Top 10 Receivers going into 2023
The NFL is full of great receivers who can bail out their quarterbacks in key moments. With so many fans and analysts praising great quarterbacks, sometimes people can forget just how good some of the receivers that they throw to can be. According to Sports Illustrated, these 10 receivers are the best in the league, with so many traits and undeniable talent.
10. CeedDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys)
Coming off the best year of his young career, Cowboys’ receiver CeeDee Lamb has proven to everyone that he is an elite receiver in the NFL. Lamb in 2022 recorded 107 receptions, 1,359 yards, and nine touchdowns, ranking sixth in the league overall. Establishing himself as the Cowboys’ number one target on the field, quarterback Dak Prescott will be looking Lamb’s way quite often in 2023, making him poised to have another career year.
9. Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders)
Proving to be ol’ reliable for his team, Commanders’ star receiver Terry McLaurin is set to have a great year in 2023. In last year’s campaign, McLaurin ranked 14th overall amongst receivers, notching 77 receptions, 1,191 yards, and 5 touchdowns. With new quarterback Sam Howell starting for Washington, McLaurin will have to make plays for his quarterback almost every game, which is something he has done in his entire career in Washington, recording 1,000+ yards in three straight seasons with mediocre quarterback play.
8. Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams)
After missing nine games of the 2022 season, Rams’ star Cooper Kupp is set to make his return sometime before week four. Going off of his 2021 stats, Kupp was able to generate 145 receptions, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns, leading all receivers overall. He will need to produce great numbers to keep the Rams’ offense competitive, which should be no problem with his route-running ability.
7. Jaylen Waddle (Miami Dolphins)
With all the defensive eyes on Dolphins’ star receiver Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle should get a lot of looks this season. In 2022, Waddle was the seventh-best overall receiver in the NFL, recording 75 receptions, 1,356 yards, and eight touchdowns. Since all the attention will be on Hill, that should create lots of one-on-one matchups for Waddle, who can run past almost any defender in the league.
6. A.J. Brown (Philadelphia Eagles)
With stellar speed for his size, Eagles’ receiver A.J. Brown is set to be amongst the NFL’s most elite receivers in 2023. In his best career year a season ago, Brown went for 1,496 yards, 88 receptions, and 11 touchdowns, solidifying himself as the fourth-best receiver overall. With quarterback Jalen Hurts‘ arm strength, Brown is destined to be one of the league’s best deep threats in 2023.
5. Stefon Diggs (Buffalo Bills)
Becoming one of the most dominant receivers in a long time, Stefon Diggs will look to continue that trend this season. In 2022, Diggs had 110 receptions, 1,455 yards, and 11 touchdowns, which put him fifth overall in the league. Despite quarterback Josh Allen not having many other receiving options, Diggs is still able to produce tenfold, even when the coverage is all over him, and he’ll look to dominate once again in 2023.
4. Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals)
Becoming one of the league’s best receivers in just his first two seasons, Bengals’ star receiver Ja’Marr Chase is set to have one of his best career seasons in 2023. In his second season in the NFL, Chase ranked 12th overall amongst all receivers, going for 1,046 yards, nine touchdowns, and 87 receptions. With star quarterback Joe Burrow, who was his teammate at LSU, the Chase-Burrow duo is set to be a huge threat to defenses this season.
3. Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders)
Coming off of a great season in 2022, Davante Adams will look to carry the slim Raiders’ offense again this season. Last year, Adams recorded 100 receptions, 1,516 yards, and 14 touchdowns, cementing himself as the second-best receiver overall. With new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo coming to the Sin City, he will be looking to get familiar with his new targets, and Davante Adams is by far his best option.
2. Tyreek Hill
Establishing himself as one of the most terrifying receivers on the field, Tyreek Hill is ready to continue proving that he doesn’t need Patrick Mahomes to be an elite receiver. In 2022, Hill went for 1,710 yards, 119 receptions, and seven touchdowns. As long as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can stay healthy, he and Hill will be one of if not the most intimidating quarterback-receiver duos in the NFL this season.
1. Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings)
After an MVP-caliber season in 2022, Justin Jefferson is motivated to carry that over into 2023. Last season, Jefferson was the best overall receiver in the NFL, recording 1,809 yards, 128 receptions, and eight touchdowns. With a contract extension most likely coming soon, Jefferson will be ready to be the best once again this season.