The AFC East saw an influx of talent this offseason. Given that the wide receivers in the division are solid, which team has the best group? It’s a worthy question, because each unit has their own strengths.
The Jets have a solid and deep unit. The Patriots also have a solid and deep unit. The Bills have a high end unit, highlighted by Stefon Diggs, and the Dolphins’ receiver unit is has the highest ceiling in the division, highlighted by Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Ranking the units might not be as easy as we think, and I do think the Patriots’ group of pass catchers will end up being just fine for the 2022 season. They will eventually need to add a potential high-end playmaker, but I think they can make due with the players they have in-house.
So, of the four teams in the AFC East, which wide receiver unit is the strongest?
Ranking the wide receiver units in the AFC East: No. 4 – New York Jets
Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Braxton Berrios, Garrett Wilson
I’m not sure why the Patriots’ wide receiver unit gets so much hate for not being good enough, because I’m not yet seeing anything special with what the Jets have. None of the receivers on their roster have had a 1,000 yard season, and Elijah Moore led the team with just 538 yards last season.
It’s a unit that appears to have a high floor and low ceiling. Garrett Wilson was one of their draft picks, and he was quite good in college, but it would be unfair to rank them ahead of the Patriots because of what the unit could be.
It appears to be a fine unit overall, and one that should aid in Zach Wilson’s potential development in 2022, but it’s nothing to be impressed with.
Ranking the wide receiver units in the AFC East: No. 3 – New England Patriots
DeVante Parker, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor
Once again, I’m not sure why the Patriots’ receiver unit gets the hate that it does. It’s the deepest unit in the NFL, and it’s highlighted by all four receivers each having seasons with at least 800 receiving yards.
These players have shown consistency over their careers, and DeVante Parker is set to lead the way in 2022. I think this unit has potential to be better than we think, but with Matt Patricia not having a great time calling plays so far, the unit could ultimately be held back.
Mac Jones should improve in year two, and I do think having four quality receivers at his disposal is going to help him immensely. I also think that Nelson Agholor could end up being traded at some point, especially as we get closer to the return of Tyquan Thornton, the second round pick who impressed in training camp.
The unit isn’t special and doesn’t jump out on paper, but it’s but there are a good bit of teams across the NFL that don’t have the depth and consistency within their unit that the Patriots do with theirs’.
Ranking the wide receiver units in the AFC East: No. 2 – Buffalo Bills
Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Isaiah McKenzie, Khalil Shakir
The Buffalo Bills have the second best wide receiver unit in the AFC East. Stefon Diggs has been nothing short of incredible during his time in Buffalo, providing Josh Allen with a high quality target in the passing game.
Gabriel Davis is a third year player that many are projecting to have a breakout season, and Isaiah McKenzie is an emerging veteran for the team who can do some damage in the return game. It’s a very good unit for Josh Allen, and it’s easily been a group that has helped him develop into an elite quarterback.
I do think that it’s mostly carried by Stefon Diggs, and if he would miss time with injury, the unit would be mostly ineffective. Given the incredibly high ceiling that this group has, it’s only fair to rank them ahead of the Jets and the Patriots.
I could see a scenario where Davis, McKenzie, and Shakir end up not carrying their end of the deal, but it’s not likely with Josh Allen under center. The Patriots are eventually going to need to find someone who has similar on-field impact that Stefon Diggs does if they want their offensive to take a leap forward.
Ranking the wide receiver units in the AFC East: No. 1 – Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Cedrick Wilson, Lynn Bowden
This is the best unit in the AFC East, and I don’t think it’s particularly close. Tyreek Hill was sent to the Miami Dolphins in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this offseason, and he’s jolted this unit to one of the league’s best.
Jaylen Waddle had a sensational rookie season, and looks to build on that in year two. With Hill lining up opposite of him, it’s very likely that Waddle has another 1,000 yard campaign. Tyreek Hill has been one of the best receivers of this generation, and their third option, Cedrick Wilson, had 602 receiving yards in 2021 and is an excellent third option.
The unit should be plenty for Tua Tagovailoa, as the Dolphins see if he is the real deal. The unit has blazing speed and should be able to frequently outrun opposing defenses. I do think that both of their top options being under six foot could pose a bit of a problem for them.
Not having a true difference maker at the X position. I guess Hill could man this role, but they don’t have a true, big bodied target like other teams do. Think if players like Julio Jones, Demaryius Thomas, Courtland Sutton, Calvin Johnson.
Obviously, it’s extremely difficult to reach their skill level, but their physical makeup was a huge difference maker when they played. The Dolphins don’t really have that kind of threat, which is a slight concern, but Hill and Waddle make for a marvelous duo.