Ranking top 5 NFC North wide receivers
The Detroit Lions have officially wrapped up their offseason program, and now it’s on to training camp in July.
But, before then, All Lions will take a look at the top five players in the NFC North at each position.
Without further ado, here is our ranking of the top five receivers in the division, headed into the 2023 season.
5. K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings
Osborn is clearly the No. 2 wideout in Minnesota behind Justin Jefferson. However, he’s also more than talented enough to be considered a top-five wideout in the NFC North.
He’ll be just 26 years old come the start of the 2023 season, and carries with himself loads of potential.
Osborn is coming off two straight seasons of at least 50 receptions, 650 receiving yards and five touchdown catches.
With veteran receiver Adam Thielen no longer with the Vikings, expect Osborn to experience a significant boost in production and to showcase why he undoubtedly belongs on this list.
4. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Watson, who will be just 24 come the start of the ’23 campaign, is an emerging talent at the wideout position.
He’s got big-play potential written all over him, and exemplified it on multiple occasions as a rookie last season.
The North Dakota State product went for north of 100 receiving yards three times in 2022, including in the Packers’ season finale against the Lions.
He’ll be without longtime Green Bay quarterback and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers this upcoming season. But, that shouldn’t stunt the second-year pro’s growth.
Watson possesses the potential to become a top-flight NFL wideout, and expect him to display even more signs of it in 2023.
3. DJ Moore, Chicago Bears
Moore hasn’t spent a day yet playing in the NFC North, but he already sits at No. 3 on this list.
The former Carolina Panthers wideout, who was acquired by the Bears via trade earlier this offseason, comes to the Windy City with plenty of credentials on his resume.
Most notably, he produced three consecutive 1,000-plusyard receiving campaigns from 2019-2021.
He was the definition of consistent in Carolina, and is coming off an 888-yard, seven-touchdown 2022 season.
He should easily become the go-to target of Chicago third-year passer Justin Fields.
It’s also fair to expect Moore to be a gamechanger for the Bears’ receiving corps.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
St. Brown has emerged as clearly the best wideout in Detroit’s receivers room.
The 2021 fourth-round pick is coming off his best season yet. He caught 100plus balls (106), and recorded 1,000-plus receiving yards (1,161) for the first time in his career in 2022. Additionally, he finished the season seventh in all of the NFL in receptions and 11th in the league in receiving yards.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
The only receiver clearly better than St. Brown in the NFC North is Jefferson.
Jefferson led all receivers a season ago with 128 catches and 1,809 yards, and subsequently earned All-Pro honors for the first time in his career. He also led the league with 106.4 receiving yards per game in 2022.
Jefferson is a threat to make a big play every time he touches the ball. And, going into 2023, he’s not only the best pass-catcher in the NFC North, but he’s also the best wideout in the NFL.