2021 was the year of the wide receiver, with many wideouts putting up video game-type numbers. Let’s look ahead at five of the best NFL wide receivers in the 2022 season to see if they can have repeat success.

5. Deebo Samuel (San Francisco 49ers)

Samuel is one of the few wide receivers this off-season who wanted to bolt from his current squad but remained after the dust settled, signing a three-year, $71.55 million contract with $58.1 million guaranteed.

Samuel’s fantasy stock might drop due to San Francisco transitioning to Trey Lance as quarterback. However, it’s hard to ignore the unique skillset that saw him get 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns.

4. Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders)

This former Packer is one of the several elite wideouts that’s an old face in a new place, but he is inheriting a quarterback who can slang the rock, unlike other wide receivers (Tyreek Hill and A.J. Brown) whose quarterbacks are wild cards.

Derek Carr is no Aaron Rodgers, but it’s hard to imagine Adams’s production drops drastically in the silver and black. The days of 120 catches and 1500 yards might be a thing of the past, with teammates like Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller taking targets away, but he’s still one of the game’s most talented route-runners.

3. Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals)

Being the star wide receiver on a team that went to the Super Bowl in his first year is an excellent way for Ja’Marr Chase’s career to begin on the Cincinnati Bengals. His chemistry with Joe Burrow makes it hard to imagine he will suffer a sophomore slump.

The Bengals arguably have the best wide receiving trip in Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd in the NFL, so Burrow will find someone opens on most plays. With Chase’s speed and raw athleticism, you can expect more 80-plus yards scores in 2022.

2. Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings)

Justin Jefferson comes in at number two, even though it will surprise no one if he finishes as the league’s best receiver. In two seasons, Jefferson has over 3,000 yards and 17 touchdowns with the Vikings, with his sights set on becoming the first wide receiver to surpass 2,000 yards this season.

Despite popular opinion, Kirk Cousins is a solid quarterback, and the Vikings have a new offensive-minded coach, Kevin O’Connell, taking over for Mike Zimmer. Thus, JJ2K has a legitimate chance of happening.

1. Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams)

As Ric Flair boastfully says, “to be the man, you got to beat the man,” and that’s why Cooper Kupp sits on the throne of being the league’s best pass catcher. Kupp finished 2021 winning the receiving triple crown, which is the most catches (145), yards (1,947), and touchdowns (16). With the relationship he has with Matthew Stafford, there’s no reason he can’t run it back in 2022.

Having five of the best wide receivers in the 2022 season on top of your fantasy board is a great way to start your team. It’s also a fantastic idea to look at their season props and other lines from the experts who handicap NFL picks for Pregame. Sign up today, get a free $25 to play with, and take advantage of our early bird package of half-off picks.