The NFL is well into a pass-happy era defined by prolific playmaking wide receivers. With a lot of those terrific pass-catchers across teams, it's not easy picking the top 25 at the position going in 2020. But ranking the best of the best is a fun task because it requires a deep dive into football's most dominant downfield dynamos.
Stats tell a good part of the story in rating wide receivers, but the overall impact on their teams' quarterbacks and offenses also deserves plenty of attention. There's also the eye test, seeing how one great playmaker stands out from another.
Considering their most recent production in 2019 and balanced by their upside for this season, here's how the league's elite wideouts stack up against one other.
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NFL wide receiver rankings 2020
1. Michael Thomas, Saints
Thomas, 27, simply doesn't drop passes, and his smooth route-running connection with Drew Brees also helps add to his amazing 80.5 percent catch rate. He broke Marvin Harrison's record with his reception total last year. Thomas is as good as it gets with his intermediate consistency as 91 of his catches went for first downs last season. He also averaged 107.8 yards per game and racked up 582 yards after the catch.
2019 stats: 149 catches on 185 targets, 1,725 yards, 9 TDs, 11.9 yards per reception
2. Julio Jones, Falcons
Jones is 31 but hasn't showed signs of slowing down yet with his big-play ability. He has great speed and quickness for an extremly physical receiver at 6-3, 220 pounds. He positions his body well on routes and is intimidating as ever when rumbling downfield. Jones is locked in with Matt Ryan going into their 10th year together and has a new strong No. 2 in Calvin Ridley.
2019 stats: 99 catches on 157 targets, 1,394 yards, 6 TDs, 14.1 yards per reception
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3. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
Godwin is a technically sound receiver, coming off his breakout season before turning 24. He was this good for Tampa Bay and can be greater with Tom Brady as that QB's ideal type of intermediate-to-deep target with slot versatility. Godwin turned 63 of his catches into first downs and got a massive 591 yards after the catch. He is made to be the GOAT's new go-to guy.
2019 stats: 86 catches on 121 targets, 1,333 yards, 9 TDs, 15.5 yards per reception
4. DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals
Hopkins' yards per catch went down a little during his final season with the Texans, but as he turns 28 for his new team, there's still plenty of top all-around playmaking still left. Hopkins came into the league smart and has added savvy with a knack to get consistently open. Being separated from Deshaun Watson is tough, but he can get revved up again for Kyler Murray in a high-volume passing offense.
2019 stats: 104 catches on 150 targets, 1,165 yards, 7 TDs, 11.2 yards per reception
5. Davante Adams, Packers
Adams was having a monster game against the Eagles on Thursday night of Week 4 (10 catches, 180 yards) before his midseason was derailed by a serious toe injury. He went back to his big scoring ways in the second half. He's fully trusted to make big catches for Green Bay as Aaron Rodgers' dominant go-to guy. At 6-1, 215 pounds and still only 27, Adams is cut from the same cloth as Thomas and also doesn't get enough credit for delivering chunk plays when needed.
2019 stats: 83 catches on 127 targets, 997 yards, 5 TDs, 12.0 yards per reception
6. Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
Hill battled through clavicle and hamstring injuries in 2019, which were the only things that managed to slow down the blinding speedster, and only a little bit. Hill was ready to dart for game-changing plays in Super Bowl 54 against a tough 49ers secondary after a dazzling AFC playoff run.
2019 stats: 58 catches on 89 targets, 860 yards, 7 TDs, 14.8 yards per reception
7. Mike Evans, Buccaneers
At 6-5, 231 pounds, Evans presents a very difficult challenge to cover downfield with his exceptional vertical receiving skills. The 26-year-old has benefited well from the rise of Godwin and gives Brady his best deep threat since Randy Moss.
2019 stats: 67 catches on 118 targets, 1,157 yards, 8 TDs, 17.3 yards per reception
8. Amari Cooper, Cowboys
Cooper, who turns only 26 in June, runs all the routes at a high level, providing a good blend of big plays and clutch passes. His presence has helped Dallas turn the corner into an elite passing team with Dak Prescott, and now CeeDee Lamb is joining Michael Gallup to boost Cooper.
2019 stats: 79 catches on 119 targets, 1,189 yards, 8 TDs, 15.1 yards per reception
9. Tyler Lockett, Seahawks
Lockett has worked himself into becoming a complete, durable receiver after using his speed to make his initial big-play mark in Seattle. At 27, Lockett is locked into Russell Wilson all over the field with terrific inside-outside versality, both a chain-mover and field-stretcher depending on how he's needed.
2019 stats: 82 catches on 110 targets, 1,057 yards, 8 TDs, 12.9 yards per reception
10. A.J. Brown, Titans
Brown didn't get going until the second half of his rookie season when Ryan Tannehil emerged and started throwing downfield passes to him. But once he did, he was a nightmare with his speed and strong build. He's the perfect home-run hitter off play-action with plenty of after-the-catch juice because of his quickness, too.
2019 stats: 52 catches on 84 targets, 1,051 yards, 8 TDs, 20.2 yards per reception
11. Courtland Sutton, Broncos
At 6-4, 216 pounds, Sutton looks the part of a classic No. 1, and even with some QB lumps in 2019, he put up numbers to match. Sutton can both go up and get the ball over smaller cover men and blow by guys to get open deep. He's Drew Lock's clear go-to guy and will be helped by Jerry Jeudy arriving as a serious second outside threat.
2019 stats: 72 catches on 124 targets, 1,112 yards, 6 TDs, 15.4 yards per reception
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12. Allen Robinson, Bears
Robinson goes into his age 27 season after rediscovering his earlier Jacksonville promise in Chicago, thanks to staying healthy. He's produced now with both Blake Bortles and Mitchell Trubisky, so there's hope Nick Foles can lift him further from the front end. Robinson is so solid all-around to the point he can be sneaky spectaular.
2019 stats: 98 catches on 154 targets, 1,147 yards, 7 TDs, 11.7 yards per reception
13. D.J. Moore, Panthers
Moore had a monster second season despite some QB shakiness all season. He was superb at getting open consistently, well positioned to show off his after-the-catch skills. He's lived up to his prolific status from college and is the ideal No. 1 for Teddy Bridgewater.
2019 stats: 87 catches on 135 targets, 1,175 yards, 4 TDs, 13.5 yards per reception
14. DeVante Parker, Dolphins
Parker, who battled injuries early in his career as a 2015 first-rounder and was often in the doghouse of former offensive-minded head coach Adam Gase, put it all together as a late bloomer in 2019, earning a worthy big new contract. He took over games everywhere, helped by Ryan Fitzpatrick treating him like his true No. 1 profile at 6-3, 216 pounds.
2019 stats: 72 catches on 128 targets, 1,202 yards, 9 TDs, 16.7 yards per reception
15. Keenan Allen, Chargers
Allen doesn't have as much young flash as some ahead of him on this list, but at 28, he's as smooth as it gets running routes and catching most of what's thrown accurately his way. He's built up his durablity and also has plenty of versatility, seamless going in the slot when needed.
2019 stats: 104 catches on 149 targets, 1,199 yards, 6 TDs, 11.5 yards per reception
16. Kenny Golladay, Lions
At 6-4, 214 pounds, Golladay is another one of those classic No. 1 big playmakers. The 27-year-old was a long-ball machine and also proved to be one of the best scorers from anywhere at the position. He can go quiet at times, but when he makes noise downfield, it's very loud.
2019 stats: 65 catches on 116 targets, 1,190 yards, 11 TDs, 18.3 yards per reception
17. Deebo Samuel, 49ers
Samuel needed some time to emerge as San Francisco's top wideout as a rookie, but he got there as expected with his great hands and explosive skills, both in getting open deep and rumbling for big yards after the catch. He should be better with Jimmy Garoppolo in 2020 wih help from a new rookie dynamo, Brandon Aiyuk, on the other side.
