Who Are the Top 10 Receivers in the NFL Heading Into the 2025 Season?
The wide receiver position is often viewed as a must-have on a successful NFL roster. The last three teams that won the Super Bowl had a true number one wideout, a guy who reels in over five catches a game and is always reliable when he is needed most. The Eagles have A.J. Brown, the Chiefs have Rashee Rice, and the Rams had, in 2022, a healthy version of Cooper Kupp. This proves how valuable the receiver's position is. With that being said, the position has been taken over by young players, a few of them featured in today’s piece. Here are the top 10 wide receivers in the NFL, and why they rank where they do.
1. Justin Jefferson, Vikings
Since entering the NFL in 2020, Justin Jefferson has run away with the title of “best receiver in football.” His 93.6 cumulative PFF receiving grade ranks first among any wideout in the league, and this consistency is one of the main reasons he remains atop this list heading into 2025. The former LSU Tiger is as close to impossible to defend in single coverage, as defenses oftentimes assign a safety to stay up top just because of how lethal Jefferson is down the field. His crisp route running goes severely underrated; the separation he creates with just one cut is exceptional. While he may not be the fastest or strongest, the Vikings’ franchise cornerstone is remarkably intelligent and possesses the most dangerous skill set among all NFL receivers.
2. Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase looks like a video game character on the field. His ability to make defenders miss after the catch is remarkable. The ex-Tiger possesses serious speed, the type that is nearly unstoppable for defenses to contain, which is a key reason he ranks so high on this list. Chase makes his money in the middle of the field. This is because his quarterback, Joe Burrow, is uber-accurate in between the numbers. With 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024, he proved his ability to flat-out make things happen, and if he can replicate a season like last, he could very well challenge Jefferson for the number one spot on next year’s list.
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
Week in and week out, Dan Campbell and the Lions know what Amon-Ra St. Brown is going to give them. Ranking number three on this list is impressive in itself, but especially for a slot receiver; a slot receiver who does everything he is asked. Blocking in the run game? St. Brown’s got it. Bubble screen on third-and-three? Just dump it off to St. Brown, and good things will happen. He is incredibly talented off the line, as his quick release and shiftiness keep defenders guessing every time the ball is snapped. While the ex-Trojan might not be the biggest guy, he plays with an extremely high football IQ and simply understands what it takes to win. This Lions team lost a lot of their coaching staff this offseason, but do not expect a decline or down year for Detroit because this offense is still electric in the passing game, as well as on the ground. The heart and soul of this electric offense is St. Brown because, without him, the two-headed monster rush attack of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery does not work. That is how much Amon-Ra means to the Motor City.
4. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
Landing George Pickens only helps CeeDee Lamb, and he was already in the top five at his position without the newcomer. Lamb works out of every position on offense, including the backfield. He is at his best over the middle, where he can explode after the catch and fly through the air to haul balls in that might not be thrown all too well. That was not a shot at quarterback Dak Prescott, but it is a perfect segway into why the former first-rounder ranks at number four on this list. He has caught passes from numerous QBs, yet his production never seems to take a hit. Whether it is Cooper Rush or Ben DiNucci throwing him the ball, two guys who were thrust into the starting role after Prescott’s injuries, Lamb is still going to make plays. The addition of Pickens has defenses fearing Dallas yet again because he can stretch the field, ultimately leaving the middle and intermediate parts of the grass open for the ex-Sooner. Lamb could very well be in store for his best season yet, especially if the Cowboys can keep Prescott healthy.
5. Puka Nacua, Rams
Here lies the most interesting player in the NFL. A former fifth-round pick out of BYU, Puka Nacua has done everything that a late-round selection should not be able to do. He is arguably the best sideline receiver in the league, as his insane body control and unreal awareness allow him to work out of every position on offense. One extremely undervalued part of his game is how good he is at blocking for the run. His big frame and strong arms help him fend off rushing corners and safeties, and they also help him shrug off would-be defenders when he is running routes. He is a powerful player with sticky hands. Nacua catches everything thrown his way, which is why he rounds out the top five receivers in the league. He is now the undisputed number one in LA after Cooper Kupp’s departure, so his play is only going to get better. If the unexpected superstar in Nacua can stay healthy, he is going to be higher on this list come next offseason.
