In a game that is becoming more speed-oriented, NFL teams are starting to succeed with top-notch wide receiver duos. It seems like for a team to be successful nowadays, you need an elite defense and a top-notch wide receiver duo.
There are many teams that have this now. It is beginning to become difficult to remember which wide receiver duos or on each team.
Luckily, we are here to break that down. Here are the top five wide receiver duos in the NFL.
To be clear, this is wide receiver duos only. So Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce will not be included as a duo.
Top 5 NFL Wide Receiver Duos
5. Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry
Fade a healthy Odell Beckham Jr. at your own risk… pic.twitter.com/eWffO1nghb
— Matt FF Dynasty 🏈 (@MattFFDynasty) June 14, 2021
It would be disrespectful if we didn’t put these two on the list. Despite Beckham missing a chunk of the 2020 season with a knee injury, it doesn’t dismiss the fact that he and Jarvis Landry are a top wide receiver duo.
Landry carried the workload in the receiving game for the Browns in 2020, putting up 840 yards and three touchdowns. Beckham Jr.’s presence was missed this season for the Cleveland Browns, but it was a blessing in disguise.
OBJ is known for being a locker room drama queen. So, when he feels he doesn’t get enough targets, he will speak about it to the media. This took a lot of the back of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who didn’t feel forced to feed the ball to him.
Nonetheless, these LSU teammates are still amongst the best at their position and should always be talked about amongst the best wide receiver duos despite Beckham being out in 2020.
4. Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb
Amari Cooper turns 27 today! 🎉
His route running is NASTY 🔥@dallascowboys pic.twitter.com/XWOVwV4PgF
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) June 17, 2021
For the early part of his career, Dak Prescott never really had a top wide receiver to work with. That changed in 2018 when the Cowboys traded a first-round pick to the Raiders for Amari Cooper.
And what’s better than one wide receiver? Two of them! The Cowboys then drafted CeeDee Lamb with the 17th pick in the 2020 draft. It’s a shame that Prescott didn’t have the opportunity to work with both of them, as he suffered a devastating leg injury this past season.
Even without their quarterback, Cooper and Lamb produced. Cooper put up 1,114 yards and five touchdowns with Andy Dalton as his quarterback. In his rookie season, Lamb put up 935 yards and five touchdowns.
These two put up 2,049 combined yards with their quarterback out for the season. If this is what they did this season, imagine what is yet to come. They could be at the top of this list after next season.
3. Julio Jones and A.J. Brown
Julio Jones working on his curl / comeback breakdown pic.twitter.com/zWLeLTFNFJ
— Receiver Life (@ReceiverLife_) June 16, 2021
With the addition of Julio Jones, you would think that this is the number one wide receiver duo in the league. But there are a few factors preventing this from ranking any higher.
Julio Jones is aging and is coming off a year where he failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards, putting up only 771 yards and three touchdowns last season. The Falcons did struggle last year though, and Julio was dealing with an injury.
A.J. Brown on the other hand emerged as a reliable target for Ryan Tannehill. Brown had 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns, which is something every coach wants out of a wide receiver.
The Titans lost Corey Davis to free agency this offseason, but the addition of Jones will be great for them. Even though the Titans rely heavily on Derrick Henry and the ground game, expect these two to produce at a high level all season.
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2. D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett
So anyway here’s my favorite DK Metcalf touchdown from the 2020 season. I’d like more of these in 2021 and beyond. pic.twitter.com/ypDyAmp72j
— Field Gulls (@FieldGulls) June 21, 2021
Metcalf and Lockett are the perfect balance when it comes to wide receivers. They are probably the reason why Russell Wilson is still in Seattle.
Tyler Lockett is the speedy receiver that can get wide open down the middle of the field and score. Originally a return specialist, Lockett has emerged as a great option for Russell Wilson, as he had 1,054 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2020.
D.K. Metcalf is a different breed, however. Metcalf is the physically dominant receiver that can go up and get jump-balls. This ability helped him draw comparisons to Calvin Johnson. Metcalf had an astonishing 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns as well.
These two as mentioned early are the perfect balance of wide receivers. Speed and strength. But who could possibly rank ahead of them?
1. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin
MIKE EVANS WOULD NOT BE DENIED
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/tsz5rEun2B— ESPN (@espn) November 24, 2020
Easily Tom Brady’s two favorite targets, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have the same comparisons as Metcalf and Lockett.
Mike Evans is your go-up and grab the ball wide receiver. He had 1,006 yards and 13 touchdowns on a very talented Bucs roster. This was Evans’ seventh straight season with over 1,000 receiving yards.
Chris Godwin also has a very similar speed to Tyler Lockett. Godwin also impressed many with 840 yards and 7 touchdowns.
So since the numbers are better for Metcalf and Lockett, what makes Evans and Godwin better? Well, they are better overall wide receivers. Evans and Godwin have amazing route-running skills that let them bully some of the best corners in the league.
Also, take into account that they are the best two receivers in a room with the likes of Antonio Brown as well.
Being the two best on a loaded roster takes talent and not just athletic ability. That is what makes these two better than the guys up in Seattle.
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