Ranking the Top 5 Wide Receivers in the AFC North
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated
The AFC North features some big names in the world of Wide Receivers, as well as a handful of upcoming stars at the position. The purpose of this was to shed some light on the impressive receiver group of the AFC North as most of them are young and still yet to reach their second contract in the NFL. Chances are you will be watching most of these guys make highlight grabs for years to come, and for now they are all battling it out in this always tough division.
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals have been one of the big disappointments of the NFL season thus far undoubtedly. Ja’Marr Chase has only been able to record 70 yards over the first two contests. It isn’t just Chase, the Bengals offense as a unit has struggled. Even after another tough showing in week two against the Baltimore Ravens, the belief for the most part is that Cincinnati will find their stride on offense and things will be okay for Chase and the rest of offense. Chase is an elite weapon at wide receiver and I too believe that the Bengals will figure things out provided that Joe Burrow can remain healthy and find his groove within the offense again.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals - A lot of the same story here with Tee Higgins as it was with his teammate Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins and the Bengals have been struggling as a group offensively. Higgins was able to bounce back personally in week two, grabbing eight receptions on 12 targets for 89 yards and two touchdowns for Cincinnati after an abysmal week one performance. Again, the Bengals will be better offensively as a unit, but Higgins looked great in week two and will look to build on that moving forward to week three against the Rams where Joe Burrow will hopefully be suiting up and not have to miss time with the calf injury he tweaked at the end of Week 2.
Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns - Amari Cooper has been a solid pick up for the Cleveland Browns since he landed there as the clear top receiving option on the squad. He looks to continue that this season now with Deshaun Watson quarterbacking the team looking to get back to his original form. The chemistry between those two stars of the offense will dictate how the Browns offense will look this season and whether or not they can compete for the AFC North, because their defense seems to be legit. Cooper has hauled in seven receptions in week two for 90 yards against a tough Steelers defense bouncing back a bit after only having three receptions for 37 yards in week one. The Browns offense has yet to find their groove as a unit, and now with the loss of star running back Nick Chubb for the season that task is not getting any easier. Cooper could potentially see even more volume as the Browns figure out what the offense now looks like going forward the rest of the season.
George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers - George Pickens has the making of a star at the wide receiver position. Thus far this season he has produced nine receptions on 17 targets for 163 yards. 127 of those yards along with a touchdown came Monday night against the Cleveland Browns who feature a strong defense. Along side his young quarterback Kenny Pickett, a lot of Pickens production this season and going forward may go as Pickett goes. Meaning that if Pickett is struggling like he did in week one against albeit a tough 49ers defense, it may be tough for Pickens to put up the numbers that other guys on this list may this season. None the less, if Pickett can find a groove then Pickens could very well be looking at a breakout campaign. The ability is there, the question marks here remain more around the Steelers offensive unit then they do about Pickens. Looking forward the schedule lightens up for the next couple weeks where Pickens will look to string together a few strong games in a row when the Steelers take on the Raiders and the Texans on the road in the next two weeks.
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens - The rookie first round pick out of Boston College has impressed over the first two weeks of his career doing his part in helping Baltimore get out to a 2-0 start this season. Flowers has stacked up 13 receptions on 15 targets and 140 yards thus far through two games, and looks to be an integral part of the Ravens plans for their passing attack as we sit here today as well as moving forward. Flowers will look to continue to build chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson, and possibly even find the end zone for his first career touchdown as the Ravens take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3.
Photo Credit: Dylan Buell, Getty Images
