The NFL has become a league where a wide receiver can thrive. Whether it be the AFC East, AFC South, AFC North, AFC West, NFC West, NFC North, NFC South, or NFC East, there are premier options at the position.
Who were the best players at wide receiver last season? These are the receivers that made the biggest mark on each game this past season.
Top 10 Wide Receivers in the AFC West
10. Keenan Allen
A disregarded draft pick so many years ago, Allen has since become one of the best receivers in the league, especially the last four years. Allen was 11th in the NFL this season in yards with 1,243. While other receivers (like Mike Williams) were missing games or failing to live up to their lofty draft status (Quentin Johnson), Allen was there, a complete receiver that continues to deliver.
9. Davante Adams
The go-to man for the Las Vegas Raiders, Adams had a down year for himself: 103 catches, 1,144 yards, and eight touchdowns. The former second round pick has often been a pick for the best wide receiver in the NFL the last few seasons even when he isn’t playing up to his own standards.
8. Travis Kelce
It’s been an interesting year for the Kansas City Chiefs. Kelce has never had to make “stay healthy” a priority but injuries have hampered him this year.
Kelce still had 93 catches for 984 yards and five touchdowns. He is often considered to be right there with Davante Adams for the best pass catcher in the division.
7. Courtland Sutton
The Denver Broncos receiver has been one of the more underrated receivers in the NFL. This past season, he stepped up in terms of touchdowns, bringing in 10 in total. He isn’t going to dominate games but has been one of the most effective Broncos receivers in years.
6. Rashee Rice
There is something about Rice that feels different from the rest of the Chiefs. The last few seasons, guys like Marquez Valdes-Scantling have struggled with drops.
Rice has emerged as a dual threat option, putting his speed to good use. With 938 yards and seven touchdowns, he has the potential to become the best wide receiver in the division.
Chiefs rookie Rashee Rice is headed to his first AFC Championship game‼️
"I'm ready to get there." #ChiefsKingdom @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/u1AWBQAyab
— McKenzie Nelson (@McKenzieMNelson) January 22, 2024
5. Jakobi Meyers
As the second option in Las Vegas behind Adams, Meyers was something of a revelation last season. He had one of the best seasons of his career, hauling in 71 passes for 807 yards and eight touchdowns. Heading into the offseason, the Raiders have to feel good about their top two receivers.
Jakobi Meyers 🏴☠️
Is Jakobi Meyers the most underrated target earner in the NFL?
2021: 126 Targets (24.4% TS) 83/866/2 PPR WR30
2022 (14 games): 96 Targets (22% TS) 67/804/6 PPR WR28
2023 (16 games): 106 Targets (21% TS) 71/807/8 PPR WR243 straight PPR top 30 finishes,… pic.twitter.com/rAUeTjRstv
— First And Inches (@1standinches_) January 17, 2024
4. Jerry Jeudy
Jeudy is an interesting receiver. After 67 catches, 972 yards, and six touchdowns last season, he took a step back. This largely had to do with the struggles of the Broncos offense and Sutton taking so many touchdowns. But 758 yards and two touchdowns aren’t quite enough for what is expected of him.
3. Gerald Everett
Though the stats may not show it, Everett emerged as a reliable target for Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
He pulled in more than 50 passes for the second straight year, though his yardage (411) and touchdowns (3) were slightly down. If Herbert can stay healthy and upright, Everett could break out.
2. Joshua Palmer
We’re starting to see the lack of depth in the division now. Palmer was okay in 2023, catching 338 balls for 581 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
His catch total is way down from last season’s 72 and he didn’t come close to the 769 yards from 2022. This was a bad season for the Chargers, so look for Palmer to rebound in 2024.
The Herbert to Joshua Palmer connection seems to be getting stronger each week @Flowercitysown
📺: #LACvsSF on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/IipKo1GfhB— NFL (@NFL) November 14, 2022
1. Austin Ekeler
The Chargers running back gets a pass here, partially because the depth at receiver in the division isn’t great.
With guys like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Juju Smith-Schuster running around, Ekeler makes a bigger impact out of the backfield. He had a down year but still picked up 436 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Key Players to Watch in 2024
Unless something changes with the draft or free agency, the landscape looks virtually the same. The big names like Adams, Kelce, and Allen will be there unless something drastic happens. It depends on who can step up and challenge them.
Rice is probably the biggest name to watch. He’s become a favorite of QB Patrick Mahomes and shows versatility all over the field. Jeudy will be in a make-or-break season, and there is a chance that a top draft pick could put his name into the hat as well.
Historical Context
The NFL has seen a major shift in the role of the wide receiver over the last 30 years. Teams valued the running game more on offense, giving the ball to workhorse backs. Offensive line is still a priority but wide receiver has taken on a bigger role.
The Chargers (then San Diego), the Denver Broncos, and the Raiders (Oakland and Los Angeles) have had some historically great names come through their franchises. With the focus on offense shifting to wide receiver and the line, football looks quite a bit different than it once did.
The Role of Wide Receivers in Team Strategy
Wide receiver has taken on a much bigger role in the modern game. Teams are throwing the ball more than ever and the best wide receiver can be a game-changer (just look at Tyreek Hill in Miami).
In both the short and long game, receivers are difference makers. A fast wide receiver has more value than ever, capable of turning short passes into large gains. Wideouts are also becoming prioritized in the draft as well.
Emerging Talents
The AFC West definitely has a few players at the position that could stand out. Skyy Moore of the Kansas City Chiefs has the talent to be a standout in the NFL but needs to stay healthy. Hunter Renfrow has shown flashes for the Raiders as well.
The biggest wild card is Jerry Jeudy of the Broncos. He had a decent season with 54 catches, 758 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. He has definitely taken a back seat to Sutton on the Broncos and there are games where he disappears. He has struggled with being consistent and needs to have a great training camp going into next season.
Jerry Jeudy in 2022
972 yards
6 tds
He’s gonna cook next year for the broncos. pic.twitter.com/SSu1yN0HIP— Matt (@LandOfNix) January 22, 2024
Final Thoughts on AFC West’s Wide Receivers
The AFC West has typically been home to some truly great players at the position. Though the quality has declined a bit in the past two seasons, the talent is still there (not to mention what free agency could bring in).
With elite quarterbacks like Mahomes and Herbert in the mix, wideouts will be attracted to the AFC West. That should equate to plenty of touchdowns and a better overall year than last season.
