Top 12 Best NFL Wide Receivers In The World 

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Thousands of athletes have stepped into the professional arena and have dedicated their everything to a single sport. However, only certain numbers get to be as the leading forces and enchanting names on top. 

Similarly, as we talk about the NFL (National Football League), there are also many competitions on every level. Today, we will plunge down to the top wide receivers of the NFL in the world. 

NFL Wide Recievers
NFL Wide Receivers collage.

Indeed, these athletes have made their mark on their own stance with years of service. Herewith, they are one of the best of the best themselves. 

Top 12 Best NFL Wide Receivers In The World 

The wide receiver position is deep as a skilled offense in the NFL. However, when we think of the top wide receivers, reputed names as Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, and so on are the common ones to spit out. 

Here, we will present today’s top best receivers in the world. Also, the ranking is as per one’s opinions and doesn’t count as a professional listing. 

12. Michael Thomas 

  • Full Name: Michael William Thomas Jr. (Nickname: Slant Boy)
  • NFL Draft:  2016 / Round: 2 / Pick: 47
  • Stats as of 2020: 40 receptions on 55 targets, 438 yards, zero TDs, 11.0 yards per catch

Michael Thomas is currently playing for the New Orleans Saints and is great with his hand tactics and routes. Additionally, he is the title holder in NFL for the most receptions through his first five seasons with 510. 

During the 2020 season, Michael did struggle with injuries and returned on Week nine. Later, coming to the end of the season, he did again face an injury.

Click to follow about the top ten best NFL Quarterbacks ever.

11. Antonio Brown

  • Full Name: Antonio Tavaris Brown Sr. (Nickname: Ronald Ocean)
  • NFL Draft: 2010 / Round: 6 / Pick: 195
  • Stats as of 2020: 45 receptions, 483 yards, 4 Touchdowns

At present, Antonio Brown plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is known for his ability to catch the deep ball.

Antonio Brown
Antonio Brown. (Source: Instagram)

From 2010 through 2018, Brown has had the most receptions than any other player in the league. 

Furthermore, Brown is also a part of the Super Bowl LV Champions. Indeed, rumors are surfacing about Brown’s retirement as he twitted not long ago.

However, he later stated to have changed his mind. 

10. Julio Jones

  • Full Name: Quintorris Lopez “Julio” Jones Jr. (Nickname: Julio)
  • NFL Draft: 2011 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6
  • Stats as of 2020: 51 receptions on 68 targets, 771 yards, 3 TDs, 15.1 yards per catch

Best known for his catching ability, strength, leaping ability, and body control, Julio Jones currently plays for the Tennessee Titans. Thanks to his perfect body size, it acts as his great value on his games. 

Not to mention, Julio Jones is the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 career receiving yards. Additionally, he is also the 2020 Falcons leader for the all-time career receptions. 

However, 2020 is also an injury-fed year for him. This is also the very reason why Julio Jones could only play nine games in total.

Click to get every detail about the struggle and hardships of Julio Jones’s mother, Queen Marvin, who raised him along with his brother.

9. Larry Fitzgerald 

  • Full Name: Larry Darnell Fitzgerald Jr. (Nickname: Fitz, Sticky Fingers, The Best Hands in The NFL)
  • NFL Draft: 2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3
  • Stats as of 2020: 54 receptions, 409 yards, 1 touchdown

Right as the 2020 season ended, Larry Fitzgerald stood as a free agent. He played 13 games in total for the season and fell into the grasp of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. 

Larry stands second in NFL career receiving yards, second in career receptions, and sixth in receiving touchdowns. Back in the days and even today, Larry was known for his solid built, but now, it’s more than it; his excellent route running. 

Altogether, he is best known as one of the physical receivers with greatness on ability alone. 

8. A.J Brown

  • Full Name: Arthur Juan Brown (Nickname: AJ)
  • NFL Draft: 2019 / Round: 2 / Pick: 51
  • Stats as of 2020: 70 receptions, 1,075 yards, 11 touchdown

One of the top wide receivers around the globe, A.J Brown, currently plays for the Tennessee Titans. Indeed, he is often tied to Julio Jones for their similar nature as fans state. 

AJ Brown
AJ Brown during practice hours. (Source: Instagram)

Well, Brown is an explosive route-runner with the perfected hand-fighting ability and hurry-up speed. However, more than in a specific area, Brown is best known as an all-rounder athlete. 

Talking about the year 2020, A.J Brown played fourteen games in total, among which he saved twelve of them. 

7. Allen Robinson

  • Full Name: Allen Bernard Robinson II (Nickname: AR15)
  • NFL Draft: 2014 / Round: 2 / Pick: 61
  • Stats as of 2020: 102 receptions on 151 targets, 1,250 yards, 6 TDs, 12.3 yards per catch

The wide receiver of the Chicago Bears, Allen Robinson, boasts clean footwork and is extremely fluid. Well, the biggest break in his career is yet not enough for him, but he sure passes one of the most interesting games. 

Also, Brown’s body size assists a lot with his playing style that creates excellence in jump-ball situations. Overall, he is a great game reader and hence, manages his blocks swiftly.

