Jaxon Smith-Njigba is closing in on the top spot: The star Seahawks receiver now leads the league in receiving yards and is proving to be a terror against both man and zone coverages.
D.K. Metcalf joins the top five: The veteran, in his first season with the Steelers, is serving as Aaron Rodgers‘ top target — and to great effect. He turned each of his four catches into first downs against the Browns, finishing the contest with 95 receiving yards.
Estimated Reading Time: 17 minutes
We're diving into the top wide receivers by PFF receiving grade through Week 6 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 (92.7)
Nacua landed hard after leaping for an endzone target in the second quarter, injuring his ankle in the process. Although he finished the game, he was clearly limited. He ended the game with only two catches for 28 yards, both first downs. The bulk of that total came two plays before the injury, when he secured a third-down catch for a 23-yard conversion, moving the Rams inside the red zone.
The BYU product now has 54 catches for 616 yards on the season (second most). His last target was his sixth inside the red zone this season. He’s brought in five passes within that area for three first downs and two scores, generating a 129.2 passer rating when targeted on those plays (tied for fifth). His status for Week 7 is unknown, and the Rams are on a bye in Week 8.
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (91.5)
Smith-Njigba continues to shine. He orchestrated an eight-catch, 162-yard day against the Jaguars in Week 6. One of his most impressive plays was splitting newly acquired Greg Newsome II and Andrew Wingard up the middle for a 61-yard touchdown in the second quarter, his second of three 20-plus-yard catches. He ultimately finished with four explosive gains. Smith-Njigba gained six first downs while averaging 4.6 yards after the catch and 5.79 yards per route run. His 90.9 PFF receiving grade led all receivers this week — and marked his second game this season with a 90.0-plus figure.
The former Ohio State star is the NFL's new leader in receiving yards (696). He ranks in the top five in PFF receiving grade against both man (90.7) and zone (90.1) coverage schemes. Puka Nacua is the only other receiver with 90.0-plus marks against both looks. Smith-Njigba now has seven catches of 30-plus yards this season (most), accounting for 310 yards. Thirty-two of his 54 targets have come from 10-plus yards downfield, where he has earned a near-perfect 97.8 PFF receiving grade (first).
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (86.2)
St. Brown caught nine of his 10 targets against the Chiefs, but he was held to 45 yards, tying a season low set back in Week 1. He did gain three first downs, with two catches of 10-plus yards in the process, but it was his first game this season without an explosive play.
Despite the low total, St. Brown ranks sixth in receiving yards (452) ahead of the Lions' Monday Night Football matchup with the Buccaneers. He has seen the second-most slot targets in the NFL, securing 26 of 29 passes for 244 yards. He has caught four touchdowns and moved the chains 17 times from that alignment.
St. Brown also ranks in the top five in explosive gains (six) and yards per route run (2.65) from the slot, despite recording the fourth-lowest average depth of target (5.3). The explosive playmaker leads all receivers in passer rating when targeted from the slot (126.9), and places third in slot PFF receiving grade (81.1).
4. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (84.2)
London starred in Atlanta’s upset win over the Bills, racking up 158 receiving yards across 10 receptions. Four of his catches went for 20-plus yards, including a 23-yard pickup to open the game and a 39-yard gain to close the first half. London nearly scored on the latter play, as he was forced out of bounds one yard shy of the endzone. He did find paydirt earlier in the game, stretching out for a nine-yard touchdown on third down with Taron Johnson on his back at the end of the first quarter.
Overall, London gained seven first downs and finished with season highs in yards after the catch per reception (6.3), yards per route run (4.51) and passer rating when targeted (132.4). He earned an 85.7 PFF receiving grade for the night (fourth best).
The former top-10 pick has caught fire over his past two games, recording 18 catches for 268 yards and 11 first downs. His 91.4 PFF receiving grade leads all receivers in that span. Eleven of his 14 targets against Buffalo came against zone coverage, where he caught nine passes for 149 yards (most). London ranks second in PFF receiving grade against zone (91.2) this season, behind Puka Nacua. He has brought in 29 passes — four contested — for 388 yards with 15 first downs against zone.
