NFL Power Rankings: Top 32 Wide Receivers by Erik Lambert 1h ago Few positions are as widely viewed and scrutinized as the wide receivers are. So who are the best of the best in the NFL power rankings?
32Kenny StillsWR, MiamiIn the grand scheme the trade for Kenny Stills made a ton of sense for the Miami Dolphins in terms of giving their offense a young, dynamic weapon. However, he is not a #1 receiver. At least there is no reason to think that at this point. They need more help for Ryan Tannehill.31Kendall WrightWR, TennesseeHe’s been a steady producer in the wake of so many sub par quarterbacks over the years but that doesn’t discount the fact that Kendall Wright is anything more than what he is. He’s a good receiver, not a great one. He’ll make some nice catches and get first downs.30Allen HurnsWR, JacksonvilleThe Miami grad was a nice find by the Jacksonville Jaguars and could develop into something more down the road but as it stands he has the production and the tape to suggest he’s at best a #2 receiver for Blake Bortles. Needs to get more consistent before he’s ready to take the next step.29Doug BaldwinWR, SeattleLike the rest of the Seattle Seahawks receiving corps, Doug Baldwin is a competitor who seems to make the big plays int he big moments. He just doesn’t make a ton of them. Due to the nature of the offense and his quarterback, Baldwin may never truly discover the depth of his talent as a receiver.28James JonesWR, OaklandHe left Green Bay to prove he could be the top dog on another team. Technically, James Jones proved himself right but it wasn’t like he did it with a flourish. His numbers for 2014 were average and the fact the Oakland Raiders are searching for another receiver is a pretty clear indictment of how much faith they have he can be that go-to guy for Derek Carr.27Brandin CooksWR, New OrleansIt’s really hard to get a bead on Brandin Cooks since he was stuck behind Kenny Stills and Marques Colston last season. Now with Still and Jimmy Graham gone, Saints fans will get their first real look at the second-year receiver as a primary target for Drew Brees. There’s good reason to think his spot on these rankings will improve.26Dwayne BoweWR, ClevelandThings didn’t end on the best of terms for Dwayne Bowe in Kansas City but he’s still a decent receiver who can make some big catches and be productive if he has a quarterback who can get it to him. That remains to be seen with the Cleveland Browns, who have a lingering problem at the position.25Kenny BrittWR, St. LouisThe numbers don’t blow anybody away, but keep in mind Kenny Britt caught passes from three different quarterbacks last year and still managed to make some plays. He remains a big, dynamic target and now has Nick Foles in town to chuck him up some balls. If he stays out of trouble he may finally realize some of that vast potential he started with in Tennessee.24Keenan AllenWR, San DiegoPeople like to talk about sophomore slumps. Perhaps that can explain what happened to Keenan Allen in 2014. After a breakout 1,000-yard season as a rookie, he finished last year with under 800 and four touchdowns. Is this a trend or just a hiccup? Philip Rivers will find out as he’s likely to send more Allen’s way with Eddie Royal gone.23Torrey SmithWR, San FranciscoHis departure from Baltimore didn’t go as smoothly as anybody hoped but Torrey Smith is now on a mission to prove his down season last year was a fluke. The good news is he joins a San Francisco 49ers team that is sure to feed him the ball given their deficiencies at receiver. That and the presence of strong-armed quarterback Colin Kaepernick.22Mike WallaceWR, MinnesotaFor whatever reason he never fit in with the Miami Dolphins, but Mike Wallace gets a chance to resurrect his career with the Minnesota Vikings. He still has some of that serious speed in his legs and a growing proficiency for scoring touchdowns. His big thing will be finding a way to connect with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who doesn’t seem like a Roethlisberger-type either.21Michael FloydWR, ArizonaThis may surprise some people but it’s true. Michael Floyd was the best receiver for the Arizona Cardinals in 2014. That is not a slight against Larry Fitzgerald, simply fact based on production. Floyd’s numbers weren’t spectacular but he made the most of a bad quarterback situation rife with injuries. He should hit 1,000 yards this year if Carson Palmer stays healthy.20DeAndre HopkinsWR, HoustonAndre Johnson is gone. The time has come for DeAndre Hopkins to assume the mantle of top dog for the Houston Texans. Whether that is a possibility depends on a variety of factors but mostly whether he can get some help from an unsettled quarterback position. If not, there is little reason to think he can rise beyond what he’s been which is a solid but unremarkable target.19Jordan MatthewsWR, PhiladelphiaJordan Matthews better be careful. Every time a player becomes a star for the Philadelphia Eagles, Chip Kelly doesn’t seem to hesitate trading them or letting them walk in free agency. In truth the second year receiver, with his size and great hands could become that safety blanket for new quarterback Sam Bradford as he tries to revive his career.18Steve Smith Sr.WR, BaltimoreThe 2014 seasons showed once again just how defiant and good Steve Smith Sr. is to his critics and to Father Time. Still, age is going to catch up with him sooner or later. That and the fact the Baltimore Ravens really have nothing around him in terms of complimentary receivers. Don’t expect Smith to duplicate what he did again unless that changes.17Kelvin BenjaminWR, CarolinaA lot of people doubted Kelvin Benjamin could become a serious target in the NFL because he had a problem controlling his weight at Florida State. Clearly they were blowing things out of proportion. The gigantic 6’5? receiver connected with Cam Newton immediately and became his go-to target in a second-straight run to the division title. Not bad for a first impression.16Julian EdelmanWR, New EnglandHe may not be the actual #1 target for Tom Brady but the New England Patriots cannot overstate the value of Julian Edelman. Not only is he a versatile pass target on offense but also a great return specialist on top of it. His play in the Super Bowl was proof positive of just how good he is and under-appreciated he’s been by the league.15Sammy WatkinsWR, BuffaloThe hip surgery must give one pause as to whether Sammy Watkins is ready to take that next step. Well that and the fact he’s still got questions at the quarterback position. Otherwise his talent and experience should begin to mesh in 2015, resulting in more explosive plays. Then again, a heavy commitment to the ground game by Rex Ryan and Co. won’t help either.14DeSean JacksonWR, WashingtonThree different quarterbacks throwing the football didn’t seem to stop DeSean Jackson from proving his point last season. After being released by Philadelphia, he joined the Washington Redskins and promptly proved he’s no less the Pro Bowler he was the year before. Another year in the system and consistency at quarterback may help even more.
