The passing game is king in the NFL in 2019, and thankfully the league has plenty of wide receivers who are making waves through the first five weeks of the 2019 season. We’ve seen highlight-reel grabs, rookies balling out and some of the old guard continuing to make plays. Here’s a look at the 25 highest-graded receivers in the NFL so far this season.
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1. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Godwin has been a revelation so far this season, going beyond even the hype he had coming into the year. He has averaged 2.79 yards every time he has run a route, ranking third among all receivers with 15-plus targets.
2. D.J. Chark, Jacksonville Jaguars
Chark has been the NFL’s premier deep threat so far this season, racking up a league-leading 290 receiving yards on throws 20-plus yards downfield through the first five weeks of the season.
3. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
Adams produced one of the most incredible first quarters we’ve ever seen against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4 and has caught all 25 catchable passes thrown his way so far this season.
4. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
The NFL’s leader in receiving yards with 543, Thomas has also been one of the most productive on a per snap basis. On the field for 184 receiving snaps, his 2.95 yards per route run ranks second among all receivers with 15-plus targets.
5. Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys
One of the best route-runners in the NFL, Cooper has also been one of the most prolific deep threats in 2019. He has reeled in eight receptions for 272 yards on throws 20-plus yards downfield, numbers which are tied for first and ranked second respectively through five weeks.
6. Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
Pairing with Cooper to form one of the most formidable wide receiver combos in the NFL, Gallup has been one of the most productive receivers in the league. On the field for 97 snaps as a receiver this season, his 3.49 yards per route run rank first among all receivers with 15-plus targets through five weeks.
7. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Sutton has been one of the most productive targets of quarterback Joe Flacco’s career. On the field for 176 receiving snaps, his 2.28 yards per route run average is tied for the eighth-best mark in the league among receivers with 15-plus targets.
8. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Kupp remains a monster out of the slot, making life miserable for slot cornerbacks in the NFL. Through five weeks, his 395 yards when lined up in the slot are 67 more than the next closest receiver.
9. Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos
Sanders' safe hands have provided an excellent outlet for quarterback Joe Flacco, something he lacked in his final seasons in Baltimore. Sanders has caught all 24 catchable passes thrown his way this year.
10. Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
After a slow start to the season, Thielen got back on track against the Giants. Through five weeks, he is yet to drop a pass, one of 19 receivers with 15-plus targets who can claim that feat.
11. Terry McLaurin, Washington Redskins
His nicknames may suck, but he does not. McLaurin has seen just four catchable passes come his way on throws 20-plus yards downfield, but he has caught them all for 133 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
12. Allen Robinson II, Chicago Bears
Robinson can be a quarterback’s best friend with the way he can go up and win the ball. So far in 2019, he has 31 total receptions and 22 first-down or touchdown receptions.
13. Marvin Jones Jr., Detroit Lions
Jones Jr. has only lined up in the slot on 50 passing plays so far this season, but it’s a role that has worked out well for him and the Lions. From those 50 plays, he has been targeted nine times and racked up 146 yards in the slot.
14. DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans
While Fuller has done some serious damage downfield, Hopkins has made the most of his opportunities when lined up in the slot. His 2.95 yards per route run average when lined up inside ranks second in the NFL to Michael Thomas.
15. T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
We often focus on Hilton’s big-play ability, but his safe hands have been important in 2019. He has yet to drop a pass on 24 catchable targets through five weeks.
16. Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions
There’s a lot to like about Golladay’s play so far in 2019, from the fact that he has dropped just one of the 20 catchable passes thrown his way this season, to the fact that 13 of his 19 receptions have gone for a first down or touchdown.
17. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Even coming off of a disappointing outing against the Broncos, Allen is still enjoying an impressive season. He has averaged 2.34 yards per route run, ranking sixth among all receivers with 15-plus targets.
18. Sterling Shepard, New York Giants
Though he has seen 34 targets this season, 25 of those have been catchable. Shepard has brought every single one of those in and has forced five missed tackles on those 25 receptions.
19. Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams
Woods is another Rams receiver who has produced some nice work when lined up in the slot. He has averaged 2.05 yards per route run from the slot, ranking 12th among all receivers with 10 or more slot targets.
20. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Jones hasn’t found pay dirt in each of the past two weeks, but he has pulled in four touchdown grabs so far this season. In fact, of his 26 receptions, 19 have gone for either a first down or touchdown.
21. Will Fuller V, Houston Texans
Fuller’s speed has been tough for opposing cornerbacks to deal with. Through five weeks, his 221 yards on throws 20-plus yards downfield rank fourth among players at the position.
22. Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals
Boyd has seen the most catchable targets (37) in the NFL without a drop through five weeks. This comes a year after dropping just three passes on 79 catchable targets.
23. Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
Lockett was the receiver for one of the plays of the year so far on Thursday Night Football, pulling in a Russell Wilson pass in the back corner of the end zone. He’s shown his ability to win downfield once again, ranking sixth in the league with 181 yards on throws of 20-plus air yards.
24. John Brown, Buffalo Bills
Brown has just one touchdown this season, but he has become one of the Bills' most dependable players when it comes to moving the chains. Of his 28 receptions in 2019, just five of them have resulted in neither a touchdown or first down.
25. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans might be getting outshone by Godwin so far this season, but he’s still been a nightmare to defend downfield. His 228 yards on throws 20-plus yards downfield are the third-most of any wide receiver so far this season.
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