5. D.K. Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers (82.4)
Metcalf turned each of his four catches into first downs against the Browns, finishing the contest with 95 receiving yards. Each reception went for 20-plus yards, including a 25-yard touchdown against Tyson Campbell to begin the fourth quarter. Three of his grabs came against the Browns’ new cornerback, totaling 70 yards.
Metcalf is up to 19 catches for 356 yards in 2025. Sixteen have moved the chains, and he now has a touchdown in four consecutive games. The veteran ranks second in yards gained after contact (126) and has secured six of 12 contested targets for 76 yards and five first downs. Two of his four touchdowns have come from those targets, and he owns a 93.4 PFF receiving grade in contested situations (third best).
6. Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots (82.3)
The Maryland product had a quiet day against the Saints after his stellar performance in Week 5 against the Bills. Diggs caught all three of his targets for 28 yards, with two first downs. Both of those catches were plays of 10-plus yards in key moments, including a 14-yard gain on fourth-and-4 early in the third quarter.
Diggs has now caught 32 of 37 passes for 387 yards and 19 first downs. He has secured all five of his contested targets, earning a 75.4 PFF receiving grade on those plays. He has also hauled in 12 of 14 late-down targets for 134 yards and eight first downs. Diggs boasts a 72.4 PFF receiving grade on conversion downs.
7. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (82.0)
Downs tallied his first touchdown of the season, holding on to secure a five-yard catch after a shot from Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither that knocked him out of bounds. Downs finished with his second consecutive six-catch day, totaling 42 yards receiving with three first downs. He made another crucial grab midway through the fourth quarter — a nine-yard catch on third-and-8 to move Indianapolis inside Arizona’s five-yard line. The Colts punched it in two plays later to take the lead. Downs finished the game with a 131.3 passer rating when targeted.
The North Carolina product now has 26 catches for 217 yards in 2025. He has seen fewer than five targets in only two games, and although he has notched just two explosive gains, he has made six catches of 10-plus yards for 91 yards, earning a 96.1 PFF receiving grade on those plays.
Downs has also continued to perform well against both coverage schemes, earning 75.0-plus PFF receiving grades against man (79.4) and zone (77.9) looks. His touchdown in Week 6 came against man coverage, while he’s caught 18 of 21 targets against zone coverage.
8. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys (82.0)
Pickens brought in nine of 11 passes against the Panthers for a season-high 168 yards. It was his second game this season with at least eight catches and 100 receiving yards. Pickens finished the contest with three catches of 30-plus yards on the day, including one against a diving Jaycee Horn in the first quarter where he turned upfield and hurdled safety Nick Scott for a 31-yard gain.
The former Steeler took a slant route on third-and-short late in the third quarter for a 34-yard touchdown, outracing the entire defense on the play. On another third down in the fourth quarter, Pickens spun away from Mike Jackson after the catch on his way to a 45-yard gain. He forced three missed tackles, gained 122 yards after contact (third most) and earned a 90.4 PFF receiving grade (fourth best) for his efforts.
Pickens ranks third in receiving yards this season (525). He joins the Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the only receivers to record 10 catches of 20-plus yards this season. The fourth-year pro has caught five of 12 sideline targets for 76 yards and a touchdown, all first downs. He has three catches of 15-plus yards on those plays, as well as an 85.0 PFF receiving grade.
9. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (81.6)
Waddle continues to serve as the Dolphins' lead receiver with Tyreek Hill out for the year. He caught six passes for 95 yards and four first downs against the Chargers in Week 6. He had two receptions of 15-plus yards, both with Cam Hart in coverage, including a 45-yarder late in the first half.
The former Alabama star is tied for seventh in targets (17) and catches (12) since Hill went down two weeks ago. He has racked up 205 receiving yards (fourth most), a touchdown and 10 first downs (tied for third most) in that span, as well. As a result, the 2021 sixth overall pick owns an 84.4 PFF receiving grade over the past two weeks (seventh).
10. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (81.0)
Hill is out for the season after suffering a knee injury.
11. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (79.3)
Chase put together his second game this season with 90-plus receiving yards (94), doing significant damage against the Packers with Joe Flacco at the helm of the Bengals' offense. He gained five first downs and brought in three contested targets. He also recorded two explosive gains in the fourth quarter, including a 19-yard touchdown catch over Keisean Nixon on fourth-and-4 late in the period to bring Cincinnati within one score.
The superstar receiver now has 42 catches for 468 yards, while ranking in the top five in receiving yards and targets (56). He’s up to four touchdowns on the year and is tied for sixth in first downs (21). Chase continues to be one of the best playmakers after the catch, slotting into the top 10 in yards gained after the catch (196) and after contact (87). He has forced six missed tackles and has racked up 10 catches of 15-plus yards.
12. Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots (79.0)
Boutte generated a perfect passer rating when targeted against the Saints after securing each of his five targets for 93 yards and two touchdowns. All of his receptions moved the chains, and he finished the week with a 90.8 PFF receiving grade (second best). His final catch against New Orleans came on third-and-11 late in the fourth quarter, when he secured a 21-yard contested target over Kool-Aid McKinstry to effectively seal the Patriots' six-point win.
Boutte has caught everything his way over the past two games, hauling in each of his eight targets for 136 yards. All have gone for first downs, with five gains of 15-plus yards. He sports a perfect passer rating when targeted and a near-elite 87.4 PFF receiving grade in that span, while ranking fourth among Patriots receivers in threat rate (17.8%).
13. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (78.9)
The Vikings were on a bye in Week 6.
14. Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers (77.5)
Pearsall missed Week 6 due to a knee injury.
15. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (76.9)
Flowers caught six of 10 targets against the Rams but was held to 46 receiving yards — his second outing this year with fewer than 50. He gained two first downs, forced three missed tackles and averaged 4.8 yards after the catch per reception. The Boston College product moved Baltimore inside the red zone late in the fourth quarter with an 18-yard catch on third-and-11 but also lost a fumble in the third quarter when Nate Landman punched it out.
The 2023 first-round pick now has 34 catches for 423 yards and 16 first downs this season. He remains one of the most elusive receivers at the position, ranking in the top 10 in missed tackles forced (eight) and total yards after the catch (211). He is also averaging 6.2 yards after the catch per reception (ninth best) and slots into the top 15 in yards gained after contact (68).
16. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (76.9)
The budding receiver logged only two catches for 32 yards (season low) against the Commanders, but both went for first downs. Odunze found space in zone coverage against Frankie Luvu and Trey Amos for an 11-yard gain late in the first quarter. On his second catch, he was left wide open for a 21-yard pickup early in the third quarter.
The former Huskie now has 22 catches for 328 yards on the season, with 18 first downs and 10 gains of 15-plus yards. It was his first game this season without a touchdown catch.
Odunze’s 38 targets have been spread evenly across the field — at least 10 at each depth level past the line of scrimmage. He owns at least an 89.9 PFF receiving grade at each level, including a 10th-ranked 93.1 mark within nine yards of the line of scrimmage. The ascending second-year pass catcher also has seen 14 slot targets, bringing in five for 59 yards and four first downs.
17. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers (76.0)
McMillan saw a season-low five targets in Week 6, securing three catches for 29 yards. However, he still put his stamp on the game with two touchdown catches, the first of his career. Both scores came in the red zone with Donovan Wilson in coverage. The first was early in the second quarter after McMillan got by an initial defender and forced Wilson to stumble on his way to a wide-open 19-yard catch.
The second score came early in the fourth when Wilson bumped him in the endzone before he released into space for a two-yard catch. McMillan also finished the day with a season-high 74.8 PFF run-blocking grade.
The top-10 pick is now up to 27 catches for 380 yards this season. He is tied for fifth in red-zone targets (seven) and has brought in five such passes for 38 yards and four first downs. He has earned a 71.1 PFF receiving grade on those plays.
18. Cooper Kupp, Seattle Seahawks (75.9)
Kupp did all of his Week 7 damage on the Seahawks' first drive of the second half against the Jaguars. He caught two passes for 40 yards. The veteran got behind the second level of the defense for a 29-yard catch-and-run, and three plays later, he beat Jourdan Lewis on third-and-3 inside the red zone for an 11-yard touchdown catch. It was Kupp’s first touchdown of the season — and first as a Seahawk.
Kupp now has 23 catches for 261 yards with 13 first downs in 2025. He has seven explosive gains on the season, four of which have come off play action. The 32-year-old owns a 20.0% deep target rate and a 78.1 PFF receiving grade on play-action passes (five targets).
19. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (75.6)
Sutton was held to one catch for 17 yards in the Broncos' ugly win over the Jets. It was Sutton’s second one-catch game of the season.
The reception came from a target outside the numbers, where the wily receiver has been targeted 27 times this season. Sutton has brought in 11 of those passes for 150 yards and a touchdown, moving the chains on all but one play. He boasts a 77.4 PFF receiving grade from that area of the field.
20. Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (75.1)
Egbuka left the Buccaneers' Week 6 matchup against the 49ers in the first half with a hamstring injury. He finished the game with two catches for 24 yards and a first down. Both of his catches came from the slot.
The rising star had amassed 11 catches for 264 yards in his previous two games, earning a 75.8 PFF receiving grade over that stretch. He has been targeted 13 times out of the slot this season, catching eight passes for 100 yards and six first downs. Egbuka has also performed well in the red zone, ranking third in red-zone PFF receiving grade (81.7). He’s caught four of five red-zone targets for 55 yards (second most), with three first downs and two scores.
21. Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (74.8)
Pierce returned to the field after missing two games with a concussion. He caught two passes against the Cardinals, both for explosive gains, totaling 48 yards. One was on a pass across the middle over an outstretched Mack Wilson Sr. for a 26-yard pickup. He was later able to create enough space between Max Melton and Budda Baker for a 22-yard catch.
Pierce now has 11 catches for 219 yards with eight explosive gains. Eleven of his 17 targets have come from the intermediate level of the field, where he’s caught seven passes for 126 yards. He ranks fifth in PFF receiving grade from that depth (92.0).
22. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams (73.4)
Adams notched four catches for a season-low 39 yards against the Ravens in Week 6. He did, however, pick up three first downs. His last catch of the day came on the first play of the third quarter. He split Malaki Starks and Nate Wiggins across the middle for a 21-yard gain.
The 12th-year veteran has 26 catches for 396 yards this season. He ranks in the top 10 in targets (54) and threat rate (26.5%). Much of Adams’ production this season has come between the numbers, where he ranks third in targets (31). He has caught 16 passes for 223 yards with eight gains of 15-plus yards (tied for 10th most) on those plays, leading to a 72.9 PFF receiving grade.
23. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (72.9)
Wilson was held to three catches for 13 yards on eight targets in Week 6, and he suffered a knock in the process after falling awkwardly while extending for a target. He is expected to miss time with a hyperextended knee, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Wilson dipped to 11th in receiving yards (395) and places sixth in targets (52) through six weeks. He has a 24.4% threat rate this season, placing 14th. No other Jets wide receiver has seen more than 12 targets or owns a threat rate better than 10.2%.
24. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers (72.9)
Allen was quiet in Week 6, with four catches for a season-low 27 yards against the Dolphins. He did gain two first downs and secured two contested catches.
The veteran has now been targeted 50 times this season, catching 33 passes for 316 yards and 20 first downs. Most of his targets have come against zone coverage, where he has caught 19 passes for 11 first downs and two touchdowns. The 33-year-old is generating a 117.6 passer rating when targeted against zone.
25. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (72.6)
Brown caught six of nine targets for 80 yards and three first downs against the Giants. He recorded two explosive gains in the first half, one on a play where he beat Paulson Adebo late in the first quarter with Jevon Holland closing in for a 30-yard gain. He later picked up 16 yards on a crossing route.
The star receiver has 25 catches for 274 yards on the season. Brown has been at his best against single coverage, where he ranks seventh in PFF receiving grade (90.2). He has caught 11 passes against man coverage for 135 yards and a touchdown, in addition to nine first downs (fifth most). Conversely, he sports a 61.6 PFF receiving grade when targeted against zone, where he has brought in 13 passes for three first downs.
26. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (72.2)
McLaurin missed Week 6 due to a quad injury.
27. Nico Collins, Houston Texans (72.0)
The Texans were on a bye in Week 6.
28. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (72.0)
Smith moved the chains with each of his four catches in Week 6, gaining 49 yards. He also had two explosive gains against the Giants. He was left wide open underneath zone coverage for a 16-yard gain on third-and-7 early in the second quarter, and he recorded another 16-yard reception early in the fourth quarter with Tyler Nubin in coverage.
The former Alabama star now has 29 catches for 321 yards with seven explosive gains this season. He’s been excellent on conversion downs, securing 13 of 16 targets for 186 yards and nine first downs. He owns an 82.8 PFF receiving grade on late-down plays (ninth best).
29. Marquise Brown, Kansas City Chiefs (71.5)
Brown caught each of his four targets on Sunday Night Football against the Lions, tallying 45 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He took a jet screen nine yards to paydirt early in the third quarter to extend the Chiefs’ lead and was later left alone underneath the defense for an easy three-yard catch and score midway through the fourth. Brown finished the contest with a 74.8 PFF receiving grade — his second consecutive game of surpassing 70.0.
The former first-round pick from Oklahoma has 30 catches for 302 yards this season, with three touchdown catches in his past three games. He has forced five missed tackles, recorded seven explosive gains, racked up 17 first downs and generated a 115.4 passer rating when targeted.
Brown has gone over 50 receiving yards only once this season (Week 1 against the Chargers), and most of his targets have come within nine yards of the line of scrimmage (23, 12 most), plays on which he sports a 74.8 PFF receiving grade.
30. Malik Nabers, New York Giants (71.4)
Nabers is out for the season with a knee injury.
31. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (71.4)
Pittman, the third Colts receiver to feature in this top 32, recorded two catches for 20 yards against Arizona, both first-down gains. The bulk of his total came from a 14-yard reception in the third quarter. He’s now been held to fewer than 50 receiving yards in three straight games. He’s up to 28 catches for 293 yards on the season.
T-32. Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers (71.0)
Golden impressed with a season-high 86 receiving yards against the Bengals. He secured three of his five targets, all gains of 20-plus yards. He evaded two tackles for a 20-yard pickup late in the first quarter and later hung on for a 35-yard sideline catch to convert a third down in the second quarter with Cam Taylor-Britt right on his hip. Golden’s last catch came with just over two minutes remaining in the game, when he was able to turn Jordan Battle around with a route adjustment, freeing himself for a 31-yard reception. The rookie averaged 6.7 yards after the catch per reception and now has three consecutive games with at least three catches and 50 receiving yards.
The Packers' first-round pick has caught 14 of 19 passes for 212 yards this season, the second most among Green Bay receivers. Half of his catches have moved the chains, including five gains of 20-plus yards. Golden’s target share has been spread out evenly across every level of the field, with the bulk of his targets (seven) coming deep. The speedster has brought in four deep passes for 146 yards, accounting for 69% of his receiving total.
T-32. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (71.0)
Despite the Saints' struggles, Olave is a consistent presence in the team's passing offense. He caught another six passes for 98 yards in Week 6 against the Patriots. His best play was a 53-yard catch on the first play of the game when he streaked by safety Kyle Dugger. In the third quarter, Olave found space between Robert Spillane and Christian Gonzalez for a 15-yard gain. He averaged 5.2 yards after the catch and 3.50 yards per route run in the game.
The 2022 first-round pick ranks second in targets this season (61) and has caught 39 passes for 342 yards. He has 18 first downs and places fourth in threat rate (28.2%). Olave has been at his best when attacking zone coverage, ranking in the top five in targets (42) and catches (28). His stat sheet against zone includes 207 receiving yards and 13 first downs (tied for eighth most). Olave also boasts a 77.2 PFF receiving grade on catches of 10-plus yards.