With the NFL season upon us, at GoldSheet, we are ranking each positional group and coaching staff in the NFL. Each positional group will be ranked and placed into a tier to give us a better understanding of how each team is expected to fare at each position.
The NFL is truly a passing league now, and having multiple weapons on the outside is paramount. Playmakers that can create big plays down the field are vital to a team’s success. Also, having weapons that can take short passes for big gains helps stretch the field immensely for offenses. Having a great duo or trio of wide receivers gives teams a massive advantage. Without further ado, let’s break down all 32 WR rooms, rank each team’s WR situation, and put them into tiers.
2023 NFL Wide Receiver Rankings
* Indicates a rookie
Tier One:
No. 1 Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Trenton Irwin, Andrei Iosivas* and Trent Taylor
No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles
AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Olamide Zaccheaus, Quez Watkins and Tyrie Cleveland
No. 3 Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison*, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Reagor, Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell
No. 4 Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios, Cedrick Wilson and Erik Ezukanma
No. 5 Seattle Seahawks
DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Dee Eskridge, Cody Thompson and Dareke Young
While other teams that are not listed here, like the Bills and Raiders, have a WR1 on their roster, these are the only teams with elite depth at this position. None of these WR groups need an introduction, either. The Bengals and Eagles are loaded with talent, and the Miami Dolphins’ top two options are a nightmare for coordinators. If Jordan Addison reaches his potential, the Vikings will shoot to the top of the list since Justin Jefferson is on an unprecedented career arch. We would argue that the Seahawks lack a true WR1, but if Jaxon Smith-Njigba lives up to his hype, Seattle will have three legit WR2’s.
While the team’s quarterbacks are not a part of this rankings, it is important to note that all of these units also have the benefit of average to above-average quarterback play. Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts are MVP candidates, while Kirk Cousins, Tua Tagovailoa and Geno Smith are all accurate and timely with their throws. Given the current state of the NFL and the immense pass-catching talent on these teams, these are the top wide receiver units in the NFL.
Tier Two:
No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston*, Joshua Palmer, Jalen Guyton and Derius Davis*
No. 7 Dallas Cowboys
Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin
No. 8 Las Vegas Raiders
Davante Adams, Keelan Cole, Jakobi Meyers, Hunter Renfrow, DeAndre Carter, Tre Tucker* and Cam Sims
No. 9 San Francisco 49ers
Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, Ray-Ray McCloud and Ronnie Bell*
No. 10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Russell Gage, Trey Palmer*, Kaylon Geiger and Deven Thompkins
No. 11 Buffalo Bills
Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Trent Sherfield, Justin Shorter*, Khalil Shakir and Deonte Hardy
If Quentin Johnston bursts onto the scene and Mike Williams and Keenan Allen stay healthy, the Chargers can find themselves in the first tier right away. If CeeDee Lamb takes another step forward, so can the Dallas Cowboys. As it stands, both of those units have three receivers who are above average in their position. They also have some young, exciting guys waiting in the wings. The Raiders and Bills have the only other WR1’s in this tier, but their depth is not good enough to warrant being listed in tier one. The Raiders’ weapons have a chance to take a step forward, so we will see if they do. The 49ers and Buccaneers have two studs, but neither players are a WR1, and their depth leaves a little bit to be desired. Still, these are both units that can give defensive coordinators nightmares.
Tier Three:
No. 12 Jacksonville Jaguars
Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, Kevin Austin, Jamal Agnew and Tim Jones
No. 13 Denver Broncos
Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims*, Jerry Jeudy, Marquez Callaway, Kendall Hinton and Jalen Virgil
No. 14 Cleveland Browns
Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman*, Anthony Schwartz, Marquise Goodwin and Jaelon Darden
No. 15 Pittsburgh Steelers
Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson, Miles Boykin, Calvin Austin and Hakeem Butler
No. 16 Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, Dax Milne and Byron Pringle
No. 17 New Orleans Saints
Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, A.T. Perry and Tre’Quan Smith
No. 18 Los Angeles Rams
Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, Demarcus Robinson, Puka Nacua* and Tutu Atwell
No. 19 Detroit Lions
Josh Reynolds, Marvin Jones Jr., Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond, Denzel Mims and Antoine Green*
No. 20 New York Jets
Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, Randal Cobb and Alex Erickson
None of these teams have a true WR1, but these teams all have depth or a young stud in the making. The Jaguars and Broncos both have two players who can push for being high-end WR2’s. The Browns, Steelers, Commanders and Lions all have mid-WR2’s with other weapons who are either candidates to improve or are proven veterans.
