RADIO
Lance Fernandez takes a look at the top-10 pass-catching groups leading into the 2024 NFL season. Which of these units will help propel their teams to the postseason?
In the NFL where the passing game is crucial, the role of wide receivers is paramount. They are not just about speed but a combination of various attributes that enable them to complete plays and contribute significantly to their team's success.
In addition to impeccable route running, they must adjust to get open if the initial play call goes nowhere. Wideouts must also find the soft spots of the defense for easier catches and create separation to gain more yards after the catch. Of course, having sure hands helps when receiving the ball.
Wide receivers should track the ball, even if it means going mid-air or contorting their bodies. Finally, they must be willing to block during rushing plays. Some teams are lucky to have an elite unit of receivers, giving them a chance to win more games, especially in the playoffs. Here are the best pass-catching groups coming into the 2024 NFL season.
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10. Los Angeles Rams
Puka Nacua was the star of the show last year, finishing with rookie records of 105 receptions and 1,486 receiving yards. Those numbers earned him second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. His 181 receiving yards during their Wild Card round matchup against the Detroit Lions is also a rookie record.
Even with Cooper Kupp on the field, @MatthewBerryTMR believes Puka Nacua will get his. 💪 pic.twitter.com/bY5UtMummF
— Rotoworld by NBC Sports (@rotoworld) May 17, 2024
But as Nacua took center stage, Cooper Kupp is still on board, tallying 737 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games. Tutu Atwell chipped in 483 yards and three touchdowns, while Demarcus Robinson added four touchdowns and 371 yards. Tight end Tyler Higbee finished the season with 495 yards and two touchdowns.
9. Minnesota Vikings
Despite playing only 10 games, Justin Jefferson finished with 1,074 yards and five touchdowns. At full health, he’s one of the most dominant wide receivers in the league. But while Jefferson was out of action, Jordan Addison carried the load for Minnesota. During his rookie season, Addison led the Vikings with 10 touchdowns from 911 yards.
Justin Jefferson with the perfectly executed Stutter & Go 🤧
pic.twitter.com/KzXxnvd6zB— Footballism (@FootbaIIism) May 21, 2024
The Vikings also got massive production from tight end T.J. Hockenson (960 yards, five touchdowns) and Brandon Powell (324 yards, one touchdown).
8. Tennessee Titans
Offensive-minded head coach Brian Callahan surrounded quarterback Will Levis with talented targets. In addition to five-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins, the Titans signed Calvin Ridley to a four-year, $92 million contract.
Calvin Ridley in his Titans threads 🔥
pic.twitter.com/I2KSFwnUBM— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) May 22, 2024
After missing a season due to violating the NFL’s anti-gambling policy, Ridley had 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Titans added former Bengals wideout Tyler Boyd on a one-year contract.
7. Cincinnati Bengals
Ja'Marr Chase is still the Bengals’ undisputed WR1 after a season with 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns. Those numbers earned him a Pro Bowl selection. Cincinnati still has a solid WR2 in Tee Higgins, but he hasn’t signed the $21.8 million franchise-tag offer.
"There's always progress to be made, but the sky's the limit right now."
Ja'Marr Chase said he met up with Joe Burrow for an offseason throwing session + more from Chase's Youth Football Camp. #Bengals | @WLWT pic.twitter.com/l7PhDerTts
— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) May 20, 2024
With Boyd gone, the Bengals will try to replace his production with rookie wideout Jermaine Burton, who won a national championship with the Georgia Bulldogs. However, he became a better prospect after transferring to Alabama, finishing with 1,475 yards and 15 touchdowns in two seasons with the Crimson Tide.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both reached 1,000 yards last season. Brown finished with 1,456 yards and seven touchdowns, while Smith had 1,066 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith’s performance earned him a three-year, $75 million contract extension.
