The 2024 NFL season was a showcase of elite talent at the wide receiver position, with established stars solidifying their dominance and young playmakers emerging as the future of the league. From game-breaking deep threats to precise route technicians, receivers played a pivotal role in shaping offenses across the league.
In this article, I grade the top wideouts based on their performances throughout the season, factoring in key metrics, statistical production, and overall impact on their team’s passing game. Whether they were hauling in highlight-reel touchdowns or moving the chains with consistency, these receivers made their presence felt every Sunday.
Let’s dive into the grades and see who stood out in 2024.
Arizona Cardinals: C
Primary Contributors: Marvin Harrison Jr; Michael Wilson
This room is all about potential unrealized. Unfortunately, I’m not certain they realize that potential with Kyler Murray leading this offense. Harrison Jr. could be all world in the right situation. Dortch is a nice fit in the slot, but Michael Wilson at the WR2 is just mehhhh for me.
Atlanta Falcons: A
Primary Contributors: Drake London; Darnell Mooney
Despite the poor and inconsistent play from its QBs, this team nearly fielded two 1,000-yard receivers (London and Mooney). And call me crazy, but London played like a Top 5 wideout this season. Super curious to see his evolution with Penix Jr. under center in 2025. Oh, and solid depth here with Ray-Ray McCloud productive as a third option.
Baltimore Ravens: B-
Primary Contributors: Zay Flowers; Rashod Bateman
Wait. A productive WR group in Baltimore? Didn’t Derrick Henry just rush for 1,900 plus? What is happening??? Lamar Jackson’s evolution, that’s what. Lamar leveled up in 2024 and brought this room with him. Zay Flowers is a star, and Bateman can stretch the field with the best of them. It’s a desert after that, though, hence the minus designation.
Buffalo Bills: C+
Primary Contributors: Khalil Shakir; Keon Coleman
While there’s no alpha in this room, that doesn’t mean it lacks playmakers. Shakir is a bonafide chain mover, and Coleman flashed the big play ability we all expected when he was drafted. Cooper, oddly, was a ghost.
Carolina Panthers: D
Primary Contributors: Adam Thielen; Diontae Johnson
Hot mess. Bryce Young played so much better after being benched, but he didn’t get much help from this group. Thielen has fewer years in front of him than he does behind him, and the jury is still out on Legette. They’ll need to add in the draft, free agency, or both, though, because there’s not much to build on here.
Chicago Bears: C
Primary Contributors: DJ Moore; Keenan Allen
Before the season began, this group was in discussion for best in the league. That absolutely didn’t come to fruition. Caleb’s struggles and the lack of an offensive identity factor in here. And it’s hard for me to forgive Moore for quitting on his team in the Cardinals game. If Allen stays, I do expect more from this group in Ben Johnson’s first season calling plays.
Cincinnati Bengals: A+
Primary Contributors:
For my money, it’s the top WR room in the NFL. Two true WR1s and a decent compliment in Iosivas. It helps to have Joe Burrow under center, for sure. And they’ll almost certainly lose Tee Higgins in free agency.
Cleveland Browns: D+
Primary Contributors:
Yet another group was negatively impacted by terrible QB play. Trading for Jeudy was a nice addition, and moving on from Cooper wasn’t a terrible decision. Tillman flashed a bit as well. The pass catchers are the best part of the Cleveland offense, but overall, this room was pretty meh.
Dallas Cowboys: B+
Primary Contributors: CeeDee Lamb; Jalen Tolbert
CeeDee is in the discussion for the best wideout in the NFL, and rightfully so. And he went up a peg in my book by playing through hampering injuries all season. Tolbert is an up-and-comer and was impressive in his third season. Big potential for this group when Dak returns next season.
Denver Broncos: C+
Primary Contributors: Courtland Sutton; Marvin Mims Jr.
Courtland Sutton is a dawg. I didn’t really think that before this season, but man, he’s really assumed the WR1 role on that team. Mims Jr. was also a pleasant surprise and seems to have the ever-important chemistry with Bo Nix. 2024 was decent for this group, 2025 is going to be even better.
Detroit Lions: A+
Primary Contributors: Amon-Ra St. Brown; Jameson Williams.
