While the 2021 NFL season is still a few months away, it’s never too early to look ahead. Fan bases will argue day and night about who has the better team. Instead of debating the entire roster, why not debate positions. In the third part of a 12 part series, I will rank each team’s wide receiver position. These rankings are a culmination of what the player has done over the entirety of their career, how they performed last season and projecting how they will play this upcoming season.
Be sure to check out all of Moran’s NFL Positional Rankings.
1. Buffalo Bills
The Bills group of wide receivers should be a blast to watch in 2021. Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, Emmanuel Sanders, and Gabriel Davis are the best group in football heading into the season. Diggs was acquired by the Bills in a trade last year. He went on to be arguably the best wide receiver in football. Diggs will continue his dominance. Beasley is coming off the best year of his career. He will be a big part of the Bills offense this season. Sanders was a great free-agent signing. He still has speed and can win with great route running. Davis had a great rookie year that flew under the radar. This year, he should only get better. This group will be fun to watch.
2. Dallas Cowboys
The Bills have the best group as a whole with their top four wide receivers. The Cowboys have the best wide receiver trio. Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup will be an enjoyable trio to watch in 2021. Cooper is one of the best route runners in all of football. Cooper will be a top wide receiver again this season. Lamb had a great rookie year. He has great size and physicality in the slot. Lamb will have a big second season. Gallup is one of the most underrated wide receivers in the league. Gallup has great speed and deep threat ability. These three all complement one another well. They should all produce in a big way this year.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The defending Super Bowl champions head into the season with a stellar group. Mike Evans has had seven 1,000 yard seasons in all seven years of his career. Evans will have another big season. Chris Godwin is a great player. Godwin being healthy will make a difference. Antonio Brown was re-signed this offseason. The Buccaneers also have three young wide receivers from the last three drafts. Scott Miller has great speed. Tyler Johnson made some big-time catches last season as a rookie. Jaelon Darden was drafted this year, he is effective with the ball in his hands. In 2021, this group should have great success with Tom Brady for the Buccaneers.
4. Tennessee Titans
A.J. Brown is an awesome football player. Brown runs great routes and is very tough to bring down with his size. In 2021, expect Brown to keep improving. He will be one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. The Titans made a huge trade acquiring Julio Jones. Jones and Brown should make for a top tandem. Even at this later point in his career, Jones is still quick with his route running and can win with speed. He will make a big difference. In free agency, the Titans signed Josh Reynolds. Reynolds is an intriguing player with some talent. He has great length and speed. With more of an opportunity, it will be interesting to see how he plays.
5. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have a top-tier one-two punch at wide receiver. Justin Jefferson had an amazing rookie season. He is a complete player and can win with great route running. Adam Thielen is coming off a productive season. Thielen should have another great year for the Vikings. Similar to Jefferson, Thielen is pretty complete with route running, height, weight, and the ability to win vertically. Expect a great year from this tandem.
6. Los Angeles Rams
Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods are both going into their fifth season with the Rams. They have been great for the team and it will continue in 2021. Both are willing blockers. Kupp and Woods have arguably been the two most important pieces for Sean McVay and his prolific offense. Van Jefferson should have a bigger role in his second season. Jefferson has a similar skill set to Kupp and Woods with his route running and size. DeSean Jackson was signed in free agency. He should help the passing attack be more efficient vertically. In the second round of the draft, the Rams selected Chatarius Atwell. Atwell brings great speed and will be effective with the ball in his hands.
7. Seattle Seahawks
In terms of wide receiver duos, D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are right there with what the Titans and Vikings have. Metcalf has unreal athletic ability. His size and speed combination is as good as it gets. Lockett has great slot ability and quickness. Expect Metcalf and Lockett to remain very productive this season. In the second round of the draft, the Seahawks added D’Wayne Eskridge. Eskridge has deep threat ability.
8. Cleveland Browns
Odell Beckham will be back healthy. He is incredibly talented and should help the Browns passing attack, one that was inconsistent last season. Jarvis Landry has had a great career. In 2021, his production should be better than it was a season ago. The two former LSU teammates still make for a great tandem. This offseason, Rashard Higgins was re-signed by the Browns. He played well last year. In the third round of the draft, the Browns added Anthony Schwartz. Schwartz was one of the fastest players in the entire draft. These four wide receivers should help the Browns passing attack be more explosive.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals’ wide receivers have the potential to be very exciting. The team drafted Ja’Marr Chase fifth overall. Chase will make an immediate impact. He is a complete wide receiver. Last year, the Bengals drafted Tee Higgins. who had a very good rookie year. He should be even better this season. Tyler Boyd has had a very solid career for the Bengals. He will remain a key piece to this offense. In 2021, these three young wide receivers should be very fun to watch.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have always done a great job identifying wide receiver talent in the draft. Last year, Chase Claypool had a great rookie season. Claypool has both size and speed. Diontae Johnson had very good production as a second-year player. As long as his hands are more reliable, Johnson will remain a force. He has great route running ability. This offseason, the Steelers re-signed JuJu Smith-Schuster. Smith-Schuster has seen his production drop the last two seasons. It will be interesting to see how he performs this season. James Washington is also a good wide receiver. He will contribute to this group.
