As a new feature in the 2022 Sharp Football Preview Book, the Sharp Football Analysis team ranked positional units across the league for the 2022 season.

The ranking guidelines were up to the specific voter with the only requirement that the focus is on the upcoming season only, not the future outlook.

With a combination of numbers, film, and projections, the rankings were averaged for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers/tight ends, defensive front seven, defensive secondary, and head coach.

Next up: 2022 NFL wide receiver and tight end rankings. The entire unit was considered, not just the starters.

Which team will have the worst wide receivers in 2022? Which team will have the best receiving corps in 2022? We’ve got all your answers covered.

Quarterbacks | Wide Receivers/Tight Ends | Running Backs | Offensive Line | Front 7 | Secondary

2022 NFL Wide Receivers / Tight End Rankings, by Unit

Score based off average ranks of positional unit (on a 100 point scale) for all 32 teams, from Sharp Football staff voters. If all voters had a team at #1, that score would be 100. 

What team has the best receiving corps in the NFL?

32. Houston Texans

Brandin Cooks continues to produce wherever he is but this unit will need to rely on 2021 third-round pick Nico Collins and 2022 second-round pick John Metchie, coming off a torn ACL, which leaves a lot of uncertain depth.

31. Chicago Bears

The Bears’ only proven pass-catcher is Darrell Mooney, though there’s reason to be optimistic about Cole Kmet’s development at tight end. Third-round pick Velus Jones Jr. could provide a spark in the slot, but aside from him, there’s little upside on this roster. An overhaul to the unit will be needed next offseason.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

Despite heavy investment in the wide receiver position, we don’t have much faith in this unit. One potential flaw in the construction of this unit is the lack of yards-after-catch ability. Zay Jones, Christian Kirk, and Marvin Jones all averaged under four yards after the catch per reception and ranked 91st, 97th, and 112th out of 112 qualified receivers, respectively.

29. Green Bay Packers

On throws 10 or more yards downfield, Davante Adams caught 59% of his targets 一 the rest of Green Bay’s receiving corps caught just 43%. Three rookies give the unit some developmental potential, but few teams have less proven talent at receiver and tight end.

28. Tennessee Titans

A year ago at this time we were optimistic about a Julio Jones/A.J. Brown pairing, but with both players gone, Tennessee’s pass-catchers plummet 22 spots in our rankings. The Titans’ returning receivers combined for just 17 receptions at 10 or more yards downfield, with a 48.5% catch rate at that depth. Robert Woods better stay healthy and Treylon Burks needs to produce immediately.

27. Indianapolis Colts

Votes for the Colts pass catchers ranged from 21st to 30th. Michael Pittman is a capable No. 1 weapon, but someone must step up behind him for this unit to reach another level. There’s a lot of pressure on rookie Alec Pierce to make an immediate impact.

26. New York Giants

Votes for the Giants’ pass catchers ranged from 20th to 29th. How you view this unit likely depends on which version of Kenny Golladay you think shows up. Golladay was easily shut down by man coverage last year, hauling in just 46% of his targets. Wan’Dale Robinson was the only notable addition, but he’s a gadget receiver who likely does not make a substantial difference in Year 1.

25. New England Patriots

We still don’t have much faith in the Patriots’ pass catchers, but they climbed three spots in our rankings thanks to the development of Jakobi Meyers and the addition of DeVante Parker. No one on this roster will scare opposing defenses, but there’s enough depth to be competent.

24. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore has one of the most unproven receiving corps in the league, though Rashod Bateman’s potential and quality depth at tight end save it from a worse ranking. Marquise Brown accounted for 30% of the team’s targets at 10 or more yards downfield last year. Bateman will need to establish himself as a threat in that role for this unit to exceed expectations.

23. Carolina Panthers

A year ago we were optimistic about Carolina’s pass catchers, but a disappointing rookie year from Terrace Marshall Jr. raised concerns for this unit’s depth and led to a drop from 14th to 23rd. Marshall caught just 74% of his catchable targets with a 15% drop rate. D.J. Moore and Robbie Anderson still provide value atop the depth chart, but someone has to emerge as a third option for this unit.

22. Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts and Drake London anchor Atlanta’s highest-ranked unit. If/when Calvin Ridley returns in 2023, this will be one of the league’s most exciting young receiving corps, but since we’re focused solely on 2022, the lack of depth behind Pitts and London leads to the poor ranking.

21. Cleveland Browns

Amari Cooper gives Cleveland a reliable No. 1 weapon, but there’s a lack of proven depth. Donovan Peoples-Jones has shown potential 一 he caught 85% of his catchable targets at 10 or more yards downfield last season, a higher rate than Jarvis Landry or Odell Beckham Jr. If rookie David Bell can produce immediately, maybe this unit can exceed expectations.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers’ receivers caught 68% of their catchable targets on throws 10 or more yards downfield, the league’s third-lowest rate. We’ve seen flashes of high-level production from Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, but the consistency just isn’t there to justify a top-10 ranking 一 they combined for 15 drops last year.

19. Washington Commanders

Votes for Washington’s pass-catchers ranged from 13th to 26th. No one disputes Terry McLaurin’s talent, but we don’t really know what to expect from the rest of the group. If Curtis Samuel is healthy, Dyami Brown makes progress in his second year and Jahan Dotson produces immediately, the unit has a high ceiling 一 but that’s a lot of ifs.

