NFL's top 20 WRs: Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson battle for the top spot, and surprise player sneaks into the top 10
Talent across the NFL at the WR position is arguably at an all-time high entering the 2025 season. From established players like Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson to young up-and-comers like Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., the league is in fantastic hands for the foreseeable future at the WR position. This makes it the […]
Talent across the NFL at the WR position is arguably at an all-time high entering the 2025 season. From established players like Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson to young up-and-comers like Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., the league is in fantastic hands for the foreseeable future at the WR position. This makes it the perfect position for us here at A to Z Sports to begin our top 20 positional rankings. Before we share our list, though, let's dive into how they came to be.
In order to find the official consensus 2025 A to Z Sports NFL positional rankings, 16 of our staff members ranked their Top 20 WRs in order.
If a player was ranked 1st, they received 20 points. Ranked 2nd? 19 points. And so on, down to 20th where players received just one point. Why use this method? If we simply used the average ranking, we may errantly include outliers that were ranked too highly by just one or two staff members.
This method allowed us to find a more true collaborative consensus that properly represented where the majority of our staff felt players belonged in overall positional rankings from 1st to 20th in the NFL.
Top 20 WRs in the NFL
1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Highest Ranking: 1
Lowest Ranking: 3
"Winning the triple crown as you enter the prime of your career will earn you this distinction. Stock in Chase has never been higher, and it may frankly never be this high again. He's arguably the most dangerous player in the entire league with the ball in his hands. Imagine an even faster and taller Steve Smith Sr.? That's who he is, and as offenses continue to shift their focus in the passing game, his strength before and after the catch will continue to be invaluable. I'm sure his former LSU teammate has a response ready for him this year, but Chase has earned the crown for now." – John Sheeran
2. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Highest Ranking: 1
Lowest Ranking: 2
"Make no mistake about it. Justin Jefferson isn't just the best wide receiver in the game. You can make a sound argument that he's the best player in the entire National Football League if you take out positional value. Jefferson holds at least five NFL records, including most receiving yards with 96.5 per game, 9.0 yards per game higher than second place, who happens to rank one spot higher in these rankings, Ja'Marr Chase.
When it comes to finding a way to get open, there isn't anyone better in the NFL, especially when you consider his route running acumen and how he doesn't have a dominant eye, which gives him a major advantage compared to any other receiver. His production also doesn't dip when a backup quarterback comes in, as he became the third wide receiver in NFL history to log 1,000 yards with 10 or fewer games played in a season. Putting him anywhere but one is disrespectful." – Tyler Forness
3. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Highest Ranking: 3
Lowest Ranking: 5
"A.J. Brown is hands down one of the NFL’s best wide receivers with the perfect combination of size, speed, and toughness. At 6-foot-1 and 226 pounds, Brown plays with the strength of a linebacker but moves like a deep threat.
Last fall, Brown hauled in 67 catches for 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging over 16 yards per grab. He also stepped up in Super Bowl LIX with three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. Brown’s impressive route-running and ability to make big plays for the Birds have made him an unmatched target, logging five 1,000-yard seasons in six years while striking fear into opposing defenses." – Kelsey Kramer
4. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
Highest Ranking: 3
Lowest Ranking: 9
"In the last couple of years, no receiver has generated more receiving EPA in a single season than CeeDee Lamb did in 2023, when he led the NFL in total catches while scoring 12 touchdowns. A year later, despite Dak Prescott's season being cut short, he still accumulated 1,194 yards and received second-team All-Pro honors. He deserves a spot in the Top 4.
