Ranking all 32 NFL receiving corps from worst to best
With the NFL draft and the major part of free agency in the rearview mirror, rosters around the league are taking shape. In a four-part series, theScore's football editors rank all 32 teams by their total talent at quarterback, pass-catcher, running back, and defense. Depth charts are projections of teams' post-training camp rosters.
Next up are the receiving corps.
Position Group Rankings
QB l REC | RB l DEF (Fri.)
| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Terry McLaurin | Jeremy Sprinkle |
| Kelvin Harmon | Hale Hentges |
| Steven Sims Jr. | Richard Rodgers |
| Trey Quinn | Logan Thomas |
| Cody Latimer |
McLaurin totaled over 900 yards a rookie, but nobody else on Washington even reached 400. In fact, Harmon, Sims, and Sprinkle only registered 916 yards between them for the futile Redskins in 2019. Don't feel bad if you're unfamiliar with many of the names on this chart.
31. New England Patriots| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Julian Edelman | Matt LaCosse |
| Mohamed Sanu | Devin Asiasi |
| N'Keal Harry | Dalton Keene |
| Marqise Lee | |
| Jakobi Meyers |
Beyond Edelman, whose production over the last several years was tied partially to Tom Brady, the picture here is bleak. Sanu, Lee, and Meyers will all be fighting for roster spots whenever training camp opens, while Harry is only locked in because he was a first-round pick a year ago. The Patriots are banking on Asiasi and Keene, a pair of rookie third-round tight ends, to produce immediately.
30. New York Jets
Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty| WR Depth | TE depth |
|---|---|
| Jamison Crowder | Ryan Griffin |
| Breshad Perriman | Chris Herndon |
| Denzel Mims | Daniel Brown |
| Josh Doctson | |
| Braxton Berrios |
The Jets lost their No. 1 receiver to free agency and Quincy Enunwa to injured reserve. Until second-round pick Mims gets up to speed, Sam Darnold will have to rely on the uninspiring trio of Crowder, Perriman, and Doctson.
29. Tennessee Titans| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| AJ Brown | Jonnu Smith |
| Corey Davis | Anthony Firkser |
| Adam Humphries | MyCole Pruitt |
| Kalif Raymond | |
| Cameron Batson |
Brown emerged as a Rookie of the Year candidate late last season and has usurped Davis as the alpha male of this group. But he's a big-play threat and not a high-volume target, catching more than four passes in just three of his 20 career games. Davis all but disappeared after a promising 2018 campaign, and Humphries' 374 yards isn't worth his $9-million average annual salary.
28. Chicago Bears| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Allen Robinson | Jimmy Graham |
| Ted Ginn Jr. | Cole Kmet |
| Anthony Miller | Adam Shaheen |
| Riley Ridley | Demetrius Harris |
| Cordarrelle Patterson |
Robinson remains a top-tier wideout, but the jury is out on his supporting cast. Ginn adds a downfield option to the group, while Miller and Ridley work the intermediates. Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy are determined to find their quarterbacks a viable option at tight end, spending handsomely on a long-past-his-prime Graham and using their top draft pick on Kmet.
27. Green Bay Packers| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Davante Adams | Jace Sternberger |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | Marcedes Lewis |
| Allen Lazard | Robert Tonyan |
| Devin Funchess | Josiah Deguara |
| Equanimeous St. Brown |
After Adams, it gets ugly. The Packers are relying mostly on a collection of unproven youngsters and took a flier on Funchess, who drops too many passes and only played in one game last year because of a broken collarbone. Green Bay has high hopes for Sternberger, but the former third-round pick had more drops (one) than receptions (zero) in the first six outings of his career.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| DJ Chark | Tyler Eifert |
| Dede Westbrook | James O'Shaughnessy |
| Laviska Shenault Jr. | Josh Oliver |
| Chris Conley | |
| Keelan Cole |
While young and athletic, the Jaguars' group of receivers is still unproven. Chark is coming off a 1,000-yard, eight-touchdown season, and he'll benefit from the addition of Shenault. But as dynamic as the second-round pick is, Shenault comes with durability concerns and underwent core muscle surgery in March.
25. Miami Dolphins
Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / Getty| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| DeVante Parker | Mike Gesicki |
| Allen Hurns | Durham Smythe |
| Preston Williams | Michael Roberts |
| Albert Wilson | |
| Jakeem Grant |
Parker appears to have finally come into his own after breaking out with 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns in 2019. The rest of the receivers are merely placeholders for the rebuilding Dolphins. Gesicki was the team's second-leading receiver in yards and touchdowns and will likely be counted on to do the same in his third year.
