NB: We have restricted the list below to players in their prime years, so excellent, older receivers such as Mike Evans and Davante Adams have been left out.
1) Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
The quality of receivers across the NFL at present is sky high. And Smith-Njigba is a cut above the rest. There are faster and more physical wideouts, but none have the precise, impossible to cover route running of JSN. Most receivers have a tell that hints at their next move. Not Smith-Njigba though: defensive backs have to guess and second guess his movements, which leads to consistent, easy separation and massive yardage totals.
The 24-year-old’s talent is so great that he quickly ended DK Metcalf’s time in Seattle and took over the offense, leading them to the Super Bowl last season. Smith-Njigba is the key to Seattle’s offense, not Sam Darnold at quarterback. Any league average passer could be elevated to playoff success throwing to Smith-Njigba.
After seven games this season he is closing in on 1,000 receiving yards. He almost broke 1,800 yards in 2025 but, at this pace, he could be the first NFL receiver to crack 2,000 yards in a season.
2) Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Not a lot was thought of Nacua heading into the 2023 draft. He was seen as a decent option as a slot receiver or a gadget guy. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein’s assessment wasn’t exactly glowing: “Nacua is an athletic wideout lacking the twitch or speed to attack man coverage at a successful rate. However, the ball skills and competitive nature he brings to the field give him a fighting chance to make a roster.”
Teams were put off by his lack of speed – his 40-yard dash was the 37th-best among wide receivers drafted in 2023 – and he fell to the Rams in the fifth round. But the NFL isn’t all about straight-line speed. He did well in the combine’s gauntlet drill – which involves running across the field while catching balls fired from either side – and Nacua reached the highest top speed of any receiver who did not miss a catch.
What’s even more special is how quickly he adapted to the NFL. His first game: 10 receptions for 119 yards. Lucky start? Nope. Game two: 147 yards. He had an off day on his third outing with “only” 72 yards. Game four he roared back with 163 yards and a touchdown. The only knock on the 25-year-old is his availability – he has only played all 17 games once in his career – and he has been mired in off-field issues. But when he’s on the field he has been ultra consistent, and could go for 1,500 yards this year, despite missing a couple of games.
3) Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals top receiver in yards this season is Tee Higgins by a wide margin, but Chase is still the leader – alongside Joe Burrow – of Cincinnati’s offense. That includes in the locker room too. On Sunday, Chase gave a stirring half-time speech after the Bengals went into the break 13-0 down.
“I came in here screaming, saying, ‘Somebody’s got to make a play for us, somebody got to make a play,’” Chase said after the game. “And I told our offense we can’t look at our defense the whole time. We’ve got to step this shit up and make something work.”
And they did. The Bengals scored five unanswered touchdowns to obliterate the Ravens for a vital victory in the ultra competitive AFC North. Chase’s elite speed, agility and phenomenal hands are a nightmare for defenders. He often starts seasons slowly, so expect great things to come from a player capable of unparalleled production. Chase’s has three career games of 200 or more receiving yards, the best in the NFL among active players.
4) Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings star is in a tricky spot. His talent is undeniable, as is his track record. At the start of the season his 8,480 yards receiving since 2020 were the most for any player in the first six years of their career. That total includes last year though, when Jefferson recorded his lowest total for receiving yards, touchdowns and first downs. Then again, he did have JJ McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer throwing him the ball.
And in another season in which Minnesota’s defense is doing the heavy lifting, Jefferson is still on good form despite an uninspiring cast of quarterbacks. He already has more touchdowns (3) than he did in the whole of last season, and there are signs that Kyler Murray could be able to give him the service he deserves.
Against the Saints, Murray went all-in with a fastball to Jefferson in the back of the endzone amid blanket coverage. It all looked so simple as Jefferson popped and came down with the ball, while falling backwards, for the touchdown. Hopefully Murray can give Jefferson a few more moments like that as the 6-0 Vikings builds towards the playoffs.
The best of the rest
Zay Flowers, Amon-Ra St Brown, Chris Olave, CeeDee Lamb, Christian Watson, (honorary tight end inclusion) Trey McBride and Higgins all have a case here but Drake London gets the nod owing to untapped potential and immense physicality. He always appears to be open, thanks to a 6ft 4in frame, brilliant hands and great route running. He lacks speed but the 25-year-old is as close as it gets to a Mike Evans clone. He would be accruing similarly impressive stats if the Atlanta Falcons had more competent quarterback play. A rogues gallery of Desmond Ridder, Kirk Cousins, Marcus Mariota, Taylor Heinicke and Cooper Rush have stymied London’s numbers since he joined the NFL in 2022, but in 19 games with Michael Penix at quarterback he has 1,822 yards and 10 touchdowns. Penix is good but by no means great, and London still has much more to offer.
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