Ranking the top 10 former SEC wide receivers in the NFL for the 2024 season (2024)

Former Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley will suit up for the third team of his NFL career this season. Previously, Ridley spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, he will be a key piece of the Tennessee Titans offense. In five seasons in the NFL, Ridley has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards twice — in 2020 and 2023. He will form one of the top receiving duos in the NFL alongside DeAndre Hopkins. Ridley returned from a one-year suspension last season and had arguably the best season of his NFL career. Can he continue that success in the Music City?

The Seattle Seahawks have a great receiving core headlined by former Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver DK Metcalf. The Mississippi native has proven that he is fully capable of taking the Seahawks offense to new heights. Given Metcalf’s size and freakish athleticism, he is considered as one of the top athletes in the NFL. In each of his first five seasons, Metcalf has recorded at least 900 receiving yards. He has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards three times. The NFC West and the rest of the NFL are well aware of what Metcalf brings to the table and will prepare accordingly to limit his production in the Seahawks offense.

One of the most versatile wide receivers in the NFL is former South Carolina Gameco*ck and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. The South Carolina native is used in a multitude of ways by 49ers playcaller and head coach Kyle Shanahan. Samuel’s playmaking ability allows him to line up in multiple positions for the 2023 NFC Champions. He is used as a running back and wide receiver in the 49ers offense. In two of his five seasons in the NFL, Samuel has surpassed 1,000 all-purpose yards. There is a reason that Samuel is heavily accounted for by opposing defenses. He presents a lot of problems as a runner, routerunner, and pass-catcher.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took former wide receiver Mike Evans with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. In each of his first 10 seasons in the NFL, Evans has recorded over 1,000 receiving yards. In 2024, Evans had a career-high 13 receiving touchdowns. He is relatively underrated considering the overall production that he has had over the course of his career. Evans makes a strong case to be one of the top wide receivers in the NFC, much less the NFL.

One of the the league’s bright stars is former Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith. The Philadelphia Eagles took a chance on Smith despite a lot of criticism regarding his size and slender frame. It has worked out in the Eagles favor thus far. In three seasons, Smith has recorded 3,178 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns. He has been a consistent option for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts to throw the football to. It seems like he is showing steady improvement year-in and year-out.

The Miami Dolphins have one of the top wide receiver duos in the NFL with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Waddle is a former wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was the Dolphins first-round pick in 2021. Since entering the NFL, Waddle has recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. Waddle’s athleticism and big play ability to make him one of the most difficult wide receivers to guard in the NFL. If he continues to stay healthy, Waddle will continue to improve and further solidify himself as one of the best wide receivers in franchise history.

After spending some time with the Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, former Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper has found a new home with the Cleveland Browns. In two seasons with the Browns organization, Cooper has recorded 1,000-plus receiving yards. He is the No. 1 wide receiver for Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. With superstar running back Nick Chubb returning from injury, there should be some pressure taken off of Cooper’s shoulders in 2024. Cooper will once again be one of the top wide receivers in the NFL.

After spending some time with the Tennessee Titans organization, former Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver A.J. Brown was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022. In two seasons with the Eagles, Brown has recorded 2,995 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. Following the 2023 season, Brown was named a Second-Team All-Pro for the third time and a Pro-Bowler for the second straight season. Brown’s trajectory is trending upward as he enters his sixth season in the NFL. He has the potential to be the best wide receiver in the NFL in 2024 if things continue to work out in his favor.

The LSU Tigers have sent a lot of elite wide receivers to the NFL over the years. One of them is Cincinnati Bengals standout Ja’Marr Chase. The Louisiana native has already proven to be one of the top wide receivers in the NFL after three seasons as a part of the Bengals organization. Chase has over 1,000 receiving yards in each season since entering the league in 2021. He has been quarterback Joe Burrow’s top option and will continue to be for many years to come.

There is no question about which former SEC wide receiver comes in at No. 1 on our list. That is former LSU Tigers wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The Louisiana native has spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings. He has over 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons in the NFL. Despite playing in just nine games last season, he still managed to record 1,046 receiving yards. Jefferson has the talent and work ethic to go down as one of the best wide receiver of all-time. That is how good he is.