- Puka Nacua is back on top: His 96.2 PFF receiving grade in Week 14 pushes him to No. 1 in these rankings and puts him ahead of Jaxon Smith-Njigba by a full grade point.
- A.J. Brown is slowly ascending: While wins have been hard to come by for the Eagles, Brown is starting to return to form, now placing 12th in PFF receiving grade.
- Get PFF+ for 30% off: Use promo code HOLIDAY30 to unlock the PFF Player Prop Tool, Premium Stats, fantasy dashboards, the PFF Mock Draft Simulator, industry-leading fantasy rankings and much more — everything you need to win your season.
Estimated Reading Time: 25 minutes
We're diving into the top wide receivers by PFF receiving grade through Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season. To qualify, players need to have logged at least 100 receiving snaps.
1. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (94.6)
Nacua reclaims first place in the rankings this week after a seven-catch, 167-yard game against the Arizona Cardinals. He racked up six catches of 15-plus yards in the game, with five going for more than 20 yards.
He snagged an 18-yard pass across the middle with rookie Denzel Burke on his hip late in the first quarter. On the next play, he came across the middle on the same route, this time for a 32-yard gain. Nacua notched three catches of 20-plus yards in the second quarter, including a 28-yard touchdown against cornerback Will Johnson, whom Nacua muscled through for the score. He had another touchdown grab against the rookie, this time a 31-yarder where he adjusted for a leaping grab and walked into the endzone.
The cornerstone receiver finished the game with a 96.2 PFF receiving grade, the highest-graded game for any receiver this season. He ranks in the top three in catches (93), receiving yards (1,186) and catches of 20-plus yards (19). Nacua also has six touchdown receptions.
The 2023 fifth-rounder brought in five of six contested targets against the Cardinals in Week 14. He has now secured 23 of 29 contested targets for the season and ranks in the top three in targets and receiving yards on those plays. He has recorded a league-leading 19 first downs and 12 explosive gains on contested grabs, leading to a second-ranked 97.0 PFF receiving grade.
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (93.6)
Smith-Njigba battled Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell all game in a seven-catch, 92-yard effort in Week 14. He lost a fumble out of bounds in the first quarter after beating the cornerback for what would have been a third-down conversion in the first quarter, but he made up for it. Smith-Njigba lost Terrell across the middle for a 30-yard gain midway through the third quarter, and two plays later, after initially stumbling to start his route, he hauled in a 28-yard touchdown.
Smith-Njigba caught another touchdown pass against Terrell, a four-yard contested endzone grab in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with a 138.3 passer rating when targeted and a 72.6 PFF receiving grade.
The electric receiver now has 89 catches for 1,428 yards (first) this season. He ranks in the top three in catches, touchdowns (nine), first downs (63), explosive plays (34) and catches of 20-plus yards (23).
Defenses continue to struggle with Smith-Njigba, who ranks second only to Puka Nacua in PFF receiving grade against single (91.7) and zone coverages (93.0). He has caught 20 of 23 targets against single coverage for 373 yards and 17 first downs (both third most) while leading the league in yards per route run (4.72) and generating a perfect passer rating when targeted on those plays.
He’s also unstoppable against zone looks, with 60 catches for 947 yards (most). He ranks first in first downs (40), touchdowns (six) and yards per route run (4.30) against zone.
3. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (90.9)
London did not play in Week 14 due to a knee injury.
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (89.6)
St. Brown gutted out an ankle injury in the Lions’ Thursday night win over the Cowboys. He caught six of eight targets for 92 yards, with two explosive plays. He got by Reddy Steward for a 26-yard gain in the first quarter, nearly going the distance before getting tackled at Dallas' six-yard line. His biggest catch of the contest came with 2:50 remaining, a 37-yard reception over the middle to help seal the victory with Detroit holding a seven-point lead.
The three-time Pro Bowler is up to 81 catches for 976 yards this season, ranking in the top five in both. He has gained 47 first downs, brought in nine touchdown passes and made 28 catches of 15-plus yards — also all top-five figures.
St. Brown continues to shine over the middle, leading the league in targets between the numbers (70). He has caught 51 of those passes for 617 yards (fourth most), gaining 29 first downs and averaging 6.3 yards after the catch per reception. Four of his scores have come across the middle, along with 18 of his explosive plays. St. Brown sports a 90.0 PFF receiving grade between the numbers (fourth best).
5. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (89.0)
Watson caught each of his four targets against the Bears for 89 yards and two touchdowns. He ran by Kevin Byard for a 23-yard score on a third-down play in the second quarter. He later beat C.J. Gardner-Johnson for a short catch in the third quarter, turning on the jets for a 41-yard touchdown on a third down. Watson finished the day with three explosive gains and a perfect passer rating when targeted. He earned the third-best PFF receiving grade (82.8) among wide receivers in Week 14.
The fourth-year receiver is up to 25 catches for 452 yards and five touchdowns in a breakout season. He has logged eight catches of 20 or more yards, as well as 13 total explosive gains.
Watson has excelled in the slot, catching nine of 12 such targets for 193 yards and eight first downs. Three of his scores have come from the slot, as well as five of his explosive plays. He is generating a near-perfect 156.3 passer rating from the slot and owns the fourth-best slot PFF receiving grade among players with at least 10 targets (90.1).
Most of Watson's targets are coming from an outside alignment, where he has brought in 13 of 23 passes for 206 yards and 10 first downs. He has two touchdowns and six explosive gains in wide alignments, earning a 74.8 PFF receiving grade on those plays.
6. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys (87.7)
The Lions kept Pickens quiet, allowing him to log five catches for just 37 yards. He was held without an explosive gain for the first time this season and fumbled for the fourth time this season — and second in two weeks — after converting on a fourth down in the third quarter inside Detroit’s 10-yard line, although the Cowboys recovered. Pickens' longest catch was an 11-yarder early in the first quarter, and he finished the game with a season-low 52.8 PFF receiving grade.
The 24-year-old receiver still ranks in the top five in catches (78) and receiving yards (1,179) in his fourth season. He has dominated single coverage, securing 25 catches for 442 yards (most), three touchdowns and 21 first downs (most) on his way to an 89.9 PFF receiving grade (sixth best).
Pickens also places seventh in PFF receiving grade against zone coverages (87.6), having notched 46 catches for 662 yards (fourth most), 35 first downs and four touchdowns.
7. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (86.9)
Waddle caught five passes for 50 yards in the Dolphins' Week 14 victory over the Jets. He tallied his sixth touchdown of the season with a three-yard endzone catch on the first drive of the game. Most of his yards came later in the quarter, headlined by a 24-yard gain to move the Dolphins inside the Jets' 15-yard line. Waddle gained four first downs and finished the game with a 78.9 PFF receiving grade (eighth best).
The former Alabama star has 57 catches for 812 yards, including 22 explosive plays, this season. He ranks in the top 10 in catches of 20-plus yards (13).
Waddle is getting it done at every level of the field, slotting into the top 15 in deep-level PFF receiving grade (97.5) and the top two in intermediate-level PFF receiving grade (99.3) while owning an elite short-area PFF receiving grade (90.1).
8. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (85.3)
Chase had a quiet game against the Bills, with five catches for 44 yards. He gained three first downs and made two catches of 10-plus yards. His longest reception was a 16-yard gain late in the fourth quarter with Cincinnati holding onto a three-point lead. He forced his 18th missed tackle of the season on that play (tied for second most) and averaged 6.4 yards after the catch per reception for the game.
The 25-year-old places in the top four in catches (91) and receiving yards (1,015) entering Week 15. He’s also a top-10 wideout in first downs (51) and plays of 15-plus yards (23).
Chase has dominated between the numbers, where he ranks second in targets (68) and catches (51). He’s moved the chains 23 times, secured nine of 14 contested targets and forced 16 missed tackles (second most) from that area of the field.
9. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams (82.8)
Adams finished Week 14 with only four catches for 29 yards. He gained three first downs, with his longest catch going for 10 yards late in the second quarter.
The 12th-year All-Pro receiver is up to 56 catches for 718 yards in his first season with the Rams. He remains the only receiver in the NFL with double-digit touchdown catches (14) and is clearly still fully capable of going one-on-one with defenders, grading out as the seventh-best receiver against single coverage (88.5). Adams has caught 18 targets for 162 yards, 16 first downs (tied for fifth most) and eight touchdowns against single coverage.
10. Nico Collins, Houston Texans (82.7)
Collins recorded two catches of 40-plus yards in the Texans' statement win over the Chiefs. He blew by All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie for a 46-yard catch late in the first quarter and later shed rookie cornerback Nohl Williams for a 53-yard gain early in the second quarter. Collins tallied his third explosive play of the night with an 18-yard conversion on third-and-16 with 48 seconds remaining in the first half. He finished the game with four catches for 121 yards.
The 2021 third-rounder is closing in on his third consecutive 1,000-yard season. While he has forced just two missed tackles, he is averaging 4.2 yards after the catch per reception and has gained 128 yards after contact. He is tied for fifth in explosive plays this season (26) and ranks in the top 10 in catches of 20-plus yards (14).
11. Demario Douglas, New England Patriots (82.6)
The Patriots were on a bye in Week 14.
12. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (82.6)
Brown recorded four explosive gains in the Eagles' Monday Night Football overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. It was his third consecutive week with at least three catches of 15-plus yards. He came across the middle for a 22-yard catch early in the second quarter and picked up 26 yards near the sideline late in the third. Brown was able to shed a tackle from Tarheeb Still for a 16-yard gain late in the fourth quarter, before turning Cam Hart around for a 19-yard catch two plays later. He finished the night with six catches for 100 yards — his third consecutive 100-yard game.
The seventh-year veteran now has 62 catches for 799 yards and six touchdowns this season, headlined by 20 explosive gains and 11 catches of 20-plus yards. He has moved the chains 36 times and has forced seven missed tackles.
Despite Philadelphia’s offensive challenges this season, Brown is grading out as an elite pass catcher at every level of the field. He has caught seven deep passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns, earning a 96.0 PFF receiving grade. He also owns an elite 97.2 receiving grade at the intermediate level, fueled by 17 catches for 276 yards and two scores. And lastly, Brown has caught 36 passes within nine yards of the line of scrimmage for 295 yards, gaining 13 first downs for a 92.3 PFF receiving grade on those plays.
13. Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (81.6)
Pierce rises up the rankings after a five-catch, 80-yard game in a loss to the Jaguars. He continues to deliver downfield, adding three more catches of 15-plus yards to his total, including a 29-yard gain along the sideline on a third-down play in the second quarter. Pierce was targeted eight times in the game and averaged 7.6 yards after the catch per reception.
The 25-year-old former Cincinnati Bearcat is up to 38 catches for 769 yards this season. All but eight of those catches have been plays of 15-plus yards, and 13 have gone for 20-plus yards (tied for ninth most).
Pierce is producing all over the field, with 20 catches inside the numbers for 335 yards and 16 first downs. He sports an 80.4 PFF receiving grade between the numbers. Meanwhile, he holds an 84.4 PFF receiving grade along the outside, with 18 catches for 434 yards (ninth most).
14. DeAndre Hopkins, Baltimore Ravens (81.4)
The 2013 first-round pick was shut out in the Ravens' loss to the Steelers but was targeted twice in the game. Hopkins has logged only 17 catches for 257 yards on the season, although he has still been a reliable weapon for quarterback Lamar Jackson. His nine contested catches are a top-25 mark despite his lack of overall targets. He also ranks eighth in average depth of target (15.8 yards).
15. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (81.0)
Hill is out for the season with a knee injury.
16. Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots (80.8)
The Patriots were on a bye week in Week 14.
17. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (80.7)
McLaurin caught three passes for 41 yards in the Commanders‘ shutout loss to the Vikings, with most of his production coming on his first catch of the game — a first-quarter grab where he was left alone in busted coverage for a 28-yard gain. He moved the chains twice across five targets.
The 2019 third-round pick from Ohio State has 10 catches for 137 yards in his first two games back from injury. Eight have gone for first downs, with four explosive gains, and he has found the endzone once. McLaurin holds a 76.6 PFF receiving grade over that span.
18. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers (80.3)
Allen caught all three of his targets on Monday Night against the Eagles, but he gained just 22 yards. His biggest play was a 10-yard sideline catch on third-and-5 midway through the fourth quarter to move the Chargers into the red zone, down by three.
The Chargers' all-time catch leader has 63 receptions for 644 yards this season and remains ranked in the top 10 in first downs (40). He is second on the team in receiving yards (695), behind Ladd McConkey.
19. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (78.7)
Lamb was in the midst of a great game before suffering a concussion in the third quarter of the Cowboys' loss to the Lions. The All-Pro receiver caught six of eight targets for 121 yards and logged three plays of 20-plus yards against D.J. Reed.
He outran Reed for a 37-yard catch midway through the second quarter, following up with a 21-yard grab against the cornerback later in the period. He got behind Reed again for a 32-yard reception early in the third quarter. Lamb earned the fifth-best PFF receiving grade for the week (82.0).
Lamb has made 57 catches and ranks eighth in receiving yards (865) this season. He has gained 33 first downs, racked up 21 explosive plays and accounted for 13 catches of 20-plus yards.
Like George Pickens, Lamb has dominated against single coverage. His 393 receiving yards against single coverage rank second only to Pickens (442). Nineteen of his catches against those looks have moved the chains, second again only to Pickens (21). Lamb owns an 87.3 PFF receiving grade against single coverage (10th best).
20. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs (78.1)
The Texans' defense held Rice to 34 receiving yards on four catches in one of his quietest outings of the season. He dropped a critical fourth-down pass late in the fourth quarter that would have moved the Chiefs into Texans territory while trailing by seven. It was his fifth dropped pass of the season, giving him a 9.8% drop rate (one of the 15 highest among receivers with at least 50 targets). Rice’s longest catch of the night was a 15-yard pickup in garbage time with 22 seconds remaining.
The third-year receiver from SMU has 46 catches for 520 yards and five touchdowns this season. Most of his targets (25) have come within nine yards of the line of scrimmage, where he has 14 catches for 129 yards and nine first downs. Three of his touchdowns have come from short targets, and he has earned a 91.5 PFF receiving grade on those plays.
However, Rice does most of his damage at the intermediate level, where he has secured eight of 15 passes for a team-high 207 yards. He boasts an 89.6 PFF receiving grade on passes 10-19 yards downfield.
21. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers (77.9)
The Panthers were on a bye in Week 14.
22. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (77.4)
Flowers rebounded from his six-yard performance against the Bengals in Week 13 with an eight-catch, 124-yard game in the Ravens' loss to the Steelers. He accounted for three plays of 30-plus yards, including a diving 31-yard sideline catch on a third down in the first quarter. He was later left alone in busted coverage for a 35-yard gain in the fourth quarter. Flowers also got between safety Chuck Clark and cornerback Jalen Ramsey for a 33-yard gain on a third down with just under four minutes remaining to keep Baltimore alive, down by five. Flowers finished the game with a 75.3 PFF receiving grade.
The Boston College product is up to 68 catches on the season and ranks seventh in receiving yards (891). He also places in the top 10 in explosive gains (25) and catches of 20-plus yards (15).