24. Minnesota Vikings| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Adam Thielen | Kyle Rudolph |
| Justin Jefferson | Irv Smith Jr. |
| Tajae Sharpe | Tyler Conklin |
| Bisi Johnson | |
| Chad Beebe |
Stefon Diggs' departure left the Vikings with plenty of question marks as they rounded out their corps at the draft. Jefferson is likely to start as a rookie, though Sharpe, who hasn't managed more than 500 yards since 2016, could challenge him for playing time. Rudolph is coming off a 367-yard campaign and is on the wrong side of 30, while Smith was mostly a nonfactor as a rookie after being picked in the second round.
23. Baltimore Ravens| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Marquise Brown | Mark Andrews |
| Willie Snead | Nick Boyle |
| Miles Boykin | Charles Scarff |
| Devin Duvernay | |
| Chris Moore |
The Ravens boast the NFL MVP and led the league in rushing in last season, but they're still adding weapons for Lamar Jackson. Brown and Andrews did the heavy lifting in 2019 but will have third-round pick Duvernay to help pick up some of the slack this year.
22. Las Vegas Raiders| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Tyrell Williams | Darren Waller |
| Henry Ruggs III | Jason Witten |
| Hunter Renfrow | Foster Moreau |
| Nelson Agholor | Nick O'Leary |
| Bryan Edwards |
Last year, the Raiders' receiver pairing was supposed to be Williams and Antonio Brown. This year, it's Williams and Ruggs, the fastest player in the draft. Williams is a No. 2 or No. 3 receiver masquerading as a No. 1, and he'll have to continue doing so until Ruggs assumes the position. Vegas must also hope Waller's breakout season wasn't a mirage, though its lengthy tight end depth chart would suggest that regression is a possibility.
21. San Francisco 49ers| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Deebo Samuel | George Kittle |
| Kendrick Bourne | Ross Dwelley |
| Brandon Aiyuk | Daniel Helm |
| Dante Pettis | Charlie Woerner |
| Travis Benjamin |
The Niners were thought to be a receiver away from the Super Bowl when they traded for Emmanuel Sanders. Now, Sanders is gone, but Aiyuk may be an even better fit for the 49ers' offense. Kittle, the best tight end in football, elevates the entire unit.
20. Denver Broncos
Eric Lutzens / Denver Post / Getty| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Courtland Sutton | Noah Fant |
| Jerry Jeudy | Jeff Heuerman |
| KJ Hamler | Albert Okwuegbunam |
| DaeSean Hamilton | Jake Butt |
| Tim Patrick | Nick Vannett |
The Broncos are oozing potential after selecting Sutton, Jeudy, Hamler, and Fant within Rounds 1 and 2 of the last two drafts. Jeudy slipped to Denver midway through the opening round despite being widely considered the best receiver in a loaded 2020 draft class. While it's an exciting group on paper, Sutton, a 2019 Pro Bowler, is currently the only established wideout.
19. Indianapolis Colts| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| T.Y. Hilton | Jack Doyle |
| Zach Pascal | Trey Burton |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | Mo Alie-Cox |
| Parris Campbell | Xavier Grimble |
| Marcus Johnson |
The Colts' continued search for a playmaker opposite Hilton has led them to Pittman, a 2020 second-round pick. Philip Rivers' addition, Campbell's return to health, and Hilton's and Pittman's presence should be enough to enliven a pass offense that ranked 30th a year ago.
18. Philadelphia Eagles| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Alshon Jeffery | Zach Ertz |
| DeSean Jackson | Dallas Goedert |
| Jalen Reagor | Josh Perkins |
| Marquise Goodwin | |
| JJ Arcega-Whiteside |
If Jeffery and Jackson can stay healthy, the Eagles have a chance to field one of the league's most dangerous units. But those are major ifs considering the pair's injury history, and the receivers behind them are more specialty players than go-to guys. Ertz and Goedert form a stellar tight end tandem, but they struggled to compensate for the receivers' shortcomings last season.
17. Atlanta Falcons| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Julio Jones | Hayden Hurst |
| Calvin Ridley | Jaeden Graham |
| Russell Gage | Khari Lee |
| Laquon Treadwell | |
| Christian Blake |
The Falcons saw Austin Hooper walk in free agency and downgraded when they acquired Hurst to replace him. Atlanta has also lost depth at wide receiver over the last couple of years, leaving Jones and Ridley to shoulder most of the load.
16. Seattle Seahawks| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Tyler Lockett | Greg Olsen |
| DK Metcalf | Will Dissly |
| Phillip Dorsett | Jacob Hollister |
| David Moore | Colby Parkinson |
| Freddie Swain | Luke Willson |
Lockett and Metcalf paired nicely in their first year together, registering 15 touchdowns between them. However, the additions that Seattle made to the group around them raised some questions. Dorsett has disappointed at each of his previous stops, and 35-year-old Olsen hasn't produced since 2016.
15. Carolina Panthers
Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| DJ Moore | Ian Thomas |
| Robby Anderson | Seth DeValve |
| Curtis Samuel | Chris Manhertz |
| Seth Roberts | |
| Keith Kirkwood |
Christian McCaffrey probably should be included in this group. After all, he did manage 1,005 yards on a team-leading 116 catches. Moore and Samuel are developing into the mainstays they were drafted to be. Anderson is entering the fray, but while he's often referred to as a No. 1 receiver, he's only surpassed 800 yards once in his four seasons.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | Eric Ebron |
| Diontae Johnson | Vance McDonald |
| James Washington | Zach Gentry |
| Chase Claypool | |
| Ryan Switzer |
Smith-Schuster took a major step back in 2019, though injuries and poor quarterback play contributed. On the bright side, Johnson improved throughout his rookie season, and Washington showed an ability to make plays down the field. The Steelers signed Ebron and drafted Claypool to round out a solid, young core of pass-cachers.
13. Detroit Lions| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Kenny Golladay | T.J. Hockenson |
| Marvin Jones | Jesse James |
| Danny Amendola | Isaac Nauta |
| Geronimo Allison | |
| Marvin Hall |
Matthew Stafford spreads the ball around evenly among his top three targets; Golladay, Jones, and Amendola each caught between 62 and 65 balls in 2019. Hockenson petered out after his record-setting debut, and much more will be expected of him in his sophomore year. Detroit has relied on its aerial attack for years and, with this collection of pass-catchers, will likely do so again in 2020.
12. New York Giants| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Golden Tate | Evan Engram |
| Sterling Shepard | Kaden Smith |
| Darius Slayton | Levine Toilolo |
| Corey Coleman | |
| Cody Core |
The Giants may not have a true No. 1, but they boast a slew of weapons who could be considered No. 2s. Tate, Shepard, and Engram are all solid possession receivers, and Slayton showed big-play potential during his eye-opening rookie season. Coleman hasn't lived up to his first-round billing but has value as a tertiary option.
11. Los Angeles Chargers| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Keenan Allen | Hunter Henry |
| Mike Williams | Virgil Green |
| Andre Patton | Stephen Anderson |
| Joe Reed | Donald Parham Jr. |
| Darius Jennings |
Whoever lines up under center for the Chargers will have two 1,000-yard receivers to chuck to. Allen is as steady as they come, while Williams has evolved into a big-play threat, averaging 20.4 yards per catch last season. There isn't much in the form of depth behind them, however, and you can never count on a full season from Henry.
10. Los Angeles Rams
Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Robert Woods | Tyler Higbee |
| Cooper Kupp | Gerald Everett |
| Josh Reynolds | Brycen Hopkins |
| Van Jefferson | |
| Nsimba Webster |
Despite losing Brandin Cooks, the Rams still own a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Kupp and Woods. The addition of Jefferson, a second-round pick, makes for a fearsome trio. Higbee and Everett are underrated tight ends, giving quarterback Jared Goff a handful of dynamic options.
9. Cincinnati Bengals| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| AJ Green | CJ Uzomah |
| Tyler Boyd | Drew Sample |
| Tee Higgins | Cethan Carter |
| John Ross | |
| Auden Tate | |
| Alex Erickson |
The Bengals had four receivers eclipse 500 yards last season while Green missed all 16 games with an ankle injury. They added Higgins with the 33rd pick, and he should be of particular use in the red zone thanks to his contested-catch abilities. Green, Boyd, Higgins, and Ross bring different skill sets to the table, giving Cincinnati one of the NFL's more well-rounded groups.
