The frontrunners for most receiving yards by a wideout this year are Justin Jefferson of the Vikings and Cooper Kupp of the Rams.
The race for who will have the most receiving yards in the NFL for the 2022 season could come down to two talented pass catchers.
The first is Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson. The other is Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams.
DraftKings lists Jefferson as the favorite at +800. Kupp checks in at +900.
The case for Jefferson
Jefferson is coming off a campaign where he caught 108 passes for 1,616 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 195 pounder makes the Minnesota offense go, especially when powerhouse running back Dalvin Cook is on the shelf. Cook missed four games last season.
The big question: Can quarterback Kirk Cousins get the ball to Jefferson enough to make him the league’s most prolific receiver? Cousins completed 66.3% of his passes in 2021 for 4,221 yards with 33 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. His QBR was 76.6, seventh-best in the league.
Kupp catches on
Kupp, meanwhile, was one of the big reasons the Rams ran to the Super Bowl crown. He was the MVP of the big game. On the season, Kupp had a league-leading 145 catches for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. He nicely complemented a running game that did not feature a 1,000-yard rusher. Sony Michel was the Rams’ top ground gainer with 845 yards.
Kupp has the benefit of playing with Matthew Stafford, whose trade from the Detroit Lions before the season was the master stroke that spurred on a championship. Stafford connected on 67.2% of attempts for 4,886 yards with 41 touchdowns vs. 17 picks. He was fifth in QBR at 78.2.
The Stafford-to-Kupp combo should again pay dividends, and cash tickets, in 2022.
At +550, the Buffalo Bills are the overwhelming favorites to lead the NFL in points scored. The reason for that is simple.
Also receiving attention
There are numerous other contenders to be the receiving king. Start with Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals (+1000). Chase racked up 1,455 yards and 13 TDs, snaring tosses from Joe Burrow.
Davante Adams (+1200) split from the Green Bay Packers for the Las Vegas Raiders. Adams compiled 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns from Aaron Rodgers. Now, he’ll be the top target for Derek Carr in Vegas.
More contenders for top receiving yards performer
Ceedee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (+1400)
Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills (+1400)
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (+2000)
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (+2000)
Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos (+2500)
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (+2500)
A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (+2500)
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2500)
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Gerry Ahern is senior content editor for FrontPageBets. A 35-year veteran sports editor and digital media executive, he has led coverage of the biggest events in sports, from Super Bowls, to Final Fours, to Olympics, to the Masters.
