There may not be a position as deep as a wide receiver is in the NFL today. The position is loaded with talent as young players have already cemented themselves among the elite and veterans have shown no signs of slowing down.
Those established wide receivers are going to have to work hard to keep those spots as there is another new group of pass catchers looking to unseat them. Cynthia Frelund of NFL Network put together a list of five second-year wide receivers that are poised to break out in 2023 and make a name for themselves.
Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III was the first player that was mentioned. Metchie is someone that even non-football fans could know because of the leukemia diagnosis he received shortly after being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
He missed his entire rookie season but has been participating in training camp and will bring an added element to the Texans’ offense. An elite route runner, Metchie should become a top wide receiver for C.J. Stroud in no time.
Next on Frelund’s list is Drake London of the Atlanta Falcons. The USC wide receiver is one of three top-10 picks the Falcons have made the last three years at skill positions, joining 2021 No. 4 pick tight end Kyle Pitts and 2023 No. 8 pick running back Bijan Robinson.
London is projected to have a big season with stability at quarterback in Desmond Ridder and the addition of Robinson. Less is more for the No. 10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, as he is in line for more quality looks this season than last.
Third on the list is Christian Watson of the Green Bay Packers. A second-round pick out of North Dakota State, Watson has a chance to break out this year as the No. 1 target in the Packers’ passing attack.
Blessed with a rare combination of speed and size, Watson is an anomaly at wide receiver as he can get the job done in any facet. As shifty as Jaylen Waddle and Deebo Samuel, but also amongst the best-contested catch players in the NFL, Watson will quickly become Jordan Love’s go-to guy.
Fourth up is Jahan Dotson of the Washington Commanders. Unlike the other players on this list, Dotson has a clear No. 1 ahead of him on the depth chart in Terry McLaurin. That should only help him as teams won’t be directing as much attention his way.
A chain mover, Dotson will become Sam Howell’s best friend as a reliable set of hands near the line of scrimmage and first down marker. But, don’t underestimate his toughness as well, as he was also near the top of the league in contest catch rate.
Last but not least, the final wide receiver to make the list is George Pickens of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His tape speaks for itself as he was a human highlight reel as a rookie and that has continued into training camp this year.
If Matt Canada opens up the offense and allows Kenny Pickett to take some shots downfield, Pickens is going to have a monster season. Of the players on the list, Pickens feels to have the most star potential given his penchant for big plays.
