NFL Stats Leader 2021: Who has the most receiving yards heading into Week 18?

Los Angeles Rams v Houston Texans
Los Angeles Rams v Houston Texans

As the NFL regular season winds down to its last week, NFL stats leaders in receiving yards are taking more concrete shape. At the end of the season, there are certain players who were expected to be here or hereabouts and certain players were never thought likely to be among NFL stats leaders in receiving yards.

If we look at the receiving yards of NFL stats leaders in that category, they're all over 1,300 yards. Previous week's leaders like Tyreek Hill have fallen off this NFL stats leaders list, while some others have dropped as well. Others have also consolidated their positions at the top. Here's a look at where our NFL stats leaders in receiving yards stand.

NFL Stats Leaders after Week 17: Receiving yards

#5 - Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers, 1,310 yards

San Francisco 49ers v Cincinnati Bengals
San Francisco 49ers v Cincinnati Bengals

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Deebo Samuels has been a bright spot for the San Francisco 49ers this season, and one of the main reasons why the 49ers enter the last game against the Los Angeles Rams with their playoff destiny in their hands. Samuels comes into that game in great form, having recorded one touchdown against the Houston Texans in their last game.

In total, he has 1,310 yards in 15 games. During those 15 games he has been targeted for 115 times, 73 of which led in receptions. He has scored six touchdowns so far this season as well. But that's where he stands out, even among other NFL stats leaders in receiving yards. He has 719 yards after the catch, the highest among all NFL stats leaders in receiving yards this week.

#4 - Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals, 1,429 yards

Cincinnati Bengals v Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals v Baltimore Ravens

Ja'Marr Chase had an all-time performance for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Kansas City Chiefs this week that sees him shoot up on this list of NFL stats leaders in receiving yards. He had 11 receptions for 266 yards and three touchdowns, and in the process set rookie records as well for the most receiving yards in a game and in total.

Adding it up, Ja'Marr Chase now has 1,429 yards in 16 games. During those 16 games he has been targeted for 124 times, 79 of which led in receptions. He has scored 13 touchdowns so far this season as well, the second highest on this list of NFL stats leaders in receiving yards.

Top 3 NFL Stats Leaders after Week 15: Receiving Yards

#3 - Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers, 1,498 yards

Cleveland Browns v Green Bay Packers
Cleveland Browns v Green Bay Packers

The next two people on the NFL stats leaders list in receiving yards have a lot in common. Both were expected to be near the top this year. Both play in the NFC North. They are both separated by just 11 yards.

First among them is Davante Adams. Against the Minnesota Vikings, he had 11 receptions for 136 yards, which resulted in a touchdown. This was the second consecutive week he has topped 100 yards in a game and scored a touchdown.

In total, he has 1,498 yards in 15 games. During those 15 games he has been targeter 162 times, 117 of which led in receptions. He has scored 11 touchdowns so far this season as well.

#2 - Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, 1,509 yards

Pittsburgh Steelers v Minnesota Vikings
Pittsburgh Steelers v Minnesota Vikings

Justin Jefferson is second on our list of NFL stats leaders in receiving yards. In fact, over the last couple of seasons, he has been the most consistent of receivers, even though he plays in a team that looks increasingly likely to miss the playoffs again.

His last outing against the Green Bay Packers did not amount to much, resulting in just six receptions for 58 yards and no touchdowns. It allowed fellow compatriot on this NFL stats leaders list of receiving yards, Davante Adams, to steal a march on him.

In total, he has 1,509 yards in 16 games. During those 16 games he has been targeted 160 times, 103 of which led in receptions. He has scored nine touchdowns so far this season as well.

#1 - Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams, 1,829 yards

Los Angeles Rams v Arizona Cardinals
Los Angeles Rams v Arizona Cardinals

Rendering all comparisons between NFL stats leaders for receiving yards this season moot is Cooper Kupp. He's not just having a season where he is the NFL stats leader in receiving yards, he is having a season that compares to the greatest seasons ever.

With 20 more yards, Cooper Kupp will overtake Jerry Rice's 1,995 yards and 1.2 PPR points to become the most successful wide receiver in a season of fantasy football.

He has been in a league of his own this season. In total, he has 1829 yards in 16 games. During those 16 games he has been targeted 184 times, 138 of which led in receptions. He has scored 15 touchdowns so far this season as well. He recorded 114.3 yards per game and 806 yards after the catch. He is the undisputed NFL stats leader in all these metrics presented here with nobody else coming close.

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Edited by Piyush Bisht
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