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As the 2024 NFL Draft has now concluded and rookies have found their new homes, teams across the league will begin preparations for the 2024 season.
All 32 franchises will be hoping their new wide receivers, both drafted and undrafted, will be able to have an instant impact.
Some of the best rookie wideouts were drafted in the latter rounds, whilst some of the highest-drafted wide receivers, such as Justin Blackmon and Charles Rodgers were busts in the NFL.
Read more: 5 biggest wide receiver busts in NFL draft history ft. Kevin White
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Best rookie WR seasons in NFL history
#5 - Anquan Boldin, 2003
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Arizona Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin had one of the best rookie campaigns back in 2003. After a poor Combine showing, Boldin fell to the second round of the 2003 Draft, but immediately made his presence felt in the NFL.
Boldin put up 217 yards on 10 catches and two touchdowns in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions and he continued to impress during his debut year. Boldin had 101 receptions going for 1,377 yards and eight touchdowns.
His 101 receptions is second all-time behind Puka Nacua, and his yardage remains fifth all-time.
#4 - Justin Jefferson, 2020
LSU star Justin Jefferson fell into the laps of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2020 NFL Draft after famously being passed on by the Philadelphia Eagles who opted for Jalen Reagor. Jefferson was selected with the pick the Vikings acquired when trading Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills.
He didn't start for the Vikings until Week 3, and ended his first start with 175 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions despite Minnesota falling to the Tennessee Titans. Jefferson then went on to have a historic rookie campaign, clocking up 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns on 88 receptions. He missed out on NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors as Justin Herbert had a similarly historic season.
Since entering the league, Jefferson has been arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, leading the league in yards and receptions in 2022 on his way to winning NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
#3 - Ja'Marr Chase, 2021
Like Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase is another superstar wide receiver to come out of LSU, entering the league a year later than his former teammate in 2021.
The Cincinnati Bengals passed on another need when they chose to reunite Joe Burrow with his former college teammate rather than select Penei Sewell to protect the star quarterback. The decision was immediately ratified as Chase had a historic rookie season.
He totalled 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns on 81 receptions, as well as adding 368 yards and another score on the Bengals' run to Super Bowl LVI.
#2 - Randy Moss, 1998
Despite not hitting the yardage heights of others on this list, Randy Moss' 17 receiving touchdowns as a rookie remains a record that'll likely never be matched.
Moss still had excellent yardage, 1,313 on the year, as the Vikings star rookie relegated Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter to WR2 on the depth chart. He produced arguably his most legendary game during his rookie season, too, with his 3-163-3 game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
Moss was arguably the most dominant wide receiver in NFL history having led the league in touchdowns on five separate occasions (including an NFL record of 23 TDs in 2007 whilst a member of the Patriots).
#1 - Puka Nacua, 2023
LA Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua had arguably the most dominant campaign by a first-year player in 2023 when he shocked the NFL world. Having been drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 Draft, not much was expected of the BYU product, but after a preseason injury to Cooper Kupp, Nacua took his opportunity.
Nacua developed an instant rapport with Matt Stafford and emulated Kupp in Sean McVay's offense, setting rookie records in both receptions (105) and yards (1,486). Even after Kupp's return from injury, Nacua was still a vital piece of the Rams' offense, as they shocked many by making the playoffs last season.
Likely the teams WR1 heading into 2024, the sky is the limit for Puka Nacua.
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