NFL Analysis
11/13/24
12 min read
Ranking NFL's Top 25 Wide Receivers Through Week 10 of 2024 Season
The 2024 NFL season is in the back half of the schedule, so we can contextualize how everyone has performed and how the next two months may play out. Despite concerns about how passing offenses can overcome evolving defenses, the top playmakers at receiver continue to stand out and find ways to win. The list of the top receivers has changed as the next generation has arrived.
During the last few years, an influx of explosive talent has ushered in a new set of faces at the top of the mountain. With offenses prioritizing quickness instead of pure speed and getting creative with motion more than ever, the archetype of the most dominant pass-catchers has changed.
Forget what we knew entering the season. Considering only this year's play, we've ranked the NFL's top 25 receivers entering Week 11. We're looking at stats, consistency, availability, and overall impact on their teams.
Top 25 NFL Wide Receivers in 2024
25. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints 
Stats: 32 receptions, 400 yards, 1 touchdown
Two concussions ended Chris Olave's season prematurely, which is sad on multiple levels. On the field, Olave was on pace for another 1,000-yard season despite dealing with bad quarterback play.
The speedy threat had at least 81 yards in four of his first seven games, and Derek Carr was leaving more on the table with missed throws. Of his 32 passes, 22 went for first downs, and Olave was on pace for a career-best contested catch rate.
24. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
Stats: 37 receptions, 492 yards, 4 touchdowns
Jim Harbaugh's offense has been as conservative as expected, relying on more traditional formations and route combinations than modern schemes. The benefit is the unit's efficiency has been high enough to maintain drives and mitigate the team's lack of high-end playmakers.
Don't tell Ladd McConkey that, though, as the rookie has become a trusted option for Justin Herbert. McConkey has caught at least half of his targets in each game this season and has a yards-per-reception mark of more than 13 in five outings.
13 WRs have hit the following thresholds when facing individual man coverage in 2024:
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) November 9, 2024
+3.00 yards per route run
+20% first down per route run rate
(Source: @FantasyPtsData) pic.twitter.com/biquIIm7ks
23. Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
Stats: 23 receptions, 516 yards, 4 touchdowns
It makes sense that Indianapolis' receivers have been all-or-nothing with two quarterbacks who are wildly inconsistent in their own right. Alec Pierce has shown more through 10 games in 2024 than any season before.
His ability to get over the top of defenders and finish with his 6-foot-3 frame has given the Colts reason to believe he's worth continuing to develop. It's hard to know whether Pierce will become more than just a deep threat, but he's been so good in this role that he's still deserving of a spot on our list.
22. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
Stats: 50 receptions, 568 yards, 3 touchdowns
Primarily a slot threat for Seattle, Jaxon Smith-Njigba's production comes in spades. When he's a focal point, Smith-Njigba can provide a blend of big plays and chain-moving receptions.
There are not a lot of sexy moments every week, but it's impossible to deny that Smith-Njigba is quite good at his role and elevates his play when needed.
21. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
Stats: 37 receptions, 487 yards, 4 touchdowns
A hamstring injury has kept DeVonta Smith from full availability for much of the season, but a healthy Smith has been tremendous as usual. His outstanding agility and tenacity have allowed Smith to produce at least 76 yards or a touchdown in all but two games.
Playing in the slot more than ever before, Smith's catch rate and yards after the catch are showing he can fill any role Philadelphia needs him to.
Amon-Ra St. Brown is in the end zone for the 7th game in a row❗️#DETvsHOU | 📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/QtQzmSDDRw
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 11, 2024
20. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
Stats: 54 receptions, 524 yards, 7 touchdowns
The Lions have one of the healthiest offenses in the NFL, if not the best outright. Amon-Ra St. Brown has seen his volume and efficiency crater, but St. Brown has been great in his role.
He's caught an incredible 81.8 percent of targets, which is impressive even if his yards per reception sits at 9.7. Best yet, St. Brown is winning when it matters, including seven touchdowns and catching 13-of-19 contested catch attempts.
19. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Stats: 42 receptions, 569 yards, 3 touchdowns
There have been some terrific highs from Courtland Sutton, including three straight games with either a touchdown or 100 yards, but also some rough patches.