8. Houston Texans| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Will Fuller | Jordan Akins |
| Brandin Cooks | Darren Fells |
| Randall Cobb | Jordan Thomas |
| Kenny Stills | |
| Keke Coutee |
Even without DeAndre Hopkins, the Texans may have the league's deepest pool of receivers. Fuller, Cooks, and Stills have deep speed for days, though injuries are a concern with all three. Akins flashed promise last year and figures to take over as the primary tight end after doubling his production from his rookie to sophomore seasons.
7. Buffalo Bills| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Stefon Diggs | Dawson Knox |
| John Brown | Tyler Kroft |
| Cole Beasley | Lee Smith |
| Isaiah McKenzie | |
| Robert Foster |
The Bills now have the No. 1 receiver they sorely needed after trading for Diggs. Brown and Beasley are each coming off career years, but it would have been a lot to ask them to replicate their numbers. Inserting Diggs into the top of the depth chart pushes the others into more suitable roles in the offense.
6. Arizona Cardinals| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| DeAndre Hopkins | Maxx Williams |
| Larry Fitzgerald | Dan Arnold |
| Christian Kirk | Darrell Daniels |
| Andy Isabella | |
| KeeSean Johnson |
Hopkins' arrival gives Arizona a legitimate No. 1 receiver and moves Fitzgerald and Kirk into more comfortable roles as second and third options. The Cardinals drafted three receivers in 2019, including Isabella and Johnson, who should ascend in their second year. Tight end is more of a weakness, as all three should be fighting for a roster spot, not a starting job.
5. New Orleans Saints
Sean Gardner / Getty Images Sport / Getty| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Michael Thomas | Jared Cook |
| Emmanuel Sanders | Josh Hill |
| Tre'Quan Smith | Adam Trautman |
| Taysom Hill | Taysom Hill |
| Tommylee Lewis |
Thomas can lay claim to the title of the NFL's best receiver after a record-setting campaign that netted him Offensive Player of the Year honors. And now he finally has some receiving help. Thomas will still see his share of double-teams, but that'll be a much more dangerous proposition with Sanders streaking down the field. Cook appeared to finally find his place in the offense late in the season and finished the year with nine touchdown grabs.
4. Dallas Cowboys| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Amari Cooper | Blake Jarwin |
| Michael Gallup | Dalton Schultz |
| CeeDee Lamb | Blake Bell |
| Devin Smith | |
| Cedrick Wilson |
Some teams have better depth among their pass-catchers, but few have more raw upside than the Cowboys. Cooper commands extra attention at all times, while Gallup took a huge step as a sophomore and trailed Cooper for the team lead in receiving by fewer than 100 yards. Lamb could have a monstrous rookie campaign since he'll generally be matched up against No. 3 corners, and there's still room for Jarwin - who should have played ahead of Witten last year - to get some, too.
3. Cleveland Browns| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Odell Beckham Jr. | Austin Hooper |
| Jarvis Landry | David Njoku |
| Damion Ratley | Harrison Bryant |
| Rashard Higgins | |
| Donovan Peoples-Jones |
Beckham wasn't at his best in his first season with the Browns but is still among the elites at his position. Landry, meanwhile, is terrific out of the slot and posted a career-high 1,174 yards in 2019 while raising his yards-per-reception average to a personal-best 14.1. Hooper and Njoku offer plenty of promise for first-year head coach Kevin Stefanski.
2. Kansas City Chiefs| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Tyreek Hill | Travis Kelce |
| Sammy Watkins | Ricky Seals-Jones |
| Mecole Hardman | Deon Yelder |
| Demarcus Robinson | |
| Byron Pringle |
No team matches the Chiefs' speed, as their top four wide receivers can all take the top off a defense with ease. Hardman stepped up as a rookie when Hill was out of the lineup and appears poised for a breakout sophomore campaign. Kelce is coming off his fourth straight 1,000-yard season and is the game's top tight end from a receiving standpoint.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty| WR Depth | TE Depth |
|---|---|
| Mike Evans | Rob Gronkowski |
| Chris Godwin | OJ Howard |
| Tyler Johnson | Cameron Brate |
| Scott Miller | Jordan Leggett |
| Justin Watson |
The lone knock against the Buccaneers is their lack of depth out wide, but with so much depth at tight end, it hardly matters. Evans and Godwin form the best receiver duo in the league, while Gronkowski figures to thrive as a third option even if he isn't what he once was. He and Howard should see plenty of snaps in the slot to keep both on the field and make up for the absence of an established No. 3 wideout.
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