Play action continues to be Flowers' calling card. He has caught 24 of 29 play-action passes for 424 yards, 16 first downs and 14 gains of 15-plus yards — all top-five marks. He also ranks fifth in the league in play-action PFF receiving grade (91.0).
23. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (77.3)
Downs brought in all four of his targets against the Jaguars, but for only 23 yards. He gained two first downs and secured a contested catch, with his longest play being a 12-yard red-zone catch late in the fourth quarter in garbage time.
The third-year North Carolina product is up to 44 catches for 393 yards this season, with 27 of his catches going for first downs.
Downs remains highly productive on conversion downs, where he leads the Colts with 28 targets. He has brought in 18 passes for 191 yards, 17 first downs and a touchdown on those plays, powering an 85.5 PFF receiving grade (ninth best).
24. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (77.2)
Higgins returned to the field after missing Week 13’s matchup against the Ravens with a concussion. He notched six catches for 92 yards in the Bengals' loss to the Bills but delivered a highlight-reel 21-yard sideline grab in the endzone over Maxwell Hairston for a touchdown. Higgins got the best of the rookie corner again for an 18-yard grab across the middle early in the fourth quarter.
He capped off his day with a second touchdown on a 25-yard catch over Tre'Davious White on third-and-6 with just over two minutes remaining to bring the Bengals within one score. Higgins finished the game with the ninth-best PFF receiving grade for the week (78.7).
The sixth-year star's 2025 resume features 46 catches for 667 yards and nine touchdown catches (tied for second most). He has racked up 17 explosive gains, including 11 catches of 20-plus yards.
Higgins is one of the best contested-catch receivers in the league. He has brought down 15 of 32 contested targets (second most) for 211 yards (seventh most), and four of his nine scores have come on contested looks. He has also moved the chains 12 times and tallied five explosive gains on those plays, leading to the ninth-best PFF receiving grade on contested grabs (90.6).
25. Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears (76.9)
Burden recorded four catches for 67 yards in the Bears' loss to the Packers — his most yards in a game since Week 3 against the Cowboys. Each of his catches went for 10-plus yards to move the chains, and he averaged 6.8 yards after the catch per reception (eighth highest in Week 14).
The rookie logged two explosive gains in the second half. He notched an 18-yard gain against zone coverage late in the third quarter, and he spun around Carrington Valentine on another reception for extra yards, resulting in a 27-yard gain with the Bears trailing by seven. Burden earned a 78.1 PFF receiving grade for the outing (10th best).
The 22-year-old second-round pick has now caught 30 of 40 targets for 395 yards. He has moved the chains 16 times and has racked up 11 plays of 15-plus yards. Burden is the fourth-most-targeted Bears receiver and leads the team in several categories, including catch rate (75.0%), threat rate (22.6%) and passer rating when targeted (114.1). He’s averaging 7.0 yards after the catch per reception and 2.23 yards per route run with five forced missed tackles — all team highs. He also leads the group in PFF receiving grade (76.9).
26. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (76.5)
Smith caught four passes for 37 yards in Monday night’s loss to the Chargers. He had a critical drop on third-and-11 with less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Eagles sitting just outside the red zone. Most of his yards came in overtime when he cut through zone coverage on third-and-16 for a 28-yard gain. That catch moved Philadelphia into Chargers territory, down by three. It was his 12th reception of 20-plus yards this season. Smith earned a 54.9 PFF receiving grade for the game.
Despite the off night, the former Alabama star remains ranked ninth in receiving yards (839), fueled by 20 catches of 15-plus yards. He also remains productive in both slot and wide alignments.
Smith has 38 catches for 317 yards and 16 first downs out of the slot this season, both top-10 marks, for a 76.8 PFF receiving grade. Meanwhile, he ranks fifth in PFF receiving grade on the outside (87.1), with 26 catches for 522 yards and 19 first downs. Thirteen of his explosive gains have come with him in a wide alignment.
27. Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots (76.1)
The Patriots were on a bye in Week 14.
28. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (75.6)
Jefferson caught two passes for 11 yards in the Vikings' Week 14 win, marking his second consecutive game with fewer than 15 receiving yards. He did record a 13-yard gain off a screen pass midway through the second quarter to move the Vikings into the red zone.
The sixth-year veteran still slots into the top 15 in receiving yards (810) in a down season. Both of his catches against the Commanders came on screen passes, and he has now secured all 12 of his screen targets for 67 yards and a first down. Jefferson owns a 68.9 PFF receiving grade on screen passes this season.x
29. Ryan Flournoy, Dallas Cowboys (75.4)
The second-year player out of Southeast Missouri State had a career game, notching nine catches for 115 yards and six first downs. He stepped up big in the second half in the wake of CeeDee Lamb’s exit, fueling the offense with three explosive gains across nine targets. His highlight was a 42-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, as he was able to breeze by Amik Robertson for the wide-open catch and bring Dallas within five points. Flournoy tallied a 79.1 PFF receiving grade (seventh best in Week 14) for his efforts.
He is up to 29 catches for 349 yards, catching all but 10 of his targets (39). He has gained 21 first downs, caught three touchdown passes and accounted for four plays of 20-plus yards.
Flournoy has been effective against both zone and man coverages. He is tied for sixth in passer rating when targeted against single coverage (143.8), with seven catches for 120 yards, four first downs and an average of 7.3 yards after the catch per reception.
He has also secured 14 of 18 targets for 159 yards and 11 first downs against zone, leading to a solid 73.9 PFF receiving grade.
30. D.K. Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers (75.3)
After five straight games with fewer than 50 receiving yards, Metcalf had a resurgent seven-catch, 148-yard day in an AFC North clash with the Ravens. He got just enough separation from Marlon Humphrey and Alohi Gilman for a 52-yard catch in the first quarter. He also caught a 28-yard pass over Nate Wiggins on a third down in the second quarter. Metcalf also opened up the third quarter with a 41-yard catch, working downfield on a scramble drill. He finished the game with the fourth-best PFF receiving grade for the week (82.3).
The former Seahawk now has 52 catches for 723 yards in his first season in Pittsburgh. He has racked up 33 first downs, five touchdown catches and 12 gains of 20-plus yards. Metcalf also ranks in the top 10 in yards after the catch (380) and yards after contact (179).
Metcalf holds an 89.2 PFF receiving grade on targets of 10-plus yards this season. He’s brought in 13 of 36 downfield targets for 374 yards and three touchdowns. Metcalf also sports a 93.3 PFF receiving grade on short targets, powered by 30 catches for 302 yards and 16 first downs.
31. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (75.0)
Pittman enjoyed his best statistical day since Week 9, making nine catches for 79 yards. He recorded a 16-yard catch in the first quarter, along with a 24-yard gain in the third with Greg Newsome II in coverage. He gained five first downs in the loss.
The 2020 second-rounder has made 69 catches for 699 yards and remains ranked in the top 10 in touchdowns (seven) and first downs (42) this season. He also leads the team in passer rating when targeted against single coverage (138.5), having caught 13 of 16 such targets for 124 yards and 10 first downs. He has produced a 70.6 PFF receiving grade against single coverage.
Pittman owns a 72.2 PFF receiving grade against zone looks, with 44 catches for 454 yards and a team-high 25 first downs.
32. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (74.7)
Sutton caught six of 10 targets for 62 yards in the Broncos' victory over the Raiders. He did not record any explosive gains, but he did make three catches of 10-plus yards and gained four first downs while securing two contested catches.
The eighth-year veteran has 58 catches for 773 yards, 39 first downs and five touchdowns this season. Fifty-one of his 87 targets have come outside the numbers, where he’s caught 29 passes for 438 yards (eighth most). Sutton ranks fourth in first downs (25) and in the top 10 in explosive plays (12) on outside-the-numbers throws. That has led to a strong 84.1 PFF receiving grade on those plays.
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