The Minnesota Vikings fanbase has been spoiled with high level WR play throughout the team’s history. The current WR is no exception to that norm. Justin Jefferson is nearly unanimously in the Top 2 WRs (Jefferson, Chase) and for my money the best WR in the league. Addison didn’t have the leap in production in Year 2 like the team would’ve hoped, but he’s still a high level WR 2 in this league.
Today, it is being reported the Dallas Cowboys are trading for Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens in exchange for a 3rd round pick in 2026 and a pick swap in 2027. If you start looking around the league, those two might not even be Top 5 in starting WRs. That has me wondering, does our fan base look at our starting WRs as the best in the league or does someone else have a better combo?
Justin Jefferson & Jordan Addison – Minnesota Vikings
Last season Jefferson didn’t have a monster game against anyone in particular. He was consistently productive and had one of the best years of his career. Addison was expected to have his first 1,000 yard season and didn’t quite produce to his expectation. Hoping JJ McCarthy can help get Addison there in year 3.
Jefferson – 1,533 yards & 10 TDs
Addison – 875 yards & 9 TDs
Jamar Chase & Tee Higgins – Cincinnati Bengals
If the question was asked which duo had the best 2024 season, it would be a runaway win for the Bengals. Chase had his best year ever and Higgins did all that damage in 9 starts (12 games). The Bengals paid both of their WRs this offseason and we’ll see if they continue to produce at this elite level. They’re probably the right answer to the poll question, if we’re being fair.
Chase – 1,708 yards & 17 TDs
Higgins – 911 yards & 10 TDs
CeeDee Lamb & George Pickens – Dallas Cowboys
Lamb produced last year with his starting QB missing 9 games. Much like Jefferson with the Vikings, he has had to figure out how to produce no matter who plays QB. Pickens is extremely talented and had a strong year in 2023 with 1,140 yards. He took a step back with Wilson/Fields last year.
Lamb – 1,194 yards & 6 TDs
Pickens – 900 yards & 3 TDs
Tyreek Hill & Jaylen Waddle – Miami Dolphins
Hill is definitely on the back 9 of his career. The 123 targets in 2024 were his least since 2019 with the Chiefs. Hill has only ever missed one game with the Dolphins and is one year removed from a 1,799 yard, 13 TD season. Waddle seemed to be on his way to stardom in 2022 with 1,356 yards, but he’s been trending down the last few seasons. He has missed a few games and hasn’t seemed to be able to recapture that production when Hill isn’t putting up big numbers on the other side.
Hill – 959 yards & 6 TDs
Waddle – 744 yards & 2 TDs
AJ Brown & DeVonta Smith – Philadelphia Eagles
The Super Bowl winning duo are hard to defend. Both players missed 4 games last year and the Eagles were able to piece it together all season. When healthy, they can be productive. The Eagles were able to ride Saquon Barkley to the Super Bowl win and didn’t need the big stat lines from their WRs.
Brown – 1,079 yards & 7 TDs
Smith – 833 yards & 8 TDs
DJ Moore & Rome Odunze – Chicago Bears
Really Chicago’s strength is the 3rd WR with Keenan Allen. I put Odunze in the top 2 because Allen is on the decline and Odunze should step up in year 2. They were already nearly the same in production last season. Caleb Williams has no reason he can improve in year 2 with these three targets.
Moore – 966 yards & 6 TDs
Odunze – 734 yards & 3 TDs
Amon-Ra St. Brown & Jameson Williams – Detroit Lions
St. Brown finally started getting recognition for being a top WR in the league. He isn’t in the conversation with Jefferson and Chase, but he’s in that next grouping. Williams has been touted as the next great thing. He finally has a productive season in 2024 with 1,001 yards. His 1,396 yard tally through 3 seasons is unimpressive. If he can stay on the field, for once, Williams could easily leapfrog his teammate.
St. Brown – 1,263 yards & 12 TDs
Williams – 1,001 yards & 7 Tds
