NFL wide receiver rankings ahead of Week 2
By
- Garrett Wilson is already meshing with Justin Fields: He led all receivers in yards per route run (3.80) and passer rating when targeted (155.7) while finishing fourth in threat rate (32.3%) in Week 1.
- Rookie Tetairoa McMillan is well on his way to becoming an NFL star: The eighth overall pick recorded a third-ranked 77.6 PFF receiving grade in his NFL debut.
- Unlock your edge with PFF+: Access Premium Stats, dominate fantasy with in-season tools and projections and make smarter bets with the new PFF Player Prop Tool.
Estimated Reading Time: 17 minutes
We’re diving into the top wide receivers by PFF receiving grade from Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. To qualify, players needed to log at least 25 receiving snaps.
1. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (87.7)
Wilson logged seven catches for 95 yards in the Jets’ Week 1 shootout loss to the Steelers. He gained separation downfield from Darius Slay for a 33-yard touchdown to end the first quarter and nearly recorded a second touchdown catch late in the third, but he was stopped just shy of the goal line to cap a 41-yard completion.
Wilson saw eight targets and moved the chains four times. He led all receivers in yards per route run (3.80) and passer rating when targeted (155.7) while finishing fourth in threat rate (32.3%). The fourth-year wideout gained separation on six of his targets, earning a 93.2 PFF receiving grade on those plays. He also finished sixth in PFF receiving grade against zone coverage (81.5), catching five passes for 51 yards.
2. Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots (80.7)
The third-year receiver out of LSU opened the 2025 season with a six-catch, 103-yard day against the Las Vegas Raiders. Boutte moved the chains five times, hauled in two of three contested catches and recorded three plays of 15-plus yards.
Most of Boutte’s catches came from 10-plus yards downfield, as he secured four of five intermediate targets for 57 yards, along with two of three deep-field targets for an additional 43 yards. Boutte also hauled in all five of his targets where he had at least one step of separation on a defender, recording 89 yards, four first downs and a league-best 96.6 PFF receiving grade on those plays.
3. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers (77.6)
All of McMillan’s production against Jacksonville came against zone coverage, where he caught five passes for 68 yards and recorded the second-best PFF receiving grade (86.6) among wide receivers. Most of his yardage was at the intermediate level of the field, where he tallied 57 yards receiving and three first downs. He was also targeted six times between the numbers, securing four catches.
Coleman had a monstrous game against the Ravens, recording a career-high 11 targets and ranking top two for the week in catches (eight), receiving yards (112) and first downs (six). Coleman recorded four explosive gains, including two catches of 20-plus yards in the fourth quarter as Buffalo mounted its comeback.
The second-year receiver hauled in his first touchdown of the season with four minutes remaining in the fourth, diving to secure a tipped pass along the back of the endzone on a fourth-and-2 play. Nearly all of his production came in the fourth quarter, as he was targeted eight times and brought in seven catches for 95 yards, five first downs and the score.
Coleman finished the night with a 135.4 passer rating when targeted. He tied for first in intermediate PFF receiving grade (92.9) and recorded an 83.1 PFF receiving grade against single coverage (sixth best).
5. Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers (76.8)
Pearsall was targeted six times against Seattle, all 10-plus yards downfield. He caught four passes for 108 yards, moving the chains with each play. Three of his catches went for 20-plus yards, including a 45-yarder late in the fourth quarter where he was stopped just outside the red zone with San Francisco trailing by three.
The second-year receiver earned a 95.2 deep PFF receiving grade, securing three of those four targets for 95 yards. Four of his targets came against zone coverage, and he earned a 90.7 PFF receiving grade on catches where he gained at least a step of separation (three).
6. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (75.0)
Smith-Njigba was targeted 13 times against the 49ers, hauling in nine for 124 yards and six first downs. No other Seahawk saw more than three targets on the day. Smith-Njigba fumbled twice in the fourth quarter, one resulting in a turnover, but he was still able to record five explosive gains with three catches of 20-plus yards. His longest gain was a 40-yard grab with a minute remaining in the game to move Seattle inside the red zone down by four.
