Top 5 pass-catching groups

By: Josh Frey-Sam

There’s never been a greater emphasis on having enough weapons around your quarterback.

It’s been fascinating to watch, especially with teams that have young signal-callers. The Cards landed DeAndre Hopkins for Kyler Murray; Buffalo acquired Stefon Diggs to help Josh Allen; Tyreek Hill was traded to Miami to help Tua; the Eagles got Jalen Hurts an alpha in AJ Brown; the Bengals drafted Ja’Marr Chase. The list goes on.

Now it’s more important to make sure you not only have one alpha receiver, but you have solid secondary and tertiary options too.

That brings us to today’s newsletter: the top-five pass-catching groups in the league.

Which GMs have surrounded their QBs the best?

I. Cincinnati Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase was the best receiver in the NFL last season. Tee Higgins undoubtedly possesses the talent to be a No. 1 option in another offence.

The Bengals have two alpha receivers and the star quarterback to get them the ball. It’s going to be fireworks once again this season.

I also like the depth options in Cincy. Third-year receiver Andre Iosivas and second-year pass-catcher Jermaine Burton — despite his character concerns — are both stellar No. 3 and 4 options, respectively.

Let’s also toss in veteran tight end Mike Gesicki, who won’t get as much hype as others at his position but has become a really solid player.

Don’t forget about the running backs. Chase Brown was tremendous last season, while quietly racking up 54 grabs. The Bengals also brought back Samaje Perine, who previously played parts of four seasons in Cincy before stops in Kansas City and Denver. Perine is almost exclusively used as a third-down back these days.

II. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The only reason the Bucs are not occupying the top spot is due to the unknowns surrounding their top pass-catchers.

Beyond the ever-consistent Mike Evans and tight end Cade Otton, will Chris Godwin pick up where he left off last year, following a dislocated ankle? How quickly will Emeka Egbuka acclimate to the NFL? Is Jalen McMillan prepared to make a leap in his second year?

On paper, this is a fantastic group — maybe the best in the league — but it isn’t a foregone conclusion that they will just be good.

Nevertheless, I’m confident enough to put them No. 3

III. Detroit Lions

Amon-Ra St. Brown has been one of the most consistent players over the last four seasons, while Jameson Williams broke out into one of the premier deep threats in the league last year.

Sometimes I laugh at how the Lions also landed Tim Patrick as their No. 3 option. Of course, there was a risk at the time with him coming off back-to-back ACL tears, but it’s worked out wonderfully.

Sam LaPorta’s role in the offence last year wasn’t as prominent as it was in 2023, but he remains one of the best weapons at his position.

What takes this group over the top is its running backs, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, both of whom possess the ability to catch the ball. Gibbs, of course, is the more notable receiver, as he’s a threat to score any time he touches the ball.

The big question in all of this is whether this group earned its reputation through the brilliance of former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, or if they were that good regardless. We’ll find out this season.

IV. Philadelphia Eagles

I think it’s easy for us to forget what AJ Brown and Devonta Smith are capable of when Saquon Barkley is running rampant in an opposing team’s secondary.

Let’s make it clear: this is still one of the top WR tandems in football.

Last year, they added Jahan Dotson in a trade with the Commanders. Dotson immediately became their No. 3, which I think is a perfect spot for him. He had some of the best hands coming out of college in 2022, and in his second season with this offence, I expect a more confident and productive player.

An under-the-radar signing GM Howie Roseman pulled off this offseason was Terrace Marshall. The former 2nd-round pick out of LSU was an utter disappointment with the Carolina Panthers, but I think he can grow as a No. 4 or 5 in this offence.

Dallas Gordert continues to be a solid option, although his role in the offence has dwindled with age.

The funny mention here is Barkley, who is legitimately one of the better pass-catching backs in the league but was never used in that way last season. He had at least 40 grabs in every season (excluding his torn ACL season) with the Giants, including 91 (!!) in his rookie season, but only caught 33 balls in 2024.

V. Dallas Cowboys

The addition of George Pickens really allows this group to fall perfectly in line. CeeDee Lamb remains one of the best in the business, while Pickens unlocks a new layer in this offence — particularly the deep ball.

Jalen Tolbert didn’t look out of place as a No.2 last season, but he’ll be an excellent No. 3. Then there’s a mush of depth options fighting for the No.4 and 5 spots on the depth chart — in that battle are Jonathan Mingo, Kayvonte Turpin and Parris Campbell.

Meanwhile, Jake Ferguson is about as consistent as they come at tight end. Part of my affinity for the Cowboys offence is also who they have at running back.

I’m very curious to see what kind of role rookie Jaydon Blue has — he’s a terrific route runner with great hands. He could carve out a legitimate role in this backfield.

HMs: Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh