- Jaxon Smith-Njigba's quiet week helps Puka Nacua make up ground: The gap sits at just .3 grade points between the two star receivers for Nos. 1 and 2 in PFF receiving grade.
- Christian Watson is on a tear since getting back on the field: The former second-rounder missed the first seven weeks of the season but is already up to the sixth-best PFF receiving grade ahead of Week 14.
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Estimated Reading Time: 25 minutes
We're diving into the top wide receivers by PFF receiving grade through Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season. To qualify, players need to have logged at least 100 receiving snaps.
1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (93.7)
The Vikings‘ defense stands alone this season in being able to hold Smith-Njigba to a quiet game. The NFL's highest-graded wide receiver logged just two catches for 23 yards on three targets, although both receptions went for first downs. The highlight was a 17-yard gain on a screen pass to close out the third quarter. And while he forced two missed tackles in the game, Smith-Njigba still finished with a season-low 61.8 PFF receiving grade in the Seahawks' victory.
The third-year breakout star now has 82 catches on the season (third most) and continues to lead the league in receiving yards (1,336) and plays of 15-plus yards (32). He recorded the top PFF receiving grade in November (92.2), tying with the Falcons‘ Drake London.
2. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (93.4)
Nacua caught six of nine targets for 72 yards in the Rams' surprise loss to the Panthers. That included three receptions of 10-plus yards, one of which was a highlight of the week. Nacua wasn’t able to shake cornerback Mike Jackson on the play with a double move, but that didn’t stop him from bringing down an amazing one-handed grab 31 yards downfield. Nacua also secured two contested catches, forced a missed tackle and moved the chains three times in the game. Although he dropped a critical pass late in the fourth quarter, he still finished the contest with a 74.1 PFF receiving grade.
The 2023 fifth-round pick has engineered his third consecutive 1,000-yard season, as he is up to 86 catches for 1,019 yards. Not only is Nacua tied for first in catches, but he also ranks fifth in targets (103) and leads the league in target rate on routes run (34.0%).
Nacua ranked third in PFF receiving grade in November (90.9) after recording 32 receptions for 403 yards (sixth most), with 18 first downs and two touchdowns. He secured 10 of 12 contested catches, forced eight missed tackles (tied for second) and accounted for nine explosive gains this past month.
3. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (90.9)
London did not play in Week 13 due to a knee injury.
4. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys (90.2)
Pickens had a quieter day in the Cowboys' Thanksgiving win over the Chiefs, but he still brought in six of 12 targets for 88 yards and three first downs. Pickens forced two missed tackles and averaged 7.8 yards after the catch per reception and 2.59 yards per route run. However, he also dropped a pass with Dallas backed up deep in its own territory and fumbled a catch in the red zone in the fourth quarter.
Still, Pickens delivered a spectacular play early in the fourth quarter when he spun around cornerback Jaylen Watson after a short catch and turned it into a 39-yard pickup, hurdling Trent McDuffie before finally going down at Kansas City’s six-yard line. He finished the day with a 68.4 PFF receiving grade.
The former Steeler continues to shine in his first season in Dallas, having tallied 73 catches for 1,142 yards (second most) in a career season. He leads the league in first downs (60) and yards after contact (259) while ranking in the top five in yards after the catch (372), explosive gains (30) and catches of 20-plus yards (18).
Despite his drop and fumble against Kansas City, both on third-down plays, Pickens remains automatic on conversion downs this season. His 39-yard reception came on a third-down target, one of seven times he saw a pass on third downs in the game. For the season, Pickens has secured 23 of 31 third- or fourth-down targets for 359 yards. He has moved the chains 22 times with eight explosive gains and six contested catches on those plays, all leading to an 81.2 PFF receiving grade on conversion downs.
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (89.9)
St. Brown suffered an ankle injury early in the first quarter of the Lions' loss to the Packers and did not return. His status for Week 14's Thursday night contest against the Cowboys is uncertain.