Lamb's football has gotten increasingly great since arriving in the NFL in 2020, and one of the biggest reasons is his route running. The talent and speed have always been there, but in the last two seasons, he's emerged as one of the sharpest route runners in the league, always hiding his intentions from the man across from him until the last possible second. Combine that with versatility and physicality, and you've got an elite WR." – Mauricio Rodriguez
5. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Highest Ranking: 4
Lowest Ranking: 14
"Puka Nacua didn't quite have the production (79-990-3 in 11 games played) of his record-setting rookie season, but that doesn’t matter. He elevated his game with the Los Angeles Rams in 2024 despite injury, and did more than enough so to be considered among the NFL’s elite receivers. This former fifth-round draft pick has proven to be the NFL’s most effective receiver per route run with a 23.5% success rate last season. He’s an elite separator whether lining up against man, press-man, or zone coverages. He’s converting first downs at a clip that no other receiver in the league is (17.8%). I’m not sure a single wide receiver brings more to the table heading into 2025 in terms of analytical profile." – Charles Goldman
6. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
Highest Ranking: 3
Lowest Ranking: 10
"You might see Malik Nabers as sixth on this list and think, 'That's a little rich after one year.' I would encourage you to go back, look at Malik Nabers' numbers and film as a rookie, take in all the context that was his 2024 season, and tell me he doesn't belong. This is a player who went for 109-1204-7, on an offense whose starting quarterback was playing scout team safety before being released midseason. He put up those numbers and terrorized corners with not one, not two, but three backup quarterbacks throwing him the ball via Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito. This was the closest thing we have seen to a Ja'Marr Chase 2021 rookie season kind of performance, yet Nabers wasn't catching passes from a top-five quarterback that he played college ball with. Nabers took the lead by storm in 24, but he's only scratching the surface." – Rob Gregson
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
Highest Ranking: 2
Lowest Ranking: 16
"If you ask me, ranking a player who was a first team All-Pro the last two years this low is insane. Especially after coming off a year where he was second in the league in receptions, fifth in receiving yards, and third in touchdowns. He was also the sixth highest graded receiver per PFF. He’s widely considered to be one of the top five receivers in the league, but here he is at 8th on this list. One guy had him at 16 and called him a slot merchant. What are we doing here, people?" – Mike Payton
8. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Highest Ranking: 5
Lowest Ranking: 11
Nico Collins doesn't get mentioned with the elite of the elite at the WR position, but he's certainly been one of the best in the game over the last two years. As soon as the Texans gave Collins competent QB play, the WR took off with 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023, and despite only playing in 12 games, still crossed the 1,000-yard threshold in 2024 with 1,006 yards and found the end zone seven times. He has the ability to take over a game and has proven he is a true WR 1 and has built a fantastic relationship with CJ Stroud. The sky is the limit for this duo. I wouldn't be shocked to see him even higher in the ranking this time next year." – Destin Adams
9. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Highest Ranking: 3
Lowest Ranking: 15
"2024 was a trying season for Tyreek Hill. After consecutive 1,700 yard seasons in Miami, Hill battled through a wrist injury suffered in the preseason, six missed games from his starting quarterback, an apparent waning interest at times, and a self-admitted need for more practice throughout the year. To top it off, Hill suggested he wanted a trade after a Week 18 loss that saw him remove himself from the game just minutes into the second half.
Despite it all, Hill’s reputation still earned him a top-10 ranking. His 2025 season will mark a critical tipping point as to whether his best days are fully behind him or if 2024’s regression was just a blip on the radar." – Kyle Crabbs
10. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Highest Ranking: 6
Lowest Ranking: 13
"Brian Thomas Jr. came into the NFL in a situation that wasn't the best, to be quite frank. He joined a team that was pretty bad, and the offense wasn't great, with not many other weapons around him to take pressure off of him. Not to mention, Doug Pederson, his head coach, was let go. But he did have one thing — a talented quarterback who can get him the ball, and the opportunity to instantly be the franchise guy. After one season, I think having Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 11 is pretty fair. There are a few guys ahead of him on this list who you could make a case for BTJ being better than. But you could also make the case that some of those receivers just had down years last year, and have strung together consistency year after year. BTJ still has a lot to prove, but it's pretty clear he could be even better than the No. 11 wide receiver in the league." – Justin Churchill
11. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Highest Ranking: 9
Lowest Ranking: 15
"Garrett Wilson is now the fifth-highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL by average annual value after a strong start to his career. The former Ohio State Buckeye has posted at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons — an impressive feat, especially considering the inconsistent and often subpar quarterback play he’s dealt with. Wilson’s durability has also stood out, as he has yet to miss a game in his career. With a reunion with Justin Fields in New York, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Jets star has his best season yet." – Brandon Little
12. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Highest Ranking: 6
Lowest Ranking: 17
"12 may be just a little too low for Evans, but it’s not unreasonable. There’s a very good chance he cracks the top 10 if he didn’t miss three games in 2024.
Regardless, he’s still as dangerous as ever, and he’s evolved his game in terms of route running, usage, and run blocking. The only true knock on his game is that he has some really bad drops on occasion that leave people scratching their heads.
