With MLB, NBA and NHL all on hold, the NFL took center stage last week with the start of free agency. We saw franchise and transition tags handed out as well as a whirlwind of player movement that takes our “Way Too Early” Player Rankings and chucks ‘em out the window. Ok, so not altogether, but I’ve got enough risers and fallers to afford me the opportunity to update my 2020 rankings of the skill positions as we head towards the NFL Draft in late April.
It's time to re-visit the Top 20 Wide Receivers.
Similar to the running backs, there hasn't been as dramatic a shift. However, thanks to some trades and free agency, there has been enough movement to warrant another look. We've got a few risers, some fallers and maybe even a new face or two.
Rank | Player | Team | Analysis |
1 | Michael Thomas | NO | He remains the No. 1 WR overall and now gets help in New Orleans with Emmanuel Sanders drawing more coverage away than targets. |
2 | DeAndre Hopkins | ARI | Love this landing spot for him, especially after watching Kyler Murray improve as a passer as the year went on in 2019. |
3 | Davante Adams | GB | Say what you wants about Aaron Rodgers , but he still has the arm and the accuracy…and one eye perpetually on Adams. |
4 | Julio Jones | ATL | He will continue to see the majority of targets from Matt Ryan and will likely lead the team in yards and, probably, touchdowns. |
5 | Tyreek Hill | KC | The speed is outstanding and you have to love the on-field rapport between him and Mahomes. |
6 | Amari Cooper | DAL | They're not giving him $100M to be a role-player. Expect a boatload of targets both inside and outside the red zone. |
7 | Chris Godwin | TB | Considering there are still concerns regarding Tom Brady 's arm strength, you have to believe Godwin will be the new Julian Edelman . |
8 | Allen Robinson | CHI | Almost topped 100 receptions last year and will remain the No. 1 target for Mitch Trubisky…or Nick Foles . Whomever. |
9 | A.J. Brown | TEN | Built a strong rapport with Tannehill last year and the Titans obviously want to see this relationship continue to develop. |
10 | D.J. Moore | CAR | Big fan of his abilities and feel like he will thrive on more underneath routes with Tedd Bridgewater under center. |
11 | Courtland Sutton | DEN | Broncos need a respectable WR2 to play opposite him, but the addition of Melvin Gordon strengthens the ground game to the point where defenses will be focused on stopping the run. |
12 | Mike Evans | TB | Still a massive talent, but drops in the rankings with the QB change. Brady won't force-feed him like Jameis Winston did and who knows if he's got the arm strength to hit the big man downfield. |
13 | Kenny Golladay | DET | He'll be an even better option if the Lions give him the contract extension he wants, but with nearly 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, he commands a spot in the Top 15. |
14 | T.Y. Hilton | IND | Still played relatively well with Jacoby Brissett , so if Philip Rivers is healthy, Hilton should be able to post another strong season. |
15 | Odell Beckham | CLE | There is a ton of talent here, but just a five-cent head. He needs to stay focused and leave the clowning for the offsseason. If he can do that and Baker Mayfield can get his head on straight, he could be a top 10 player again. |
16 | Adam Thielen | MIN | He needs another wide receiver to draw coverage and he needs to work out of the slot more. If they don't do that for him, he gets bounced from the Top 20 faster than you can say "Can you Diggs it?" |
17 | D.J. Chark | JAC | Doo do doo doo doo! Gardner Minshew loves throwing him the ball. |
18 | D.K. Metcalf | SEA | He took over as Russell Wilson 's favorite target last year and was relied on both in the red zone and to move the chains between the 20s as well. |
19 | Calvin Ridley | ATL | Saw his targets increase both in and out of the red zone as the season progressed and could have posted 1,000 yards and double-digit scores had the injury not shut him down late in the season. |
20 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | PIT | He gets Big Ben back under center and that's an immediate upgrade for him. |