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Matt Bowen
Earlier this month, Tristan H. Cockcroft and I ranked the most dependable landing scorers on the working again place utilizing goal-line information, participant traits, scheme and extra. So, why not observe the identical script — analyzing situational statistics and sport tape — with our eyes on the large receivers greatest at discovering the top zone?
In 2024, eight receivers posted double-digit landing receptions, and 20 produced eight or extra. The highest-four fantasy large receivers in PPR codecs had at the very least 10 landing grabs every. Getting six factors? It issues.
At present, I am going to offer you my projected top-10 landing scorers on the large receiver place for the 2025 season, with 5 extra who’re on the perimeter of constructing the minimize.
1. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: Chase led the NFL with 17 receiving touchdowns in 2024, and the quantity he sees in scoring conditions boosts his fantasy profile. Chase caught seven of a league-high 19 finish zone targets and noticed 35 purple zone targets, additionally probably the most of any large receiver. Chase can create explosive performs in any respect three ranges of the sector together with his vertical capacity and highly effective catch-and-run traits. In a pass-heavy Bengals offense with Joe Burrow throwing the ball, Chase will proceed to get his appears this season. There is a motive he’s the consensus No. 1 choose in mock drafts this summer season.
2. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Evans will flip 32 this August, however he’s nonetheless excessive on my listing due to his matchup capacity within the purple zone. Evans, who had 11 landing receptions final season, caught 9 of 16 finish zone targets. He has a complete of 25 touchdowns on finish zone throws over his previous three seasons. The body, the play power, the catch radius, the quickness — these traits present up persistently on fade throws and slants when the ball is on the doorstep of the top zone, and Evans will stay a strike zone goal (20- to 35-yard line) for Baker Mayfield, which retains him within the WR2 vary for this coming season.
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: A fast separator on quick to intermediate ideas, St. Brown noticed 15 goal-to-go targets in 2024, the second most within the league, catching 9 of his 12 touchdowns on low purple zone throws. St. Brown’s alignment and scheme versatility exhibits right here too, as he can rating off screens, flats and isolation routes. With 28 touchdowns over his previous three seasons, fourth most within the NFL, and ball provider toughness after the catch, St. Brown will proceed to attain in a passing offense that can stay explosive and closely schemed underneath new coordinator John Morton. St. Brown stays a first-round goal in 10- to 12-team leagues.
4. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: The league’s greatest route runner, Jefferson has mastered the craft of establishing protection, utilizing his pace and decrease physique management to slither out and in of cuts. Jefferson had 18 finish zone targets final season, the second most within the league, and his 25 purple zone targets ranked third. Jefferson can separate and end on slot fades, and we all know his capacity to shake free on in-breakers and pivots results in landing manufacturing, as he totaled 23 over his previous three seasons in Minnesota. The Vikings are transitioning to quarterback J.J. McCarthy this season, however in Kevin O’Connell’s QB-friendly scheme, the second-year passer might be set as much as ship the ball to his No.1 goal. And Jefferson will get open.
5. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders: McLaurin’s landing numbers jumped final season with the arrival of quarterback Jayden Daniels. After seeing a complete of 19 finish zone targets from 2022 to 2023, McLaurin caught 10 of 14 in 1024 and completed the season with 13 landing grabs, second most within the league. The fast slants on the objective line, the crossers and the second-reaction throws from Daniels added up. Plus, McLaurin can get down the sector as a deep goal. That is three-level juice right here. McLaurin could be thought of a regression candidate after his sudden enhance in numbers — I get that. However after going again by his tape and contemplating the general match within the offense with Daniels making throws, I imagine McLaurin could be one of many prime landing scorers once more this season.
6. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys: After he caught 12 scores in 2023, Lamb’s landing numbers slipped final season (six TD receptions) as quarterback Dak Prescott missed the ultimate 9 video games due to a hamstring damage. With a wholesome Prescott again underneath middle this season, nevertheless, I count on Lamb to put up high-end WR1 numbers, together with in his route deployment and purple zone manufacturing. Since 2022, Lamb has caught 16 touchdowns on finish zone targets, the fifth most within the league, and he has 27 TDs throughout that span. A slot goal with exterior flex, Lamb can present juice as an enormous play possibility after logging 12 landing receptions of 20 yards or extra over his previous three seasons. He can shake free excessive and use his ball provider imaginative and prescient to win in house.
7. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars: Thomas has blue-chip potential within the Jags’ offensive system underneath new coach Liam Coen. As a rookie in 2024, Thomas had 10 touchdowns, tied for sixth most within the NFL with Jefferson and Tee Higgins, and caught six of 12 finish zone targets. Highly effective and explosive out of the slot, with field-stretching capacity from a number of alignments (4 touchdowns on throws of 20 or extra yards), Thomas confirmed difference-making capacity on tape. We all know a wholesome — and constant — Trevor Lawrence is vital to Thomas’ manufacturing this season. Positive. However do not low cost Thomas’ expertise in an offense that may maximize his matchup traits as a flexible, multilevel playmaker. And that creates a variety of visits to the top zone.
8. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals: Harrison did not have the numbers we anticipated in his rookie season, however the alternatives have been there for the Ohio State product. Harrison noticed 17 finish zone targets (tied for third most) and cashed in on seven, ending the season with eight landing grabs. Plus, Harrison had 14 receptions of 20 or extra yards. There may be big-play capacity right here. Harrison added dimension to his body this offseason, which can assist him play by contact and win on contested catches ultimately zone. The Cardinals may also scheme extra for Harrison within the low purple zone, as he had solely 4 goal-to-goal targets in 2024 (accounting for 2 touchdowns). The traits are there for Harrison to construct off his rookie tape. And I see potential for Harrison to put up breakout numbers — and double-digit landing receptions — in his second professional season.
9. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins: Regardless of a down 12 months statistically in 2024, when Hill caught solely six touchdowns, he nonetheless noticed quantity on scoring alternatives (14 finish zone targets), and he has 26 TDs over the previous three seasons, together with 15 scores on throws of 20 or extra yards (tied for second within the league). Quick stays quick, and Hill can stretch the sector in a rush or create after the catch to supply landing performs. Sure, Hill’s 2025 outlook is tied to the well being of Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in Mike McDaniel’s offense. Timing and rhythm ideas are key. Tagovailoa performed in solely 11 video games final season, however when he began all 17 matchups in 2023, Hill completed with 13 touchdowns. Keep in mind, even at age 31, Hill is a burner. He can go, now. And I am searching for a bounce-back 12 months for a participant with an ADP of WR13.
10. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons: London had a profession excessive 9 landing receptions in 2024, catching six of 15 finish zone targets and seeing 11 goal-to-go targets. London has the bodily profile of a chief purple zone possibility too, with the formation flexibility to create each man and zone matchups. Press the seams versus single-high zone out of the slot, catch the go routes on the boundary and win the one-on-ones towards man protection on the objective line. This Falcons offense will get a bump within the move sport with second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. underneath middle, and London ought to profit as the highest possibility in scoring place. He is a fringe WR1 who may make the soar into the highest 5 on the place if the landing numbers proceed rising.
5 extra who may hit double-digit touchdowns this season
Malik Nabers, New York Giants: Nabers scored eight touchdowns and noticed 11 finish zone targets as rookie — with subpar quarterback play in New York. Russell Wilson is predicted to enter this season because the No.1, however Nabers may gain advantage much more if (or when) the workforce turns the offense over to rookie Jaxson Dart.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans: The highest goal for C.J. Stroud in Houston, Collins can use his bodily profile within the purple zone, and he has the deep ball capacity to create explosiveness down the sector. Collins has 15 touchdowns over his previous two seasons.
A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles’ run-heavy strategy within the low purple zone may restrict Brown’s landing output, however there isn’t any one higher taking part in by contact in any respect three ranges of the sector. And the slot fade with Brown creates matchup points.
Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams: Adams scored eight touchdowns with the Jets and Raiders final season, and at age 32 he’s nonetheless among the finest separators off the road of scrimmage. Adams will play the No. 2 position in L.A. reverse Puka Nacua, however the scheme match and anticipated deployment in Sean McVay’s offense will create scoring alternatives.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos: Sutton caught eight of 17 finish zone targets final season, and the Broncos’ offense has the gamers to be one of many league’s most explosive models underneath coach Sean Payton.
