Vast receiver has change into probably the most vital positions within the NFL as Ja’Marr Chase, the highest-paid participant at that place, is making over $40 million yearly. Having elite gamers on the skin like that may separate a workforce from their opponents.
However, when you could have two elite vast receivers, complementing each other, opening area for one another to dominate, it leaves a protection with few solutions. Who’re the perfect WR duos getting into the 2025 season?
10. Vikings: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison
Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with Jordan Addison #3 after Addison scored a landing within the first quarter of a recreation in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Area on December 22, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photograph by Steph Chambers/Getty Photos)
The Minnesota Vikings’ offense largely outproduced its expectations final season on the again of quarterback Sam Darnold leveling up, and discovering consistency due to two elite receiving targets in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Now, these receivers must uplift one other unsure quarterback state of affairs with J.J. McCarthy getting his first probability because the starter. Jefferson has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in every of his 5 NFL seasons, together with main the league in catches (128) and yards (1,809) in 2023. Addison led all rookies with 10 touchdowns throughout that 2023 season, as properly. In 2025, nonetheless, Jefferson must carry the load to start out the 12 months, with Addison set to overlook the primary three weeks after being suspended.
9. Commanders: Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel
Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders runs a route throughout an NFL Soccer recreation in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Ford Area on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photograph by Michael Owens/Getty Photos)
The Commanders receiving duo have but to play a snap collectively, however Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel have confirmed their value within the NFL. McLaurin has had over 1,000 receiving yards in 5 of his six seasons, and proven a constant means to beat poor quarterback play. In his prime, Samuel was probably the most versatile receivers within the league, as soon as attaining 1,405 receiving yards, and eight dashing touchdowns in the identical season. Their playstyles must be complementary, with McLaurin on the skin and Samuel on the within, however McLaurin and the Commanders should first agree on contract particulars for the 2 to excel collectively on the sector.
8. Dolphins: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle
Jaylen Waddle #17 and Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins seems to be on in the course of the first quarter of the sport in opposition to the Buffalo Payments at Onerous Rock Stadium on September 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photograph by Megan Briggs/Getty Photos)
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have showcased their twin dynamism as they eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark collectively in each 2022 and 2023. They every took a step again final season with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa coping with accidents and preferring to throw shorter passes when wholesome. However, that is not a mirrored image of Hill and Waddle’s expertise, and they need to have each alternative to return to their earlier type if Tagovailoa can keep upright.
7. Lions: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams
Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 and Jameson Williams #9 of the Detroit Lions look on in opposition to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Area on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photograph by Michael Reaves/Getty Photos)
Final season was the primary once we noticed the potential of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams enjoying alongside each other. Williams stretches the sector along with his pace, whereas St. Brown takes benefit of that area with exact route operating. St. Brown has had over 1,150 receiving yards in every of his final three seasons, and caught a career-high 12 touchdowns final 12 months. Final 12 months, Williams lastly confirmed why the Lions took him twelfth total within the 2022 draft as he averaged 17.3 yards per catch and had 1,001 receiving yards. In 2025, there’s an opportunity St. Brown and Williams attain one other degree collectively as they’re each ascending abilities on a workforce that intends to throw downfield.
6. Buccaneers: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin
Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Mike Evans #13 after he scored a landing within the second quarter of the sport in opposition to the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photograph by Julio Aguilar/Getty Photos)
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have dominated alongside each other for years. Evans stars within the downfield-threat, contested-catch position, whereas Godwin soaks up targets in the midst of the sector. Evans has probably the most spectacular streaks in NFL historical past as the one receiver apart from Corridor of Famer Jerry Rice with 11 straight seasons eclipsing 1,000 yards. He is additionally had double-digit touchdowns in 4 of the final 5 years. Godwin can also be a fairly sure wager to cross 1,000 yards every season. Nonetheless, he is handled two main season-ending accidents. There is a world the place Evans and Godwin proceed to chug alongside as one of many league’s finest duos, however there’s additionally an opportunity the Buccaneers transfer onto to highlighting rookie Emeka Egbuka and second-year receiver Jalen McMillan.
5. Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp
Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks runs after the catch earlier than the sport in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on January 5, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photograph by Ric Tapia/Getty Photos)
If Evans and Godwin are the right puzzle items, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp are essentially the most jagged. Whereas each immensely gifted, their match on the Seahawks collectively is unclear. Smith-Njigba had a breakout season final 12 months, catching 100 passes for 1,130 yards and 6 touchdowns, whereas main the NFL in snaps (701) out of the slot receiver place. That can also be the place Kupp has solidified his legacy. In 2021, when he achieved the receiving triple crown, he was third within the NFL in slot snaps (518). These two have the soccer IQ to discover ways to co-exist, but it surely may very well be a course of that ebbs and flows all through the season.
4. RAMS: Puck Nacua, Davante Adams
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay talks with Los Angeles Rams vast receiver Davante Adams (17) and vast receiver Puka Nacua (12)in the course of the Los Angeles Rams Coaching Camp on July 28, 2025, at Loyola Marymount College in Los Angeles, CA. (Photograph by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)
Puka Nacua and Davante Adams have playstyles that ought to coalesce properly. Whereas the Rams have a tendency to maneuver their vast receivers across the formation as a lot as anybody, it is probably Adams will line up on the skin whereas Nacua performs within the slot. Moreso, Nacua excels between the 20s, whereas Adams has continued to dominate within the purple zone as he ages. They may very well be the right duo, but it surely all hinges on quarterback Matthew Stafford remaining wholesome.
3. Cowboys: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens
George Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys throughout coaching camp observe at Staybridge Suites Oxnard on July 30, 2025 in Oxnard, California. (Photograph by Ric Tapia/Getty Photos)
George Pickens is essentially the most gifted vast receiver CeeDee Lamb could have performed with but. Whereas they have not taken a regular-season snap collectively, Lamb has been raving about their match all through coaching camp. Pickens is likely one of the finest downfield, contested-catch receivers within the NFL, having led the league in yards per reception (18.1) in 2023. However he isn’t well-rounded sufficient to be a locked-in No. 1 receiver. In Dallas, he does not need to be. Lamb is likely one of the finest receivers within the NFL. He led the NFL in catches (135) in 2023. He can line up wherever, and dominate on deep balls, intermediate targets, and even display screen passes. With Pickens stretching the sector, Lamb could have way more area to function, whereas Pickens will not see many double groups as defenses will key in on Lamb.
2. Eagles: AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith
DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts with A.J. Brown #11 after scoring a landing throughout Tremendous Bowl LIX in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Eagles defeated the Chiefs 40-22. (Kara Durrette/Getty Photos)
The A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith duo was adequate to assist raise the Philadelphia Eagles to a Tremendous Bowl LIX victory. Whereas the Eagles are typically a run-heavy offense, that hasn’t stopped Brown and Smith from posting profitable seasons. Brown has gained over 1,000 yards in 5 of his six NFL seasons, together with twice with the Tennessee Titans. Smith, a former Heisman Trophy winner, has had two 1,000-yard seasons and caught 95 passes in 2022.
1. Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins
Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates his landing with Tee Higgins #5 throughout a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photograph by Harry How/Getty Photos)
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are each alpha vast receivers who occur to be on the identical workforce. When Higgins is wholesome, it is nearly like Joe Burrow does not know who to look to first, and that may be a good drawback as a result of each are inclined to beat their protection. Chase turned the thirteenth totally different NFL receiver to realize a triple crown season final 12 months, main the NFL with 128 catches, 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns.
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