Nine different receivers have led the NFL in receiving yards in the last ten seasons, with players like Ja’Marr Chase, Tyreek Hill, and Justin Jefferson being the most recent three to do so. Talent, a large target share and a pass-happy offense will be key to leading the league in receiving in 2025, and here are five guys who could do it.
5 Receivers Who Could lead The NFL In Receiving Yards
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Nacua will be entering his third season in the NFL in 2025, and he has quickly ascended to being one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. As a rookie during the 2023 season, Nacua broke the NFL record for receiving yards as a rookie with 1,486 yards, a record that had initially been held since 1960. In his second season, Nacua battled some injuries and missed some games. He was also held out the last game of the season because the Rams had clinched a playoff berth. However, in 11 games, Nacua had 990 yards, making him one of the most efficient receivers in 2024.
With Matthew Stafford at quarterback and the new addition of Davante Adams on the other side of him, Nacua will have a chance to lead the league in receiving yards. Stafford has been responsible for the top two receiving yards seasons in NFL history with Calvin Johnson in 2012 and Cooper Kupp in 2021.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Collins finished with his second consecutive 1,000-yard season last year despite only playing 12 games due to injury. In his first five games before suffering a hamstring injury in 2024, Collins accumulated 567 receiving yards, which would have put him on pace for over 1,800 receiving yards had he played a full season. Collins is a physical specimen, standing at 6’4 and 220 pounds, which is why if he can remain healthy, it won’t be surprising to see Collins lead the league in receiving yards.
It also helps that Collins will be in his third season with quarterback C.J. Stroud, so the chemistry should continue to improve. The Texans also hired former Rams assistant Nick Caley as the offensive coordinator, a system known for getting top production out of receivers.
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
London finished last season fourth in the NFL in receiving yards with slightly under 1,300. In his four seasons in Atlanta this season, London is projected to enter the upper echelon of receivers. A true breakout seasson could be on the horizon for London. Each season, London has increased his receiving yardage total, and he has as good a chance as anybody to lead the league in receiving with second-year quarterback Michael Penix.
It also helps that London gets to go up against defenses in the NFC South division, which he should be able to dominate in 2025.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
As a rookie in 2024, Thomas finished third in the league in receiving yards as the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 draft out of LSU. Thomas was the fifth pass catcher taken in the draft behind players like Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Brock Bowers.
After compiling almost 1,300 receiving yards, Thomas has proven that he is one of the more explosive wide receivers in the league in just one season. He also gets a coaching bump as Liam Coen is the new Jaguars head coach coming over from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coen’s offense was on pace to produce two 1,000-yard receivers before receiver Chris Godwin had a season-ending injury; however, Mike Evans was able to earn himself another 1,000-yard season.
Jacksonville also drafted 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who will spend most of his time playing receiver, which will force defenses to pick their position between Hunter and Thomas.
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
As the unquestioned top pass catcher in Dallas, Lamb has a good chance to lead the league in receiving yards in 2025. In 2023, Lamb finished the season with 1,749 yards, which was good for second place in the league. He finished with 1,200 yards last season, having only played in 15 games. Lamb’s target share with the Cowboys is hard to ignore, having had over 150 targets each of the last three seasons.
Though the Cowboys added George Pickens via trade this offseason, Lamb should still be able to see a boatload of targets. Lamb has finished in the top ten in receiving yards the last three seasons, and 2025 could be the season he holds the receiving yards crown.
Honorable mentions: Malik Nabers, DK Metcalf, and A.J. Brown
Main Image: Â Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
