In an evolving NFL, the value of a talented wide receiver has exploded like Apple stock in the 2000s. The position has become the second highest-paid spot on the offense, trailing only the quarterbacks who get them the ball. This year has already been the backdrop for multiple king’s ransom trades that shipped superstar wideouts to new homes in exchange for massive draft considerations.
That encapsulates the two most reliable ways to build a top-heavy receiving corps. Players like Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams and AJ Brown were each available in megadeals this offseason. Meanwhile, Day 1 of the NFL Draft has dropped stars like Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb onto Sunday rosters in recent years.
A true WR1 is a rising tide for offenses across the league. That impact can be limited if the rest of the boats out there aren’t seaworthy. The best passing attacks are more than just the sum of their parts; they’re an ecosystem where everyone on the field plays a role, even when they aren’t being targeted.
With that in mind, let’s take a potentially futile shot at ranking 2022’s top wideout rotations. These rankings focus primarily on each team’s presumptive top four receivers headed into the season. Depth at a position often beset by injury was a plus, but star power in the top two spots ultimately played a larger role.
Who looks the strongest for the upcoming season?
