The 2024 season is almost here, which means it’s time for rankings and predictions. Predictions are always fun because you never know who will break out. For example, in July of last year, Puka Nacua wasn’t even the third wide receiver on the Rams’ depth chart. Fast forward to today, and we’re talking about him as a top ten receiver in the league. This just goes to show how unpredictable predictions can be. In this article, these are my top 15 wide receivers for next season. (Stats are from last season)
15. KEENAN ALLEN (1,243 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns)
Coming off the best season of his career, Keenan Allen finds himself in a new offense with a rookie quarterback. One thing about rookie quarterbacks that many may know is their love for veteran wide receivers. This is why Keenan Allen is in a great position to succeed in Chicago. Last season, Allen was on pace to become an All-Pro receiver before getting injured. Now, with D.J. Moore in the mix, Keenan Allen has a lighter workload, which could lead to a much healthier season for him. And with the Chicago Bears’ offense being so young, Keenan Allen’s presence could help with leadership and mentorship within the team. It is an all-around win for everyone involved.
14. MIKE EVANS (1,255 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns)
Mr. Reliable is a common nickname given to Mike Evans, and for good reason. Mike Evans has had ten straight 1,000 yards seasons despite playing with seven different quarterbacks. Evans could tie the all-time record set by Jerry Rice if he passes 1,000 yards this upcoming season. With not much changing in the Buccaneers’’ offense besides losing offensive coordinator, Dave Canales, Mike Evans could very well repeat the same statistical season he produced last year. With Baker Mayfield and Evans both receiving new contracts this offseason, who knows what the duo could accomplish this season.
13. ROMEO DOUBS (674 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns)
Do not let the numbers fool you. In his first two career playoff games, Doubs recorded ten catches for 234 receiving yards. In those two games, Doubs certified himself as the receiver one in the Green Bay offense. With Jordan Love likely getting an extension soon, Doubs could certainly be the next star receiver for the Packers. While Romeo Doubs is not the flashiest receiver, he makes up for it with great deep-treat ability and footwork. Doubs is also a solid red zone option, scoring eight touchdowns this past season. With veteran running back, Aaron Jones, leaving this offseason. Doubs will have more opportunities to produce in 2024.
12. GEORGE PICKENS (1,140 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns)
In a world where the Steelers had a top 15 quarterback in 2023, George Pickens would have easily finished as a top tier receiver. Pickens is one of the most talented receivers in the league and could very well exceed this prediction. However, with the Steelers’ current quarterback room being as it is, Pickens may once again fall short to his potential. The young star spent his first two seasons in Pittsburgh playing with awful quarterbacks. Now in 2024, Pickens will have a much better chance to have a breakout season with the new quarterback group in Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.
11. CHRIS OLAVE (1,123 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns)
Chris Olave is a fantastic receiver who is going into a fresh offensive scheme. With having the receiver one role locked up, Olave is certainly the vocal point of the offense. Derek Carr is a solid quarterback who goes under many people’s radars as being one of the best deep-ball passers in the league. Olave has all the traits that you would want from a receiver. He is a great route runner with great hands and plays bigger than he is. The only thing that is holding Chris Olave back is his team. The Saints are not contenders and are in a bad spot in the NFC South. With this, Olave’s production could possibly be underappreciated by most fans.
10. GARRETT WILSON (1,042 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns)
With Aaron Rodgers coming back from the Achillies tear, Garrett Wilson is desperate to have breakout season. With terrible quarterback production plaguing his first two seasons, Wilson hopes to finally show off his full potential. Wilson has played with seven different quarterbacks throughout his two-year career and still has been very consistent with his play and production. Aaron Rodgers, without the drama or injury, is a certainty good quarterback who can really help Garrett Wilson develop. Wilson could easily finish as a top five receiver. However, with A-Rod being 40 years old and coming off a season-ending injury, it is hard to predict how good he will be. Wilson’ production will solely rely on quarterback play.
9. BRANDON AIYUK (1,342 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns)
Coming off a career-year this past season, Aiyuk is awaiting a huge extension from the 49ers. Recently, Aiyuk has requested a trade from the 49ers unless he were to get paid. However, the team has made it clear that they are not going to trade him at this time. Aiyuk has been absent from all team activities this offseason and it looks like this will continue for a while. Brandon Aiyuk plans to hold out the 2024 season until he is either traded or paid. Aiyuk is one of the league’s best and it would be a shame if that much talent is wasted due to contract disputes. If Brandon Aiyuk does play this upcoming season, whether that is for 49ers or any other team, he will be a great playmaker and a huge center piece to the offense.
