NFL receiving corps rankings: PFF makes case for Eagles despite perceived WR3 weakness

Ryan OLeary

NFL receiving corps rankings: PFF makes case for Eagles despite perceived WR3 weakness image

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

During what has been a low-key start to the 2025 offseason for the Philadelphia Eagles, GM Howie Roseman has added little at the offensive skill positions outside of some depth signings at running back and tight end.

That hasn’t stopped the analysts at Pro Football Focus from heaping high praise on Philly’s group of pass catchers entering training camp.

PFF’s Trevor Sikkema recently released a ranking of the NFL’s top receiving corps, and he tabbed the Eagles at No. 1 with wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, running back Saquon Barkley, and tight end Dallas Goedert leading the way.

“The Eagles earned a team 79.1 PFF receiving grade last season and boast the No. 1 (A.J. Brown) and No. 17 (DeVonta Smith) receivers in PFF's top 32 wide receiver rankings, as well as the No. 2 running back (Saquon Barkley) and No. 8 tight end (Dallas Goedert),” Sikkema wrote. “Throw in Jahan Dotson as an ideal No. 3 receiver, and you’ve got a group that has a strong case for being the best in the league.”

Dotson getting some honorable mention is notable, because most analysts outside of the Eagles’ organization would peg WR3 as the team’s most glaring weakness.

Coach Nick Sirianni’s offenses always lean on a physical run game, and that approach was taken to another level in 2024 with Barkley joining quarterback Jalen Hurts in Philly’s backfield. The Eagles ranked No. 32 in football in total pass attempts last season, and while that could change in 2025  under new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, there’s never going to be a ton of targets available for Philly’s third or fourth wide receiver.

The other contenders for the top spot in these rankings were the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 2), Cincinnati Bengals (No. 3) and Detroit Lions (No. 4). The Bucs certainly have an argument after adding first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka to a wide receiver group that includes Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMilan. The Bengals have arguably the top wide receiver duo in all of football in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The Lions, meanwhile, are as well-rounded as they come with superstars Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta leading the way.

The fact that Philly, with the NFL's most formidable offensive line and rushing attack, can make zero splash moves in free agency and still top a ranking of the league’s top passing catching groups should be a scary proposition for those looking to unseat the defending Super Bowl champs in 2025.

MORE EAGLES NEWS:

Ryan OLeary

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.