In mid-October, I stacked the top five QB-WR connections within the NFL on “Get Up!” (with the assistance of Harry Douglas). But loads has modified over these two months, so I made a decision to re-up my record — and increase it to 20 duos.
To make the up to date/expanded rating, I leaned closely on what I’ve seen in the course of the 2024 season and what I anticipate to occur the remainder of the way in which (and into the playoffs). Because I’m specializing in proper now, season-ending accidents matter. If you are searching for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, they will not be right here as a result of Prescott is out with a hamstring issue. The similar goes for Patrick Mahomes and Rashee Rice; Rice is finished for the yr with a knee injury (although Mahomes is on the record with one other WR.) And this is not only a record of WR1s, both — I centered on how sure receivers have constructed chemistry and reliability with their quarterbacks, even when they don’t seem to be the highest cross catcher on the staff’s depth chart.
Let’s start with an apparent one, although. The Bengals face the Cowboys on “Monday Night Football” tonight (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC/ESPN+), and we’ll get a superb take a look at the connection between Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. In my opinion, they type the undisputed high pairing within the league proper now. But who falls in line behind them?
2024 stats: 79 completions, 1,142 yards, 13 touchdowns
This one is fairly easy. Among all QB-WR combos, Burrow and Chase lead the NFL in touchdowns, they usually led in yards coming into Week 14. Burrow has a 94.3 QBR when concentrating on Chase, and Chase has helped Burrow out with a league-leading 544 yards after the catch. In brief, these two can persistently do no matter they need in opposition to the protection.
2024 stats: 48 completions, 836 yards, 4 touchdowns
If Brown will get a 1-on-1 matchup, the ball goes to him — and he is most likely going to win. His 6-foot-1, 226-pound body and pure energy make him robust to cease in these conditions. The Eagles do not want difficult routes with him; Brown catches something in his neighborhood regardless of the play.
Hurts and Brown have linked up for 12.5 yards per try, tops amongst duos with at the very least 50 targets.
2024 stats: 75 completions, 1,170 yards, 7 touchdowns
Darnold-to-Jefferson is certainly one of two duos over 1,000 yards on the season (Burrow/Chase), however these two do it with extra coming via the air. Darnold averages 11.6 air yards per cross try when concentrating on Jefferson, who runs the explosive crossing routes nearly as good as anybody within the recreation.
2024 stats: 81 completions, 892 yards, 10 touchdowns
This is the very best chain-moving crew within the NFL, having amassed 53 first downs (No. 1 total) and 0 drops. Goff has an 81.8% completion charge when he throws St. Brown’s manner, 13.2% above expectation per NFL Next Gen Stats. When Detroit must make a play, these two ship.
2024 stats: 60 completions, 863 yards, 4 touchdowns
Flowers has actually exploded this season, and when he’s in man-to-man protection, this pairing destroys defenses. Their 863 yards rank eighth amongst all duos, and 303 of that got here in opposition to man appears to be like.
2024 stats: 48 completions, 807 yards, 4 touchdowns
When I made the top-five record in October, these two had been No. 1. Then Collins acquired hurt and Stroud fell right into a mini hunch. But hey, this pairing is simply too good to exclude. When they’re each wholesome and on the high of their video games, they’re nonetheless among the many greatest within the league. Despite solely eight video games collectively, their 807 yards nonetheless rank twelfth, and they’re the one QB-WR duo within the league to common 100-plus yards per recreation.
2024 stats: 29 completions, 487 yards, 3 touchdowns
When the Wilson and Pickens connection is robust, this Steelers offense scores. When it is not, the offense doesn’t. It’s that straightforward. Wilson throws an excellent deep ball with contact, and Pickens has the physique management to make robust catches on 50-50 balls.
The 487 whole yards between the 2 might sound low, however do not forget that Wilson missed time originally of the season. On a per-game foundation, Wilson-to-Pickens ranks eleventh at 81.2 yards.
2024 stats: 51 completions, 629 yards, 5 touchdowns
It has been a down season for Hill, however when he will get into house, he can decide up massive chunks. Between Tagovailoa’s terrific accuracy and ball placement and Hill’s positive palms and devastating velocity, these two are nonetheless very tough to cease. Their 2,428 yards because the begin of 2023 rank first.
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Hill, Waddle even Dolphins with Jets on TD, 2-point conversion
Tyreek Hill hauls in a landing catch, and Jaylen Waddle follows it up with a clutch 2-point conversion to tie the rating in opposition to the Jets.