Smith-Njigba averaged 5.39 yards per route run (third best) and led all receivers in threat rate (56.5%). Although he ranks third in slot targets over the past two seasons (158), eight of his targets in Week 1 came from out wide, where he secured five catches for 91 yards and four first downs. He was also doubled five times, securing three of those passes for 55 yards and an 84.7 PFF receiving grade.
7. Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders (75.0)
Meyers came out hot against New England, catching eight of 10 targets for 97 yards and five first downs. He gained 42 yards after the catch (third most), averaged 5.3 yards after the catch per reception and led all receivers in yards after contact (24). Meyers also recorded three catches of 15-plus yards, forcing six missed tackles on those plays (first).
The seventh-year pro was targeted five times from the intermediate level of the field, catching three passes for 53 yards. He also secured all three of his doubled targets for 66 yards and a league-best 92.8 PFF receiving grade.
8. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (72.9)
McConkey put up a solid performance in Friday’s game against Kansas City, catching six of nine targets for 74 yards. He gained three first downs and recorded two gains of 15-plus yards. Six of his targets came from the short area of the field, where he secured four catches for 35 yards on his way to a 76.7 PFF receiving grade (fourth best). He also continued to shine on play-action passes after ranking fourth in PFF receiving grade on such plays in 2024, bringing in all three of his play-action targets for 48 yards, two first downs and an 88.1 PFF receiving grade.
Johnston enjoyed a big night against the Chiefs, with five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns. He was able to shed Trent McDuffie on a third-and-3 midway through the first quarter for a five-yard score. He later caught a 23-yard pass to extend the Chargers’ lead to six late in the fourth quarter. Johnston also gained 33 yards on a slide route in the first quarter.
The former first-round pick averaged 7.8 yards after the catch per reception (sixth best) and finished fourth in passer rating when targeted (148.2). Five of his seven targets came in the second half, where he tallied three catches for 41 yards. He was also targeted six times against single coverage, securing four catches for 46 yards and earning a 78.3 PFF receiving grade. Both of his touchdowns came against single-coverage looks.
10. D.K. Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers (72.4)
Metcalf saw seven targets in his Steelers debut, bringing in four for 83 yards and moving the chains each time. Three of his catches went for 15-plus yards, including a long of 31 yards off a screen play to close out the first quarter. Nearly all of his production came from short targets, where he gained 72 yards across three catches. He also finished the week with a league-best 16.8 yards after the catch per reception.
Sutton caught six of his nine targets against the Titans for 61 yards and a touchdown. The score came with 22 seconds remaining in the first half after he separated upfield for a 22-yard catch to give Denver the lead. Sutton gained four first downs and secured two contested catches. Most of his production stemmed from the short area of the field, where he caught four of five passes for 27 yards and two first downs.
12. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (71.4)
Harrison was the only Cardinal receiver with more than one catch in Week 1. He hauled in five of six targets for 71 yards and three first downs, including a 45-yard grab early in the second quarter on which he pulled away from Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. He got the best of him again later on the drive, separating across the middle for a one-yard touchdown catch.
Harrison finished the day with three receptions of 10-plus yards and generated a 155.6 passer rating when targeted (second best).
Evans led the Buccaneers in threat rate (24.2%) against Atlanta, catching five of eight targets for 51 yards and four first downs. Each grab came against zone coverage, and most of his production was between the numbers, where he earned a 75.4 PFF receiving grade (eighth best). Evans also secured two of four contested catches for first downs, earning a 79.2 PFF receiving grade (fifth best).
Zaccheaus was targeted six times on Monday night against the Vikings, all from the slot. He hauled in four passes for 42 yards, gained two first downs, forced two missed tackles and averaged 5.5 yards after the catch per reception, with his longest catch going for 16 yards. Zaccheaus led the Bears in threat rate (23.1%) and paced all receivers in slot target rate (23.1%).
