Ranking The Top WRs Of 2022

Ronald Martinez. Getty Images.

I recently ranked the Top 100 players in the NFL, but now will break them down by position groups. Here's how I view the Wide Receivers going into this season. 

Note: DeAndre Hopkins was intentionally left off the list as he's suspended for the first six games of the season.

16) Hunter Renfrow - Las Vegas Raiders

His route running, especially around the goalline is a WEAPON. He came into the league as a slot receiver but he's so much looser than the traditional slot WRs we've seen like Julian Edelman, Wes Welker, Brandon Stokley etc. I mean these routes are just unguardable.

He will be great in Josh McDaniels' offense which places more importance on the slot WR.

15) D.J. Moore - Carolina Panthers

D.J. Moore is sneaky really good. You may not draft him high in fantasy because the Panthers QB situation is a mess and he's never scored more than 4 TDs in a single season, but he possesses a lot of what you're looking for in a WR. He's not tall, only 6'0", but he's a thick guy at 210 lbs. and his catch radius is surprising. He has tremendous body control and regularly makes outstanding grabs and then has the speed to run away from you. If he gets an actual QB he's a guy that could be near the top of the league in receiving yards.

14) Chris Godwin - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There is uncertainty about his injury and if he'll be ready for Week 1. His ranking here is under the assumption he will be ready for Week 1. He plays the 'big slot' role in the Bucs offense which has been popularized by guys like Hines Ward and Larry Fitzgerald. Not only is he super dependable anywhere on the field, but he is PHYSICAL. One of the best blocking WRs in football and he regularly makes big plays a lot bigger.

13) Keenan Allen - Los Angeles Chargers 

The Chargers could be the best offense in the NFL next year and Allen is clearly their best Receiver. While he doesn't have elite timed speed, the quickness in which he gets in and out of his breaks always has DB scrambling.

12) DK Metcalf - Seattle Seahawks

Metcalf has a reputation based on his Combine of only being able to run fast in a straight line, but he's so much more than that. He's turned into a good route runner. He was much higher in last year's rankings, but he struggled with Russell Wilson missing some games this past season. Going into 2022 with Drew Lock expected to start at QB can he get back to producing at an elite level?

11) Terry McLaurin - Washington Commanders

Scary Terry just got PAID with a 3-year extension worth up to $71M and he deserved it. Coming out of Ohio State, his route running or speed was never in question, but more his durability. Well he's been plenty durable in the NFL and played all 17 games in 2020. With Carson Wentz at the helm, I'm looking for McLaurin to set a career-high in both receiving yardage and touchdowns this season.

10) CeeDee Lamb - Dallas Cowboys

Lamb had a strong rookie season in 2020 with 74 catches for 935 yards and 5 TDs, but he followed that up with an even bigger sophomore season with 79 catches for 1,102 yards and 6 TDs. He's physical and a nightmare with the ball in his hands. With Dallas trading Amari Cooper to Cleveland this off-season, it's Lamb's show in Big D and I'm expecting him to deliver big.

9) A.J. Brown - Philadelphia Eagles

Brown was surprisingly dealt on Draft Night for 1st and 3rd Round Draft Picks and then immediately rewarded with a 4-year $100M deal. When he's on the field, he's capable of carrying an offense, but he's been nicked up in each of his first three seasons. Can he stay healthy in Philly and help Jalen Hurts get to the next level?

8) Mike Evans - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans is 6'5" and played last year at 226 lbs. He is a guy that based on that size and strength, cannot really be jammed.

He's really on the same page with Tom Brady. If he's ever singled up without Safety help, the ball is likely going to #13.

7) Justin Jefferson - Minnesota Vikings

Justin Jefferson is a technician. His release and footwork are just incredible. He does have average size for the position, but he can go get balls with his athleticism. With just two years in the NFL he's already over 3,000 receiving yards and has 17 TDs. How much higher can he climb??

6) Stefon Diggs - Buffalo Bills

The top pass catcher for the AFC's top scoring offense, Stefon Diggs is a crafty route runner with an excellent release. He had a lot of top Cornerbacks running in circles last season.

5) Davante Adams - Las Vegas Raiders

Adams got out of Green Bay and reunites with his old college teammate Derek Carr. Adams was arguably the top WR in football the past few years, can he move from an MVP in Aaron Rodgers to Carr and see little to no drop-off? What we do know is those two have chemistry already…

4) Deebo Samuel - San Francisco 49ers 

We're assuming he stays on the 49ers because that is the best case for Deebo situation-wise. It's a run-first offense that caters to his exact skill set. Kyle Shanahan & co. really used him perfectly last year as Deebo can be a tough run-after-catch Receiver, but also run the ball out of the backfield. He finished with 77 grabs for 1,405 receiving yards while running it at a 6.2 yards per carry clip on 59 carries. He also knows how to put it in the paint with 14 total TDs.

3) Ja'Marr Chase - Cincinnati Bengals

So I think the Bengals made the right move to go with Ja'Marr Chase over Penei Sewell. Chase put on a rookie season the likes of which we've never seen before. 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 TDs. He also put up another 25 catches for 368 yards and 1 TD in that magical playoff run. He's Joe Burrow's guy so there is no reason to think he won't continue to be a monster for years to come.

2) Tyreek Hill - Miami Dolphins

I know he's not with Patrick Mahomes anymore, but he is just a gamechanging Receiver. And no matter what team he suits up for, his speed and elusiveness travel. I am interested to see what this Dolphins offense looks like with two undersized speedsters in Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but I do know that Hill is going to draw a lot of attention. And based on previous history, he'll still put up big numbers. For anyone that takes issue with having Hill this high, he's the only guy in the league that can do stuff like this:

1) Cooper Kupp - Los Angeles Rams

We tried to tell you before last season that Kupp is the real deal. Both Mintzy & I were the only fantasy analysts on record to question why people were ranking Robert Woods over his teammate Cooper Kupp. With the addition of Matthew Stafford, it didn't make sense.

And boy did Kupp deliver. 145 catches for 1,947 yards and 16 TDs and NFL Offensive Player of the Year. The dude is just nasty. Sean McVay does a nice job moving him around so make it harder for the defense to key on him, but his route running is just phenomenal.

And you think slot Receiver and picture a smaller guy like a Wes Welker or Julian Edelman, but Kupp has good size and is solidly built at 6'2" 208 lbs. The guy was clutch time after time this season, including the playoffs. Especially in the play that absolutely broke my heart.

Here's the full list: