NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys
Nov 27, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) celebrates after a play against the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
In the NFL, there are some situations, like Garrett Wilson with the Jets, where it doesn’t matter how talented you are if your offensive coordinator and quarterback can’t get you the ball.
And how do we explain what’s going on with the Dallas Cowboys when CeeDee Lamb is the whole passing game? Staying level-headed is key here.
Now, let’s take a spin through our expected top-15 wide receivers entering Week 5 of the NFL season. And then, we can see how much things change on a weekly basis:
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Wide Receivers 15-11
Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
15. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
It was a weird game for the Packers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, but we can’t blame Watson. This is another example of only being able to produce where you can, as Watson finished with just three catches for 47 yards. The problem, though, is that he was only targeted three times.
14. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
Puka Nacua did return this week, but I’m still not concerned about Adams. Yes, he only caught four passes for 32 yards, but he was targeted nine times. And now, he plays a weak Buffalo pass defense in Week 5.
13. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Yes, Higgins did get a bump as Ja’Marr Chase did leave in the second quarter with a concussion. But we shouldn’t let that discount what Higgins is capable of on his own. In the two weeks prior, he had 95 and 90 yards, respectively, but last week he went off with 11 catches for 157 yards.
12. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
It was only a matter of time for Nabers to get onto this list. He’s still at the whim of Jameis Winston, but the veteran quarterback has had enough success in his career to work with a talented receiver like Nabers. His six catches for 112 yards and a touchdown last week illustrate that he’s getting back in his groove.
11. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
Compared to his two catches for 17 yards in Week 3, it was a tale of two extremes for McMillan. Yes, his prolific day of 14 catches on 16 targets for 192 yards and two touchdowns was a true outlier. However, not to the degree you might think, as it was his second 100-plus-yard game of the season. There’s a lot of talent here; Bryce Young just needs to get him the ball consistently.
Top 10 Wide Receivers
Aug 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) catches a pass before playing against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
10. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Have no fear, as Collins returned as if he didn’t miss two games with a hamstring injury. He finished with seven catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns as the chemistry with CJ Stroud continues to be top-notch.
9. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
While there is some concern if Lamar Jackson is out, Flowers is still an elite option who also has a favorable matchup this week against the Atlanta Falcons. He’s coming off another strong performance in which he caught eight passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.
8. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson has been slow to get going this season, and the ankle injury that kept him out of Week 4 didn’t exactly help. However, he’s still one of the best receivers there is as Jefferson has been a victim of Minnesota’s quarterback situation. The hope is the returns without any limitations this week. However, I’m still not completely confident in Kyler Murray or this offense.
7. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
The Michael Penix effect continues with London. Last week got out of hand quickly so Atlanta didn’t have to rely much on the passing game, but London still finished with 96 yards on five catches. Now, he just needs to catch his first touchdown of the season.
6. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
To get an idea of how good Olave has been to this point, his worst game this season is the one in which he finished with eight catches for 86 yards and his only touchdown. He’s averaging 14 yards per reception on his 35 catches, as yes, a healthy Olave is very good.
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Top 5 Wide Receivers
NFL: Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
Oct 4, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs off the field after a victory against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
5. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
What injury? Nacua returned with gusto as he caught nine of 12 targets for 125 yards. I guess we don’t have to worry about any lingering issues with his hip and groin; at least for now. This week should be a smash spot for Nacua against the Bills.
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
While he didn’t get in the end zone last week, it was still another customarily strong game from St. Brown. Jared Goff looked his way 11 times, and St. Brown turned that into eight catches for 75 yards. It was also his first game this season without a touchdown.
3. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
What the heck happened here? The Houston Texans defense is supposed to be good, but that wasn’t the case in Week 4. Nothing against Lamb, but there are other receivers in Dallas’ offense, even if it wasn’t apparent. He caught 17 of an astounding 21 targets for 189 yards and his fourth touchdown of the season. His 44 yards in Week 1 are a distant memory after his third straight game of at least 100 yards.
2. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
It’s unclear if we’ll see Chase in Week 5 as he works to clear concussion protocol. Regardless, we know the Bengals really don’t need him against the Miami Dolphins, so there’s no need to push anything here.
1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
So, he is mortal? Smith-Njigba had a very pedestrian, especially for him, Week 4 game in which he caught five passes for 76 yards. Nothing to see here, even if his Week 5 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers isn’t perfect.