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Ranking the Best NFL Wide Receivers and Tight Ends 2022

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(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Colton Pool @CPoolReporter Aug 18, 2022, 3:24 PM

Several NFL teams were desperate to improve at wide receiver and boosted their NFL playoff odds by adding stars at the position. Standout tight ends certainly help their respective quarterbacks in the passing game as well.

Here’s a ranking of the best wide receiver/tight end groups, which may help you make decisions when looking at NFL betting lines.

2022 NFL Wide Receiver and Tight End Rankings

RankingsPlayerGrade
1Bengals98
2Buccaneers96
3Seahawks95
4Raiders94
5Rams93
6Eagles91
749ers90
8Dolphins89
9Chargers87
10Bills85
11Chiefs82
12Cowboys81
13Vikings80
14Broncos79
15Saints77
16Lions76
17Cardinals75
18Titans74
19Falcons72
20Commanders71
21Steelers70
22Jets69
23Panthers67
24Ravens66
25Patriots63
26Browns62
27Packers61
28Giants60
29Jaguars59
30Bears58
31Colts57
32Texans56

NFL Positional Rankings

Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Offensive Linemen | Defensive Linemen and Linebackers | Secondaries

Wide Receiver and Tight End Rankings, Team by Team

32. Brandin Cooks / Houston Texans (Grade: 56/100)

Cooks is the only proven go-to target on the team. He caught 90 passes for 1,037 yards and six touchdowns last season. He was 25th in DYAR and 44th in DVOA last season, both value metrics from Football Outsiders.

Nico Collins and John Metchie III are both draft picks within the last two seasons who are expected to earn playing time. Brevin Jordan is the Texans’ projected starting tight end.

31. Michael Pittman Jr. / Indianapolis Colts (57/100)

Pittman should demand plenty more targets in 2022. He caught 88 passes for 1,082 yards and six touchdowns on his way to 18th in DYAR and 34th in DVOA.

But no other Colt was in the top 80 in either of those categories. Parris Campbell and Mo Alie-Cox are back for Indianapolis at wide receiver and tight end, respectively. The Colts also drafted Cincinnati’s Alec Pierce in the second round.

30. Darnell Mooney and Byron Pringle / Chicago Bears (58/100)

Mooney can be an electrifying receiver when he’s playing with a consistent quarterback, which hasn’t happened too often. In 2021, he caught 81 passes for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns. He was graded 38th by Pro Football Focus at his position.

The Bears signed Pringle, a former Chief who was second in DVOA and 17th in DYAR last season with 568 receiving yards. They also drafted Velus Jones Jr. in the third round. Cole Kmet is expected to be the Bears’ starting tight end.

29. Christian Kirk and Marvin Jones / Jacksonville Jaguars (59/100)

While the Jaguars may have overspent on him, Kirk will provide a boost to this position group. He had an impressive 2021 as he was eighth in DVOA, ninth in DYAR and 20th with 1,069 effective yards.

Jones led the team in 2021 with 832 yards and four touchdowns on 73 receptions, but he was 60th in DYAR and 64th in DVOA.

Jamal Agnew, Zay Jones, Laviska Shenault and Laquon Treadwell all could compete for targets, but none were better than 35th in DYAR or DVOA last year. Evan Engram was added at tight end but wasn’t in the top 50 for his position in DVOA or DYAR last season for the Giants.

28. Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney / New York Giants (60/100)

Golladay, who was picked up with a lucrative free agent deal last offseason, was 84th in DVOA and DYAR. Shepard, Toney and Darius Slayton all have made impressive plays, but none of them were better than 70th in DYAR or DVOA last season. 

Ricky Seals-Jones is in line to be the Giants’ starting tight end.

27. Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins and Robert Tonyan / Green Bay Packers (61/100)

The Packers lost a significant amount of talent in Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling this offseason. Lazard, who was fifth in DVOA and 21st in DYAR, is the leading returning receiver after racking up 513 yards, 40 receptions and eight touchdowns.

They picked up Watkins via free agency and Christian Watson, a second-round pick from North Dakota State, via the draft in hopes of helping Aaron Rodgers. Tonyan is back for Green Bay at tight end after playing just eight games in 2021.

26. Amari Cooper and David Njoku / Cleveland Browns (62/100)

Cooper is the only player on the roster who’s been a consistent receiving threat. Acquired via trade with Dallas, he was 23rd in DYAR and 29th in DVOA last season after totaling 865 yards, 68 receptions and eight touchdowns.

Donovan Peoples-Jones and third-round pick David Bell are other projected starters. Njoku was 11th in DVOA and 12th in DYAR among tight ends last season.

25. Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers and Hunter Henry / New England Patriots (63/100)

Bourne caught 55 passes for 800 yards and five touchdowns on his way to becoming the No. 1 receiver according to DVOA and 14th by DYAR. Meyers was New England’s leading receiver with 866 yards, 83 catches and two touchdowns in 2021. He was 70th in DYAR and 72nd in DVOA. 

