Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. In today's installment, he provides his ranking of the game's top pass-catching crews ...
With the 2025 NFL Draft and the bulk of free agency in the rearview, much of the offseason roster building is complete. And while the run game has returned to prominence, the aerial attack is still the biggest driver of scoring in today’s NFL.
After evaluating every roster in the league, it’s the perfect time for me to rank the best pass-catching groups heading into the 2025 season. Here are my top eight:
The Bengals showed their commitment to the finest pass-catching trio in the league this offseason by opening the vault to retain the services of WR Ja’Marr Chase (four years, $161 million), WR Tee Higgins (four years, $115 million) and TE Mike Gesicki (three years, $25.5 million). Joe Burrow advocated for his playmakers to receive their blockbuster deals, and the money reflects how Cincinnati has dominated opponents on the perimeter. From Chase winning the triple crown in 2024 as the league leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns to Higgins posting 10 touchdowns as the NFL’s most feared WR2 to Gesicki snagging 65 balls as the third option on a prolific, pass-first offense, the Bengals have firepower to match any opponent in a shootout.
It's hard to find a glaring hole on the defending champions’ roster thanks to the Eagles’ superb scouting and development process. Philadelphia has utilized every acquisition method (draft, trade and free agency) to stockpile blue-chip playmakers. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith share duties as co-WR1s in an offense that utilizes a potent running game, led by Saquon Barkley, to set up opportunities through the air. WR Jahan Dotson and TE Dallas Goedert excel at working the underneath areas to punish opponents utilizing two-deep coverage and split-safety looks designed to limit throws over the top. Despite their best efforts, few defenses have been able to neutralize the Eagles’ aerial attack with Jalen Hurts tossing the ball all over the yard to a collection of sticky-fingered pass catchers with slick route-running skills and big-play potential on the perimeter.
The Vikings have put J.J. McCarthy in position to succeed after remodeling the offensive line this offseason to pair with their supremely talented pass catchers on the perimeter. WR Justin Jefferson, WR Jordan Addison and TE T.J. Hockenson played a big part in resurrecting Sam Darnold’s career in 2024, helping the veteran produce gaudy numbers (4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns) in his lone season with the team. The sensational route-running ability of Jefferson and Addison enabled head coach Kevin O’Connell to tap into his creative side. He crafted exotic play designs that produced explosives on simple throws from the pocket. Though Hockenson lacks the pizzazz of his pass-catching brethren, the two-time Pro Bowler is the reliable target every quarterback needs between the hashes. With three elite pass catchers in the lineup, Minnesota’s offense should remain one of the league’s best in McCarthy’s first year as QB1.
It’s not a coincidence that Baker Mayfield has found his groove in Tampa Bay with a set of playmakers who expand the strike zone with their size, length and athleticism. WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin excel at creating space with their rugged styles, but they also display the patience, discipline and awareness to win with precise route-running skills when bully ball is ineffective. And don’t forget about WR Jalen McMillan, a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft who came on strong down the stretch during the Buccaneers’ run to a fourth straight NFC South title, scoring seven touchdowns in the final five weeks of the regular season while Godwin was sidelined by an ankle injury. With Mayfield willing to throw the ball up to his pass catchers whenever he spots a favorable matchup, the Bucs’ passing game overwhelms opponents ill-equipped to deal with the bullies down the field. As the team integrates first-round pick Emeka Egbuka into the rotation as the designated chain-mover occupying the WR3 role, the aerial attack should continue to overwhelm opponents unable to deal with Tampa Bay’s size and physicality on the perimeter.
After watching Sean McVay gush over free-agent signee Davante Adams’ talents, I’m even further convinced the creative play designer will fully unleash Matthew Stafford now that he has the six-time Pro Bowler and Puka Nacua, a star since entering the league in 2023, at his disposal. The record-breaking receivers will enable Los Angeles to utilize an approach that keeps opponents guessing. Whether changing their alignments within the formation or flipping the script on their designated routes, Adams and Nacua can unlock parts of the offense that would make the Rams more explosive. With the two studs producing chunk plays, the team could also see WR Tutu Atwell and TE Tyler Higbee make key contributions as complementary weapons. Considering Stafford’s effectiveness as a drop-back passer, the Rams’ pass-catching corps has a chance to produce huge numbers with an expanded playbook.
The football world will soon find out whether the Lions’ offensive success in 2024 had more to do with the pen or the personnel. While former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson deserves credit for his innovative schemes, which helped Detroit lead the league in scoring and rank second in total offense, it's much easier to dial up winners when you have a route runner (WR Amon-Ra St. Brown), a speedster (WR Jameson Williams) and a chain-mover (TE Sam LaPorta) at your disposal. In Johnson's final season in Detroit, that trio accounted for 26 of the team's 39 TD receptions, while St. Brown and Williams each posted more than 1,000 receiving yards. With Johnson now in Chicago, new offensive coordinator John Morton will have a chance to showcase his play-designing skills in 2025. Given St. Brown’s dazzling route-running ability, Williams’ big-play potential and LaPorta’s reliable hands, don't be surprised if the Lions’ dynamic aerial attack does not skip a beat with a new man calling the plays in Motown.
Despite losing some of the sizzle that once made the Dolphins offense a film junkie’s favorite to study, the collection of pass catchers in South Beach still deserves a spot on the list. WR Tyreek Hill, WR Jaylen Waddle and TE Jonnu Smith are threats to score from anywhere on the field in Mike McDaniel's scheme, which prominently features catch-and-run concepts. The speed of Hill and Waddle, combined with Smith’s explosiveness down the seams, should continue to produce home runs that enable a healthy Tua Tagovailoa and Co. to light up scoreboards. Though the high-powered offense has failed to deliver a playoff win in the McDaniel-Tagovailoa era, the big-play potential of the offense makes the Dolphins one of the most feared units in football.
The blockbuster trade that brought George Pickens from Pittsburgh to Dallas has thrust the Cowboys into the conversation as one of the most dangerous pass-catching groups heading into 2025. Pickens gives Brian Schottenheimer's offense a much-needed complement to four-time Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb, who has carried the passing game over the last four seasons with at least 1,100 yards in each campaign. Pickens should help alleviate the burden on Lamb, while giving Dak Prescott the deep threat needed to punish the defense for tilting the coverage in No. 88’s direction. Moreover, Pickens' arrival will likely force opponents to utilize more two-deep coverages, leading to increased opportunities for TE Jake Ferguson to make plays between the hashes. Given Pickens' success when having free access to roam downfield, the former Steeler has a chance to help the offense maximize its potential with Prescott surrounded by high-end playmakers on the perimeter.