2024 stats: 56 completions, 801 yards, 9 touchdowns
Daniels’ emergence in his rookie season has been unimaginable for McLaurin. We’re seeing some massive performs down the sphere, and McLaurin has the monitoring capacity to win in 1-on-1s. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Daniels’ 72.7% completion proportion when concentrating on McLaurin is 14.7% larger than anticipated.
If Daniels will get again to full well being off his rib injury and begins placing much more belief in McLaurin, this duo may end sizzling.
2024 stats: 43 completions, 590 yards, 7 touchdowns
Tampa Bay is sticking round within the NFC South playoff image primarily as a result of Mayfield-to-Evans is elite. Evans is again to well being after lacking a couple of video games due to a hamstring injury, and this Buccaneers cross recreation runs via him.
2024 stats: 30 completions, 357 yards, 4 touchdowns
Hopkins may not have the splashy numbers of the opposite high receivers on this record, however he has change into the man for Mahomes in among the finest passing offenses within the league. The belief between them is rising by the week, and I believe Hopkins goes to be an enormous a part of the Chiefs’ playoff run. Kansas City has tried many occasions to land an influence cross catcher on the commerce deadline, and Hopkins may lastly be the reply, stepping up with Rashee Rice out for the season.
2024 stats: 57 completions, 803 yards, 4 touchdowns
McConkey has shortly change into the go-to for Herbert within the Chargers’ cross recreation. Herbert clearly trusts McConkey’s really feel in opposition to zone protection and physique management in opposition to man protection. The duo has torn up defenses with McConkey working routes out of the slot, and it would not appear to matter that he is a rookie.
2024 stats: 54 completions, 708 yards, 3 touchdowns
Nacua — who missed time due to a knee injury early this season — will get open, and Stafford offers him a shot to make a play. It’s actually about timing. These two have such robust chemistry and belief; Stafford goes to place the ball the place it must be and when it must be there, and Nacua has the palms to maneuver the chains.
2024 stats: 75 completions, 927 yards, 5 touchdowns
DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett each have terrific connections with Smith, but it surely’s Smith Njigba who has actually taken over this offense this season. The second-year participant has been wonderful, and this pairing — which excels on selection routes — is third in yardage.
2024 stats: 30 completions, 403 yards, 2 touchdowns
Doubs is at present out due to a concussion, however when he is on the sphere, Love appears to be like his manner early and infrequently — particularly when Doubs is in a 1-on-1 exterior. Love strikes the ball round to Jayden Reed, Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks, however the Packers’ cross recreation is completely different when Doubs is lined up. He’s a real do-it-all receiver.
2024 stats: 57 completions, 873 yards, 5 touchdowns
A robust case might be made for Drake London to be right here as a substitute of Mooney, although Mooney has extra yardage on the season than London (866). When you watch Atlanta, Mooney appears to be like increasingly more just like the WR1 because the X receiver, and he wins a lot downfield. Cousins and Mooney have linked up for 12 completions on passes thrown at the very least 20 yards downfield, tied for essentially the most within the NFL.
2024 stats: 63 completions, 846 yards, 5 touchdowns
Having somebody like Sutton within the offense may be extraordinarily essential for a rookie quarterback, and this pairing retains getting increasingly more efficient. Their 846 yards collectively rank high 10, and Sutton has feasted on in-breaking routes and go balls in opposition to 1-on-1 protection.
2024 stats: 65 completions, 735 yards, 3 touchdowns
Shakir may not get essentially the most buzz within the Bills’ receiver room; they traded for Amari Cooper and drafted Keon Coleman to tackle massive roles. But make no mistake, Shakir has been instrumental in Buffalo’s offensive increase this season. Only Chase has extra yards after the catch than Shakir (535), and Allen does a terrific job of getting him the ball shortly and in a spot to tack on after the catch.
2024 stats: 41 completions, 604 yards, 2 touchdowns
Our second mixture from the Dolphins! We have Tagovailoa-Hill larger on the record, however the Tagovailoa-Waddle pair must be on right here, too. Having Waddle within the offense is a large cause Miami is tough to decelerate. If you concentrate on stopping Hill, Waddle will burn you.
Among QB-WR pairings with at the very least 50 targets, these two are tied for third in yards per try (11.8) and rank second in first-down charge (60.8%).
2024 stats: 45 completions, 553 yards, 5 touchdowns
Not to be outdone, the Eagles additionally get a second mixture on the record. Smith is dependable each on brief good points and massive performs deep down the sphere. He would not have any drops, and his 72.6% catch charge ranks thirteenth amongst WRs with at the very least 60 targets.
