Puka Nacua retains the No. 1 spot: The star Rams receiver continues to be a force, catching 10 of his 12 targets in Week 5.
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jaxon Smith-Njigba join Nacua in the 90.0-plus club: All three own 90.0-plus PFF receiving grades through five weeks.
Estimated Reading Time: 17 minutes
We're diving into the top wide receivers by PFF receiving grade through Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season. To qualify, players need to have logged at least 100 receiving snaps.
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1. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (92.9)
Nacua saw 12 targets against the 49ers in Week 5, catching 10 for 85 yards. He made four catches of 10-plus yards, including a 16-yard gain midway through the third quarter. He later capped that drive with a one-yard touchdown grab, his second of the season. Nacua gained two first downs, averaged 4.3 yards after the catch per reception and generated a 124.0 passer rating when targeted in the game.
Nacua now has 52 catches for 588 yards and 31 first downs this season. Seven of his targets came from the short area of the field, where he leads the league in targets (32) through five games. He has caught 29 of those passes for 251 yards and 14 first downs, earning a 91.9 PFF receiving grade (first) in the process.
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (90.3)
St. Brown caught eight of nine targets for 100 yards and five first downs against the Bengals. He recorded three catches of 15-plus yards, including a 26-yarder midway through the fourth quarter. It was his third game this season with at least three explosive gains. St. Brown also forced two missed tackles, averaged 7.3 yards after the catch per reception and produced an 82.1 PFF receiving grade (sixth best).
The USC product moves up to fifth in receiving yards (407), having secured 35 of 40 targets for 25 first downs (second most). Although he did not score in Week 5, he still leads the league with six touchdown catches and ranks in the top 10 in missed tackles forced (six) and catches of 15-plus yards (11).
Seven of his targets against Cincinnati came against zone coverage, situations where he has recorded 19 catches this season for 244 yards and an 83.9 PFF receiving grade (fourth best). St. Brown has been perfect against single coverage, securing each of his 13 targets for 146 yards. He ranks in the top three in passer rating when targeted (153.0) and PFF receiving grade (91.9) against single looks, and five of his six scores have come against man coverage.
3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (90.2)
Smith-Njigba racked up six first-down grabs in Week 5 against the Buccaneers, tying his season high. He finished with eight catches for 132 yards, securing all but one target. The 2023 first-rounder put Seattle on the board late in the first half with a six-yard touchdown to cut into Tampa Bay’s lead, a pass that he caught between three defenders. He also recorded two gains of 20-plus yards in the second half, including a 53-yard gain with Antoine Winfield Jr. in tight coverage. Smith-Njigba finished the day with a 155.8 passer rating when targeted (third best) and averaged 4.26 yards per route run (second best).
Smith-Njigba ranks third in catches (34) and second in receiving yards (534) entering Week 6. He has moved the chains 24 times (third most) and has 10 catches now of 20-plus yards, making him the only receiver in double digits. Six of his eight contested targets have resulted in catches, going for 166 yards (most). He has gained five first downs and is averaging 23.4 depth yards per target (sixth most) on those plays.
4. Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots (85.4)
Diggs put on a show on Sunday Night Football in his return to Buffalo, catching 10 of 12 targets for 146 yards and eight first downs (tied for most). He picked up 63 yards after the catch, gained 40 yards after contact (third most), forced four missed tackles and made four catches of 15-plus yards. Diggs opened the game with a 15-yard gain, forcing a missed tackle to pick up extra yards. He notched two 30-plus-yard grabs in the second half, taking both catches inside the Bills‘ 10-yard line. He also led all receivers this week in PFF receiving grade (92.2).
The 31-year-old has caught 16 of 19 passes for 247 yards (fourth most) and 11 first downs (tied for second most) over the past two weeks. In that span, he has five catches of 20-plus yards (most) and leads the league in threat rate (46.3%) and PFF receiving grade (92.2).
5. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (81.4)
Flowers caught all five of his targets against the Texans for 72 yards. Most of his production came late in the third quarter when he outraced Derek Stingley Jr., who fell on the route, for a 56-yard gain. Flowers adjusted to secure the ball and nearly took it all the way, eventually getting stopped inside the five-yard line. He generated a 118.8 passer rating when targeted in the game.
Flowers is up to 28 catches for 377 yards this season, with half of his receptions moving the chains (14). He ranks fourth in total yards gained after the catch (182) and has 11 catches of 15-plus yards (tied for seventh most). Fourteen of his targets have come with Flowers in a slot role, and he has brought in 11 for 116 yards and three first downs. No other Ravens receiver has seen more than one slot target this season.
6. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (81.0)
Hill is out for the season after suffering a knee injury.
7. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (80.0)
Waddle turned six catches into 110 yards in Week 6, both season highs. Each of his receptions moved the chains, and he recorded two explosive gains in the fourth quarter. He made a 17-yard catch with Mike Jackson in coverage early in the period. He later blew by Jackson for a 46-yard touchdown to help the Dolphins regain the lead. Waddle averaged 15.3 depth yards per target and finished with a 145.6 passer rating when targeted, fueling his season-high 84.6 PFF receiving grade (third best).
The Dolphins' top wideout has logged 23 catches for 295 yards and three touchdowns through five weeks. He has gained 17 first downs, secured six of eight contested targets and tallied nine gains of 15-plus yards. Five of his targets in Week 5 came from the intermediate level of the field, where he has eight catches for 118 yards on the year. Waddle ranks eighth in PFF receiving grade from that depth (90.7).
8. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (78.9)
Jefferson notched his second consecutive game with at least 11 targets and 100 receiving yards, finishing with seven catches for 123 yards against the Browns. He made three catches of 20-plus yards in the second half, including a contested 38-yard gain on third down early in the fourth quarter. Jefferson hauled in three of four contested targets and gained six first downs. He finished the day with an 82.0 PFF receiving grade (tied for seventh best).
The star wideout wrapped up the Vikings' international stretch with 17 catches for 249 yards, the third most over the past two weeks. During that span, Jefferson gained 11 first downs, ranked first in explosive gains (eight) and earned an 81.0 PFF receiving grade (tied for eighth best).
9. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (78.8)
Downs graded out as the fourth-best receiver in Week 5 (82.4). He caught six of seven targets for 54 yards and 23 yards after the catch against the Raiders. Downs picked up four first downs and forced four missed tackles. He averaged 2.35 yards per route run to lead all Colts receivers.
Downs now has 20 catches for 175 yards on the season, with 12 first downs. He’s tied for fifth in slot targets through five games (22) and has been one of the best receivers from that alignment through the early stretch of the season. Downs ranks fifth in threat rate (25.9%) and PFF receiving grade (76.9) from the slot, having recorded 16 catches for 147 yards (seventh most) and nine first downs (fourth most).
10. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (78.8)
London and the Falcons were on a bye in Week 5.
11. D.K. Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers (78.7)
Metcalf and the Steelers were on a bye in Week 5.
12. Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers (77.5)
Pearsall missed Week 5 due to a knee injury.
13. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (77.2)
The Broncos upset the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles in Week 5, and Sutton's efforts played a significant part. He finished with eight catches for 99 yards, gained five first downs and averaged 4.4 yards after the catch per reception. He also had two gains of 15-plus yards, both on third-down plays in the fourth quarter. Sutton accounted for a 34-yard catch midway through the period after Quinyon Mitchell stumbled on the route. He also secured a contested 16-yard catch over Mitchell late in the quarter to extend the Broncos' drive while holding on to a one-point lead.
Sutton ranks 10th in receiving yards entering Week 6 (365) and has 26 catches on the season. He has moved the chains 18 times and now ranks second in PFF receiving grade on third and fourth downs (90.7). Six of his catches against Philadelphia came in the second half, where he owns a 71.8 PFF receiving grade. In the second halves of games this season, he has brought in 12 passes for 143 yards and seven first downs.
14. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (77.0)
Wilson caught six passes for 71 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys in Week 5. The score came late in the game in garbage time on a third down inside the five-yard line. Wilson brought in the underneath pass and evaded a tackle for a clear path to the endzone. He now has three scores in three games. He gained four first downs and recorded two gains of 15-plus yards in the contest, helping him generate a 127.5 passer rating when targeted.
Wilson now has 33 catches for 382 yards (sixth most). Most of his production against the Cowboys came between the numbers, where he caught four passes for 50 yards. He has been targeted 20 times this season from that area of the field, recording 15 catches for 179 yards, a touchdown and 10 first downs. The star wideout owns a strong 27.0% threat rate and a 75.3 PFF receiving grade on between-the-numbers targets.
15. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (76.2)
Odunze and the Bears were on a bye in Week 5.
16. Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (75.8)
Egbuka caught all seven of his targets against the Seahawks for 163 receiving yards — the eighth most by a rookie receiver in a game over the past five seasons. He brought in his fifth touchdown of the season (tied for second most), a 20-yard contested grab on third-and-15 midway through the third quarter. He saw three deep targets, which he turned into 101 yards. Egbuka recorded five total explosive gains and generated a perfect passer rating when targeted. He also finished with the second-best PFF receiving grade for the week (86.9).
The standout rookie pass catcher now has 25 receptions for 445 yards (fourth most). He has accounted for 17 first downs and nine catches of 20-plus yards. Thirteen of his 38 targets have come from the deep area of the field, where he’s caught eight passes for 291 yards (most) and sports a third-ranked 98.8 PFF receiving grade.
17. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (75.8)
Chase bounced back against the Lions with a six-catch, 110-yard outing. He caught two touchdown passes, both in the fourth quarter. He opened up the frame with a 15-yard sideline catch over three defenders in the endzone. Shortly after, he lost Amik Robertson on a third-down play with a stutter step, turning upfield for a 64-yard score. Chase gained four first downs on the day and finished with a 108.6 passer rating when targeted.
Chase enters Week 6 with 32 catches for 274 yards. Half of his receptions (16) have moved the chains, and he has eight catches of 15-plus yards. Four of his nine targets in Week 5 came 20-plus yards downfield, an area where he’s being targeted at a 22.7% clip. Chase has secured four of 10 deep targets for 132 yards for an 88.9 PFF receiving grade.
18. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers (75.6)
McMillan caught six of eight targets against the Dolphins for 73 yards and four first downs. He recorded two gains of 20-plus yards, both on late downs, and notched season highs in yards per route run (2.21) and average depth of target (15.4). McMillan finished the day with a 102.6 passer rating when targeted.
The first-rounder is up to 24 catches for 351 yards and 19 first downs. He has brought in nine catches of 20-plus yards and owns an elite 94.7 PFF receiving grade from the intermediate area of the field.
19. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys (75.6)
Despite logging only two catches for 57 yards in the Cowboys' win over the Jets, Pickens made two impact plays. He closed out the first quarter with a 14-yard catch and conversion on third-and-6 with Sauce Gardner on his hip. Later in the third quarter, Pickens got a step on Gardner again, this time for a 43-yard touchdown catch. He did, however, have a drop in the game, giving him one in three consecutive weeks.
Pickens now has 23 catches for 357 yards. He’s tied for second in touchdown catches (five) and ranks fourth in first downs (21). Both of his receptions in Week 5 were contested, an area where he leads the league in targets and catches. Pickens has secured nine contested catches for 148 yards (fourth most) and two touchdowns. He has three contested gains of 15-plus yards, and all nine catches have moved the chains. The former Steeler ranks fourth in passer rating when targeted on such plays (139.3).
20. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers (74.8)
Allen tallied five catches for 58 yards and three first downs against the Commanders in Week 5. He made two catches of 10-plus yards, including a 29-yard gain on a third-down busted coverage in the first quarter.