Nelson Agholor was 62nd in DYAR and 57th in DVOA last season. The Patriots added DeVante Parker in hopes of bolstering their receiving corps.

Henry and Jonnu Smith will likely see playing time at tight end again in 2022. Henry caught 50 throws for 603 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns. Smith recorded 294 yards and one score on 28 receptions.

24. Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman / Baltimore Ravens (66/100)

Andrews greatly elevates this assembly of pass catchers. He was first in DYAR last season and third in DVOA among tight ends after totaling the sixth-most receiving yards in the league (1,361), the fifth-most catches (107) and tying for the ninth-most receiving touchdowns (nine).

The Ravens’ wide receivers took a hit when Marquise Brown was jettisoned to the Cardinals. Bateman, a first-round 2021 pick, will be expected to produce much more than his 46 catches, 515 yards and one touchdown as a rookie. Devin Duvernay and James Proche II are other options for Baltimore.

23. DJ Moore and Robby Anderson / Carolina Panthers (67/100)

Moore is certainly talented, but the Panthers don’t have much depth here. And while he was 11th in the league with 1,157 receiving yards on 93 catches to go with four touchdowns, he was 69th by DYAR and 73rd by DVOA.

Anderson is another capable Panthers receiver, but he’s looking to bounce back after a 519-yard 2021 season. Terrace Marshall Jr. is slated as another starting wideout while Tommy Tremble is their tight end.

22. Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore and CJ Uzomah / New York Jets (69/100)

The Jets have some potential in their receiving corp. They drafted Wilson, one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s draft, 10th overall.

Moore also enters his second season after 538 yards, 43 receptions and five touchdowns in 11 games. Corey Davis caught 34 passes for 492 yards and four touchdowns in nine games last year. They also signed Uzomah, who was 10th in DYAR and 12th in DVOA last season with the Bengals, likely as a starting tight end.

21. Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool / Pittsburgh Steelers (70/100)

Johnson looks to be the Steelers’ No. 1 receiver this season. While he was 10th in the NFL with 1,161 yards on 107 receptions to go with eight touchdowns, he was 56th by DYAR, 65th by DVOA and 43rd by PFF.

Claypool was the Steelers’ second-leading receiver with 860 yards, 59 catches and two scores, but he was 59th in DYAR and 63rd in DVOA. 

The Steelers hope second-round pick George Pickens can add a boost to the group. Pat Freiermuth, who was 16th in DYAR and 20th in DVOA in 2021, returns at tight end.

20. Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Logan Thomas / Washington Commanders (71/100)

McLaurin is the lone proven option on this team out wide. Ranked 32nd in DYAR and 51st in DVOA, he caught 77 passes for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns in 2021.

The Commanders also added Dotson, a former Penn State standout, with the 16th overall pick and have Curtis Samuel as another wide receiver option. Thomas was ninth in DVOA and 18th in DYAR among tight ends while playing just six games, but is expected to be Washington’s starter.

19. Kyle Pitts and Drake London / Atlanta Falcons (72/100)

The Falcons might be higher here if not for Calvin Ridley’s suspension. Even without him, they still have one of the brightest young tight end prospects in Pitts. He was ninth in DYAR and 14th in DVOA as a rookie after totaling 1,026 yards and a touchdown on 68 catches.

The Falcons drafted London out of USC with the eighth overall pick and expect him to showcase his talent early on. Atlanta also added Bryan Edwards, who caught 34 passes for 571 yards and three touchdowns in 2021 with Las Vegas.

18. Robert Woods and Treylon Burks / Tennessee Titans (74/100)

While the Titans lost AJ Brown, they made some crucial inclusions to their wide receiver room.

While recovering from a season-ending ACL tear, Woods is still a seasoned veteran with a dynamic skill set. With the pick they gained from trading away Brown, the Titans also drafted Burks out of Arkansas. Austin Hooper, a fine option in the passing game, looks to be their starting tight end.

17. DeAndre Hopkins, Marquise Brown and AJ Green / Arizona Cardinals (75/100)

The Cardinals are knocked back a few spots as Hopkins will miss six games due to a suspension. But when he’s back, he’ll continue to be a dynamic threat as he was seventh in DVOA and 19th in DYAR last season.

The Cardinals expect Brown to shine after trading a first-round pick for him. While he was 81st in DYAR and 78th in DVOA, he was still one of 26 1,000-yard receivers last year with 1,008 on 91 catches to go with six touchdowns.

Green, who was 28th in DYAR and 33rd in DVOA, and tight end Zach Ertz, who tallied 763 yards, 74 catches and five touchdowns in 2021, will be other solid targets for quarterback Kyler Murray.

16. Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown and TJ Hockenson / Detroit Lions (76/100)

The Lions have a great amount of potential out wide. For example, Detroit drafted Williams, a possible future NFL star, 12th overall.

St. Brown was explosive as a rookie for the Lions. He totaled 912 yards and five touchdowns on 90 receptions in 2021. DJ Chark was brought in this offseason, and while he played just four games in 2021, the former second-round pick may be in a better situation offensively than he ever was in Jacksonville.

Hockenson is the Lions’ starting tight end. A year ago, he was 11th in DYAR and 18th in DVOA while catching 61 passes for 583 yards and four touchdowns.

15. Michael Thomas, Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry / New Orleans Saints (77/100)

This position could vary greatly because this group has some question marks. How will Thomas respond after not playing in 2021? How will Olave adjust to the pro game?

Thomas is undoubtedly one of the marquee receivers in the league when he’s healthy. And Olave was a top-notch prospect with dazzling route-running skills. Those two, combined with Landry, could make for a top-10 receiving corps. 

Adam Trautman is expected to start at tight end for New Orleans.

14. Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy / Denver Broncos (79/100)

The Broncos have a great deal of skill and experience at these positions.

Sutton is a former Pro Bowl wide receiver who’s tallied at least 700 yards in three of his four seasons as a pro. Jeudy, a former first-round pick, totaled 856 yards as a rookie in 2020 before being hampered by injuries as a sophomore.

Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam will be going into his third year as a pro. In 14 games last year, the former fourth-round pick tallied 33 catches, 330 yards and two touchdowns.

13. Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen / Minnesota Vikings (80/100)

Jefferson has become one of the elite receivers in the NFL. He owns the league record for receiving yards in a player’s first two seasons at 3,016. Last year, he was third in DYAR and 12th in DVOA.

Thielen, while still a savvy veteran, took a step back in 2021. He was 30th in DYAR and 36th in DVOA after totaling 726 yards and 10 touchdowns on 67 catches.

The Vikings have KJ Osborn as another receiver and Irv Smith Jr. at tight end.

12. CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and Dalton Schultz / Dallas Cowboys (81/100)

Lamb, a Pro Bowler entering his third year, is among the best up-and-coming wideouts in the game. PFF graded him 10th among receivers last season.

Gallup signed a five-year, $57.5 million deal this offseason after Dallas traded Amari Cooper to Cleveland. Gallup played just nine games in 2021 due to an ACL tear and caught 35 passes for 445 yards and two touchdowns.

Schultz was fourth in DYAR and fifth in DVOA among tight ends in 2021, catching 78 passes for 808 yards and eight touchdowns.

11. Travis Kelce, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling / Kansas City Chiefs (82/100)

The Chiefs took a major step back in this area when they traded away Tyreek Hill. But they did make some important additions. 

Kelce will undoubtedly remain a top option for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Though he’ll be 33 years old, he was still second in DYAR and fourth in DVOA last season.

Smith-Schuster, a former Steeler, and Valdes-Scantling, a former Packer, will be greatly depended on. The Chiefs also drafted Western Michigan star Skyy Moore in the second round and expect Mecole Hardman to make the most of more opportunities with Hill gone.

10. Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis and Dawson Knox / Buffalo Bills (85/100)

Diggs remains one of the most formidable wide receivers in the league. He was eighth in the NFL in 2021 with 1,225 yards to go with 103 catches and 10 touchdowns.

After scoring four touchdowns in the Bills’ playoff loss to the Chiefs, Davis is expected to take a step up in his third year. The Bills also picked up Jamison Crowder and drafted Khalil Shakir out wide. 

At tight end, Knox was eighth in DYAR and 10th in DVOA after catching 49 passes for 587 yards and nine touchdowns. The Bills also added OJ Howard in free agency to provide depth.

9. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams / Los Angeles Chargers (87/100)

Both Allen and Williams were in the top 15 for receiving yards a year ago. Allen was 13th in NFL with 1,138 yards and seventh with 106 catches while recording six touchdowns. 

Williams stepped up in many ways and was 12th in the league with 1,146 yards, adding 76 receptions and nine scores. The Chargers also have Jalen Guyton and Joshua Palmer at receiver and Gerald Everett at tight end.

8. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle / Miami Dolphins (89/100)

Hill was among several superstar receivers to trade teams this offseason. He was seventh in DYAR and 24th in DVOA, as he was third in the NFL with 111 catches and seventh with 1,239 yards to go with nine touchdowns.

Waddle was dazzling as a rookie. He was 16th in the NFL with 1,131 effective yards. Mike Gesicki was sixth among tight ends in 2021 with 73 catches and ninth with 780 yards. Miami also added former Cowboys wideout Cedrick Wilson Jr.

7. Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk / San Francisco 49ers (90/100)

Among wideouts last season, Samuel was 13th by DYAR as a receiver and first as a rusher. PFF graded him third for his offensive value among those at his position.