The Bucs’ crowded receiver room won't stop him from producing at his usual level in 2025. Evans is as complete a receiver as they come, and he’s shown that every single year he’s been in the league." – Evan Winter
13. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
Highest Ranking: 7
Lowest Ranking: 19
"London couldn't quite crack the top 10 on our list, but I personally ranked him at No. 7. He put it all together in 2024 with 100 receptions for 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns. Those totals placed London in the top 10 of all three of those categories. Prior to 2024, he caught 141 passes for 1,771 yards and six TDs during his first two NFL seasons. If the Falcons click on all cylinders offensively and win a lot of games in 2025, London should get more recognition as an elite WR. When Michael Penix Jr. took over at QB late last year, London received a 40 percent target share, compared to just 26% with Kirk Cousins. If that carries over into 2025, London could post even bigger numbers." – Nick Roesch
14. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
Highest Ranking: 5
Lowest Ranking: 17
"Terry McLaurin finds himself 14th in our rankings, but he could soon find himself among the highest-paid wide receivers in the sport. McLaurin has been underrated for a while now. This is a player who has recorded over 1,000 yards for five seasons in a row. Who produced amid an overhaul and a black cloud in the ownership group. A player who went to the Pro Bowl with Taylor Heinicke, Carson Wentz, and Sam Howell at quarterback. Then in 2024, for the first time in his career, he plays with a good quarterback, and all he does is record the most productive season of his career. There's a little bit of an Antonio Brown element to McLaurin's game. He's not the tallest, fastest, or strongest, but he wins and wins big on the outside with routes, contested catches, and a fearlessness that isn't going anywhere." – Rob Gregson
15. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Highest Ranking: 10
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
"The muscles in his legs may not always cooperate in the middle of the season, but when Higgins is healthy, there certainly aren't 20 wideouts better than him. His ball skills down the field get the most attention thanks to his 6-4 frame, but the former second-round pick has really elevated his route running and elusiveness after the catch. He's as reliable as a hands-catcher as you'll see, securing the ball far away from the outstretched arms of defenders with ease. He's an ideal complement to Chase in Cincinnati's offense, and now that his contract is taken care of, he's got a clear mind to continue elevating his game." – John Sheeran
16. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
Highest Ranking: 6
Lowest Ranking: 19
"It's a dangerous age for wide receivers at 32, but Davante Adams hasn't given many signs of regression. Yes, it has been a tough couple of years playing for bad teams on the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets, but his individual performance is still absurd. After his trade to the Jets last year, the star receiver had 854 yards and seven touchdowns in just 11 games. Extrapolating those numbers to a full 17-game season, that would be 1,319 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. With those Jets' circumstances, and sharing targets with Garrett Wilson. Now that Adams signed a two-year, $44 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams to play with Matthew Stafford, it's easy to see a path for him to be great for at least one more season." – Wendell Ferreira
17. D.K. Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers
Highest Ranking: 12
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
"If you feel like there is a major discrepancy in DK Metcalf's salary ranking and his positional ranking from A to Z Sports, you are right. Metcalf currently makes top-five money at the position in terms of average salary per year, yet barely cracks our top 20. The truth lies somewhere in the middle with Metcalf. You could certainly argue that the Steelers overpaid for a WR who fits their current agenda, but also, that 17th is a little low for a Pro Bowler who has established himself as one of the most intimidating threats on the NFL's perimeter. But last year saw Metcalf start the fewest games of his career and record the least amount of receiving TDs in his career. There are a lot of factors that could have contributed to that (Geno Smith, line play, emergence of JSN), but it's up to Metcalf to bounce back in 2025." – Rob Gregson
18. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
Highest Ranking: 14
Lowest Ranking: 20
"Glad to see Ladd get some well-deserved respect here. Just a second-year wideout, McConkey has quickly proven to be a legitimate WR1 for the Bolts. The Chargers' wideout was really the sole impressive wide receiver for much of last season, but defenses still struggled to slow him down. His inside/outside versatility also gives him a nudge over some of the other receivers in this tier that he probably beat out. McConkey’s consistency was among the best in the entire NFL, and I won’t be shocked to see him rise into the top 12 of this sort of exercise by next offseason. He’s got that level of talent and potential when it comes to production for the Chargers offense alongside Justin Herbert." – Adam Holt
19. Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
Highest Ranking: 10
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
"In his second NFL season, the slot receiver fully positioned himself as a primary target for the Seattle Seahawks, outproducing DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. He had more volume and a higher average depth of target (from 6.4 to 7.7 yards), even though his efficiency in terms of yards per route run didn't improve. Now that Metcalf has been traded and Lockett isn't on the roster anymore either, JSN will have an even bigger role. How he and Cooper Kupp will fit together is an intriguing question for the offense. It's also a big challenge going from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold at quarterback." – Wendell Ferreira
20. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
Highest Ranking: 15
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
"DeVonta 'Skinny Batman' Smith is as smooth as they come for a No. 2 target. In 2024, Smith hauled in 68 receptions for 833 yards and eight touchdowns, showing he can be a go-to guy for Jalen Hurts if A.J. Brown isn't open. He might not be the biggest receiver out there, but his elite speed sure makes it tough for defenders to keep up with. Whether it's a deep shot downfield or coming through on third down, Smith is always ready to deliver." – Kelsey Kramer
Other players receiving votes
- Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (6)
- Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (5)
- Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (3)
- Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3)
- Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (3)
- DJ Moore, Chicago Bears (2)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (2)
- Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (2)
- Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (1)
- Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs (1)
- Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers (1)
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