the ball in his hands. This wasn’t just a one week wonder. Michael Pittman will go off this season.
WEEK 1 STATS: 121 yards, 1 touchdowns, 9 receptions and 13 targets
Michael Thomas:
Welcome back Michael Thomas. Call him slant boy enough times and he’ll show you why he is so valuable in the redzone. His hands are still some of the best in the league.
WEEK 1 STATS: 57 yards, 2 touchdowns, 5 receptions and 8 targets
TIER 1:
Davante Adams:
I thought his volume would go down with the Raiders, but I was wrong. This man received 17 targets. 17 freaking targets. Derek Carr still loves him as much as he did in college. As he should because Davante Adams continues to cook secondary’s.
WEEK 1 STATS: 141 yards, 1 touchdowns, 10 receptions and 17 targets
Cooper Kupp:
I thought Allen Robinson would eat into his workload, but Matthew Stafford still looked Kupp’s way everytime he could. I should say I’m impressed by his catch in the endzone, but that is the Cooper Kupp we’re used to. I will say though, Matthew Stafford’s arm looked concerning.
WEEK 1 STATS: 128 yards, 1 touchdowns, 13 receptions and 15 targets
Ja’Marr Chase:
Joe Burrow would rather throw 4 interceptions than not get Chase involved. Ja’Marr Chase can do it all. Now that the Bengals are a pass first team, Chase will put up some absurd statlines.
WEEK 1 STATS: 129 yards, 1 touchdowns, 10 receptions and 16 targets
Stefon Diggs:
If you doubted Josh Allen, it’s time to change your tune. Ever since Stefon Diggs has joined this team, this passing attack has been one of the most dangerous in the NFL. Two years off being the league leader in receiving yards, I wouldn’t be shocked if Diggs does it again.
WEEK 1 STATS: 122 yards, 1 touchdowns, 8 receptions and 9 targets
Mike Evans:
I used to think Mike Evans was just a redzone/deep threat guy. I was wrong. Mike Evans can block, can catch passes down low, and continues to be one of the best redzone threats in the league. As long as Tom Brady is Quarterback, he will be the Bucs leader.
WEEK 1 STATS: 71 yards, 1 touchdowns, 5 receptions and 7 targets
Justin Jefferson:
Save the best for last? Kevin O’Connell has changed this offense for the better. They look explosive and Justin Jefferson will have a chance to go off this season. I would not be shocked if we’re calling Justin Jefferson the best Wide Receiver in the NFL after this season.
WEEK 1 STATS: 184 yards, 2 touchdowns, 9 receptions and 2 targets
