Top 5 NFC East wide receivers in 2024 - NFL Rankings
Since Dak Prescott took over as starting quarterback in 2016, the Dallas Cowboys have completely dominated the NFC East, despite their sporadic losses to the Eagles. In 2024, they hope to win the division again. Although the division gained strength overall this offseason, it appears that the Cowboys and Eagles will compete fiercely for the top spot once more.
That being said, some of the league's most gifted players continue to reside in the NFC East. The defensive line roster is self-evident, but there are also some elite players in the wide receiver position.
In light of this, let's order the division's top five wide receivers.
#5. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
DeVonta Smith is right up there with Tee Higgins of the Bengals and Jaylen Waddle of the Dolphins as the greatest WR2 in the NFL, if not better. Smith, the No. 10 overall choice in the 2021 draft, committed to an extension this offseason, one year ahead of schedule. His current yearly salary of $25 million puts him eighth among receivers.
Considering Smith's skill and output from his first three seasons, that may be a steal. Though Smith's first season saw him record 916 receiving yards and five scores, the NFL isn't exactly nice to rookie wide receivers. In 2022, he backed that up with 95 receptions for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns. Surprisingly, he finished tenth in yards and eleventh in catches as a secondary option.
Although Smith's stats from the previous season weren't as spectacular, they were nonetheless impressive: 81 catches for 1,066 yards and seven touchdowns. Pro Football Focus reports that he was more effective and placed ninth in terms of average depth of target (subscription required).
The former standout player from Alabama would definitely strive for a top-10 ranking if he wasn't in the same offense as A.J. Brown.
#4. Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys
Cooks and Giants first-round pick Malik Nabers were tied for the lead. Cooks was chosen in the end even though Nabers already appears to be a star in offseason workouts and has not yet played in the NFL. The former LSU standout will undoubtedly be among the top five the next season.
Cooks showed last year that he was still as effective as ever despite finishing third in the target rankings behind Jake Ferguson and CeeDee Lamb.
Cooks, 30, caught 54 catches for 657 yards. He was one score short of a career-high with eight touchdowns, his highest total since 2016. A staggering 70.3% of his receptions moved the chains, and his 38 first downs were his most in three seasons. It was a career high as well.
For someone who didn't even play in the offense during the season's opening month, they are outstanding stats. The relationship between Cooks and Dak Prescott during spring workouts was fantastic, so anticipate an improved second season for the 11-year veteran in Dallas.
#3. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
The fact that Washington hasn't improved Terry McLaurin's quarterback play is disheartening. Colt McCoy, Dwayne Haskins, Case Keenum, Kyle Allen, Alex Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Garrett Gilbert, and Sam Howell are among the quarterbacks McLaurin has caught passes from in five seasons.
McLaurin has nevertheless recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in four straight seasons. When Washington stunned the eventual champion Buccaneers in the wild card round of the 2020 season and took the NFC East by storm, he was nothing short of extraordinary. He hauled in a career-high 87 receptions for 1,119 yards and four scores that season.
McLaurin was tenth with 1,192 receiving yards in 2022, earning him a spot in his first Pro Bowl. He possesses some of the stickiest hands in the game and is a beast in contested catches. Regrettably, the team he plays for has caused his exceptional talent to go unnoticed.
After the franchise was sold and quarterback Jayden Daniels was chosen with the second overall pick in Washington, McLaurin might at last receive the respect he deserves in 2024.
#2. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
The Cowboys' supporters will never let A.J. Brown forget getting dominated by Stephon Gilmore during the team's rout of the Eagles in Week 14. But without a doubt, one of the league's most feared receivers is Brown.
Brown has caught more receptions in his two seasons with the Eagles than he did in his three years in Tennessee. Only two receivers, Tyreek Hill and CeeDee Lamb, have more receiving yards than him (3,509), and he ranks tenth in catches during that time. His 18 touchdowns rank sixth as well.
Brown set an NFL record in 2023 by having at least 125 receiving yards in six straight games. He has also been selected for two second-team All-Pro teams. This offseason, Brown was rewarded by the Eagles with a massive contract deal worth $32 million year, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in the history of the NFL. Although Brown's AAV has subsequently been topped by Justin Jefferson, Brown still deserves to be in second place.
#1. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb had to be the one. In short, no football receiver has been better than the Cowboys' superstar over the past two seasons without Tyreek Hill. Lamb has been the top player in catches since 2022, second in receiving yards and touchdowns, and third in targets.
To put it plainly, Lamb has no defense. According to Pro Football Focus, he has the most touches (10 yards or more) in the NFL with 189 since 2021. Despite having eight more targets than any other receiver last season, he finished fourth in yards per route ran and had the fourth-lowest drop rate.
Lamb is just entering the prime of his career, having only turned 25 in April. He's definitely established himself as one of the top five receivers in the world, and if he continues to produce similar stats this season, he may be able to move up that list.
If Lamb didn't make the First Team All-Pro and place among the top three candidates for Offensive Player of the Year, that would be shocking. That sums everything up.
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