The newest member of the 1,000-career-receptions club, Allen is up to 29 catches this season for 289 yards and 18 first downs. Thirty of his 43 targets have come within nine yards of the line of scrimmage (second most). Allen has secured 23 catches for 199 yards in that area of the field, earning an 80.0 PFF receiving grade on those plays. He has also caught each of his 18 slot targets this season for 148 yards (sixth most) and seven first downs, giving him a third-ranked slot PFF receiving grade (78.5).
21. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams (75.4)
Three of Adams' five catches in Week 5 went for 15-plus-yard gains, all in the fourth quarter. He racked up 88 receiving yards against the 49ers, 77 of which were in that final frame.
Adams now has 22 catches for 357 yards this season, with 15 first downs and 12 explosive gains. Eight of his targets in Week 5 came against zone coverage, although he finished with just three catches on such plays. Adams has been targeted most against zone looks (21) but has caught only eight passes for 87 yards. He owns a 52.5 zone PFF receiving grade this season, ranking 11th worst among qualifying receivers. However, he’s been much better against single coverage, hauling in eight of 16 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown en route to a top-20 PFF receiving grade (82.5).
22. Cooper Kupp, Seattle Seahawks (73.8)
Kupp secured six of eight targets for 59 yards and four first downs in the Seahawks' narrow defeat to the Buccaneers in Week 5. His longest catch went for 24 yards, a first-quarter grab with Zyon McCollum in coverage. Five of his targets came in two-minute situations, where he finished with three catches for 21 yards and a first down. Kupp boasts a 73.3 PFF receiving grade in two-minute drills this season (seven targets).
The veteran has 21 catches for 221 yards this season and has caught all but five targets (26). He has gained 11 first downs, secured three contested targets and logged six gains of 15-plus yards. Kupp has seen 17 targets in the short area of field, where he’s caught 14 passes for 125 yards and six first downs. He sports a 76.5 PFF receiving grade at that depth.
23. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (73.3)
Pittman caught each of his five targets against the Raiders for 39 yards and a touchdown. He was able to slip a tackle for a 16-yard pickup late in the first quarter. His touchdown came with 20 seconds remaining in the first half, when he was able to find an opening along the back of the endzone for a four-yard reception. He now has a touchdown catch in three consecutive games.
Pittman is up to 26 catches for 273 yards and four touchdowns this season. He has secured 15 of 21 targets in zone coverage for 188 yards and a 71.0 PFF receiving grade. Single coverage hasn't slowed him down, either: He has caught all seven of his targets for 63 yards, earning a 75.5 PFF receiving grade on those plays.
24. Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders (73.0)
Samuel recorded season highs in catches (eight), targets (11) and receiving yards (96) in the Commanders' Week 5 win over the Chargers. He sealed the game with his third touchdown catch of the season, scoring on fourth-and-7 with just over a minute remaining in the game to extend the Commanders' lead to 16. Samuel notched three explosive gains in the contest, including two catches of 20-plus yards in the second quarter. He averaged 5.3 yards after the catch per reception and 3.31 yards per route run.
Samuel is Washington’s leading receiver through the early part of the season, with 30 catches for 300 yards. He has gained 13 first downs, secured six of nine contested targets and caught all but seven of his targets (37). The versatile offensive weapon has forced nine missed tackles and racked up eight gains of 15-plus yards. He leads the league with 14 targets behind the line of scrimmage — all caught for 74 yards. Samuel is averaging 9.1 yards after the catch (sixth best) and ranks second in PFF receiving grade (79.5) on those plays.
25. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (72.2)
Smith brought in eight of his 10 targets for 114 yards against the Broncos, all season highs. He accounted for three first downs and two catches of 20-plus yards, including a 52-yard gain where he was able to get behind cornerback Riley Moss.
