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Dan Orlovsky, ESPN
In mid-October, I piled up the the first five QB-WR connections in the NFL on “Get Up!” » (with help from Harry Douglas). But a lot has changed in these two months, so I decided to update my list and expand it to 20 duo.
To produce the updated/expanded ranking, I relied heavily on what I saw during the 2024 season and what I expect the rest of the way (and into the playoffs). Because right now I’m focused on the season-ending injuries that matter. If you are looking Dak Prescott And CeeDee LambThey won’t be there because Prescott dated a hamstring problem. The same goes for Patrick Mahomes And Rashee Rice; The rice is cooked for the year with a knee injury (although Mahomes is on the list with another WR.) And it’s not just a list of WR1s, either — I focused on how certain receivers have built chemistry and reliability with their quarterbacks, even if they are not the best pass catchers. about the team depth chart.
But let’s start with the obvious. The Bengals take on the Cowboys tonight on “Monday Night Football” (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC/ESPN+), and we will carefully examine the connection between Cincinnati Joe Burrow And Ja’Marr Chase. In my opinion, they are currently the undisputed best pair in the league. But who is in line behind them?
Statistics 2024: 79 completions, 1,142 yards, 13 touchdowns
This one is pretty simple. Among all QB-WR combinations, Burrow and Chase lead the NFL in touchdowns, and they led in yards in Week 14. Burrow has a 94.3 QBR targeting Chase, and Chase has helped Burrow with 544 yards leading the league after the catch. In short, these two can still do whatever they want against the defense.
Statistics 2024: 48 completed passes, 836 yards, 4 touchdowns
If Brown gets a 1-on-1 matchup, the ball will go his way – and he’ll probably win. His 6-foot-1, 226-pound frame and pure strength make him difficult to stop in these situations. The Eagles don’t need any complicated routes with him; Brown catches anything in his neighborhood, no matter the room.
Hurts and Brown combined for 12.5 yards per attempt, leading duos with at least 50 targets.
Statistics 2024: 75 completions, 1,170 yards, 7 touchdowns
Darnold-to-Jefferson is one of two 1,000+ yard duos this season (Burrow/Chase), but those two do it with more passes through the air. Darnold averages 11.6 air yards per pass attempt when targeting Jefferson, who runs explosive crossing routes as well as anyone in the game.
Statistics 2024: 81 completions, 892 yards, 10 touchdowns
They are the best chain moving team in the NFL, having accumulated 53 first downs (No. 1 overall) and zero drops. Goff has an 81.8% completion rate when throwing the way for St. Brown, 13.2% above expectations according to NFL Next Gen Stats. When Detroit needs to make a play, these two make it.
Statistics 2024: 60 completions, 863 yards, 4 touchdowns
Flowers has really exploded this season, and when in man-to-man coverage, this duo destroys defenses. Their 863 yards ranked eighth among all duos, and 303 of them were against man looks.
Statistics 2024: 48 completed passes, 807 yards, 4 touchdowns
When I made the top five list in October, these two were #1. Then Collins got hurt and Stroud fell into a mini crisis. But hey, this pairing is just too good to rule out. When they are both healthy and at the top of their game, they are always among the best in the league. Despite only eight games together, their 807 yards still ranks 12th and they are the only QB-WR duo in the league to average over 100 yards per game.
Statistics 2024: 29 completions, 487 yards, 3 touchdowns
When the connection between Wilson and Pickens is strong, this Steelers offense scores. If it is not, the offense is not. It’s that simple. Wilson throws a great deep ball with touch, and Pickens has the body control to make tough catches on 50-50 balls.
The 487 total yards between the two may seem low, but remember that Wilson missed time at the start of the season. Per game, Wilson-to-Pickens ranks 11th with 81.2 yards.
Statistics 2024: 51 completed passes, 629 yards, 5 touchdowns
It’s been a tough season for Hill, but when he gets in space, he can pick up big chunks. Between Tagovailoa’s terrific accuracy and ball placement and Hill’s sure hands and devastating speed, these two are still very difficult to stop. Their 2,428 yards since the start of 2023 ranks first.
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Hill, Waddle even Dolphins with Jets on TD, 2-point conversion
Tyreek Hill scores a touchdown, and Jaylen Waddle follows it up with a clutch 2-point conversion to tie the score against the Jets.
Statistics 2024: 56 completed passes, 801 yards, 9 touchdowns
Daniels’ emergence during his rookie season was incredible for McLaurin. We’re seeing big plays down the field, and McLaurin has the ability to follow up to win 1-on-1s. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Daniels’ 72.7% completion percentage when targeting McLaurin is 14.7% higher than expected.
If Daniels returns to full health rib injury and starts to trust McLaurin even more, this duo could end up hot.
Statistics 2024: 43 completions, 590 yards, 7 touchdowns
Tampa Bay remains in the NFC South playoff picture primarily because Mayfield-Evans is elite. Evans is healthy again after missing a few games due to a hamstring injuryand this Buccaneers passing game is going through him.
Statistics 2024: 30 completions, 357 yards, 4 touchdowns
Hopkins may not have the flashy numbers of the other top receivers on this list, but he has become the guy for Mahomes in one of the best passing attacks in the league. The trust between them is growing week by week and I think Hopkins will play a big role in the Chiefs’ playoff run. Kansas City has repeatedly tried to land an impact wide receiver at the trade deadline, and Hopkins could finally be the answer, stepping up its efforts with Rashee Rice out for the season.
Statistics 2024: 57 completed passes, 803 yards, 4 touchdowns
McConkey quickly became Herbert’s go-to guy in the Chargers’ passing game. Herbert clearly trusts McConkey’s feel against zone coverage and body control against man coverage. The duo tore up defenses with McConkey coming out of the slot, and it didn’t seem to matter that he was a rookie.
Statistics 2024: 54 completions, 708 yards, 3 touchdowns
Nacua — who missed time due to a knee injury early in the season – opens up and Stafford gives him a chance to play. It’s really a question of timing. These two have such strong chemistry and trust; Stafford will put the ball where it needs to be and when it needs to be there, and Nacua has the hands to move the chains.
Statistics 2024: 75 completed passes, 927 yards, 5 touchdowns
DK Metcalf And Tyler Lockett both have great connections with Smith, but it’s Smith Njigba who has really taken over this offense this season. The second-year player has been excellent, and this duo – which excels on choice routes – is third in yards.
Statistics 2024: 30 completions, 403 yards, 2 touchdowns
Doubs is currently absent due to a concussionbut when he’s on the pitch, Love looks his way early and often, especially when Doubs are 1v1 away. Love moves the ball towards Jayden Reed, Christian Watson And Dontayvion Wicksbut the Packers’ passing game is different when Doubs is lined up. He’s a true do-it-all receiver.
Statistics 2024: 57 completed passes, 873 yards, 5 touchdowns
Strong arguments could be put forward in favor Drake London being here in place of Mooney, although Mooney has more yards this season than London (866). When you look at Atlanta, Mooney is looking more and more like the WR1 as an X receiver, and he’s winning such downstream. Cousins and Mooney combined for 12 completions on passes thrown at least 20 yards downfield, tied for the most in the NFL.
Statistics 2024: 63 completions, 846 yards, 5 touchdowns
Having someone like Sutton in the offense can be extremely important for a rookie quarterback, and this duo is becoming more and more effective. Their 846 yards together ranks in the top 10, and Sutton has feasted on breaking routes and balls against 1-on-1 coverage.
Statistics 2024: 65 completed passes, 735 yards, 3 touchdowns
Shakir may not be the one generating the most buzz in the Bills front office; they exchanged for Amari Cooper and written Keon Coleman to take on big roles. But make no mistake, Shakir has been instrumental in Buffalo’s offensive boom this season. Only Chase has more yards after the catch than Shakir (535), and Allen does a wonderful job getting him the ball quickly and in a spot to tack on after the catch.
Statistics 2024: 41 completions, 604 yards, 2 touchdowns
Our second Dolphins suit! We have Tagovailoa-Hill higher on the list, but the Tagovailoa-Waddle pairing needs to be here as well. Having Waddle on offense is one of the main reasons why Miami is difficult to slow down. If you focus on stopping Hill, Waddle will burn you.
Among QB-WR pairs with at least 50 targets, these two are tied for third in yards per attempt (11.8) and second in first down rate (60.8%).
Statistics 2024: 45 completions, 553 yards, 5 touchdowns
Not to be outdone, the Eagles also get a second combination on the roster. Smith is reliable on both short gains and big plays deep down the field. He has no drops and his 72.6% catch rate ranks 13th among WRs with at least 60 targets.