Week 6 WR Rankings: The Emergence of DK Metcalf

Two weeks have passed since the first rendition of these rankings, giving us plenty of film to adjust them with. This week, two of the receivers from last time cement their place on here, and one new face appears.

1. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals

Stats: 5 GP, 45 REC, 528 YDS, 2 TD

The Houston Texans should be embarrassed. While they stumble to a 1-4 start thanks to a lack of weapons and a poor defense, DeAndre Hopkins is proving once again that he is the best receiver in the game. With 45 receptions in just five games, Hopkins would fall just five grabs short of the single-season reception record at this pace. It’s not just a couple of big games propping up his stats either, Hopkins has recorded 6+ receptions in every game this season. He’s helped Kyler Murray take the leap, and together they’ve vaulted the Arizona Cardinals into playoff contention. 

2. DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks

Stats: 5 GP, 22 REC, 496 YDS, 5 TD

Before the season, I said that for Seattle to get to the next level, DK Metcalf would have to emerge as their number one option, allowing Tyler Lockett to function as a high-end number two. It’s happened. Although he has less than half of Hopkins’ reception total, Metcalf is just 32 yards short of the league lead in receiving yards. He’s averaging a mind-boggling 22.5 yards per reception, easily tops in the NFL. Metcalf is also coming up big in clutch time. He was responsible for the deciding scores in the Seahawks narrow victories over the Vikings and Cowboys. DK has yet to have a game with less than 92 receiving yards this year.

3. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

Stats: 5 GP, 36 REC, 509 YDS, 2 TD

Diggs has wasted no time making an impact since his arrival in Buffalo. Five games into the season he checks in at fourth on the receptions list and second on the receiving yards list. With three 100-yard performances already, Diggs is on pace to record 1,629 receiving yards. That would shatter his career-high by nearly 500. Similarly to DeAndre Hopkins, he’s thriving in a new environment as his former team implodes. Maybe a true #1 receiver was really all Josh Allen needed.

Honorable Mention: Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers

Week 4’s List:

1. DeAndre Hopkins

2. Calvin Ridley

3. DK Metcalf

HM: Tyler Lockett

*All stats are taken from Pro Football Reference

Writer

-By: Micah Jimoh