Despite the injury, St. Brown still ranks fifth in receiving yards this season (884). He also places in the top three in touchdowns (nine) and explosive gains (26).
6. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (86.4)
Watson started Week 13 with a 17-yard grab over Amik Robertson on the Packers' second offensive play. He later separated downfield from the cornerback for a 51-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. Watson finished the outing with four catches on 10 targets for 80 yards, with each grab moving the chains. He also earned the fifth-best PFF receiving grade for the week (81.2).
The 2022 second-round pick is up to 21 catches for 363 yards with three touchdowns this season. He has gained 17 first downs and recorded 10 explosive gains — six of which went for 20-plus yards. Watson is also averaging 19.4 depth yards per target, which ranks sixth highest.
Watson has been excellent against zone coverage this season, ranking fourth in PFF receiving grade (90.4). He has secured 13 of 16 targets for 238 yards and a touchdown while picking up nine first downs. He slots into the top five in yards per route run (3.05) and target rating (139.6) against zone looks.
Single coverage hasn't slowed Watson, either. He has brought in seven passes against single coverage for 100 yards and two touchdowns, moving the chains each time. Watson boasts a 78.8 PFF receiving grade on those plays.
7. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (85.6)
Waddle caught three passes for 40 yards against the Saints, all for first downs. Nearly half of his yards came early in the fourth quarter when he got behind Demario Davis and Danny Stutsman in zone coverage for a 22-yard gain.
The former sixth overall pick now has 52 catches for 762 yards this season. His 81.6 PFF receiving grade in November ranked 10th best, powered by his 38 first downs and 21 explosive gains.
Waddle continues to produce within the numbers, having caught 29 of 38 such targets for 441 yards and 23 first downs. Thirteen of his explosive plays have come within that area of the field (top 15), where he ranks seventh in PFF receiving grade (88.3).
8. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (85.5)
Chase bounced back from his suspension with seven catches for 110 yards in Joe Burrow’s return to the field. He recorded five catches of 10-plus yards in the Bengals' Thanksgiving win over the Ravens, with two explosive plays. He caught a dime over his shoulder for 43 yards with cornerback Marlon Humphrey in tight coverage late in the second quarter. A few plays later, Chase beat Nate Wiggins for a 15-yard catch to move the Bengals to the Ravens’ 10-yard line, down by one at the time. He finished the night with a 77.3 PFF receiving grade (10th best in Week 13).
The fifth-year megastar is up to 86 catches, 971 receiving yards and five touchdown catches on the season. He ranks fourth in receiving yards and first downs (48) and paces the league in targets (129).
Chase continues to dominate post-catch, slotting into the top five in yards after the catch (434), yards after contact (197) and missed tackles forced (16). He is also tied for 10th in explosive plays (22), with eight of those catches gaining 20-plus yards.
9. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams (84.1)
Adams caught four passes for 58 yards against the Panthers while adding two more red-zone scores to his 2025 resume. His first touchdown came on the first drive of the game — a quick four-yard grab across the middle. His second came from seven yards out in the second quarter as he found space along the back of the end zone.
Adams also recorded explosive gains of 32 and 15 yards in the game, both on open looks against zone coverages. He finished the day with an 81.3 PFF receiving grade, the seventh-best mark among receivers who ran at least 15 routes in Week 13.
The six-time Pro Bowler now has 52 catches for 689 yards with 44 first downs (seventh), 22 explosive gains and 14 touchdown catches (first) in his first year with the Rams. He graded out as PFF’s eighth-ranked receiver in November (82.2).
Adams produced a 59.3 PFF receiving grade against zone coverages through the first eight weeks of the season, but that changed in November, during which his grade shot up to 74.8 — a top-20 mark. Adams caught 11 of 19 targets for 176 yards and two scores in that span, with each reception moving the chains.
10. DeAndre Hopkins, Baltimore Ravens (83.0)
Hopkins caught two catches for 25 yards in the Ravens' loss to the Bengals, with both receptions gaining more than 10 yards. He notched his first explosive gain since Week 5 against the Texans with a 15-yard back-shoulder grab over Dax Hill early in the fourth quarter to move the Ravens into the red zone, down by double digits.
