Ranking the top wide receiver groups in the AFC

Wide receivers hold a ton of value in today’s pass-heavy NFL. We saw it in this year’s NFL Draft, where six of the picks in the first round were wide receivers (the most of any position in the first round). Teams and GMs are becoming more aware of how important a good WR corps is to sustaining success. Below, I will rank the top-5 WR groups in the AFC (for the sake of this article, I will be including receiving tight ends as well).

No. 5: Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas filled some big holes on their roster this offseason, not only adding Chandler Jones, but also going out and getting Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target, Davante Adams. Adams has continuously been an elite WR in this league year after year. He will now go from Rodgers, to Derek Carr. Derek Carr is a good QB, but I don’t think many give him credit where it’s due. This is a great signing for the Raiders as they were in desperate need of a #1 WR.

Darren Waller is one of the elite TEs in the league, as well. Coming off an injury in 2021, Waller is still projected as a top 3 TE, and might even get more usage this year as teams are going to be keying in on Adams. The Raiders also recently re-signed Hunter Renfrow to a 2-year extension. Renfrow stepped up in a huge way in the second half of last season and ended the season as one of the best pass catchers in the league. With those three leading the pass-catching group in Vegas, Carr will have plenty of options to choose from this year.

No. 4: Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have done a tremendous job over the last couple years filling out their roster as well as helping Justin Herbert in his development. Keenan Allen, who is getting up there in age, is still one of the most reliable targets in the league. Allen finished with over 100 receptions and over 1,000 yards once again. Mike Williams had a breakout year last year, finishing with over 1,100 yards for the first time in his career. These guys are a two-headed monster for opposing defenses. Williams’ size mixed with his speed make him a big-play threat on the outside, while Allen’s intelligence and route running abilities make him a very reliable target over the middle of the field and on third downs.

Unfortunately for the Chargers, while their WR1 and WR2 are studs, the rest of their WRs lack experience. Their #3 WR, Joshua Palmer, isn’t going to be turning many heads in upcoming seasons. They did acquire Gerald Everett at TE, who should be a safe, reliable target for Herbert this season. Everett quietly had a nice season with Seattle last year, posting career highs in receptions, yards and TDs.

I’m expecting the Chargers to be one of the top teams in the AFC this year, and with Williams and Allen leading the way, they will continue to help Herbert put up big numbers

No. 3: Miami Dolphins

It’s no secret the Dolphins have one of the most balanced rosters on paper, which includes their WR group. They went out and snagged Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs. Hill, along with second-year WR Jaylen Waddle, will make for arguably the fastest WR duo in the league. Waddle had a terrific rookie season with the Dolphins, and now with Hill in the mix, these Dolphins’ WRs are going to be difficult to slow down. Waddle finished with over 100 receptions and 1000 yards in his rookie season, and I fear that with Tyreek Hill now, that makes Waddle more dangerous.

Mike Gesicki is still a weapon at the TE position, however the Phins don’t seem to take advantage of his skillset as much as they should. Gesicki is a big and talented TE with great hands, and perhaps with more attention being drawn towards Hill and Waddle, that could open up Gesicki for more looks down the middle of the field.

We know the Dolphins have a talented receiving corps. Hill is one of the league’s best, Waddle is a stud and going to get better at WR, and Gesicki is a very talented TE. They also drafted rookie WR Erik Ezukanma in the 4th round in this past year’s draft, and they expect him to play a role as well. We’ll see if Tua Tagovailoa can take advantage of this stellar WR group he has this year.

No. 2: Buffalo Bills

The Bills have one of the best WR cores in not just the AFC, but in the league. The group is headed by Stefon Diggs, of course, but now we are seeing several other players step up into bigger roles for this coming year. Gabriel Davis is poised to have a breakout year as he steps solely into the #2 WR position after his record-setting playoff performance last season against the Chiefs. Even though the Bills lost Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasley, they added Jamison Crowder to fill in the slot. Crowder, who has been a productive WR in the NFL, will play a big role in this offense coming out of the slot. He finished with 51 receptions for 447 yards and 2 TDs last year, while missing 5 games. And do not forget he also had rookie QB Zach Wilson throwing him the ball. I’m expecting Crowder to have a big year in the slot with Allen and the Bills.

The Bills also re-signed Isaiah McKenzie. We can be sure that McKenzie will play a much bigger role than he did last year now with Cole Beasley gone. McKenzie had some high praise for Beasley as well, and definitely learned some tips and tricks from the veteran about playing the slot receiving role. I’m sure we’re all very excited to see how Dorsey utilizes McKenzie’s skillset and speed this year. After his breakout game against the Patriots last season, we’re all ready to see him take the next step.

Dawson Knox and OJ Howard round out the TE position for 2022. Knox had a breakout year last year and we expect him to do it again this year, and now with Howard in the mix, the Bills have some serious talent at the TE position. Up and down, this Bills receiving corps is going to be tough to stop. You take away Diggs, Davis will burn you down the field. Take away the outside, McKenzie, Crowder and Knox will feast on the inside. With the rocket arm of Josh Allen throwing the ball, opposing defenses are going to be spinning in circles trying to catch up to this group.

No. 1: Cincinnati Bengals

Many of you were probably expecting the Bills to earn the top spot in a Built In Buffalo News ranking. However, it is difficult to deny the Bengals WR corps being the best group in the AFC. They are loaded from top to bottom and it always seems like at least one of them breaks out each game. Ja’Marr Chase is already an elite WR in the league. He’s lightning fast and has terrific route-running abilities. He finished his rookie campaign with 81 receptions, 1400 yards and 13 TDs! Tee Higgins, who could be a #1 WR on a lot of teams, is their #2 WR. Higgins flies under the radar a lot in the NFL, but he is a big and strong WR who can go up and make plays for his QB – and he did that a lot last year. I witnessed it firsthand, as I had to face Higgins in my fantasy playoffs in Week 16. He went off for 13/194/2 against the Ravens, ultimately ending my fantasy season…

And of course, a Bills fan favorite for his game-winning touchdown which sent the Bills to the playoffs for the first time in 17 years, Tyler Boyd. Boyd as their #3 WR is about as good as you can get at the WR position in the NFL.

They lost CJ Uzomah, but added TE Hayden Hurst to fill his spot, which could be seen as an upgrade at the position to some. The speed, physicality and route running abilities by this Bengals WR group is what makes them so dangerous. While Buffalo could absolutely take the #1 spot, the Bengals showed why they were so good last year. Cincy’s WRs were a huge reason for Burrow’s success in his 2nd year. The Bengals were 5th in the NFL in “Yards After Catch” as they had many routine slants that they were able to turn into breakaway touchdowns. Chase and Higgins both seemed to do this on a weekly basis.

Wrap Up

Over the course of the 2022 season, we could absolutely see the Buffalo Bills jump into that No. 1 spot in the AFC, especially if Davis has the year we’re all expecting him to have and McKenzie gets involved more.