By Marvin Moore – June 14, 2023
The secret to success in today’s pass-happy NFL is having a dynamic quarterback and wide receiver duo. Last year, the Philadelphia Eagles rode the tandem of Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown all the way to the Super Bowl.
Although every team has a quarterback/wide receiver duo, not all gunslingers and pass catchers are created equally. Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill were on a record-setting pace last season before injuries wrecked the Miami Dolphins’ postseason plans. Another electrifying duo – Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson – were also knocked out in the opening round of the playoffs.
Which top passer and receiver combos will be the most effective in 2023? Here are our picks for the NFL’s top QB-WR duos:
1. Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill
Tagovailoa threw for 3,548 yards and 25 touchdowns last year despite attempting just 400 passes in an injury-plagued campaign. The former fifth overall pick led the league with a 105.5 passer rating and an 8.9 passing average. Hill was on pace for 2,000 receiving yards before concussion problems derailed Tagovailoa’s season. The 29-year-old finished with career-highs in receptions (119) and receiving yards (1,710) while making seven trips to the end zone. If Tagovailoa can remain healthy in 2023, the sky is the limit for this dynamic duo.
2. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase
Burrow suited up for 16 games for the second straight season and set career highs with 414 completions, 35 touchdown passes, and five rushing scores. The top overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft established an NFL record for the most 400-yard games in a player’s first three seasons. Chase missed four games with a hip injury but still led the Bengals with 87 receptions and 1,046 receiving yards. The two-time Pro Bowl selection is poised for a record-setting campaign heading into his third NFL season.
3. Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson
The future Hall of Fame quarterback ended the 2022 season with 3,695 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, which was the most for Rodgers since 2008. However, the 18th-year veteran was saddled with an inexperienced receiving corps and should bounce back with a talented group of pass catchers this upcoming season. Wilson put together an impressive rookie season despite a slew of mediocre passers lining up under center for the Jets a year ago. The former Ohio State standout finished with 83 receptions for 1,103 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. Now with a legendary signal-caller on board, Wilson is primed for a breakout campaign.
4. Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs
Allen wrapped up his third straight season with over 4,000 passing yards and 35-plus touchdown passes while guiding the Bills to its third straight AFC East division crown. The dual-threat quarterback has also tallied 1,525 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns over the past two years. Diggs finished with 108
catches for 1,429 receiving yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns. The former fifth-round pick has averaged 112 receptions over the past three seasons and has shown no signs of slowing down despite turning 30 this coming winter.
5. Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson
Cousins finished the season with 4,547 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes despite enduring a career-high 46 sacks. The Michigan State product tallied eight game-winning drives that led the league and tied the NFL record for a single season. Jefferson capped a record-setting season with an NFL-high 128 receptions for 1,809 yards and eight receiving touchdowns en route to winning the Offensive Player of the Year award. With a historic contract extension on the horizon, Jefferson’s assault on the record books should continue in 2023.
