With excitement in the air for the return of football, it’s time to break down one of the most important positions. The wide receiver. More importantly, who are the 12 best receivers in the NFL heading into 2023? Let’s get right into it with my wide receiver Power Rankings heading into the 2023 NFL season.
Whether you’re a devoted fan seeking to debate the rankings or a fantasy football enthusiast looking to gain a strategic edge, we’ve got you covered.
1. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Although Justin Jefferson is only 24, after his first three seasons in the league, it’s time to crown him the king. Jefferson absolutely dominated in 2022 with a 128-1809-8 stat line. He can do it all, whether it’s his elite route running, fantastic hands, or ability to go up and get the ball in traffic.
If you needed further evidence, Jefferson was doubled-teamed at the highest rate last season. If you need two people to help guard you, there isn’t much else to say. There’s nothing Jefferson can’t do which makes him the WR1 entering the 2023 season.
2. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
I was so close to putting Tyreek Hill at number one on this list, but it’s hard to put him above Jefferson. From what we saw last year, Hill deserves to be at the number two spot for 2023. With Hill leaving the Chiefs, the narrative that Hill needed Patrick Mahomes began to rise.
Hill answered this question by having his best season ever in both receptions with 119 and receiving yards with 1,710. Despite being arguably the fastest receiver in the league, Hill has shown he can go up and get the ball even at 5′ 10″. There’s more to Hill’s game than just the deep ball, and he’s proven why he’s one of the best in the league.
3. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills
These next three rankings were tough, but I put Stefon Diggs at number three. The man is always open, and there isn’t a single glaring hole in his game. There’s no sign of Diggs slowing down, as he finished 2022 with a stat line of 108-1,429-11.
Diggs is quick on his release and has an incredible knack for finding the soft spot on the field. No matter where the ball is thrown, Diggs can come down with it. Diggs is one of the most well-rounded receivers in the league, and it shows every Sunday.
4. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
If this was a tier list, Davante Adams would be right up there with Diggs. I have Diggs a spot higher than Adams because Diggs is better after the catch, but not by much. Other than that, the two are very comparable wide receivers.
Adams is one of the most well-rounded receivers in the NFL and has been dominant year in and year out. One of the biggest testaments to Adams is the 100-1,516-14 season he put up in 2022 with horrible quarterback play. This goes to show that Adams can dominate no matter his quarterback situation.
5. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
A year from now, I could see Ja’Marr Chase being up there with Jefferson, but we just haven’t seen enough after an injury in his second year. There’s no doubt Chase is a phenomenal talent, and having him at five is no small feat.
In his rookie season, Chase had 1,455 receiving yards which was more than even Jefferson. Unfortunately, in his second year, he was only able to hit 1,046 yards in 10 games due to an injury. However, when Chase played in year two, he showed massive improvements as a complete receiver instead of relying on his after-the-catch ability.
6. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
If Kupp wasn’t already 30 and coming off a broken ankle, he would be in the conversion for the best receiver in football. These are valid concerns, but Kupp didn’t miss a beat last year, even with a struggling Matthew Stafford at the helm. In the nine games he played, he caught 75 passes for 812 yards.
Kupp is primarily a slot receiver, but no one in the NFL can do the things he does. Led by his elite route running and football IQ skills, it seems like Kupp is always open. Considering the fact that he caught 145 passes in his last full season, it’s proven that he is always open.
7. AJ Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
A. J. Brown is one of the most physically talented receivers in the NFL. Brown is a freak of nature, and it shows on the football field. Although Brown isn’t an elite separator, he can win with his size and athleticism.
Unlike the other players on this list, Brown has never put up a crazy stat line other than 2022. It’s still very impressive that Brown had a 88-1,496,11 in his first season with the Eagles. At only 26, I expect this Brown to keep improving as he steps into this 2023 season.
8. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
The theme of these last few players has been talented young receivers, and CeeDee Lamb is no exception. Since his rookie season, Lamb has improved every season and had a career year in 2022. This past season Lamb showed out and put up a 107-1,359 stat line.
Lamb is a great route runner and even better after the catch. The issue Lamb has is that he still needs to polish up his overall game. Lamb hasn’t shown the consistency yet that you need to be a top 5 receiver, but there’s no denying his talent.
9. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
Having Terry McLaurin at nine might be questionable to the casual NFL fan, but his talent is off the charts. Unfortunately, McLaurin has never had a good starting quarterback, which has limited his performance significantly. Considering the fact that Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz were the starting quarterbacks for Commanders, it’s extremely impressive that McLaurin was able to rack up 1,191 receiving yards.
McLaurin has good speed and can track the ball exceptionally well, which leads to highlight grabs. In a one-on-one scenario, McLaurin is able to cook his defender almost every time. If McLaurin finally gets a good quarterback, he’ll be able to show the world how talented he truly is.
10. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When logging into Twitter this morning, I was shocked to learn that Mike Evans has gone for 1,000 yards every season for the past nine years. I always knew Evans was great, but he is unfairly treated as a boom-or-bust guy.
Evans is similar to AJ Brown, but the difference is his age. At age 29, Evans will likely decline over the next few seasons. Nevertheless, Evans will be one of the best deep threats in the NFL, which makes him extremely valuable.
11. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
This may be a hot take, but I believe Jaylen Waddle has the potential to be one of the best receivers in the league. As much as I love the talent, I understand he’s not quite there yet for 2023. What tells me all I need to know is that Waddle had 1,356 receiving yards next to Hill in 2022.
Waddle is a speedster and one of the most explosive players with the ball in his hands. Since his rookie season, Waddle also improved his yards per route run and average depth of target. Although Waddle may not be as valuable as some of these other players due to his role in this Dolphins offense, there’s no doubt he’s one of the most talented players in the league.
12. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
Amon-Ra St. Brown is another player that is disrespected because he plays in the slot but was able to dominate in 2022. St. Brown caught 106 passes for 1,1161 yards in 2022 at only age 23.
It’s evident that St. Brown wins close to the line of scrimmage, but this is due to his excellent route running. Even though he may not be the fastest guy, he knows how to get open, which is so valuable. Heading into 2023, I would love a target hog like St. Brown on my team.
Check out where these wide receivers stack up in our up-to-date 2023 fantasy football rankings.
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