The five-time All-Pro receiver now has 17 catches for 257 yards and 11 first downs this season. He has secured nine of 13 contested targets and has accounted for six explosive gains. He is also generating a 118.9 passer rating when targeted in his limited role (27 targets this season).
Hopkins remains dominant outside the numbers, bringing in 11 passes for 182 yards and eight first downs. Both of his touchdowns this season have been outside-the-numbers catches, and he’s tied for fifth in PFF receiving grade from that area of the field (90.4).
11. Demario Douglas, New England Patriots (82.6)
Douglas caught each of his three targets for 33 yards and two first downs on Monday Night Football, headlined by a 15-yarder in the closing seconds of the first half.
The third-year receiver now has 27 catches for 402 yards with 16 first downs this season. His resume also includes nine explosive gains and top-10 passer ratings when targeted against both man and zone.
Douglas has caught 10 of 13 single-coverage targets for 179 yards, a touchdown and seven first downs. He is generating a 143.9 passer rating on those plays (sixth) while averaging 3.65 yards per route run (fourth) on his way to an 81.7 PFF receiving grade.
Meanwhile, Douglas has caught 15 of 21 zone targets for 222 yards with eight first downs and two touchdowns. He ranks fourth in passer rating when targeted against zone looks (137.7).
12. Nico Collins, Houston Texans (82.4)
Collins caught five passes for 98 yards in the Texans' win over the Colts, with each reception moving the chains. He recorded four explosive gains, including three catches of 20-plus yards. One of those plays nearly turned into a touchdown, but he stepped out of bounds on the 22-yard pickup in the second quarter while trying to tiptoe down the sideline. Collins finished the day with a 79.9 PFF receiving grade.
The 2024 Pro Bowl receiver had made 57 catches for 795 yards this season. He graded out as the fifth-best receiver in November (85.3), with 31 catches for 456 yards. He gained 24 first downs, with 14 explosive plays, while averaging 2.48 yards per route run this past month — all top-five figures.
13. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (81.8)
McLaurin made his return to the field on Sunday Night Football after missing three games with a nagging quad injury. He brought in seven of 14 targets for 96 yards, with six catches of 10-plus yards. His biggest catches — three plays of 15-plus yards — came in the fourth quarter and overtime of the Commanders' loss to the Broncos. His final catch of the night was a three-yard score with 2:50 remaining in overtime to bring Washington within one point and set up the team's ill-fated two-point attempt. McLaurin earned a 79.7 PFF receiving grade for the game.
The two-time Pro Bowl receiver has 20 catches for 299 yards in five games played this season. Seventeen of his catches have moved the chains, and six have been explosive gains.
Both of his touchdowns this year have come on conversion downs, where he has seven catches for 86 yards with six first downs. He boasts an 83.3 PFF receiving grade on third and fourth downs this season, tying for ninth best among receivers with at least 15 targets.
14. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (81.7)
Brown recorded a season-high 132 receiving yards in the Eagles' Black Friday loss to the Bears. He caught 10 of 12 targets and produced five explosive gains and two touchdown catches. His longest catch was a 33-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter, as he was able to leap over cornerback Nahshon Wright downfield and walk into the end zone. Brown averaged 4.00 yards per route run and notched the second-best PFF receiving grade of the week (90.3).
The three-time All-Pro is up to 56 catches for 699 yards, six touchdowns and 16 explosive gains this season. Over his past two games, Brown has caught 18 of 22 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns. He has eight catches of 15-plus yards and a near-elite 86.6 PFF receiving grade in that stretch.
15. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs (81.4)
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is leaning on Rice, who caught eight of 12 targets for 92 yards in the team's Thanksgiving Day loss to the Cowboys. He made two touchdown catches, including a 27-yarder in the opening period. Rice later recorded a 28-yard reception late in the third quarter, his second explosive gain of the day. He forced two missed tackles and gained five first downs, finishing with a 129.2 passer rating when targeted. He also recorded a dropped pass — his fourth in his past four games.