I don’t think this grade surprises anyone, and they’d actually challenge the Bengals for the top spot if Williams would just grow the hell up. Amon-Ra is literally good at everything, ranking in the top 5 across almost every measure. Potentially the deepest room in the NFL, with key contributors as far down as WR4. It’s fun to see Tim Patrick play meaningful snaps (finally).
Green Bay Packers: C
Primary Contributors: Romeo Doubs; Christian Watson; Jayden Reed
I wrote articles this season about my love for this group and, in particular, Dontayvion Wicks. Egg, meet face. Throw Bo Melton in with this talented quartet, and you’d think they were one of the most explosive units in the league. Well, four games into 2024, this offense shifted to run first. What does that tell you?
Houston Texans: B-
Primary Contributors: Nico Collins; Tank Dell
Nico Collins is ridiculous, and maybe the best WR in the NFL not named Justin Jefferson. But Stroud took a demonstrable step back in 2024, and this room suffered. Injuries also factored here, with Nico missing four games and Tank suffering a season-ender. Hopefully, they all rebound because the NFL is fun with a competitive Texans team. Also, I’m convinced I’d never want Stefan Diggs on my team.
Indianapolis Colts: C-
Primary Contributors: Josh Downs; Michael Pittman Jr.
If you read my QB grades (bless you), you know what I think of Richardson. He’s just not good at being a QB, and that hurts this room. Josh Downs is special, and Pittman Jr. is no slouch, but until they improve at the QB spot, these talented playmakers are going mired in mediocrity.
Jacksonville Jaguars: B-
Primary Contributors: Brian Thomas Jr.
Injuries really wrecked this group in 2024, with both Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis being lost to season-enders. BTJ is a superstar, who shined all season regardless of who was under center. Lawrence will be back, and Liam Coen is a mad scientist with QBs. This bodes well for this offense in 2025.
Kansas City Chiefs: C
Primary Contributors: Xavier Worthy
Crazy for me to have both the RB room and the WR room of the Super Bowl favorite graded out as “C’s”, but here we are. Worthy was more impressive as the season wears on, but losing Rashee Rice early hurt. And the production from the veteran group was mehhhhhh. With a full season of Rice and Worthy, I bet Mahomes gets back to 4,000 yards and 35 tuddys.
Las Vegas Raiders: D-
Primary Contributors: Jakobi Meyers
Do you notice a theme? Bad QBs impact WR groups. Jakobi Meyers had a nice season (specifically after Davante was traded), but no one else really stepped up from this room. Tre Tucker was ok, but not impressive. The Raiders will absolutely have a different signal caller next season, and my guess is they’ll also add WR help.
Los Angeles Chargers: C+
Primary Contributors: Ladd McConkey
What’s funny surprise Ladd McConkey was, am I right? Herbert gets credit for a bounceback season, but Ladd deserves some flowers as well. He would absolutely be in the mix for ROY if it wasn’t for Jayden Daniels. The supporting cast is decent also, but I can’t be the only one abundantly disappointed with Quentin Johnston’s inconsistency.
Los Angeles Rams: A
Primary Contributors: Puka Nacua; Cooper Kupp
Friends, I’m afraid Cooper Kupp’s best seasons are behind him, and he almost certainly has played his last snap as a Ram. Nacua, however, is a Top 5 guy for me, and he’s not going anywhere. Injuries derailed him a bit also, but when he’s on the field, there’s no denying his impact on this offense. Demarcus Robinson and TuTu Atwell battle for the WR3 role, with both maybe having a ceiling a bit higher than that.
Miami Dolphins: B
Primary Contributors: Tyreek Hill; Jaylen Waddle
On potential and athleticism alone, this duo would rank right there with Chase/Higgins and Jefferson/Addison. But the results were brutal. Yes, Tua’s injuries impacted them. But even when Tua was on the field, they just lacked the explosiveness we’re accustomed to. And walking out on your team during a game will never sit well with me.
Minnesota Vikings: A+
Primary Contributors: Justin Jefferson; Jordan Addison
Justin Jefferson is WR1, in my opinion. Let’s face it – Sam Darnold would have just been, well, Sam Darnold without him. He literally does everything at an elite level – route runner, chain mover, yardage beast, and touchdown target. Addison proved to be a dangerous compliment here as well. Curious to see how the QB position plays out and impacts this room here in 2025.
