Canal Street Chronicles
Where do the top pass catchers in the league settle in?
As we progress with our positional rankings across the division landscape, the next set to be ranked is the wide receiver rooms.
The number one target in Dallas, CeeDee Lamb, is entering his sixth year. Lamb also secured his fourth consecutive 1,000+ receiving-yard season in 2024. The Cowboys made a move in May to get George Pickens from Pittsburgh in exchange for two future mid-round draft picks.
There is a bright future ahead at WR for the Giants. Malik Nabers, a 24’ first-round draft pick out of LSU, burst onto the scene and established himself as one of the top young receivers in the league. He hauled in 109 receptions for more than 1,200 yards last season. New York also has reliable options like Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton.
Super Bowl LIX champions Philadelphia Eagles have an explosive offense, thanks in large part to arguably the top WR duo in the league. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have caused opposing defenses many headaches over the last three seasons as teammates.
The Washington Commanders made it to the NFC Championship game last year, but fell just short of winning it all. WR Terry McLaurin was the lead threat in the offense, but Washington made a big trade after the season’s end to bring in Deebo Samuel Sr. from San Francisco. Speed will rule in 2025.
The Ravens possess a unique situation with a three-headed WR monster that features Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and DeAndre Hopkins. After playing in SBLIX with Kansas City last year, Hopkins signed a one-year deal to join Baltimore in hopes of making another deep playoff run.
Cincinnati has an elite receiver duo of its own with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase joined an exclusive company last season as he became just the fifth wideout since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to achieve the “Triple Crown,” leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Only Jerry Rice, Sterling Sharpe, Steve Smith Jr., and Cooper Kupp had done so previously.
In Cleveland, there are a couple of new faces around. Jerry Jeudy was traded to the Browns ahead of last season after spending the previous four seasons in Denver with the Broncos. The Browns also signed Diontae Johnson this offseason after he had a whirlwind campaign that saw him bounce around Carolina, Baltimore, and Houston.
Pittsburgh has been active in the trade markets as of late. In addition to trading away Pickens to Dallas last month, the Steelers made another move in March, enabling them flexibility at the WR spot. PIT brought in longtime Seattle Seahawk DK Metcalf to bolster their offense.
In addition to DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, the Chicago Bears...
