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Fantasy players have seen an uptick in the number of talented wide receivers in the NFL over the past few years. Consequently, one of the more popular fantasy strategies is to stack wide receivers from the same team.
The strategy allows fantasy players to capitalize on high-scoring and explosive matchups. Additionally, it also protects them from the downside when one wide receiver underperforms. While there are instances when an entire offense struggles, more often than not if one wide receiver has a poor performance, the other wideout is on fire.
With that in mind, I have looked at eight of the top wide receiver duos in the NFL. Let's dive into it.
The Elite Duo
Tyreek Hill & Jaylen Waddle – Miami Dolphins
There was much anticipation and excitement when the Dolphins traded for Hill last year, and the superstar receiver certainly delivered an outstanding season despite the downgrade at quarterback. In 2022, Hill finished as the WR2 in half-point PPR, averaging 16.9 points per game. He also set career highs in receptions (119), targets (170), and receiving yards (1,710) last season.
While Waddle had an impressive rookie season, there were some concerns that his production would slip with Hill joining the team. However, the second-year star finished as the WR7 last year with an average of 13 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Despite experiencing a 21.9% decrease in targets per game, Waddle accumulated 341 more receiving yards compared to his rookie season.
Ja’Marr Chase & Tee Higgins – Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals boast one of the most exciting offenses in the NFL, led by quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow's go-to guy is Chase, who has amassed over 2,500 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns in just his first two years in the league. Despite missing five games due to injury, Chase finished as the WR12 last year, averaging 15.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.
Unfortunately, Higgins gets overshadowed by Chase but the former Clemson star is one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. While he may not be a high-volume receiver, Higgins consistently puts up solid numbers. He has achieved at least 900 receiving yards and six touchdowns in every season of his career so far.
A.J. Brown & DeVonta Smith – Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia made a blockbuster move last year by acquiring Brown via trade. The star receiver had a special season in 2022, posting career-best numbers across the board. He recorded 88 receptions on 146 targets for 1,496 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, all personal bests. Furthermore, his 1,496 receiving yards represented a 28.1% increase from his previous career high set in 2020.
Last year, Brown finished as the WR5, averaging 15 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Meanwhile, Smith ended as the WR9 with a career-high average of 12.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Smith also set personal records in receptions (95), targets (136), receiving yards (1,196), and touchdowns (seven). Despite this impressive season, Smith still has so much untapped potential.
The Productive 1-2 Punch
Brandon Aiyuk & Deebo Samuel – San Francisco 49ers
In 2022, Aiyuk had a breakout season, establishing himself as a star receiver. He finished as the WR15, averaging 11.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he recorded career-high numbers with 78 receptions on 114 targets for 1,015 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
While Aiyuk stood out as the top wide receiver on the team last year, Samuel is arguably the most versatile weapon in the NFL. Although he had a disappointing season in 2022, Samuel was a superstar in 2021, totaling 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns.
CeeDee Lamb & Brandin Cooks – Dallas Cowboys
After spending the first two years of his career as the No. 2 guy behind Amari Cooper, Lamb took over as the alpha wide receiver last season for the Cowboys. The star receiver had a special season, posting career highs with 107 receptions on 156 targets, totaling 1,359 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Lamb averaged 14.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game last season, a 17.1% increase from the previous year. He finished as the WR6 in half-point PPR scoring.
While the veteran wide receiver has bounced around the league throughout his NFL career, Cooks is an underrated player. Wille he struggled in Houston last year, it's worth noting that he was a fantasy star in the previous two seasons with the team. During those years, the veteran receiver had a minimum of 81 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. Cooks should be even better this year with the obvious upgrade at quarterback.
Chris Godwin & Mike Evans – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay has undergone some big changes this offseason, including the loss of quarterback Tom Brady. However, the team still has its talented wide receiver duo. Godwin, who has never been a prolific touchdown scorer, has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in three of the past four years. In fact, he had a career-high 104 receptions and 142 targets last season.
On the other hand, Evans is the opposite of Godwin. While he may not be a high-volume receiver, he excels as a vertical threat and is a touchdown machine. Evans has hit the 1,000-yard receiving mark in each of his nine NFL seasons. Additionally, he has recorded four seasons with double-digit touchdowns, including two of the last three years. It's worth noting that he has surpassed 80 receptions in a season only twice in his career.
The High Upside Trio
DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett & Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Seattle Seahawks
Metcalf is the alpha receiver of the Seahawks' unit. Last year, he hauled in 90 receptions on 141 targets, accumulating 1,048 receiving yards while scoring six touchdowns. Although he set a career low in receiving touchdowns, Metcalf notched career bests in both receptions and targets.
Lockett may not be the most consistent wide receiver on a week-to-week basis, but he is an underrated star in his own right. The former Kansas State receiver has gone over the 1,000-yard receiving mark for four consecutive years. Additionally, Lockett has been a consistent touchdown-maker, totaling at least eight scores in each of the past five seasons.
Despite their excellent 1-2 punch, the Seahawks spent a first-round pick on Smith-Njigba, giving Geno Smith three dangerous weapons in the passing game. Unfortunately, the former Buckeye struggled with injuries last season and sat out the entire 2022 campaign but he was unstoppable in 2021. Smith-Njigba had 95 receptions for 1,606 receiving yards and nine touchdowns during that year. He has the potential to become a superstar in Seattle.
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams & Quentin Johnston – Los Angeles Chargers
Although not known for his flashiness or explosiveness, Allen's elite route running sets him apart. Despite dealing with injuries last season, the star receiver averaged over two yards per route run for the seventh time in his career. Moreover, Allen had recorded at least 97 receptions for five consecutive years before missing seven games due to injury last season.
Unfortunately, Williams has struggled to stay healthy over his career. However, when he has been on the field, he's been a fantasy star. The former Clemson standout was the WR10 in 2021 when he averaged 13 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, Williams is one of the top big-play wide receivers in the NFL, boasting an average of nearly 15 yards per reception in his career.
No one was surprised when the Chargers used their first-round pick on Johnston in the 2023 NFL Draft. The former TCU star proved to be unstoppable last year, totaling 60 receptions for 1,069 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Although he has two talented veterans ahead of him on the depth charter, Johnston has a bright future.
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