The former second-round pick now has 42 catches for 486 yards and five touchdowns this year. He has gained 25 first downs, forced five missed tackles and logged nine catches of 20-plus yards.
Rice has been at his best against zone coverage, catching 26 of 32 targets for 334 yards and 17 first downs. He is averaging 8.7 yards after the catch per reception (third best) and ranks 10th in PFF receiving grade against zone looks (83.4).
16. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (81.0)
Hill is out for the season due to a knee injury.
17. Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots (80.8)
Diggs caught three of his four targets for only 26 yards against the Giants. He did pick up two first downs, forced a missed tackle and averaged 6.0 yards after the catch per reception.
Diggs is up to 64 catches and a team-high 705 receiving yards this season. He earned a 75.4 PFF receiving grade in November. Most of his targets continue to come within nine yards of the line of scrimmage, where he has caught 45 of 50 passes for 375 yards and 22 first downs. He ranks in the top 10 in each category on short targets, and all of his touchdowns this season (three) have stemmed from short targets. Diggs owns the eighth-best PFF receiving grade at that depth of the field (94.6).
The two-time All-Pro has also been automatic outside of the numbers, securing 22 of 25 targets for 260 yards and 16 first downs. He has seven explosive gains from that area of the field, along with an 82.8 PFF receiving grade.
T-18. Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (80.3)
Pierce racked up four catches of 15-plus yards against the Texans, including a 19-yard highlight grab in the second quarter. He blew by cornerback Kamari Lassiter and adjusted to secure the pass while falling with Lassiter and safety Calen Bullock in his face. His longest gain was a 22-yard catch late in the fourth quarter with the Colts down by four. Pierce secured two contested targets and gained 78 receiving yards in the game, leading to the fourth-best PFF receiving grade of the week (82.3)
The fourth-year vertical threat now has 33 catches for 689 yards and two touchdowns in 2025. He also has 23 explosive gains, including 12 catches of 20-plus yards.
Against single coverage, Pierce has secured nine of 18 targets for 178 yards, earning a 79.9 PFF receiving grade. Most of his volume has come against zone, where he’s caught 20 of 30 targets for 417 yards. His 77.0 PFF receiving grade against zone coverages is a top-20 figure at the position.
T-18. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers (80.3)
Allen caught four passes for 30 yards in the Chargers' Week 13 win over the Raiders. He gained three first downs, one a contested 10-yard grab to convert on third-and-3. All of his receptions were on third downs.
The six-time Pro Bowler has made 60 catches for 622 yards in his 13th season, and he is tied for the eighth most first downs (39). Allen has specialized in sustaining drives with his work on conversion downs this season, securing 27 such catches for 314 yards — all but three of which moved the chains. He ranks first in first downs gained and second in conversion targets (39). Allen holds the second-best PFF receiving grade on late-down plays (90.5) heading into the final month of the regular season.
20. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (79.4)
Smith brought down five catches for 48 yards in the Eagles' loss to the Bears. Most of his production stemmed from the first play of the second quarter when he got behind cornerback Jaylon Johnson with room to run for a 30-yard pickup. He tallied two catches of 10-plus yards on the day.
The 27-year-old receiver is up to 60 catches on the season and ranks ninth in receiving yards (802). He has gained 34 first downs and made 11 catches of 20-plus yards.
His 30-yard reception came on an intermediate target, an area of the field where he has now caught 15 of 22 passes for 251 yards. Smith boasts an elite 96.1 PFF receiving grade on passes between 10-19 yards downfield.
21. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (78.0)
Both of Downs' catches in Week 13 gained first downs, but he accounted for only 44 receiving yards in the game. One was a 34-yarder on third-and-11 late in the third quarter. The catch moved the Colts into Texans territory while down by seven. While that play was highlight material, Downs also dropped two balls in the game, including a costly one on a third down with less than two minutes remaining and Indianapolis down by four. The Colts turned the ball over on downs on the next play, sealing their loss.
