Ranking every WR2 in 2024 feat. Jaylen Waddle at No. 1
Jaylen Waddle is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL today, but he is not the No. 1 option in his team right now. That would be Tyreek Hill, but it is nothing to be ashamed of.
It can be argued that he is the best WR2 in the game, but does he really deserve that distinction? Or is there someone else who has a better claim to it?
2024 NFL WR2 rankings
#32 Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
Poor Marvin Harrison Jr! With such underwhelming depth behind him, he is sure to be double- or triple-teamed at all times. And Trey McBride can do only so much.
#31 Calvin Austin, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers should not have ditched Diontae Johnson. Now George Pickens will also be very heavily covered. So, Pat Freiermuth should be accustomed to carrying a heavier offensive load.
#30 Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders
Austin Ekeler, Terry McLaurin, and Zach Ertz are expected to be Jayden Daniels' primary offensive weapons in the beginning. So, Dotson should not expect much.
#29 Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
Coleman has the potential to ascend to WR1 in a rebuilding Bills squad, but expectations should be low for now.
#28 DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots
Douglas should really be lower in the order. It is already very surprising to see former Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowler JuJu Smith-Schuster so low in the Patriots' depth chart. So, why is he behind a Day 3 pick with not much clout?
#27 Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
In an ideal world, Johnston would succeed Keenan Allen as the next great Chargers wideout. Instead, he is sitting behind long-time WR3 Josh Palmer. He needs to work on minimizing his drop rate to go higher on this list.
#26 Josh Reynolds, Denver Broncos
Courtland Sutton is the undisputed king at the Broncos, but his main sidekick is a surprise. Reynolds was decent as Detroit's No. 2 behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, but Marvin Mims looks to have more upside.
#25 Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
Williams was suspended for six games in 2023 for betting on college football, but he is looking to redeem himself in his first full season. Midseason trade acquisition Donovan Peoples-Jones looks to be a major threat to his status, however.
#24 Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
Xavier Worthy is undoubtedly a fast man; and the Chiefs need more speed, especially with Travis Kelce seemingly slowing down with age. Rice could be the next victim of the Chiefs' very brutal WR competition.
#23 Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
A pitiful quarterback room prevents Jakobi Meyers from finding his true potential with the Raiders, as Davante Adams is forced to carry a heavier load.
#22 Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Bateman and Marquise Brown could have been the Ravens' first promising WR duo, but circumstances conspired against that. Now, he is stuck behind sophomore Zay Flowers and must contend with Nelson Agholor.
#21 Darius Slayton, New York Giants
Slayton is a dependable player, but putting him at WR2 is a bit of a stretch when Jalin Hyatt exists.
#20 Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons
Drake London and Kyle Pitts will be Kirk Cousins' main passing priorities, so Mooney will be left getting most of the scraps.
#19 Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
Shaheed has been solid as a returner, but can he handle the pressure of playing more offensive snaps beside Chris Olave?
#18 Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
Calvin Ridley is a decent sidekick to DeAndre Hopkins, who is looking for a career resurrection after being exiled from Glendale.
#17 Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
With Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the rise, Tyler Lockett enters the penultimate year of his contract with much pressure to perform.
#16 Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns
The Browns have the AFC North's best wideout trio, and Jerry Jeudy should be a perfect complement to Amari Cooper.
#15 Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
The Packers have a young, promising core that could win a title with the right development. Doubs has been one of its most important pieces, and sticking with Jordan Love, Jayden Reed, and Christian Watson will only improve his game.
#14 Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
Thielen has been one of the best sidekick WRs in recent memory. Playing with former dominating Steeler Diontae Johnson will only help him.
#13 Gabe Davis, Jacksonville Jaguars
Another of those perfect sidekick WRs, Davis should help Christian Kirk regain his form after a disappointing 2023.
#12 Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Playing with Michael Pittman Jr., Adonai Mitchell, and Alec Pierce will only help Downs elevate his game.
#11 Mike Williams, New York Jets
Mike Williams is yet another of those great sidekick WRs, and he gets to elevate Garrett Wilson even more.
#10 Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A one-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowler, Godwin has the potential to be a WR1 on another team. But for now, he is doing an excellent job at assisting Mike Evans.
#9 Nico Collins, Houston Texans
With the arrival of Stefon Diggs, Collins is no longer the top dog. But that is not bad, as he and Tank Dell still constitute a strong complementing pair for the multiple-time Pro Bowler.
#8 Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys
With Michael Gallup gone, Cooks straddles the middle line that is below CeeDee Lamb but above everyone else. As a veteran who has been to the Super Bowl, he should be able to inspire the youngsters to improve themselves.
#7 Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears
The Bears will finally have a dominant passing game, and Allen, despite being only the WR2 behind DJ Moore, will be a key piece.
#6 Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
Addison is the perfect complement to Justin Jefferson, whose extension made much sense.
#5 Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers made history by having four players with at least 1,000 scrimmage yards. Aiyuk was one of them, and he deserves a big-money extension soon, whether it be in Santa Clara or elsewhere.
#4 DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
Smith and AJ Brown are very potent, so there is no reason why they should not remain together.
#3 Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Kupp was formerly a No. 1 option, but then he got hurt and Puka Nacua arrived. However, they are very formidable (and that is without factoring in Tutu Atwell).
#2 Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins is still sitting on the franchise tag, but not for long. He should receive a massive extension soon.
#1 Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Who else was topping this list? He and Tyreek Hill have been a nightmare for defenses. But now, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jonnu Smith have joined them, and there will be much aerial chaos when these four share the field.