WRU: Schools That Produce the Best Wide Receivers in the NFL

 HM: Penn State Nittany Lions

•Chris Godwin (Buccaneers)

•Allen Robinson (Rams)

•KJ Hamler (Broncos)

•Jahan Dotson (Commanders)

Chris Godwin is still recovering from an ACL tear that he suffered late in the 2021 season, and Allen Robinson is coming off of the worst season of his career, so I can understand having the previous two schools ranked ahead. Still, over Godwin’s last 40 games, he’s compiled 249 receptions, 3276 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns. At only 26 years of age, and with the GOAT Tom Brady back for another season, I believe we still haven’t seen the best of Godwin. Furthermore, Allen Robinson is now with the defending champion Los Angeles Rams. After catching 200 footballs in the 2019 and 2020 seasons combined, Robinson failed to even catch 40 in 2021. The environment in Chicago was toxic, to say the least, and nobody suffered more than Robinson. But now, much like Odell Beckham last season, Robinson has been given a new lease on his football life. With Matt Stafford, he has the best quarterback of his entire career — by a wide margin (sorry Blake Bortles and Mitchell Trubisky). KJ Hamler is headed into a season with the best quarterback he’s ever had. Now that Russell Wilson is in Denver, many believe Hamler to be a breakout candidate in 2022. Add in the newcomer, Jahan Dotson, who the Commanders selected at No. 16 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, and the Nittany Lions are still ascending up this list. Unfortunately, they miss the cut for the top-five in WRU rankings.

HM: Maryland Terrapins

•Stefon Diggs (Bills)

•DJ Moore (Panthers)

You would be hard pressed to find anyone who is as big of a fan of these two talented wide receivers as I am. During his final two seasons with the Vikings, Stefon Diggs began showing flashes of the star he would eventually become in Buffalo. However, after arriving in western New York, he reached heights that surprised even the biggest of fans. Diggs played a pivotal role in the development of franchise quarterback Josh Allen, as both have easily been one of the five best at their respective positions since the duo formed. The “other guy” listed should not be forgotten about. DJ Moore is the best wide receiver in the NFL that nobody talks about. I mean, aside from Cam Newton, the quarterbacks that Moore has caught passes from are less than inspiring. This has not stopped him from producing at a high rate. In 2019, Moore’s primary quarterback was Kyle Allen. The following season, it was Teddy Bridgewater and 2021 saw Sam Darnold as the starter for a majority of the campaign. Not only is it a lackluster group of talent, but he’s never had the same starter in consecutive seasons. Putting up 1100+ receiving yards each of the past three years, even amid all the uncertainty behind center, solidifies Moore as one of the best in the league. The duo almost found their way into the top five, but instead they lay claim to one of the top honorable mention spots.

HM: USC Trojans

•Michael Pittman Jr. (Colts)

•Robert Woods (Titans)

•JuJu Smith-Schuster (Chiefs)

•Amon’Ra St. Brown (Lions)

•Nelson Agholor (Patriots)

•Drake London (Falcons)

I may catch some pushback for not including USC in my list, and I understand the argument. There is a clear top four, leaving a handful of legitimate options for the fifth slot. Ultimately, I have the Trojans as the last team out. JuJu Smith-Schuster has one season of spectacular numbers, but that was all the way back in 2018. Robert Woods has flown under the radar much of his career, and he is now slated to be the focal point of the passing game in Tennessee. Both guys are recovering from ACL injuries that cut their 2021 season short, and while they both clearly possess immense talent, it leaves plenty of question marks. Youngsters Michael Pittman Jr. and Amon’Ra St. Brown are obviously still climbing the ranks. They should both rise another notch in development this coming season. Nelson Agholor is serviceable, but will never be more than a No. 3 wide receiver at best. Drake London is the big wildcard here. If he lives up to the billing, it will be impossible to leave USC off the list next season. The opportunity is there for the taking, as the Falcons will likely be losing a lot this season, providing tons of pass catching reps for the former Trojan. Keep an eye out for Jordan Addison in the 2023 NFL Draft.