In today’s NFL, it’s no longer acceptable to have just one top-end receiver. The league has become so pass-heavy that teams need to have at least two solid receivers to have an effective passing attack.
Today, we are taking a look at the top wide receiver duos as we look to see where the Raiders new pairing of Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams rank. Without further ado, let’s dive into the rankings!
5. Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams
One of the most underrated receiver duos in the NFL is the paring of Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods in Los Angeles. While Cooper Kupp has been a big part of the Rams success as well, it was Woods and Cooks who helped carry the team to the Super Bowl last season.
In 2018, Cooks and Woods were one of the most productive duos of receivers, combining for 2,423 receiving yards on 166 receptions. Both players finished inside of Pro Football Focus‘ top-20 receivers last year, dominating each played well over 1,100 snaps.
They pair well together as Cooks does most of his work down the field and Woods makes plays closer to the line of scrimmage. Both are fantastic route runners and each can play anywhere on the field to give defenses different looks. They are one of the most versatile receiver tandems in the NFL.
While they may not have some of the same “star” power as other receivers on this list, they just know how to make plays week in and week out.
4. Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams, Oakland Raiders
Heading into the 2019 offseason, the Raiders had a massive need at receiver. The team’s leading receiver last season was Jared Cook, and he is currently a free agent.
However, first-year general manager Mike Mayock has dramatically improved his receiver room and now has one of the best wide receiver duos in the league in Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams.
It’s not hard to make the case that Brown is still the league’s best receiver. In 15 games last season, Brown caught 104 passes for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns, the most of his career. While there will certainly be a transition period for Brown and Derek Carr, he’s too talented not to be productive in Oakland.
Acquiring Brown wasn’t enough for Mayock as he needed to find a suitable complement to his new No.1 receiver. Enter Tyrell Williams. What makes Williams special is that he doesn’t need a lot of targets to be effective. His role is to stretch the defense and create big plays. He has proven that he can do that consistently, averaging 16.3 yards per reception in his career.
While these do haven’t even played a game with the Raiders yet, they are already one of the best duos in all of the NFL.
3. Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs
Arguably the fastest wide receiver duo in the league, Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins make for the perfect pair of receivers for Patrick Mahomes. Both excel at making plays down the field, but can also do enough near the line of scrimmage to keep defenses honest.
Hill was a star last season, making as he was a first-team All-Pro selection for the second time in his career. He caught 87 passes for 1,479 yards and 12 touchdowns in the Chiefs’ high-flying offense. He’s still learning the position, but he might be the league’s best deep-threat since Randy Moss. Hill is arguably the most difficult receiver to defend in the NFL.
Opposite him is Watkins, who struggled to stay healthy last season. However, he was highly productive and efficient when he played, catching nearly 73 percent of his intended targets. Watkins caught 40 passes in 9 starters, averaging 13 yards per reception.
Both players still just 25-years old and should continue to be one of the toughest cover assignments in the NFL.
2. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
Last season, you could have made a pretty strong case that Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen were the best tandem of receivers in the NFL. Both are considered No.1 receivers as they are two of the best route runners in the NFL.
In 2018, the duo combined for nearly 2,400 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns, despite playing with a new starting quarterback for the third year in a row. According to Pro Football Focus, both Thielen (No.5) and Diggs (No.19) finished inside the top-20 in their grading this season.
Thielen primary plays in the slot while Diggs does most of his damage on the outside. However, what makes these two special is how versatile they are. Both can play all over the field and can win by creating separation with ease. You can make a pretty good case that Thielen and Diggs deserve the No.1 spot on this list.
1. Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns
While they have yet to play a down together in the NFL, the best receiver duo in the league is none other than Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. The former LSU teammates are now together again as they team up in Cleveland to help bring the Browns back to the playoffs.
Beckham and Landry are incredibly talented, but it’s the fit that makes them a special duo. Beckham can run any route and thrives as an outside receiver. He also can win down the field and after the catching, which is truly a rare combination for a receiver to have. Beckham just doesn’t have any major flaws in his game.
Landry, on the other hand, does his best work out of the slot and on third down. He’s not afraid of going across the middle and making catches in traffic. With Beckham likely doing most of his work on the outside, Landry is a perfect target for Baker Mayfield in the middle of the field.
It wouldn’t be a shock to see the tandem come close to 3,000 receiving yards next season with the Browns.