13Mike EvansWR, Tampa BayThe offense as a while was terrible for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. One of the lone bright spots was their rookie 1st round pick. Mike Evans showed exactly why he was in the conversation for best receiver in his class by dominating his competition for stretches last season. He’s in line to take it up a notch this year provided he gets a credible quarterback to throw it his way.12Brandon MarshallWR, New YorkIt’s another new beginning with a new team for Brandon Marshall. His Chicago experiment had success but as with Denver and Miami his personality inevitably got him pushed out. It will be a challenge for him to prove he’s still that dominant player he was after an injury-marred 2014, and with Geno Smith throwing him the ball no less.11Alshon JefferyWR, ChicagoWith Marshall gone, the torch has passed to Alshon Jeffery as the go-to guy for the Chicago Bears. Considering the fact his numbers have been better than that of his former mentors proves he can handle the job. His concerns have nothing to do with talent but merely keeping himself motivated and in shape. New head coach John Fox has vowed to accept that challenge.10Jeremy MaclinWR, Kansas CityHis season last year was proof positive that Jeremy Maclin can indeed be “that guy” for his quarterback, which is why the Kansas City Chiefs paid a pretty penny to get him. Alex Smith needs more explosive targets to help offset his lack of a big arm. Maclin represents a really good first step in that director, and the familiarity with Andy Reid only helps.9Odell Beckham Jr.WR, New YorkNot a bad position for a receiver coming off his rookie season but that is just how awesome Odell Beckham Jr. played. His mix of speed, route running, toughness and ridiculous hands provided a full-length feature movie worth of highlight reel plays. To think he did all of it having missed the first part of the year with an injured hamstring is telling for his future with the New York Giants.8T.Y. HiltonWR, IndianapolisThere really is no argument. T.Y. Hilton is probably the best deep threat there is in the NFL at this point in time. His constant knack for burning defenses late in games when it matters most shows just how good he is at finding ways to get open and keep proving doubters wrong about his perceived lack of size. The fact he has Andrew Luck’s trust doesn’t hurt either.7Calvin JohnsonWR, DetroitHis customary spot at #1 is occupied while many wonder if the mighty Megatron is finally showing signs of being human. Injuries have piled up the past few years for Calvin Johnson and it certainly looked like they were having an effect last season. Still, there is a chance he’s healthy and more familiar with the new offense. He could easily rebound to reclaim his throne in short order.6Jordy NelsonWR, Green BaySomehow, someway Jordy Nelson continues to get passed by in favor of more flashy receivers when talking about the best in the business. Yet his numbers say the guy belongs in that conversation. He’s big, he gets open, he’s reliable and he consistently makes the big catches for his quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Randall Cobb got the attention this off-season, but he’s not the best the Green Bay Packers have.5A.J. GreenWR, CincinnatiEven after the injuries that plagued him last season, A.J. Green still managed to stick inside the top 5 due in part to his age and credibility. He should rebound this season and will have a healthy supporting cast around him as well. Couple that with more experience in the new offense under Hugh Jackson and this positioning will be validated.4Julio JonesWR, AtlantaHe can’t control what goes on in the front office or the coaching staff. All he can do is catch the rock and do special things with it. Julio Jones proved it again by becoming the engine that drove the Atlanta Falcons passing attack for Matt Ryan with 104 catches for 1,593 yards. If only he could improve his redzone presence he could be argued as the best in the league.3Demaryius ThomasWR, DenverIt’s hard seeing Demaryius Thomas being able to top what he did last season. Despite all the issue with Peyton Manning and his health, the Pro Bowl receiver put in his best season with 111 catches and over 1,600 yards. He’s a beast. There is no reason to doubt that will change with Manning back again, but the unknown of a new head coach is always troubling.2Antonio BrownWR, PittsburghSpeaking of otherworldly seasons, Antonio Brown one-upped Thomas by putting on a show in 2014 with 129 catches for 1,698 yards and 13 touchdowns. The guy was about as close to uncoverable as can be expected. Another in a long line of shorter receiver punching holes in this “bigger is better” fallacy, Brown is the epitome of a playmaking wide receiver.
1Dez BryantWR, DallasTo think Dez Bryant got to over 1,300 yards receiving in just 88 catches is a testament to his ability and just how good he’s become. Well, that and the 16 touchdowns of course. The guy is simply operating at that level where it doesn’t matter if he’s covered or not, he’s going to make the play, make the defense look bad and then do it again a few plays later with frightening consistency. That is what the best wide receivers do.link