With five drops and four interceptions thrown when targeted, Sutton still needs to transcend his game to the next level. Still, the Broncos are doing what they can with a rookie quarterback, and Sutton forces defenses to rotate his way.
18. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
Stats: 33 receptions, 499 yards, 6 touchdowns
An inauspicious start aside, the Arizona Cardinals continue to integrate Marvin Harrison Jr. into their weekly game plans in creative ways.
The difficult part to factor in is that Arizona is happy to use him as a decoy in favor of chasing other mismatches, which has led to several quiet outings. When given the targets, though, Harrison has been fantastic at converting in high-leverage situations.
17. DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
Stats: 35 receptions, 568 yards, 3 touchdowns
On the one hand, there might not be a more physically terrifying receiver than DK Metcalf because of his immense strength and profile. However, because of his limitations, he's a specific vertical threat who hasn't posted particularly advanced stats besides ADOT, so ranking Metcalf can be challenging.
Metcalf hasn't been as dominant on contested catches this year as his first four seasons, so he lands closer to a high-end No. 2 than the surefire-star range.
— § (@VidsBySimp) November 9, 2024
16. Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Stats: 31 receptions, 501 yards, 4 touchdowns
As well as Zay Flowers has played, Rashod Bateman's late breakout has been huge for the Baltimore Ravens' growth. Finding his niche as a chunk-play threat, the fourth-year receiver is on the brink of setting career highs across the board.
Only three players have more targets and a higher ADOT than Bateman, and only two have more yards. It's impressive he trails only Terry McLaurin and A.J. Brown in explosiveness.
15. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stats: 50 receptions, 576 yards, 5 touchdowns
Still an elite slot threat in his eighth season in the league, Chris Godwin carried the Buccaneers' offense while Mike Evans has dealt with a hamstring injury. That was until Godwin suffered a season-ending injury, putting his impressive season on indefinite hold.
He offered Baker Mayfield a safe haven to get rid of the ball quickly, compensating for a lacking set of playmakers at receiver. The advanced stats don't love the death-by-a-thousand-cuts approach, but Godwin's consistency and reliability in the role are rare and valuable.
14. Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons
Stats: 46 receptions, 684 yards, 5 touchdowns
It feels like forever ago when Darnell Mooney exploded for 1,000 yards in Chicago during the 2021 season, but the speedster still has what made him a young star.
Atlanta correctly identified him as a trustworthy threat for Kirk Cousins, and his numbers are outpacing Drake London's. Mooney is a little more scheme-dependent than his teammate, so he falls just shy of the top 10.
13. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Stats: 37 receptions, 607 yards, 5 touchdowns
There was never a question of how athletic and dangerous Brian Thomas Jr. would be in the NFL, but he's quickly shown he's more than just a big, fast dude.
Thomas' long strides allow him to generate easy separation and avoid competing with defenders for the ball. While his drop rate and route-running have room to improve, his physical gifts and knack for finding space are incredibly encouraging for him to continue rising on this ranking.
George Pickens should wake up everyday and thank God for Russell Wilson.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) November 10, 2024
And every night before Russ goes to sleep, he better thank God for George Pickens.
Because this combo is lethal! #Steelers pic.twitter.com/NskOkEOi8r
12. George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
Stats: 40 receptions, 639 yards, 2 touchdowns
There aren't many receivers stuck in a situation as uncertain as George Pickens. A dominant possession threat, Pickens is at his best when a quarterback blindly throws it his way. Bringing Russell Wilson off the bench has unlocked more of Pickens' potential in the last month, and his efficiency and scoring have skyrocketed.
His giant catch radius and my-ball attitude don't produce the best advanced stats, but the film and raw stats confirm Pickens should be a feared option on every target.
11. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
Stats: 58 receptions, 649 yards, 6 touchdowns
Unsurprisingly, one of the league's top passing attacks has two high-performing receivers doing the bulk of the work for Kirk Cousins.
Drake London doesn't always have the flashy stat line each week, but he's remarkably good at everything he does. The 6-foot-4, 213-pounder has quietly become an elite slot threat while also dominating on jump balls. He ranks eighth in yards and is tied for third in touchdowns caught.
10. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
Stats: 61 receptions, 607 yards, 3 touchdowns
Currently sitting third in the league in receptions, it's hard to imagine Malik Nabers doing more for the Giants than he has despite being a rookie.