New England Patriots: F
Primary Contributors: Kayshon Boutte
Folks, this is my least favorite WR room in the league. And this is absolutely a case where the lack of WR playmakers impacted the quarterback. Sure, Maye was a rookie and not spectacular (see my QB grades), but this group was simply brutal. Dumpster fire floating down the river brutal.
New Orleans Saints: D+
Primary Contributors: Injuries
A lot of potential here, but injuries completely decimated this team – at every level of the offense. As a result, it’s a tough team to grade. Olave and Shaheed are productive when they’re on the field, but that was the issue this season – they weren’t on the field. And the lack of depth plays a factor here also. When the top two went down, Marquez Valdes-Scantling was next man up. Ouch.
New York Giants: B
Primary Contributors: Malik Nabers; Wan’Dale Robinson
Malik Nabers is the truth. Still crazy to me that he was as productive as he was with the mess the Giants fielded at the QB position. Wan’Dale was productive also, and looks well-suited for that slot/chain-mover role. But honestly, after these two, that’s it. Slayton isn’t going to be anything but a JAG, and there’s nobody else behind him. However, if this team adds an impact QB, this room could easily move up a notch.
New York Jets: B+
Primary Contributors: Garrett Wilson, Davante Adams
The Jets offense was uber disappointing this season, but my money places the onus on Aaron Rodgers, who – despite the stats – was absolute garbage this season. Wilson has the talent to be Top 10, and Adams isn’t going anywhere just yet. You could also do worse than Lazard and Corley as a supporting cast. Losing Wilson or Adams (or both) to a trade would be devastating.
Philadelphia Eagles: A
Primary Contributors: A.J. Brown; DeVonta Smith
The Eagles offensive identity shifted to run first in 2024, and that definitely impacted this room. Brown and Smith – on paper – are easily a Top 2 combo for me, and there are several teams where Smith would flourish as a WR1. But with the Eagles throwing less this season, production, ego, and relationships suffered. Talented youth for depth, but no real WR3 to speak of.
Pittsburgh Steelers: D
Primary Contributors: George Pickens
I want to like George Pickens. I really do. And this grade is as high as it is because of him. But the lack of maturity is a problem for me. I think we all realize Mike Williams isn’t going to be special, and aside from Calvin Austin III, this room lacks weapons. And unless this team addresses the QB position, expect more of the same in 2025.
San Francisco 49ers: C
Primary Contributors: Deebo Samuel; Jauan Jennings
The 49ers offense just took a hit after hit this season due to injuries, including the WR group. Aiyuk is a fantastic receiver but was lost for the year to a knee injury early. Deebo was expected to be the next man up, but he disappointed for much of the season. Jennings stepped up nicely and truthfully deserves to overtake Deebo on the depth chart once Aiyuk returns. Pearsall looks legit. Depth is definitely a strength here, and I’m excited to see what a healthy unit could do.
Seattle Seahawks: B+
Primary Contributors: Jaxson Smith-Njigba; DK Metcalf
DK started this season as the WR1 in this room but was overtaken by JSN as the year went on, and maybe rightfully so. JSN is a smooth route runner, and the kind of target monster a QB falls in love with. DK is still a physical specimen and a YAC beast capable of taking any catch to the house. Lockett, while not as prominent, was still productive.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B
Primary Contributors: Mike Evans
Mike Evans will always be one of my favorite receivers. Love, love, love that he got his 1,000 despite missing time to injuries. Godwin was looking fantastic prior to being lost for the season, and rookie Jalen McMillan filled in nicely, and it looks like he has the chops to stick. Keep them all three on the field, and Baker will be a happy fella.
Tennessee Titans: C
Primary Contributors: Calvin Ridley; Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Calvin Ridley enjoyed a nice season but was bit by inconsistency throughout the campaign. I’d venture to say that’s not all his fault, as the QB sitch on this team was brutal. A new QB would almost certainly send him to the next level (ahem, Cam Ward). There’s not much to speak of after Ridley, sadly. NWI was good for a bunch of touchdowns, but that’s about it. Boyd is a good receiver, but that potential won’t be realized until someone else is slinging the rock.
Washington Commanders: C+
Primary Contributors: Terry McLaurin
What a year for Terry McLaurin. Nice yardage total, and a league leader in touchdown grabs. And until Jayden Daniels levels up in the passing game, I kind of think this is his ceiling. As far as the rest of the group, throw a dart. Credit to Daniels, though, for getting the production he did from the Brown, Brown, and Zaccheaus.