Half of his targets (three) came on conversion downs, and he made two catches on those plays for 19 yards and a first down. All of his receptions came from the short area of the field, where he earned an 82.7 PFF receiving grade (second best).
15. Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots (70.4)
Diggs made his return to the field after suffering a torn ACL in 2024. He caught six passes for 57 yards in his New England debut, two of which were contested targets. His longest gain came midway through the fourth quarter when he was able to split defenders for a 16-yard gain. Six of his seven targets were against zone coverage, and five came between the numbers, where he earned a 72.2 PFF receiving grade.
Pittman was the only Indianapolis receiver to see more than three targets against Miami (eight). He caught six passes for 80 yards and a touchdown, moving the chains four times. His score came on the first play of the second quarter when he slipped behind the cornerback for a wide-open 27-yard path to the endzone, despite falling on the route. He also recorded a 15-yard catch against double coverage late in the third period.
Pittman finished the day with a 145.8 passer rating when targeted. Most of his targets (seven) came against zone coverage, where he earned a 73.1 PFF receiving grade.
17. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (69.9)
London tied for first this week in targets (14) and secured eight passes for 55 yards and two first downs. He also ranked second in threat rate (35.9%) and fourth in zone PFF receiving grade (84.3).
Nine of London’s targets were within nine yards of the line of scrimmage, and he came down with four of those passes for 37 yards.
18. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (69.7)
Higgins caught three passes for 33 yards against Cleveland, gaining two first downs. Each of his grabs went for at least 10 yards. Two came on third downs, an area where he finished third in PFF receiving grade in 2024.
St. Brown hauled in four of his five targets against Green Bay for 45 yards, all first downs. His longest catch of the day was a 19-yard gain that came late in the first quarter. The play came against double coverage, and St. Brown was able to lose his defender on the route and make the catch along the sideline.
Three of his targets came from the slot, where he made two catches. He was also targeted four times against zone coverage.
Shepard was one of three Buccaneers receivers to see at least six targets against the Falcons. He caught three passes for 39 yards, all first downs. He was targeted three times from the intermediate level of the field, and he brought in a 19-yard catch against doubled coverage early in the third quarter. He finished second on the team in threat rate (22.2%).
21. Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (68.1)
The former Ohio State star was targeted six times against Atlanta and finished with four catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns. His first NFL score came midway through the second quarter on a 30-yard catch over fellow rookie Xavier Watts to give the Buccaneers a two-point lead. His second came with a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. Egbuka was able to gain just enough separation over Mike Hughes on a deep route for the touchdown, once again giving Tampa Bay a slim lead.
Egbuka was one of two rookie receivers with a touchdown catch in Week 11. He finished the game with a 143.8 passer rating when targeted (seventh best) and recorded a 33.3% deep target rate (second best among qualifying rookies).
22. Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders (67.9)
Samuel was targeted 10 times in his Commanders debut and hauled in seven catches for 77 yards and three first downs. He tallied three plays of 15-plus yards, with two coming on third-down contested grabs to extend drives. He finished fourth in total yards gained after the catch (41) and averaged 5.9 yards after the catch per reception. Samuel also finished third in threat rate (32.3%).
Nearly all of his production (six targets) came out of the slot. He also secured five catches against zone looks.
23. Ray-Ray McCloud III, Atlanta Falcons (67.7)
McCloud caught all three of his targets against Tampa Bay for 51 yards and three first downs. The eighth-year receiver had his biggest moment with 43 seconds remaining in the game, when he was able to secure a 24-yard catch over a diving Jamel Dean to move Atlanta to midfield while trailing by three.
McCloud forced two missed tackles and finished with a 118.8 passer rating when targeted.
24. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (67.6)
Dak Prescott targeted Lamb a whopping 13 times in the Cowboys’ loss to the Eagles. The wideout caught seven passes for 110 yards and six first downs. He finished second among Week 1 receivers in yards after the catch (43) and yards gained after contact (22). Lamb had three catches of 15-plus yards in the first quarter, including gains of 26 and 32 yards against Adoree’ Jackson in coverage.
Lamb averaged 6.1 yards after the catch per reception and finished in the top two among receivers in yards per route run (3.44) and threat rate (40.6%). He generated a 23.1% deep target rate and secured three of five conversion-down targets for 72 yards/
However, Lamb also had four drops on the night, three in the fourth quarter.
25. Malik Nabers, New York Giants (67.3)
Nabers brought in five of nine targets for 71 yards and four first downs against a stingy Washington defense. Four of his targets were contested, only one of which he caught — a 16-yard grab early in the fourth quarter with rookie Trey Amos on his back. Nabers finished with three explosive gains.
The second-year receiver averaged 5.0 yards after the catch per reception. He was targeted four times from the slot, securing three passes for 62 yards and a 75.7 PFF receiving grade (ninth best).
26. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers (67.3)
Allen, the third Chargers receiver to crack the top 32 after Week 1, led the team with 10 targets in his return to Los Angeles. Although he dropped two passes, he still brought in seven passes for 68 yards and six first downs. On one, he separated in the corner of the endzone for an 11-yard touchdown to close out the third quarter. Earlier in the drive, he forced a missed tackle on a 15-yard gain, his longest of the night. Allen gained 20 yards after the catch and finished in the top 10 in passer rating when targeted (122.1) and threat rate (31.3%).
Four of Allen’s targets came on conversion downs, and he secured each one for three first downs, including his touchdown.
27. Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos (66.7)
The second-year receiver opened the season with four catches for 44 yards against the Titans. He had two catches of 15-plus yards, including an 18-yard gain early in the first quarter. Franklin moved the chains three times and secured two of three slot targets for 11 yards.
28. Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers (66.3)
Austin caught four of his six targets against the Jets for 70 yards with three explosive gains. He found space near the sideline for a 30-yard catch late in the second quarter. Later in the drive, he made a leaping grab over Brandon Stephens to secure a 21-yarder. He got the best of Stephens again in the fourth quarter, this time for an 18-yard touchdown.
Austin finished the day with a 145.8 passer rating when targeted (tied for fifth best).
29. Dont’e Thornton Jr., Las Vegas Raiders (65.8)
The rookie wideout caught two of four targets for 45 yards in his NFL debut, with both receptions going for first downs. Most of his yards came from a 36-yard gain on third-and-20 late in the fourth quarter, where he was able to free himself from Carlton Davis III and then adjust to secure an underthrown pass. The speedster was targeted deep twice, earning a 77.9 PFF receiving grade on those plays.
Robinson was fed plenty against Washington, securing six of eight targets for 55 yards. He gained four first downs, forced a missed tackle and averaged 6.3 yards after the catch per reception.
Nearly all of Robinson’s targets were on conversion downs, where he caught five passes for 48 yards and three first downs. His longest gain came late in the fourth quarter when he picked up 20 yards on a third-and-6 play. Robinson averaged 5.2 yards after the catch per late-down reception.
31. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams (65.5)
Adams saw eight targets in his Rams debut, bringing in four for 51 yards, all first downs. Adams had two drops in the game, but he also hauled in two contested catches and recorded two catches of 15-plus yards over Derek Stingley Jr. Adams finished the game with a 27.6% threat rate (tied for 10th best). He earned a 90.1 single-coverage PFF receiving grade (third best), catching both of his targets for 27 yards.
Smith-Schuster caught each of his five targets against the Chargers for 55 yards and a first down. He forced three missed tackles on the night, all on the same catch, which came midway through the second quarter and went for 16 yards. The ninth-year veteran averaged 5.2 yards after the catch per reception, with all of his targets coming from the short area of the field. He also finished the game with a 112.5 passer rating when targeted.