18. Detroit Lions

The Lions’ pass catchers have a much higher ceiling than our ranking, but since we’re evaluating strictly based on 2022 expectations, Jameson Williams’s injury needs to be taken into account. Once Williams joins Amon-Ra St. Brown and T.J. Hockenson, this could develop into a top-10 unit.

17. Arizona Cardinals

Arizona’s pass catchers would rank higher if not for DeAndre Hopkins’s six-game suspension. The Cardinals’ offense averaged 6.4 yards per play when Hopkins was on the field, compared to 4.9 when he was not. Marquise Brown should be a nice complementary piece once Hopkins returns, but this unit will likely suffer while he’s the No. 1 option.

16. New Orleans Saints

Votes for the Saints ranged from 12th to 21st, which seems fair given the uncertainty surrounding Michael Thomas’s availability. If he’s at full strength, Thomas, Chris Olave, and Jarvis Landry are a formidable trio who could easily outplay their ranking.

15. New York Jets

The area in which the Jets have improved most is wide receiver 一 their pass catchers jumped 14 spots in our rankings thanks to the addition of Garrett Wilson. On throws 10 or more yards downfield, Jets receivers hauled in 73% of their catchable targets (ranked 24th) 一 Wilson caught 88% at Ohio State.

14. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs’ pass catchers dropped 10 spots in our rankings from a season ago due to the loss of Tyreek Hill. The unit no longer has a game-changing weapon, but the additions of Juju Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and rookie Skyy Moore have improved the depth.

13. Dallas Cowboys

The loss of Amari Cooper led to the Dallas receiving corps falling 11 spots in our rankings. Although it lacks the elite depth of a season ago, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup are still a strong duo atop the depth chart. With Cooper on the field, Dallas averaged 7.65 yards per pass attempt 一 and 7.74 when he was off the field.

12. Denver Broncos

Denver’s pass catchers remain just outside the top-10 for a second consecutive year. Cortland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy are an exciting duo with elite potential, but we haven’t seen it all come together yet. Perhaps the addition of Wilson finally allows this unit to elevate to another level.

11. Buffalo Bills

Stefon Diggs is easily among the top weapons in the league, but the Bills lack proven depth around him. Votes for this unit ranged from fifth to 16th, likely due to analysts assigning different values to one elite weapon versus quality depth. If Gabriel Davis can establish himself as a reliable second option, the high end of that spectrum is within reach.

10. Los Angeles Chargers

Among Chargers pass catchers who saw over 25 targets a season ago, only Jared Cook is not returning. Cook will be replaced by Gerald Everett, who potentially provides an upgrade to a tight end unit that saw the ninth most targets in 2021.

9. Minnesota Vikings

Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen provide Minnesota with one of the most reliable duos at wide receiver, but a lack of depth holds the unit back. There weren’t any meaningful additions this offseason, so the team appears to be hoping K.J. Osborn can elevate his production in his third season.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With Antonio Brown no longer in town and Chris Godwin returning from an injury, Tampa’s pass catchers fall seven spots in the rankings from a season ago. Rob Gronkowski is also retired, at least for now, which also weakens the depth. Gronk and Brown accounted for 31% of the team’s receptions on targets 10 or more yards downfield.

7. Seattle Seahawks

Assuming DK Metcalf doesn’t get traded, Seattle at least has some quality weapons to carry them into the season. Metcalf has a well-earned reputation as a deep threat, but it was actually Tyler Lockett who finished third in the league in receptions on throws 15 or more yards downfield last year. Dee Eskridge was a disappointment as a rookie, but if he makes strides this could be a deep, well-rounded unit.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

The addition of Davante Adams puts the Raiders’ pass catchers in the top tier. Few teams have a trio capable of rivaling Adams, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow.

5. Philadelphia Eagles

The addition of A.J. Brown elevated the Eagles’ pass catchers to a top-tier unit. His skill set as a bigger, more physical receiver with slot/outside versatility complements Devonta Smith perfectly.

4. Miami Dolphins

Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have the potential to be an electric duo. Waddle’s production as a rookie in an inefficient offense was impressive. If there’s a weakness to this unit, it’s the lack of depth. Cedrick Wilson will need to take on a larger role than the one he played in Dallas.

3. Los Angeles Rams

Cooper Kupp led the league in just about every receiving category and could carry any receiving unit to an above-average one on his own. The loss of Odell Beckham could hurt but the addition of Allen Robinson gives this offense a bigger body it hasn’t really had on the outside.

2. San Francisco 49ers

We’re assuming Deebo Samuel suits up for the 49ers this season. As a result, their pass catchers landed in the top five on every ballot. If we could guarantee a fully healthy season from George Kittle, the unit may have ranked number one.

1. Cincinnati Bengals

We were optimistic about the addition of Ja’Marr Chase last year, ranking the Bengals’ pass catchers 11th overall, but the unit exceeded those expectations. The Bengals were one of only three teams with three pass-catchers (Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd) to record at least 800 yards and average at least 8.0 yards per target.

Ranking each NFL Unit for 2022:

Quarterbacks | Wide Receivers/Tight Ends | Running Backs | Offensive Line | Front 7 | Secondary

For all of the team-by-team unit rankings and full team chapters, including a dozen more visuals & info-graphics, defensive breakdown, and detailed Fantasy football implications — plus the other 31 team chapters — pick up a copy of Warren Sharp’s new ‘2022 Football Preview’ book