A.J. Brown in drills #Eagles pic.twitter.com/QU0ttKR8Wg
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) May 22, 2024
However, the Eagles’ wide receiver depth took a small hit when DeVante Parker announced his retirement two months after signing a one-year contract. Brown and Smith will get support from Parris Campbell, tight end Dallas Goedert, and rookies Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson.
5. Chicago Bears
The Bears have done a masterful job building the receiving corps around first overall pick Caleb Williams. In addition to DJ Moore (1,364 yards, eight touchdowns in 2023), the Bears traded for Keenan Allen (1,243 yards, seven touchdowns in 2023) and drafted Rome Odunze (1,640 yards, 13 touchdowns for Washington).
Keenan Allen in a Bears uniform is going to take some getting used to 😳 pic.twitter.com/DgfyAGby0M
— PFF (@PFF) May 21, 2024
If that’s not enough, tight end Cole Kmet had 73 receptions for 719 yards and six touchdowns last season. The Bears also signed Gerald Everett (411 yards, three touchdowns in 2023) to a two-year contract. Running back D'Andre Swift is no slouch in the receiving game, either.
4. Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill had his second consecutive season with at least 1,700 receiving yards. While he did not reach his goal of being the first NFL player with 2,000 receiving yards in a season, 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns is no fluke.
HISTORIC: Tyreek Hill is 1,566 yards from being top 5 all-time in receiving yards for the #Dolphins.
Tyreek has a real shot to do this in just his 3rd season in Miami. pic.twitter.com/ephiEljJdB
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) May 21, 2024
Tua Tagovailoa has the enviable job of throwing passes to Hill and Jaylen Waddle (1,014 yards, four touchdowns in 2023). The Dolphins also signed Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year contract and tight end Jonnu Smith (582 yards, three touchdowns) to a two-year deal.
3. Seattle Seahawks
In 2024, Seattle will still have one of the best pass-catching groups with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
HOW FAST?! 😳💨
In 2023, DK Metcalf a maximum speed of 22.23 miles per hour against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13 of the regular season! 🏈
In 2023, Louis Rees-Zammit reached a maximum speed of 24.17 miles per hour against Fiji in the Rugby World Cup pool stages! 🏉 pic.twitter.com/86HRV70Vnt
— ALL22 Scouting (@all22_scouting) May 11, 2024
Metcalf had 1,000 receiving yards in three of his last four seasons. Lockett had 894 yards and five touchdowns, and Smith-Njigba added 628 yards and four touchdowns last year. Tight end Noah Fant hasn't lived up to his prospect profile, but he possesses big-game upside.
2. Houston Texans
Trading for All-Pro wideout Stefon Diggs (107 receptions, 1,183 yards, eight touchdowns in 2023) boosts the Texans' receiving corps, which already boasts Nico Collins (80 receptions, 1,297 yards, eight touchdowns) and Tank Dell (709 yards, seven touchdowns in 11 games).
C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins made for one of the best combinations in the NFL last season and you can see why.
Peep Stroud's anticipation here during the Texans 7 on 7 period: pic.twitter.com/xjbd8lURZg
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) May 21, 2024
The Texans also have a deep receiver rotation behind the Big Three, including Robert Woods, Noah Brown, and Ben Skowronek. Tight end Dalton Schultz earned a three-year contract extension after tallying 59 catches for 635 yards and five touchdowns. C.J. Stroud will have several targets in his second NFL season.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk led all 49ers receivers with 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, earning him a second-team All-Pro nod last year. Tight end George Kittle isn’t far behind with 1,020 yards and six touchdowns, enough for a first-team All-Pro selection.
Brandon Aiyuk’s routes are art 😪
pic.twitter.com/OBSDQDW21r— Footballism (@FootbaIIism) May 16, 2024
San Francisco also has Deebo Samuel (1,217 yards, 12 touchdowns from scrimmage last year) and All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey (564 receiving yards, seven touchdowns). While they already have an elite receiving unit, they’ve added Florida’s Ricky Pearsall and Arizona’s Jacob Cowing.
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