The 26-year-old has caught 25 of 31 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown this season, serving as Philadelphia's leading receiver. He has gained 11 first downs, forced three missed tackles and logged four catches of 20-plus yards. He also leads the Eagles' receiver group in passer rating when targeted (114.0). Smith owns a 70.2 slot PFF receiving grade, securing 19 of 22 such targets. He has also caught 13 of 14 zone targets for 113 yards and six first downs.
26. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (72.2)
McLaurin missed Week 5 due to a groin injury.
27. Nico Collins, Houston Texans (72.0)
Collins caught four passes for 52 yards in the Texans' blowout win over the Ravens. He created space across the middle for a 24-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage. He later caught a 10-yard touchdown in the second quarter to extend Houston’s lead to 13. Collins finished the day with a 149.6 passer rating when targeted. He now has three touchdown catches in his past four games.
Collins' 2025 stat line includes 22 catches for 312 yards, as well as 10 first downs and nine explosive gains. Three of his five targets in Week 5 came from between the numbers, where he’s been targeted 16 times through the first five games. Collins has caught 13 of those passes for 153 yards and six first downs, earning himself a 72.7 PFF receiving grade.
28. Malik Nabers, New York Giants (71.4)
Nabers is out for the season after suffering a knee injury.
29. Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots (71.3)
Boutte caught all three of his targets for 43 yards in Week 5, his highest receiving total since Week 1. Each grab moved the chains, and he recorded two catches of 15-plus yards in the second half. His biggest reception came with 1:25 remaining in the game, a play on which he was able to get behind Tre'Davious White to secure a 19-yard catch along the sideline with Cole Bishop also in the vicinity. The catch moved the Patriots into Bills territory during their game-winning drive.
Boutte now has 13 catches for 208 yards and 11 first downs this season, including eight gains of 15-plus yards. Both of his explosive gains in Week 5 came along the sideline, where he has brought in each of his four targets for 57 yards this season. He boasts an 81.9 PFF receiving grade on those plays.
30. Tyquan Thornton, Kansas City Chiefs (70.4)
Thornton logged three catches for 90 yards on Monday Night Football against the Jaguars. Each reception gained 20-plus yards, including two separate gains of 30-plus yards with Tyson Campbell in coverage. Both plays turned into red-zone opportunities for the Chiefs. Thornton finished the game with a season-high 74.8 PFF receiving grade.
The former second-round pick has found new life in Kansas City, already setting a career high in receiving yards (272). Thornton has 13 catches, with 10 first downs and seven gains of 20-plus yards. The speedster has been targeted 14 times on deep passes (tied for most) and has secured five for 186 yards and a touchdown. He ranks fourth in PFF receiving grade from that depth of the field (93.0).
31. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (70.3)
Shakir caught six passes for 45 yards and three first downs against the Patriots in Week 5. He hauled in two catches of 10-plus yards, including an 18-yard gain in the third quarter. He also recorded a rare drop on a screen pass late in the fourth quarter with Buffalo just outside of the red zone and down by three. It was Shakir’s first dropped pass in his past 10 games, dating back to last season.
Shakir now has 22 catches for 235 yards in 2025. He’s been targeted 12 times within nine yards of the line of scrimmage, catching each for 125 yards and six first downs. He sports a 75.6 PFF receiving grade from that area of the field. He is also tied for second in targets from behind the line of scrimmage (10), recording nine catches for 84 yards. He currently ranks third in PFF receiving grade at that level (77.2).
32. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (70.2)
Johnston caught each of his four targets against the Commanders for 40 yards and two first downs. He made three catches of 10-plus yards, including a 16-yard gain that ended with a lost fumble, providing a huge momentum swing in the Chargers' eventual loss to Washington.
Johnston now has 26 catches for 377 yards and is tied for seventh in receiving yards. Two of his four targets against the Commanders came at the intermediate level of the field, where he’s been targeted 10 times on the season. Johnston has caught six of those passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, earning a 75.9 PFF receiving grade on those plays.