 6. Stefon Diggs

  • Full Name: Stefon Mar’sean Diggs
  • NFL Draft: 2015 / Round: 5 / Pick: 146
  • Stats as of 2020: 127 receptions on 166 targets, 1,535 yards, 8 TDs, 12.1 yards per catch

Stefon Diggs is a top name among the wide receivers who currently play for the Buffalo Bills. Well, he commenced playing for the Bills in 2020, and right after his commencement, he stood as the first Bills wideout to be named First-Team All-Pro.

Indeed, Diggs became a dominant name for the Bills as he led the NFL in targets, receptions, and receiving yards.

During his gameplay, he made a great combination with QB Josh Allen, which has also become one of the best QB-WR tandems in the league. 

Follow the list about the top thirteen best game-changing tackles in the NFL history. 

5. DeAndre Hopkins

  • Full Name: DeAndre Rashaun Hopkins (Nickname: Nuk)
  • NFL Draft: 2013 / Round: 1 / Pick: 27
  • Stats as of 2020: 115 receptions on 160 targets, 1,407 yards, 6 TDs, 12.2 yards per catch

Unbeatable and smooth is how DeAndre Hopkins has been going on to date, and yet, he has no thought of slowing down anywhere.

In the past 2020 season, Hopkins has hiked up his game with a career-high 22 forced missed tackles. 

Furthermore, his route-running high jinks are one of the folklore heroes for his gameplay as most corners fell prey to his style.

He did portray a game standing on the thin line between reality and fantasy realm, and equally important, he became a benefit for his team. 

4. Justin Jefferson

  • Full Name: Justin Jefferson (Nickname: Jets)
  • NFL Draft: 2020 / Round: 1 / Pick: 22
  • Stats as of 2020: 88 receptions on 125 targets, 1,400 yards, 7 TDs, 15.9 yards per catch

Young and wild, Justin Jefferson commenced his professional journey just a year ago, and today, he is one of the top prospects. He currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings, who won the Sporting News offensive rookie of the year. 

Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson.

Right now, he has already proven his immediate impact on the field with body control, soft hands, and smart routes. In the meantime, Justin is smart with his hand plays and puts his body size to maximum usage. 

Overall, he is an elite with contested catches and traps to beat defenders with his vertical skills and body positioning.

3. Mike Evans 

  • Full Name: Michael Lynn Evans III (Nickname: Twin Towers)
  • NFL Draft: 2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7
  • Stats as of 2020: 70 receptions on 109 targets, 1,006 yards, 13 TDs, 14.4 yards per catch

Mike Evans is often known for his body size and control that he uses as his dominant figure. Currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mike displayed excellent chemistry with Tom Brady during their first season together in 2020. 

During the tenure, Mike portrayed consistent speed and hand movements. Likewise, his Week 17 game earned him an NFL record against the Falcons as the first wide receiver to record 1,000 yards. 

You might also be interested in reading in detail about the top 50 NFL fantasy players in 2021. 

2. Davante Adams 

  • Full Name: Davante Lavell Adams (Nickname: The Goon)
  • NFL Draft: 2014 / Round: 2 / Pick: 53
  • Stats as of 2020: 115 receptions on 149 targets, 1,374 yards, 18 touchdowns 

The 2020 season is one of the seasons to be remembered for Davante Adams. He is the Green Bay Packer’s leading force among wide receivers who stood first in PFF receiving grades, second in receptions, fourth in yards, and first in touchdowns. 

As a matter of fact, he achieved the shares while he also struggled with injuries. In the meantime, the wide receiver of Green Bay Packers also got in the 2021 Pro Bowl and recorded his 500th career catch. 

1. Tyreek Hill

  • Full Name: Tyreek Hill (Nickname: Cheetah)
  • NFL Draft: 2016 / Round: 5 / Pick: 165
  • Stats as of 2020: 87 receptions on 135 targets, 1,276 yards, 15 TDs, 14.7 yards per catch

Tyreek Hill is a huge influence on NFL wide receiver as he currently plays for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Well, Tyreek might be underrated as a route runner; however, he is a versatile WR with a high-velocity downfield arm. 

Tyreek Hill
Tyreek Hill in the ground. (Source: Instagram)

As an athlete, Tyreek possesses a serious threat. In 2020, Hill became the first player to record at least 200 receiving yards in a single quarter.

Additionally, his game skills are enhanced alongside QB Patrick Mahomes

Summary

Altogether, we have reached the end of the list, and these are the top 12 wide receivers who are ruling the NFL field currently. Before you leave, below is the quick round of our list. 

  1. Tyreek Hill
  2. Davante Adams
  3. Mike Evans
  4. Justin Jefferson
  5. DeAndre Hopkins
  6. Stefon Diggs
  7. Allen Robinson
  8. A.J. Brown
  9. Larry Fitzgerald
  10. Julio Jones
  11. Antonio Brown
  12. Michael Thomas
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Rajani Gurung
Rajani Gurung
Hey, I'm Rajani! As a digital content writer, I write for several websites on a wide range of topics. At Playersbio, I cover to write about hot trending celebrities and news. My professional experience makes me write the hard topics in a simplified manner for easiness.

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