It’s never too early to look ahead to the NFL season, especially with OTAs beginning this week.
Each year, we see a number of wide receivers enjoy breakout seasons, whether it be due to their sheer talent or an improved situation. While we probably won’t see a breakout similar to Rams star Puka Nacua’s record-setting rookie season in 2024, there will undoubtedly be wideouts who make a massive leap forward like Houston’s Nico Collins made in 2023.
With that in mind, here are three wideouts who are primed to break out during the 2024 season.
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Despite being one of the NFL’s brightest young wide receivers, Wilson hasn’t fully broken out yet, which can be attributed to the unfavorable quarterback situation he’s had to begin his career. However, as long as QB Aaron Rodgers doesn’t suffer another season-ending injury, Wilson’s production should reflect his talent in addition to culminating in his first career Pro Bowl nod.
Even with a revolving door of incompetent signal-callers throwing to him, Wilson still became the first Jets wideout to amass 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons, though he only has seven career touchdowns. If history is any indication, Wilson will set personal highs across the board this season and potentially exceed his career touchdown total now that he’s the No. 1 option of a Rodgers-led offense.
In the 13 seasons that Rodgers was healthy enough to start at least 15 games, the four-time MVP’s top wideout averaged 1,203.9 yards and 10.5 touchdowns for the year. While he might not post a 1,500-yard season like Davante Adams did twice with Rodgers, don’t be surprised if Wilson ranks inside the top 15 in receiving yards in 2024.
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
With Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis out of the picture, 241 targets from last season are up for grabs for the new-look Bills receiving corps. While QB Josh Allen will rely on rookie wideout Keon Coleman and second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid to fill the void, Shakir could ultimately emerge as Buffalo’s leading receiver.
After finishing with 161 yards as a rookie, Shakir, a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, made significant strides last season, catching 39 passes for 611 yards and two touchdowns. Not only did Shakir drop just one pass in 2023, but his 133.6 passer rating when targeted was the second-highest among NFL wideouts, per Pro Football Focus.
During a recent appearance on the “Green Light with Chris Long” podcast, Bills GM Brandon Beane named Shakir Buffalo’s most underrated player on offense. If he takes advantage of his expanded role, it might not be long before Shakir is no longer considered underrated and instead becomes a household name.
Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers
Quarterback Jordan Love’s meteoric rise was one of the biggest surprises of the 2023 season, but he wouldn’t have been as successful without the help of his relatively unknown receiving corps. Although wideouts Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed stood out, Wicks — the 159th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft — quietly became a trusted target for Love once the opportunity arose.
In 15 games, including six starts, Wicks finished third on the Packers in targets (58), receptions (39) and receiving yards (581) and scored four touchdowns. Those stats might not jump off the page, but Wicks’ advanced metrics proved he was one of the NFL’s most underrated receivers last season.
As pointed out by PFF’s Thomas Valentine, Wicks was quite proficient after the catch, gaining 5.6 YAC per reception, the 19th-most among wideouts. Additionally, according to Sleeper, Wicks was the best wide receiver in the league when it came to getting open against single man coverage, posting a 55.1% open rate. He might not rack up 1,000 receiving yards this season, but with his reliable hands and elite separating skills, Wicks could find himself among the league leaders in receptions.
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