These Five NFL Wide Receivers Could Become Superstars In 2024
The wide receiver position in the NFL is full of talented guys, and we see more and more talent every season. Of course, you have the super elite group, guys like Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tyreek Hill, but that doesn't even scrape the surface of the talent in the position. Even second-tier wide receivers are some of the best athletes in the world. Which players will open some eyes this season?
5) Jameson Williams
Although the Lions just backed up the Brinks Truck for Amon-Ra St. Brown, it wouldn't be surprising to see Jameson Williams have the best season of his young career in 2024. Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell called him "A man on a mission" at OTAs, and with Josh Reynolds departing for the Broncos, somebody is getting more targets.
After missing last season's first four games, Williams posted just 24 receptions on 42 targets for 354 yards, averaging 14.8 yards per catch and scoring two touchdowns. His career high in receptions came in week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings when he caught five passes.
Week 15 against the Broncos saw Williams catch a season-high seven passes. He has yet to post a 100-yard game in his NFL career, but it feels like that could change this season.
4) Josh Palmer
Justin Herbert's offensive weapons certainly aren't anything to write home about, but someone has to catch his passes. Josh Palmer is the pass catcher on the roster with whom Herbert has the most rapport.
Palmer is still 24 years old, posting 38 receptions on 61 targets for 581 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 15.3 yards per catch and 58.1 yards per game. Not bad for playing just 10 games. He might end up fighting with Ladd McConkey for Herbert's heart at some point, but the belief is that Palmer will start the season as WR1. Sure, Jim Harbaugh will likely have a run-heavy offense, but somebody has to catch passes at some point.
Last season, we saw Palmer have a couple of flashes of what he can do, putting up 133 yards on five receptions in week seven against the Chiefs and 113 yards and a touchdown on four receptions in the ugly game that saw the Raiders beat the Chargers 63-21.
3) Drake London
It's been hard for any of the Falcons' young offensive talent to thrive in the past few years, but that could change this season. The acquisition of Kirk Cousins makes the Falcons dangerous in the NFC South, one of the weakest divisions in the NFL. Guys like Drake London and Kyle Pitts could be in for career years if Cousins can return to form following his injury.
Last season, London started 16 games and caught 69 passes for 905 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 13.1 yards per catch and 56.6 yards per game. He has only been in the NFL for two seasons, but he's still looking for his first season over 1,000 yards. London has only six career touchdowns, but he could double that this season.
2) Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson is already a young and budding star in the NFL, and he hasn't even gotten any good quarterback play yet. If he and Aaron Rodgers get to play together this season, Wilson could take the next step to superstar status. Wilson has two seasons with over 1,000 yards despite playing with Zach Wilson.
His rookie season was good enough to capture AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors to accompany his All-Rookie Team selection. Last season, Wilson grabbed 95 passes for 1,045 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 11 yards per reception on roughly five receptions per game. He also averaged 61.4 yards per game. If Rodgers can stay healthy, these numbers have much room to grow.
1) George Pickens
George Pickens is in the same boat as Wilson. We can already see his star potential; he needs help unlocking it. Pickens will finally get a chance to play with a real quarterback this season, whether it be Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. Either one is an upgrade. We saw Pickens lead the NFL in yards per reception with 18.1 last season with Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph. Imagine what Russell Wilson can do for him.
Despite the JV quarterback play, Pickens recorded 1,140 yards on 63 receptions for five touchdowns last season. He averaged 67.1 yards per game and even posted the NFL's second-longest reception of the season, an 86-yarder. He also only dropped two passes in 2023.
We've even seen him working out with RouteGod this summer. Pickens is hungry, and he can smell the superstar status. With Diontae Johnson out of Pittsburgh, Pickens is officially the top dog.
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