NFLMocks’ 5 for 5: NFL Draft Stock, Stellar WR Debuts, and More!

Headline #2: High-Paid Wide Receivers Make Game-Changing Impact on Their New Teams

•No. 1: Davante Adams (Raiders)

Davante Adams and Derek Carr picked up right where they left off a decade ago. The two rekindled their connection from their college days at Fresno State Sunday, with Adams hauling in an astounding 10 catches and 141 yards and chipping in a touchdown to boot. Given how poorly the Packer’s wide receiver corps performed this weekend, it helped make the Raider’s decision to trade for Adams look brilliant.

•No. 2: AJ Brown (Eagles)

Another potentially league-altering trade took place during the 2022 NFL Draft when the Tennessee Titans traded away star wide receiver AJ Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles. Against the Lions, Brown appeared to be the best player in an Eagles uniform for much of the afternoon. For Philadelphia to bring another title to the city, quarterback Jalen Hurts must continue to get the ball to Brown early and often.

•No. 3: Tyreek Hill (Dolphins)

The final of three wide receivers that was traded from the team that drafted them is Tyreek Hill. Like the two previous entries, “Reek” inked a long-term deal instantly after the trade occurred. Hill brings a game-breaking ability to an offense that nobody in the league can replicate.

This quickly proved to be true against the New England Patriots as Hill impacted the game even on snaps where he wasn’t targeted. The attention he receives on the outside makes life easier for the other 10 members of the offense. The Dolphins would make this trade 10 out of 10 times.

•No. 4: Christian Kirk (Jaguars)

Christian Kirk went a different route. He entered free agency as the top option on the market, and he parlayed this advantageous position into a lucrative four-year deal from Jacksonville. Kirk got off to a great start in week one, with Trevor Lawrence connecting on six passes and targeting the speedy wide receiver 12 times during the contest. Kirk is relishing his chance to be the top wide receiver on an NFL depth chart.

•No. 5: JuJu Smith-Schuster (Chiefs)

Okay… so JuJu isn’t “high paid” relative to the others on this list, but he made equally as much of an impact on the field Sunday. The Kansas City Chiefs offered the former Steeler a “prove-it” deal of sorts, but make no mistake if Sunday was any indication, Smith-Schuster is destined for a monster contract next offseason. Patrick Mahomes utilized his entire stable of pass catchers against Arizona, but he clearly preferred JuJu the most of the bunch. The Chiefs need the sixth-year wide receiver just as badly as he needs them.