At tight end, Kittle is one of the best in the game when it comes to pass catching and blocking. He was seventh in DYAR and sixth in DVOA while graded third by PFF as he caught 71 passes for 910 yards and six touchdowns.

Aiyuk also makes this group stronger. He was 10th in DVOA and 15th in DYAR.

6. AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert / Philadelphia Eagles (91/100)

The Eagles’ receiver corps went from solid to elite this offseason when they picked up Brown via trade. Graded seventh by PFF, his connection with Jalen Hurts could help the Eagles’ offense become more explosive than in recent years.

Smith made impressive strides as a rookie out of Alabama. In 2021, he caught 68 throws for 976 yards and five touchdowns.

To round out the group, Goedert was first among tight ends in DVOA last season and was third in DYAR. Graded second by PFF, he hauled in 62 passes for 922 yards and four touchdowns last year.

5. Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson II / Los Angeles Rams (93/100)

The Rams will have a dangerous duo out wide next season. That begins with Kupp, who led the league in receptions (145), yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16) in 2021. He was first in DYAR and third in DVOA.

While LA lost Robert Woods, the team added Robinson in free agency. Robinson has been a star when he’s had even remotely serviceable quarterback play. The Rams also have receiver Van Jefferson and tight end Tyler Higbee to throw to.

4. Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller / Las Vegas Raiders (94/100)

Similar to the Eagles, the Raiders made a major upgrade at receiver when they traded for Adams this offseason. With 1,553 yards, 123 catches and 11 touchdowns, he was second in DYAR and 14th in DVOA in 2021.

Renfrow broke out last season, going off for 1,038 yards, 103 catches and nine touchdowns, while ranking 10th in DYAR and 17th in DVOA. Waller, a top-three tight end when healthy, played just 11 games but caught 55 passes for 665 yards and two scores last year.

3. Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf / Seattle Seahawks (95/100)

While the Seahawks lost their star quarterback, they still have elite pass catchers for whoever is behind center.

Lockett was top 10 in both DYAR (eighth) and DVOA (ninth) last season as he tallied 1,175 yards, 73 receptions and eight touchdowns. While he wasn’t at his best, Metcalf still added 967 yards, 75 catches and 12 TDs in 2021 and was graded 17th at his position by PFF.

Noah Fant is slated as the starting tight end. He totaled 670 yards, 68 catches and four touchdowns with Denver last season.

2. Chris Godwin and Mike Evans / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (96/100)

Both of the Buccaneers’ top receivers tallied over 1,000 yards last year.

Godwin led Tampa Bay with 1,103 yards, 98 catches and five touchdowns. He was 11th in DYAR and 25th in DVOA. Meanwhile, Evans paced the team with 14 touchdowns to go with 1,035 yards and 74 receptions. He was fourth in DYAR and sixth in DVOA.

The Bucs also added Russell Gage, and while losing Rob Gronkowski and OJ Howard, they still have Cameron Brate at tight end.

1. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd / Cincinnati Bengals (98/100)

The Bengals’ run to the Super Bowl was largely because of their arsenal of weapons at wide receiver.

Chase set multiple rookie records on his way to 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns on 81 receptions. He was sixth by DYAR and 11th by DVOA.

Higgins was slightly more efficient, though, according to DYAR (fifth) and DVOA (fourth) on his way to 1,091 yards and 74 catches with six touchdowns. Boyd chipped in 828 yards, 67 receptions and five touchdowns. The Bengals signed tight end Hayden Hurst this offseason.

Individual Wide Receiver and Tight End Rankings

RankingsPlayerMost receptions odds
1Cooper Kupp+500
2Davante Adams+900
3Justin Jefferson+600
4DeAndre Hopkins+10000
5Deebo Samuel+4000
6Mike Evans+3000
7Ja'Marr Chase+1600
8Travis Kelce+1400
9AJ Brown+5000
10Stefon Diggs+800
11Tyreek Hill+2500
12DK Metcalf+6600
13Tyler Lockett+8000
14Keenan Allen+1000
15Chris Godwin+4000
16CeeDee Lamb+1800
17Tee Higgins+4000
18Mike Williams+6600
19Mark Andrews+2000
20Terry McLaurin+5000

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About the Author

Colton Pool

Read More @CPoolReporter

Colton Pool is a Web Content Writer for BetMGM living in Bozeman, Montana, focusing on the NFL and NBA. Previously, he covered Montana State football at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and worked at newspapers in his home state of North Dakota. He graduated from North Dakota State in 2015.

Colton Pool is a Web Content Writer for BetMGM living in Bozeman, Montana, focusing on the NFL and NBA. Previously, he covered Montana State football at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and worked at newspapers in his home state of North Dakota. He graduated from North Dakota State in 2015.