8. D.J MOORE (1,364 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns)
It is common knowledge that the Bears have improved at the quarterback position. While Justin Fields did show flashes of being a franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams has Hall of Fame talent coming out of college. And looking at Moore’s statistics this past season, he can only improve heading into 2024. Now, the Bears did acquire Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze this offseason so targets could be limited. However, due to Moore being most familiar in the offense and being the designated receiver one, targets will not be an issue for him. The ceiling for D.J Moore will only be getting higher.
7. JA’MARR CHASE (1,216 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns)
Chase has had one the best starts to a career in league history. Even with Joe Burrow being out for half the year with a hand injury, Chase still did well for the season. The former fifth-overall pick is expected to receive a huge extension in the near future. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase ‘s connection is like no other. Their game knowledge makes it unbearable for opposing defenders. Ja’Marr Chase is a very consistent receiver who is a born playmaker. The only thing that really separates him from the rest of the elite receivers is his development. He has not really improved throughout his career. Which is hard to say as he was playing at an elite level when he entered the league.
6. PUKA NACUA (1,486 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns)
Puka broke countless records in his first season, including the rookie receiving record in 2023. Puka was battling targets with a former triple-crown receiver and yet posted substantial numbers. As a fifth-round pick, He struggled to find playing time in the Rams’ offense. But due to Cooper Kupp suffering an injury that would him out for the beginning of the year, Puka was given the chance to be a starting receiver. And like all good underdog stories, Puka Nacua did amazing. In the Rams’ playoff loss to the Lions, Nacua recorded 181 receiving yards which was the most by any player in the 2023 playoffs. Puka Nacua has a delightful story and is one of the league’s best.
5. CEEDEE LAMB (1,749 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns)
The Dallas Cowboys are in a bad position heading into the 2024 season. Both Dak Prescott and Ceedee Lamb are both wanting contracts. Both are fantastic players who deserve a nice payday. However, the Cowboys are not in a situation where the team would be able to pay both players. This comes as a heartbreak to most Dallas fans as these two men are arguably the team’s best players. So, losing either of them would hurt the team in many ways. Nonetheless, it seems that both men will suit up for the Cowboys in 2024. And as many may know, Ceedee Lamb is a beast and one the most complete receivers in the league. So, besides contract disputes, Lamb is projected to flourish once again for Dallas.
4. A.J BROWN (1,456 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns)
In his first two seasons with the Eagles, Brown has over 2,900 receiving yards which is third in this time span. Brown is a physical monster who has hands of glue. In 2023, Brown was targeted on 152 passes and only dropped four passes. One testament of Brown’s greatness is how he is producing at such an elite level while battling for targets with DeVonta Smith. It is still wild to think that Titans traded a star like A.J Brown to the Eagles for Treylon Burks. With the Eagles offense looking to be back on a good page in 2024, Brown will continue to dominate.
3. AMON-RA St. BROWN (1,515 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns)
The Detroit star is the best slot receiver in the league. St Brown has improved every year in both production and leadership. This has gain Amon-Ra to have a huge following in Detroit. Amon-Ra St Brown was also the seventieth wide receiver selected in the 2021 draft. With such a great underdog story, the young man is a league favorite. Amon-Ra St Bown is a two-time pro-bowler and made first All-pro in 2023. With the Lions locking up Jared Goff with an extension this offseason, the room for improvement is only getting higher for St Brown.
2. TYREEK HILL (1, 799 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns)
The only receiver that could make the argument of being better than the #1 spot is Tyreek Hill. The veteran receiver is going into his third season with Miami and is destined to have another top tier year. Tyreek has made the pro-bowl every year he has been in the league, and it is very fair to say, this will not change. Tyreek Hill’s connection with Tua Tagovailoa is one of the strongest in the league. There is not much to say about Tyreek as he has been so consistent in recent years. The fastest player in league will continue to produce for the Dolphins.
1. JUSTIN JEFFERSON (1,074 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns)
Once again, do not let the numbers fool you. Despite only playing in 10 games last season, Jefferson finished with over 1,000 yards which is extremely impressive. The tree-time pro-bowl receiver is defined as the best receiver in the game and even won offensive player of the year in 2022. Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings agreed to an historic 4-year, $140 million contract extension this offseason. Despite losing Kirk Cousins in the offseason, Jefferson production will still be incredible. This is safe to say as he put up nearly 200 yards with Nick Mullens at quarterback this past season. Jefferson is the best route-runner and has magnets as hand. The 25-year-old is heading into 2024 healthy and ready to produce another wonderful year with the Vikings.