The NFL season starts 9 days from today, meaning it’s just about the time of year when the members of the media put out their hot takes, predictions, and power rankings. I’ll be starting my rankings by presenting the top 3 receivers in the league for this season. This is based on last season as well as the expectations I have for them in 2024.
3. CeeDee Lamb- Dallas Cowboys
Let’s start with the man who just signed the second-richest contract in NFL history for a non-quarterback. Yesterday afternoon it was announced that Lamb and the Cowboys agreed on a record four-year $136 million deal, with $100 million of it guaranteed. This huge contract is well deserved for the Cowboys star who exploded for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns on 135 catches last season. With the loss of Tony Pollard in the backfield, I foresee Dallas airing the ball out even more this season, with a large majority of those targets going to Lamb.
2024 Prediction: 1,550 yards, 13 touchdowns, 115 catches.
2. Tyreek Hill- Miami Dolphins
Since being traded to the Dolphins, it’s almost like we are seeing Tyreek Hill in his peak form. He was even voted the NFL’s best player this offseason by other members of the league. Last season he dominated, with 119 receptions for 1,799 yards and 13 TDs. Hill had a chance to win the MVP award late in the season as he came extremely close to becoming the first player in NFL history with 2,000 receiving yards in a single season. Dolphin’s coach Mike McDaniel ran the entire offense around Hill and I think they’ll continue to ride him until the wheels fall off.
2024 Prediction: 1,650 yards, 12 touchdowns, 125 catches.
1. Ja’Marr Chase- Cincinnati Bengals
Chase has yet to sign an extension with Cincinnati but is expected to play once the season begins. With Joe Burrow missing significant time last season due to injury, Chase had a bit of an underwhelming season for his standards. He still had 100 catches for 1,216 yards and 7 touchdowns, which is great but people expected even more out of him in what should have been a big third-year jump. Assuming Burrow plays the entire season, I think Chase takes a massive leap and becomes one of if not the NFL’s best pass catchers.
2024 Prediction: 1,750 yards, 16 touchdowns, 120 catches.