11. Denver Broncos
The Broncos have a group of wide receivers that could be toward the top of the league in 2021. Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, and KJ Hamler make for a really good core. Sutton being back healthy will be great. Expect him to have a big year. Jeudy had a good rookie year and should only get better. Jeudy is a gifted route runner. Patrick was very impressive a season ago. Like Jeudy, Hamler made some big plays as a rookie. Hamler has great speed. These four should be a very successful group.
12. Carolina Panthers
D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson are two great wide receivers. Moore is terrific with the ball in his hands. Anderson has deep threat ability with his speed. Last season, Anderson also showed he can be a complete wide receiver. The Panthers drafted Terrace Marshall Jr. in the second round. Marshall Jr. is an exciting young prospect. He should contribute right away. This trio should be a very good one this season.
13. Washington Football Team
Terry McLaurin is an awesome young player. With a better group of wide receivers around him this season, expect him to remain dominant. Washington made a great signing in free agency, adding Curtis Samuel. Samuel is a young, dynamic player with speed. Adam Humphries was also signed by Washington. Humphries will help in the slot. In the third round of the draft, Washington selected Dyami Brown. Brown is a fast wide receiver with great potential. These four should be a respectable unit and much improved from what Washington had a year ago.
14. New York Giants
The Giants made a big move in free agency, signing Kenny Golladay. Golladay has length and can win downfield. In the first round of the draft, the Giants added Kadarius Toney. Toney is very tough to bring down when he has the ball. Sterling Shepard has been a solid player for the Giants. Also, expect Darius Slayton to have a bounce-back season. These players all have different types of skill sets and sizes. They should all help Daniel Jones in a crucial year.
15. New York Jets
The Jets finally have a group of wide receivers they can feel confident in. Corey Davis was a great signing in free agency. He brings great size to the group. In the draft, the Jets selected Elijah Moore early in the second round. Moore is young with great talent. Entering his second season, Denzel Mims should be a key contributor. Mims showed great potential last year. He should help the offense vertically. Jamison Crowder is one of the better slot receivers in football. Keelan Cole was a great depth signing by the Jets. In 2021, all five of these players should help the Jets.
16. Los Angeles Chargers
Keenan Allen has carved out an incredible NFL career. He is heading into his ninth season with the Chargers. Allen is a great route runner, one of the best in football. Mike Williams is going into his fifth year with the Chargers. Williams has great size and ability downfield. In 2021, these two should be very productive with Justin Herbert. Rookie Josh Palmer is an exciting prospect. Palmer should have a role in his first year. Tyron Johnson and Jalen Guyton are two very fast wide receivers. They both have potential with their speed and should make impact plays.
17. Kansas City Chiefs
Tyreek Hill is one of the best wide receivers in football. His speed is as good as it gets. He should have another very productive season. In his third season, it is time for Mecole Hardman to put it all together. Hardman has the talent. His speed is great. He just has to be more consistent and he can do big things. After Hill and Hardman, Demarcus Robinson is currently the only other player a part of this group that has shown he can contribute.
18. Green Bay Packers
Davante Adams is arguably the best wide receiver in football. Adams is a special route runner and a touchdown machine. What he did a year ago was incredible. In 2021, expect Adams to continue his dominant play. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is entering a contract year. Valdes-Scantling has shown some great things with his speed. This season, he just has to limit his mistakes. In the third round of the draft, the Packers traded up to select Amari Rodgers. Rodgers should make an immediate impact. Allen Lazard is a solid player.
19. Arizona Cardinals
DeAndre Hopkins is a top wide receiver in the NFL. Hopkins has huge hands. He is a jump-ball receiver who has made unreal plays. He will remain a force for the Cardinals this season. Christian Kirk is entering a big year. He has shown what he is capable of. Now, it will be a matter of being productive every week. After ten years with the Bengals, A.J. Green signed with the Cardinals. It will be interesting to see what he brings. In the second round of the draft, the Cardinals selected Rondale Moore. Moore is a dynamic player with the football in his hands.
20. San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel are two very exciting players. Both are great after the catch. Samuel has even been given a good amount of carries, he is that tough to bring down. Aiyuk has such great potential. He has deep threat ability with his speed. In 2021, a healthy Aiyuk and Samuel should be very fun to watch. They will help the 49ers greatly. However, after Aiyuk and Samuel, there is a great unknown. Jalen Hurd has a unique skill set. It will be interesting to see if Hurd can provide anything. His health is most important for him to contribute.