Dealing with a non-functional quarterback and offensive line, Nabers has prevailed as an immediate star presence. His smooth route-running and explosive leaping ability have made him the engine for an offense unable to maximize his talent.
jayden reed going for his first hundo yard game to start ya mornin. pic.twitter.com/kPqWavGOZ1
— RELAX (@itssRELAX) February 3, 2024
9. Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
Stats: 36 receptions, 620 yards, 3 touchdowns
There's no more efficient receiver than Jayden Reed when blending catch rate and yards per catch. Only Nico Collins, A.J. Brown, and Pierce have more yards per catch than Reed, but Reed has more receptions than each.
The dynamic slot receiver is the driving force of Green Bay's passing game with his elite creation ability post-catch. We want his drop rate to improve, but Reed is an X-factor regardless.
8. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Stats: 28 receptions, 553 yards, 3 touchdowns
A knee injury cost A.J. Brown a month's worth of playing time, disrupting the best start to any of his six seasons. In six games, Brown has balanced his usual catch-point dominance with elite field vision and power post-catch.
A threat to take every target for 20 or more yards, Brown appears primed to make a run at the top spot on this list over the remainder of the year.
7. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Stats: 32 receptions, 567 yards, 3 touchdowns
We'd likely see Nico Collins leading the NFL in most key categories if he hadn't suffered a hamstring injury in Week 5.
He gets pushed down our list several spots because he's only played in five games, but he's also been so good in that month-plus that he's still a top-10 threat. Averaging a ridiculous 17.7 yards per catch and forcing seven missed tackles, Collins is a true WR1.
6. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Stats: 65 receptions, 704 yards, 5 touchdowns
A slow start to the season made Garrett Wilson look like potential trade fodder, but the tables quickly turned in subsequent weeks. Even the acquisition of Davante Adams had little effect on Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers fed the explosive target more frequently.
The interesting part is how Wilson is so productive despite not being in an offense that plays to his strengths. His yards after the catch mark pales compared to his performance on contested catches, which tells that Wilson could do even more on a unit more tailored to his talent.
5. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
Stats: 50 receptions, 688 yards, 3 touchdowns
The last six weeks have brought about an epiphany for Zay Flowers. Following up a great rookie season wasn't going to be easy after Baltimore added more playmaking, but Flowers has emerged as the top option nonetheless.
No longer just a short-yardage possession threat, Lamar Jackson has figured out Flowers is as equally dangerous against man coverage as he is streaking through zones. His versatility playing inside and outside, plus comfort on downfield routes, has helped Baltimore redefine its offense as much as anything else.
4. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
Stats: 59 receptions, 681 yards, 4 touchdowns
One of the most unique playmakers in the league because of his alignment splits and production after the catch, CeeDee Lamb is still a feared presence, even as the Cowboys have crumbled around him.
We'll see whether he can continue to get the ball with Dak Prescott on injured reserve, but Lamb was stellar until this past game. He remains near the top of the leaderboard in yards after the catch, ADOT, and contested catches completed.
HE'S LOCKED IN
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) November 10, 2024
📺 #PITvsWAS CBS pic.twitter.com/tVE08dYkVt
3. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
Stats: 47 receptions, 711 yards, 6 touchdowns
Before the Washington Commanders drafted Jayden Daniels, it seemed as though the public had forgotten about Terry McLaurin as a true star playmaker. His production was consistently good but could have been better.
However, Daniels' aggression and competency have McLaurin on pace to set career highs across the board. He's one of the premier speedsters in the league.
2. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Stats: 53 receptions, 831 yards, 5 touchdowns
Now, in Year 5, it's clear that Justin Jefferson is a production machine regardless of his quarterback and surrounding cast. All of his numbers are in line with his absurdly impressive career averages, including yards per reception, yards after the catch, and contested catch rate.
It's hard to say anyone is more impressive than Jefferson because he does it weekly, but another former LSU star has been slightly better.
1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Stats: 66 receptions, 981 yards, 10 touchdowns
Ja'Marr Chase is the most dangerous threat defenses can face in any given week and is leading the NFL in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
His two massive showings against Baltimore have accounted for 21 receptions, 457 yards, and five touchdowns, but Chase has been excellent even when he's not putting up huge raw numbers. He leads the NFL with yards after the catch and has only dropped three targets.
