As the 2024 NFL season approaches, it’s time to dive into one of the most exciting and dynamic positions in football: wide receivers. These athletic playmakers can turn a game on its head with a single spectacular catch or breakaway run
In this post, we’ll rank the top wide receivers heading into the 2024 season, considering factors like past performance, consistency, team situation, and potential for growth. If you think you know who will be the top WR in 2024 you can bet on it at BetUS NFL sportsbook.
Top 10 NFL Wide Receivers for 2024
- Justin Jefferson – Minnesota Vikings Despite missing significant time in 2023 due to injury, Jefferson remains the gold standard for NFL receivers. His route-running precision, exceptional hands, and ability to create separation make him a constant threat. With the Vikings’ passing game revolving around him, expect Jefferson to reclaim his spot as the league’s top receiver.
- Ja’Marr Chase – Cincinnati Bengals Chase’s chemistry with Joe Burrow continues to produce incredible results. His combination of speed, agility, and contested catch ability makes him nearly unstoppable. As he enters his prime, Chase could challenge for the top spot.
- CeeDee Lamb – Dallas Cowboys Lamb’s ascension to elite status was cemented in 2023. His versatility allows him to dominate from any position on the field. With his route-running improving each year, Lamb is poised for another monster season in Dallas.
- Tyreek Hill – Miami Dolphins Age doesn’t seem to be slowing down “Cheetah.” Hill’s game-breaking speed and improved route-running make him a constant big-play threat. In Miami’s high-powered offense, he remains one of the most feared receivers in the league.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown – Detroit Lions St. Brown’s consistent production and reliable hands have made him Jared Goff’s go-to target. His ability to excel from the slot or outside, combined with his toughness over the middle, solidifies his place among the NFL’s elite.
Who were the best wide receivers last season?
Now that the NFL is completely sold on pass-friendly offenses left and right, some of the best WRs made it a point to put on a perennial show week in and week out last season. The cream of the crop rose to the top, leaving defenders in their wake and statisticians scrambling to keep up.
Leading the pack was none other than the Miami Dolphins’ speedster, Tyreek Hill. The “Cheetah” lived up to his nickname, blazing past secondaries for a whopping 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns. His lightning-quick cuts and breakaway speed had opposing coaches pulling their hair out all season long.
Hot on Hill’s heels was the Dallas Cowboys’ rising star, CeeDee Lamb. This smooth operator hauled in an impressive 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns, cementing his status as one of the league’s premier route-runners. Lamb’s ability to find soft spots in zone coverage and make contested catches in traffic was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Let’s not forget about the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson, who, despite missing seven games due to injury, still managed to rack up 1,074 yards and 5 touchdowns in just 10 games. Talk about efficiency! Jefferson’s route-running precision and knack for making highlight-reel grabs had fans and analysts alike drooling over his potential for a fully healthy 2024 campaign.
The San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk quietly put together a stellar season, amassing 1,342 yards and 7 touchdowns. His crisp routes and sure hands made him a favorite target for quarterback Brock Purdy, and his yards-after-catch ability turned short passes into big gains time and time again.
Rounding out the top performers was the Philadelphia Eagles’ A.J. Brown, who continued to terrorize defenses with his unique blend of size and speed. Brown’s 1,456 yards and 7 touchdowns helped power the Eagles’ high-octane offense and solidified his status as one of the league’s most physically imposing wideouts.
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Which team has the top wide receiver corps in the league entering the 2024 season?
After some offseason wheeling and dealing, a few teams have assembled receiving units that are downright scary on paper.
Leading the pack are the Houston Texans, who made waves by acquiring four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs to complement their already impressive duo of Nico Collins and Tank Dell. This trio has the potential to give defensive coordinators nightmares, with Diggs’ route-running wizardry, Collins’ size and catch radius, and Dell’s explosive playmaking ability. If quarterback C.J. Stroud continues his upward trajectory, this group could put up video game numbers in 2024.
Not to be outdone, the Chicago Bears have assembled a formidable receiving corps of their own. The addition of Keenan Allen to a group that already includes D.J. Moore and rookie sensation Rome Odunze gives newly drafted quarterback Caleb Williams a plethora of weapons to work with. Allen’s route-running expertise, Moore’s all-around game, and Odunze’s deep-threat potential make this trio a force to be reckoned with.