6. A.J. Brown, Eagles
People were shocked to see A.J. Brown at number one on PFF’s top receivers list, and it is fair to say that is a bit high, but seeing him at six is a little shocking, too. The reason he cements himself in the sixth spot here on this list is that he is somewhat one-dimensional. Yes, Brown is great on deep balls and works extremely well against single coverage, so well that he is double-teamed on nearly 40% of Eagles passing plays, which is just an attempt to slow him down when he breaks off the line of scrimmage. In Tennessee, Brown was more of an after-the-catch weapon, a guy who was sure-handed over the middle. In Philadelphia, the ex-Ole Miss Rebel has been tasked with a multitude of jobs. His main strength now is catching contested balls near or in the end zone. His strength and power at the WR position are rare, and he uses them very much to his advantage. One more reason he is a little lower here is because of the supporting cast he has. DeVonta Smith is perfect for Brown, as he opens up space and creates room for Brown to work above the safeties. With that being said, Brown is without a doubt a top wideout in the league; he just might be a product of a perfect scheme fit and a high-powered offense that scores a lot.
7. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars
At six-foot-four, 200+ pounds, it is not fair how fast and agile Brian Thomas Jr. is. It seems like he was built in a lab to play wideout, and he put every single one of his skills on display in just his rookie season. He ranked third in the NFL in receiving yards and fifth in touchdowns, all while adjusting to different quarterbacks due to Trevor Lawrence going down with an injury. Where Thomas Jr. shines is down the field and in the red zone, where he can put his speed and length on display. He breaks press coverage at an extremely high rate, especially for a second-year player. He has the upside to rank in the top five of this list come next year, and I expect him to. The best is yet to come from this Jaguar, and a high fantasy finish could be in the cards, too. Just to mention, his former partner-in-crime during his time in Baton Rouge, Malik Nabers, barely missed this list, but be on the lookout for him in next year’s addition as well.
8. Drake London, Falcons
This might seem a little high for the former top-ten draft pick, but when Drake London is on a roll, he is quite frankly one of the hardest players to stop across the NFL, regardless of position. He ranked in the top ten in every major WR statistic, per PFF, including an 87.8 overall receiving grade, good for eighth in the NFL. The reason he catapults up to number eight is not because of dazzling speed or athletic jukes, but because of how strong he is when he is in pursuit of the football. His Mike Evans-like build allows him to climb the ladder to get high-point throws, something new Falcons starter, Michael Penix Jr., does extremely well. London is one of the few true physical-style wideouts left in the league, and his prowess in the red zone means so much to this offense. The connection between Penix Jr., a proven winner, and a guy who statistically does better with a real number one option, and London is going to quickly garner a plethora of attention, so watch out for the ATL to sneak into a wild card spot this year. This offense also has some underrated pieces that only help London like Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud III, and, of course, young star Bijan Robinson. As a new era starts for the Falcons, London is going to headline a very good, young offense, one that might surprise people in 2025.
9. Mike Evans, Buccaneers
This future Hall of Famer ranks at number nine on this list, but he is truly in a league of his own. Consistency is one of the most under-valued traits for skill position players across the league, and Mike Evans is the definition of consistency. He has never, not once, had less than 1,000 yards in a season. If he tops 1,000 yards again in 2025, he would join only Jerry Rice as the only wideouts to do so in every single one of their first 11 years of a career in the league’s history. Evans’ 89.0 PFF receiving grade ranked fourth among 98 WRs last year, and his ability to out-power any defensive back on jump balls is otherworldly. The only thing that could stop Evans from joining the legend Rice is the fact that the Buccaneers not only re-signed Chris Godwin but also drafted Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Egbuka’s skill set fits the slot position perfectly, but Godwin has been playing there ever since his days as a Nittany Lion. All in all, this offense remains a mystery, especially now without Liam Cohen, but if there is one thing that every NFL fan has learned over the past decade is that Mike Evans will get to 1,000 yards, regardless of who is throwing him the ball, how many games he plays, and where he lines up.
10. Nico Collins, Texans
Nico Collins was not a household name before last season, although he should have been. In 2023, Collins posted a 90+ PFF receiving grade, and he did it again in 2024. He is the number one weapon for rising star CJ Stroud, as well as a guy who can do damage all over the field. His prowess over the top is obvious, as he ranks number one out of any NFL wideout over the last few years in yards per route run, with three, per PFF. Something that might not be as noticeable is how well he creates space for his partners-in-crime like Tank Dell, John Metchie III, and now Patriot, last year Texan, Stefon Diggs. He runs incredibly fast for such a big guy, making defenders leave their mark to run with him, which ultimately leaves room for other offensive players looking for the football. Collins has also become a very reliable fantasy football player due to his big-play ability and red-zone domination.
