NFL 2023: Ranking the 5 best wide receiver groups in the league
No. 3 best wide receiver group in the NFL in 2023: Philadelphia Eagles
- AJ Brown
- Devonta Smith
- Quez Watkins
- Olamide Zaccheaus
- Britain Covey
- Tyrie Cleveland
If you think it’s hard to rank the wide receivers in 3rd that played in the Super Bowl last season keep in mind that the Kansas City Chiefs made our list for the worst 5 wide receiving groups in 2023. The Philadelphia Eagles hands down won the AJ Brown/Tennessee Titans trade on draft day in 2021. AJ Brown quickly became a part of the nucleus of the Eagles and made a trip to the Super Bowl in his first season in Philly. Similar to the Dolphins (who we have yet to get to). Devonta Smith was the de-facto #1 receiver in Philadelphia and while he is listed as WR2, the Eagles have two WR1’s on their roster.
Quez Watkins is a decent depth piece and the Eagles also snatched one of the contributing receivers from the Atlanta Falcons in Olamide Zaccheaus. Tyrie Cleveland and Britain Covey are not contributors at this point and the injury bug striking the Eagles is always a concern. However, AJ Brown and Devonta Smith did not miss a single game in 2022. Both receivers posted 1,000-yard seasons and combined for 18 receiving touchdowns (11 for AJ and 7 for Smith).
The Eagles’ offense is so centered around quarterback Jalen Hurts’ ability to destroy defenses with his arm and his legs that this complementary receiving corps is just the icing on the cake. It is hard to find a critique with this unit. Besides some possible depth issues they did not finish in the top 5 in any category as far as receiving units go, besides 2nd in yards per reception (12.5) just behind the Miami Dolphins.
As we climb the list it’s more difficult to separate these elite squads.