The Miami Dolphins can’t be overlooked in this conversation, either. The dynamic duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle continues to strike fear into the hearts of opposing secondaries, and the addition of veteran Odell Beckham Jr. adds another layer of intrigue to this already potent offense. If OBJ can recapture some of his old magic, this group could be virtually unstoppable.
Don’t sleep on the Tennessee Titans, who’ve quietly assembled an impressive receiving corps. DeAndre Hopkins proved he’s still got plenty left in the tank, and the additions of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd give quarterback Will Levis a diverse set of targets to work with. This group has the potential to surprise a lot of people in 2024.
Last but certainly not least, we’ve got to give a shout-out to the Los Angeles Rams. Cooper Kupp’s return to full health, combined with the emergence of Puka Nacua and the continued development of Tutu Atwell, gives Matthew Stafford a trio of receivers that can attack defenses at all levels of the field.
What Is The Regular Season Receiving Yards Record?
Let’s talk about one of the most hallowed records in NFL history: the single-season receiving yards mark. This record is the Mount Everest of wide receiver achievements, a benchmark that separates the truly elite from the merely great.
The current record holder? None other than the incomparable Calvin Johnson, who set the bar at a mind-boggling 1,964 yards in the 2012 season. “Megatron” lived up to his nickname that year, transforming into an unstoppable receiving machine for the Detroit Lions. Johnson’s combination of size, speed, and hands made him a nightmare for defenses, and he took full advantage, averaging a ridiculous 122.8 yards per game.
The closest anyone’s come in recent years was the aforementioned Tyreek Hill, who racked up 1,799 yards in 2023. For a hot minute there, it looked like the “Cheetah” might just catch Johnson, but he fell just short in the end. Still, Hill’s performance was nothing to sneeze at – it ranks as the fourth-highest single-season total in NFL history.
Other notable challenges to Johnson’s throne include Julio Jones’ 1,871-yard campaign in 2015 and Antonio Brown’s 1,834-yard season in 2015. Both of these nfl football wide receivers put together phenomenal years but still found themselves looking up at Megatron’s lofty perch.
Who’s the highest-paid WR in the NFL?
We’ve talked stats, records, and corps, now let’s talk money. In the high-stakes world of the NFL, wide receivers have been cashing in big time in recent years. But who’s sitting atop the financial mountain?
As of June 2024, the crown for the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL belongs to none other than Minnesota’s Jefferson. This human highlight reel inked a jaw-dropping 4-year, $140 million contract extension, with a whopping $110 million guaranteed. That averages out to a cool $35 million per year, making Jefferson not just the highest-paid wideout but also the highest-paid non-quarterback in the entire league.
Hot on Jefferson’s heels is Philly’s Brown, who recently signed a three-year, $96 million contract extension. This deal puts Brown at a tidy $32 million per year. Rounding out the top three is the Detroit Lions’ rising star, Amon-Ra St. Brown, who’s set to rake in just over $30 million annually.
Miami’s duo of Hill and Waddle aren’t far behind. Hill, who signed a four-year, $120 million contract in 2022, is pulling in $30 million per year, while Waddle’s recent extension puts him at $28.25 million annually.
Who is the number 1 WR in NFL history?
Now we’re wading into some seriously contentious waters. Asking who the number one wide receiver in NFL history is like asking a group of chefs to name the best cuisine – you’re bound to start a heated debate!
That being said, if we’re looking at pure statistics and impact on the game, it’s hard to argue against Jerry Rice holding the crown as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) among wide receivers. This man wasn’t just good; he was video game numbers good in an era when passing wasn’t nearly as prevalent as it is today.
Rice’s resume reads like a football fairy tale. He holds virtually every major receiving record, including career receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895), and receiving touchdowns (197). To put that in perspective, the next closest player in career receiving yards is Larry Fitzgerald, who trails Rice by over 5,000 yards. That’s more than some receivers accumulate in their entire careers!
But Rice wasn’t just about the numbers. His work ethic was legendary, his route-running was surgical, and his ability to get open seemed to defy the laws of physics at times. He was a key component in three Super Bowl victories with the San Francisco 49ers and continued to produce at a high level well into his 40s.
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