2019 stats: 57 catches on 81 targets, 802 yards, 3 TDs, 14.1 yards per reception
18. Terry McLaurin, Redskins
Between Brown, Samuel, McLaurin and the Seahawks' DK Metcalf, the second-year force is strong at the position. Whether you call him "Scary Terry" or "F1", McLaurin, at 6-0, 210 pounds, lives up to both of those nicknames as an intimidating speedster. Imagine what he could do with much-improved QB play in a now more downfield-oriented passing game.
2019 stats: 58 catches on 93 targets, 919 yards, 7 TDs, 15.8 yards per reception
19. Robert Woods, Rams
As Allen is to the other Los Angeles team in the NFL, Woods is to this one. At 6-0, 195 pounds, the 28-year-old is the ultimate technician, doing what he needs to do get open on intermediate routes for Jared Goff, with occasional home-run ability.
2019 stats: 90 catches on 139 targets, 1,134 yards, 2 TDs, 12.6 yards per reception
20. Stefon Diggs, Bills
Diggs left a pretty productive situation in Minnesota with Kirk Cousins and Adam Thielen, hoping he can be more of a true No. 1 for Buffalo ahead of John Brown. Diggs' downfield skills would seem to mesh well with the big arm of Josh Allen, if the third-year QB can show more deep-ball accuracy. Diggs also is an underrated red zone threat for his size (6-0, 191 pounds) and can do plenty of damage if needed in the slot.
2019 stats: 63 catches on 94 targets, 1,130 yards, 6 TDs, 17.9 yards per reception
21. Jarvis Landry, Browns
At 27, Landry has found a strong second home after Miami as Baker Mayfield's most trusted target. Despite battling through a hip injury last season, he was prolfiic with the highest yards per catch of his career, reminding everyone he's as comfortable outside as he is in the slot.
2019 stats: 83 catches on 138 targets, 1,174 yards, 6 TDs, 14.1 yards per reception
22. Odell Beckham Jr., Browns
Beckham also grinded well for the Browns last season, showing increidble toughness playing through a sports hernia injury. His numbers have cooled a little, and there's some durability concern going forward for a 5-11, 198-pound wideout at 27. OBJ has a chance to rocket back into the top 10, but all the receivers ahead of him well deserved their place in the pecking order based on both production and potential.
2019 stats: 74 catches on 133 targets, 1,035 yards, 4 TDs, 14.0 yards per reception
23. Adam Thielen, Vikings
Thielen is entering his age 30 season coming off.a season marred by a hamstring injury. Now he will continue to face tougher coverage working primarily outside with Diggs gone, replaced by rookie Justin Jefferson. Thielen, at 6-2, 200 pounds was a great big slot, and with better health, should be more comfortable with the perimeter No. 1 transition complete.
2019 stats: 30 catches on 48 targets, 418 yards, 6 TDs, 13.9 yards per reception
24. Cooper Kupp, Rams
Kupp goes into his age 27 season as the NFL's premier primary slot receiver. He has a very high catch and scoring rate as Goff's situational security blanket. This isn't a knock to have Kupp ranked this "low" — there are just quite a few more dazzling dynamos to prove just how deep this elite receiving group is.
2019 stats: 94 catches on 134 targets, 1,161 yards, 10 TDs, 12.4 yards per reception
25. D.J. Chark, Jaguars
Here's one more third-year wideout to round out the rankings. Chark more than scratched the surface of his classic No. 1 potential at 6-4, 198 pounds. He came in billed as a speedy deep threat from LSU, but he worked to become more complete in Year 2 with help from QB, Gardner Minshew, who will remain well locked into Chark's go-to skill set.
2019 stats: 73 catches on 118 targets, 1,008 yards, 13.8 yards per reception