21. Chicago Bears
Allen Robinson will be back on the Bears under the franchise tag. Robinson is a great player. He is big and has great route running ability. He will have another very productive year. It will be exciting to see what Darnell Mooney does as a second-year player. Mooney has great speed. Anthony Miller is entering a pivotal season in his career. It would be great for the Bears if he could make an impact.
22. Miami Dolphins
This offseason, the Dolphins invested a lot at wide receiver. The team already had a very good player in Devante Parker. In free agency, they signed Will Fuller. Then in the draft, the Dolphins selected Jaylen Waddle sixth overall. Fuller and Waddle bring great speed. Fuller should help more downfield. Waddle can be dynamic with the football. Expect Parker to remain a key piece. Preston Williams is also a solid player. These four could have a good year.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
Going into 2021, the Jaguars have three capable wide receivers. Marvin Jones was a very solid signing in free agency. Jones brings veteran leadership. He is still capable of making an impact. D.J. Chark and Laviska Shenault are two recent second-round picks. Chark has speed that enables him to make big plays. He should play better this season. Shenault is a big receiver who has yards after the catch abilities
. Expect these three to make for a formidable trio.
24. New Orleans Saints
Michael Thomas is still at the top of the league at the wide receiver position. Thomas has size and quickness as a route runner. He should have a productive season. Tre’Quan Smith is entering his fourth season. Smith has shown some great playmaking ability at times. It will be worth keeping an eye on whether or not he takes a step as a player this year.
25. New England Patriots
In free agency, the Patriots signed two wide receivers. Nelson Agholor was a great addition. Agholor brings vertical threat ability with his speed. He can also win underneath and from the slot with his quickness. Kendrick Bourne was another solid acquisition. Bourne can win from the slot and has good length. Agholor and Bourne should help improve the Patriots’ passing attack. Jakobi Meyers should maintain a role in this offense. He has a good skill set. Meyers showed last year he can contribute.
26. Indianapolis Colts
In the offseason, the team re-signed long-time Colt, T.Y. Hilton. At times last season, Hilton still showed he can win. Expect him to contribute for the Colts this year. In his second season, Michael Pittman should be more productive. Pittman has great talent and size. Zach Pascal has been a solid player for the Colts. Heading into year three, Parris Campbell needs to take strides. He has speed but must remain healthy.
27. Las Vegas Raiders
In 2021, the Raiders will need more out of Henry Ruggs. Ruggs is very talented and can win with special speed. He should be improved this year. It would help the Raiders offense greatly. John Brown was signed by the Raiders in free agency. Brown also brings speed to the table. Hunter Renfrow is a very good slot receiver. Expect his production to increase this year. Last year, the Raiders drafted Bryan Edwards in the third round. Edwards brings a bigger body to this group.
28. Atlanta Falcons
Calvin Ridley had a great breakout season last year. Ridley has a very good skill set. He can win with quickness and crafty route running. He should continue to put up great production. Last season, Russell Gage showed some good things. In 2021, Gage will get even more opportunities. Without Jones, these two will be counted on in a big way. Rookie Frank Darby had success in college as a deep threat. He could be a contributor.
29. Houston Texans
The Texans agreed to a re-done deal with Brandin Cooks early in the offseason. Cooks is a very good wide receiver. He has had extremely good production almost every year of his career. Cooks can still win vertically. Randall Cobb has had a stellar career. Even at this later point in his career, he will still make an impact. It will be fun to see what rookie third-round pick Nico Collins brings.
30. Baltimore Ravens
This offseason, the Ravens added some talent at wide receiver. Sammy Watkins was added as a free agent. Unfortunately, he has battled injuries throughout his career. However, when he is on the field, Watkins can make an impact. In the first round of the draft, the Ravens drafted Rashod Bateman. Bateman is a talented player with size. Marquise Brown is entering his third season. Brown has speed but needs to be more reliable.
31. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles traded up to draft exciting prospect, DeVonta Smith. Smith is a dynamic talent. He has great route running ability and can be a force with the football. Expect him to make an impact right away as a rookie. Last year, the Eagles selected Jalen Reagor in the first round. Reagor can win as a deep threat. He has to remain healthy. If he does, his production should be better. Over the last two years, Greg Ward has been a solid player for the Eagles.
32. Detroit Lions
The Lions group of wide receivers is essentially all new. This offseason, Tyrell Williams signed with the team. Williams has had great years in the league. If he can remain healthy, expect him to play well. Williams has length and deep threat ability. Breshad Perriman is a very fast wide receiver who signed as a free agent. In the fourth round of the draft, the Lions selected Amon-Ra St. Brown. He should get opportunities as a rookie.
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