The former third-round pick from North Carolina now has 40 catches for 370 yards and five explosive plays this season. Forty-four of his 58 targets have come within nine yards of the line of scrimmage, and he has caught 32 of them for 227 yards. Downs holds a 93.2 PFF receiving grade on short targets.
22. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers (77.9)
McMillan made just one catch in the Panthers' upset win over the Rams, but it went for 43 yards and a touchdown. The grab came on fourth-and-2 midway through the fourth quarter. McMillan initially slowed down on a crossing route with Emmanuel Forbes in coverage, before breaking upfield away from him into space. McMillan was targeted only twice in the game, dropping the first. He finished the day with a 57.7 PFF receiving grade.
The eighth overall pick has struggled in his past two games, earning a 55.8 PFF receiving grade (bottom-15 mark). He has caught only three of 10 targets for 78 yards, and while he’s notched two touchdown passes, he also has two drops.
McMillan is still enjoying a great rookie season, placing in the top 10 at the position in receiving yards (826), touchdowns (six), first downs (46) and plays of 20-plus yards (14). He has 57 catches and 25 explosive gains this year, along with an average of 4.1 yards after the catch per reception.
Highest-Graded Rookie WRs
23. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (76.2)
Lamb feasted on Thanksgiving, posting seven catches for 112 yards with three explosive gains. He separated from All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie for a 15-yard touchdown on a third down late in the first quarter. Four plays earlier, he recorded a 17-yard gain on another third down. He later blew by Chamarri Conner in the fourth quarter for a 51-yard catch with Dallas backed up at its own 10-yard line and holding on to a seven-point lead. Lamb finished the day with a 155.6 passer rating when targeted and a 78.2 PFF receiving grade (ninth best).
The four-time Pro Bowler has 51 catches for 744 yards, three touchdowns and 17 explosive gains in his sixth season. He earned a 73.5 PFF receiving grade in November, hauling in 23 passes for 338 yards (ninth) with 13 first downs and eight explosive gains. Two of his touchdowns came within that stretch, while he also tied for fifth in missed tackles forced (six).
24. Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots (76.1)
While Boutte accounted for only 35 receiving yards across four catches on Monday Night Football, he made the most of each one. He recorded two gains of 10-plus yards, both with Paulson Adebo in coverage. He also caught his sixth touchdown of the season — a three-yard grab over Cor'Dale Flott late in the first quarter. Boutte generated a 135.4 passer rating when targeted in the outing.
The third-year player out of LSU now has 29 catches for 481 yards and 23 first downs this season. Like Stefon Diggs, Boutte is a strong pass catcher outside of the numbers, where he has brought in 19 of 26 passes for 290 yards and 16 first downs. Four of his touchdowns have come from outside, along with 10 explosive gains. Boutte owns the third-best PFF receiving grade on catches outside the numbers (90.4).
25. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (75.8)
Jefferson joined Smith-Njigba in being shut down in the Vikings-Seahawks Week 13 matchup. Seattle’s defense held Jefferson to a career-low four receiving yards on two catches. He was targeted six times in Minnesota's shutout loss.
Jefferson has crossed 100 receiving yards just twice, with his last one coming in Week 5 against the Browns. Still, the 26-year-old phenom ranks 10th in receiving yards (799) across 62 catches.
Jefferson closed November with a 63.8 PFF receiving grade — the 11th-worst mark among receivers with at least 25 targets in the month. He caught 21 passes for 197 yards for 11 first downs, a touchdown, and five explosive gains in that span.
26. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (75.7)
The Bengals blanketed Flowers on Thanksgiving, and his final stat line was just two catches for six yards on seven targets with a lost fumble in the fourth quarter.
The former first-round pick now has 60 catches on the season and ranks in the top 15 in receiving yards (767). Flowers has produced a 49.7 PFF receiving grade over his past two games, along with a 66.2 PFF receiving grade for November. He caught 19 passes last month for 281 yards and nine explosive gains. He has just one touchdown this season, which came in Week 1 against the Bills.
27. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (75.4)
Pittman struggled against the Texans, making one catch for 13 yards on four targets. The reception came late in the second quarter on a strike across the middle with Jalen Pitre in coverage.
Pittman has been limited to fewer than 30 receiving yards in three consecutive games, earning a 56.1 PFF receiving grade in that stretch. He caught eight of 14 passes for 59 yards and a touchdown in that span.
28. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (75.2)
Higgins did not play in Week 13 due to a concussion.
29. Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers (74.8)
Wicks put together his best game of the season in Week 13, catching six of seven targets for 94 yards and two touchdowns. His first score came on fourth-and-3 early in the second quarter when he got behind Lions defensive back Brian Branch for a 22-yard catch and hung on with Thomas Harper closing for the hit. His second was a one-yard catch late in the third quarter to extend the Packers' lead.
Wicks notched four explosive gains in the game, including a 30-yard catch and a 16-yarder on another fourth-down play to seal the victory. He generated a perfect passer rating when targeted and earned a 91.1 PFF receiving grade — the top mark among receivers with at least 15 snaps this past week.
The former fifth-round pick from Virginia has 26 catches for 307 yards, 20 first downs and nine explosive plays this season.
Wicks has caught seven of 11 contested targets for 104 yards, all first downs, earning a 77.3 PFF receiving grade on those plays. He has also brought in 11 of 18 late-down targets for 132 yards, converting each one into a first down on his way to a 75.9 PFF receiving grade.
30. Jakobi Meyers, Jacksonville Jaguars (74.2)
All six targets from Trevor Lawrence to Meyers resulted in catches, accounting for 90 receiving yards. Most of that came late in the first quarter when Meyers ran across the middle untouched for a 50-yard gain to the Titans' six-yard line. He punched it in a few plays later with a three-yard catch on a third-down play with rookie safety Kevin Winston Jr. in coverage. Meyers made two catches of 10-plus yards on the day and produced a strong 80.2 PFF receiving grade (sixth best).
The Raiders traded Meyers to the Jaguars just ahead of Week 10. Since that time, he has caught 18 of 21 targets for 245 yards, two touchdowns and 13 first downs. He has secured all five of his contested targets and has been on the end of five gains of 15-plus yards. Meyers owns an 83.3 PFF receiving grade across his first four games in Jacksonville.
31. Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears (74.0)
Burden caught four passes for only 33 yards against the Eagles. He did pick up a first down with an 11-yard catch against Cooper DeJean early in the first quarter, forced two missed tackles and averaged 6.5 yards after the catch per reception. He earned a 60.6 PFF receiving grade for the game.
The Missouri product is up to 26 catches for 328 yards and 12 first downs this year. He has nine explosive gains and is tied for fifth in yards after the catch per reception (7.0). He’s generating a 115.8 passer rating when targeted.
Burden logged a 70.0 PFF receiving grade in November to lead the Bears' receiver group, bringing in 13 of 19 targets for 157 yards. Most of his work continues to come out of the slot, where he has 11 catches for 139 yards and a 62.8 PFF receiving grade.
32. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (73.9)
Sutton caught five passes for 62 yards and a score in the Broncos’ overtime win against the Commanders. He closed out the second quarter with the touchdown, giving Denver a halftime lead. He later took advantage of a busted coverage in the third quarter for a 31-yard gain on third-and-11. Sutton finished the game with three catches of 10-plus yards.
The 2018 second-rounder is up to 50 catches for 711 yards in his eighth season. He has gained 35 first downs and has brought in five touchdowns while ranking in the top 10 in catches of 20-plus yards (13).
Sutton had only one game with 60-plus receiving yards in November, during which he hauled in 13 catches for 175 yards. He gained nine first downs, caught two touchdown passes and made four catches of 15-plus yards but still finished with only a 63.2 PFF receiving grade for the month.
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