Ranking the best free agent wide receivers in 2022
The 2022 NFL free agent class is loaded with talented wide receivers. Pro Football Focus ranked them — and it’s quite a list.
It’s no surprise that Davante Adams leads the list. The Green Bay Packers star is arguably the best receiver in the league and ranked second in the league in receptions behind Cooper Kupp. There are some surprises on the list, too, and some others who didn’t do much in 2021, but have done enough in the past to earn a spot. Either way, it could be an interesting free agency period this offseason.
Here’s how PFF’s wide receiver rankings shook out.
PFF’s top 10 free agent wide receivers
Adams, Aaron Rodgers’ top target in Green Bay, is no doubt the top receiver in the class. Trailing only Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp, he finished second in receptions and touchdowns this season.
2. Chris Godwin
Godwin was one of Tom Brady’s top targets in Tampa Bay this year, hauling in 98 receptions for 1,103 yards and five touchdowns before a torn ACL cut his season short.
Williams comes in as PFF’s No. 3 free agent wide receiver after a big year for the Los Angeles Rams. He had 76 receptions for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns.
Robinson had a down year for the Chicago Bears, catching just 38 passes for 410 yards and one touchdown. But he’s still one of the top receivers in the league, considering he had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with Chicago when Mitch Trubisky was under center.
After leaving the Cleveland Browns, Beckham fit right in with the Rams, becoming Matthew Stafford’s No. 2 target behind Kupp. But a torn ACL in the Super Bowl could impact his free agent market.
Gallup worked his way back from a knee injury to haul in 35 receptions for 445 yards and two touchdowns in nine games for the Dallas Cowboys. But he also tore his ACL, which could have implications during the offseason.
Things didn’t exactly end well between Brown and the Buccaneers, but PFF still lists him as the No. 7 free agent target. After all, he had 42 receptions for 545 yards and four touchdowns in seven games this year.
Smith-Schuster only played in five games this year, totaling 15 receptions for 129 yards. But he had a career year in 2020 before the injuries piled up this year, which means he could bounce back after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense struggled this year.
Kirk had 17 receptions for 982 yards and five touchdowns for the Arizona Cardinals this year. He’s been No. 2 to DeAndre Hopkins, but could latch on as a No. 1 elsewhere in the league.
10. DJ Chark
Chark didn’t see much action for the Jacksonville Jaguars this year — catching seven passes for 154 yards in seven games — but is two years removed from a 1,000-yard season. The former LSU standout could garner some interest in the free agency market.