The Saints and Rams are here out of respect for their top wide receivers. When Cooper Kupp is healthy and when Michael Thomas played, these were both borderline WR1 players. Kupp was hurt all last season and is now banged up, and Michael Thomas has not played football in quite some time. The depth of these teams also leaves a lot to be desired, but if these players return to form this season, their careers prove they are too good to overlook. The Jets have the player with arguably the most upside in this tier, and with a new quarterback, it is possible they shoot up the ranks. Since they lack an established star, they are locked in at 20, but Garrett Wilson could propel this unit up the rankings.
Tier Four:
No. 21 Chicago Bears
DJ Moore, Equanimeous St. Brown, Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney, Velus Jones, Dante Pettis and Tyler Scott*
No. 22 Kansas City Chiefs
Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice*, Richie James and Justin Watson
No. 23 Carolina Panthers
Terrance Marshall, DJ Chark, Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo*, Laviska Shenault and Shi Smith
No. 24 Arizona Cardinals
Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore, Greg Dortch, Michael Wilson*, Andre Baccellia and Zach Pascal
No. 25 Baltimore Ravens
Odell Beckham, Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers*, Devin Duvernay, Nelson Agholor and James Proche
No. 26 New England Patriots
DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thorton, Kendrick Bourne and Kayshon Boutte*
DJ Moore is the best receiver left, and despite a lackluster season last year, Darnell Mooney should be a good compliment this season. The Chiefs lack a stud receiver, but with the best tight end and quarterback in football, there’s no need to think too much about this. The Panthers and Ravens have young, exciting players, but they need to pop before they have a chance of moving up a tier. It’s very possible neither Jonathan Mingo nor Zay Flowers pop, and the rest of their WR corps leave a lot to be desired. The Patriots have veterans and an interesting rookie, but as it stands, there is nothing to get overly excited about. The Cardinals have some interesting pieces, but we are bearish on this unit moving forward.
Tier Five:
No. 27 Tennessee Titans
DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Racey McMath, Chris Moore and Kyle Phillips
No. 28 Atlanta Falcons
Drake London, Mack Hollins, Scott Miller, Frank Darbu, KhaDarel Hodge and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
No. 29 Green Bay Packers
Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed*, Dontayvion Wicks*, Makil Heath* and Samori Toure
No. 30 Indianapolis Colts
Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Isaiah McKenzie, Josh Downs*, Ashton Dulin and Breshard Perriman
No. 31 New York Giants
Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton, Parris Campbell, Jalin Hyatt*, Sterling Shepard, Wan’Dale Robinson and Jamison Crowder
No. 32 Houston Texans
Nico Collins, John Metchie, Robert Woods, Tank Dell*, Noah Brown, Xavier Hutchinson* and Steven Sims
The Titans acquired DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks flashed at times during his rookie season. If Hopkins looks like his former self, this team could shoot up a tier. Drake London and Christian Watson look like they could be studs, but they need to prove it, and the rest of their wide receiver rooms are filled with veterans who have never popped or unproven young players.
The Colts, Giants, and Texans lack talent at the position. Period. Michael Pittman is good, but the rest of the unit is mediocre at best. The Giants and Texans may have rookies come in and be their best players, but that will not be because Jalin Hyatt and Tank Dell are so good; it would be because the rest of the unit is so bad. Not only do these teams not have great units at the start of the preseason, it is hard to see any drastic improvements from these units during the season, hence being in the fifth and lowest tier.
2023 NFL WR Rankings – Likely Starting Duos
- Ja’Marr Chase & Tee Higgins
- Tyreek Hill & Jaylen Waddle
- AJ Brown & DeVonta Smith
- DK Metcalf & Tyler Lockett
- Justin Jefferson & Jordan Addison
- CeeDee Lamb & Brandin Cooks
- Deebo Samuel & Brandon Aiyuk
- Mike Williams & Keenan Allen
- Mike Evans & Chris Godwin
- Davante Adams & Jakobi Meyers
- Calvin Ridley & Christian Kirk
- Stefon Diggs & Gabe Davis
- Courtland Sutton & Jerry Jeudy
- Amari Cooper & Donovan Peoples-Jones
- Terry McLaurin & Jahan Dotson
- Diontae Johnson & George Pickens
- Garrett Wilson & Allen Lazard
- Amon-Ra St. Brown & Josh Reynolds
- Cooper Kupp & Van Jefferson
- Michael Thomas & Chris Olave
- DJ Moore & Darnell Mooney
- DJ Chark & Laviska Shenault
- Rashod Bateman & Zay Flowers
- Marquise Brown & Rondale Moore
- Marquez Valdez-Scantling & Rashee Rice
- JuJu Smith Schuster & DeVante Parker
- DeAndre Hopkins & Treylon Burks
- Drake London & Mack Hollins
- Michael Pittman & Josh Downs
- Christian Watson & Jayden Reed
- Darius Slayton & Sterling Shepard
- Nico Collins & Tank Dell
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2023 NFL Preseason Previews
- MVP
- Offensive Player of the Year
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- Coach of the Year
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