Top 5 WR Duos Heading into 2023
Throughout NFL history, teams with a lethal WR duo have found immense success. From Randy Moss and Cris Carter in Minnesota to Lynn Swann and John Stallworth in Pittsburgh.
A 1-2 punch at the receiver position has proven to be a winning combination. This year the league is loaded with talent at the WR position, but which duos are good enough to be considered top 5? Let’s dive and break it down.
5. Christian Kirk and Calvin Ridley- Jacksonville Jaguars
QB Trevor Larence should be licking his chops coming into this season with all the weapons at his disposal. Christian Kirk secured 84 catches last year for 1,108 yards and eight TDs. He averaged 13.2 yards per catch and was Lawrence’s go-to guy. The NFL reinstated Calvin Ridley in March of this after being suspended indefinitely for gambling. Doug Pederson traded a 2023 fifth-round pick and a conditional 2024 pick that could range from a fourth-round if he makes the team to a second-round pick if he signs a contract extension with the Jags. Ridley’s last entire season was in 2020, and he collected 90 receptions for 1,374 yards and nine TDs. Lawrence is a good QB, and this duo of Kirk and Ridley has the potential to be one of the best in the league this season. Not to mention they also have Zay Jones, Evan Engram, and Travis Etienne. This Jacksonville offense should be a top-5 unit.
4. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams- Los Angeles Chargers
Keenan Allen has been of the best WRs in the league for several years now, and Mike Williams has been just as good. Last year, they combined for 129 receptions, 1,647 yards, and eight TDs. Williams played in 13 games, while Allen only played in 10. Injuries are a concern for this duo, but if they can stay healthy, they have the potential to be one of the best tandems in the NFL.
With Justin Herbert, who has a cannon for an arm, at the helm and Austin Ekeler in the backfield, this Chargers offense has the pieces necessary to win this year. New OC Kellen Moore should be able to make this offense a force to be reckoned with in 2023.
3. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins- Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow is poised for another big year with Chase and Higgins as his go-to receivers. Last year the duo collected 161 receptions, 2,075 receiving yards, and 16 TDs. This year will produce similar numbers, and if Joe Cool can stay healthy, those numbers will likely increase slightly. The addition of Orlando Brown on the O-Line will surely give Burrow more time to get the ball to his duo. Look for Chase, Higgins, Mixon, and Burrow to be a lethal combination for years to come.
2. A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith- Philadelphia Eagles
Last year, QB Jalen Hurts proved he was for real and helped lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl. A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith accumulated 183 receptions, 2,692 receiving yards, and 18 TDs. The decision to trade for Brown paid immediate dividends, and this tandem will have another successful season this year. Hurts is the real deal and will keep the Eagles in contention for the foreseeable future. This lethal duo will be one of the best in the league again this year, which is why Philly is one of the favorites to make it to the Super Bowl again.
1. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle- Miami Dolphins
The most lethal combination in the league, hands down. Last season they combined for 194 receptions, 3,066 receiving yards, and 15 TDs. The only thing that worries me is Tua’s ability to stay healthy. If his MMA training can prove to help him avoid injury, this Miami offense will dominate. Everyone knows they have lightning speed, and they have the hands to match. The thing that I like the most is Mike Mcdaniel's coaching style. He coaches like he is playing Madden and is not afraid to air it out. Look for this Miami team to surprise some people in a stacked AFC East.
Honorable Mentions
- DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett- Seattle Seahawks: This duo combined for 174 receptions, 2,081 receiving yards, and 15 TDs last year. The Seahawks are a dark horse team in the NFC this season, and the addition of Jaxson Smith-Njigba will prove to be dangerous. Don’t sleep in Seattle in 2023.
- Mike Evans and Chris Godwin- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Evans and Godwin collected 181 catches for 2,147 yards and nine TDs last season. They have been studs for several years now, but Tampa Bay is in a transition phase. They would have made the top-5, but with no Brady and questions at the QB position, I can’t state with certainty they will have another good year.
Best of the Rest
- CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks- Dallas Cowboys
- Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk- San Francisco 49ers
- Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison- Minnesota Vikings
- Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis- Buffalo Bills
- **SLEEPER PICK** Michael Thomas and Chris Olave- New Orleans Saints
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