1. CeeDee Lamb Over 1,050.5 Total Receiving Yards
CeeDee Lamb is primed for a breakout year in his second season. Lamb ended the 2020 season with 935 receiving yards and 58.4 y/g (yards per game). At a 17 game pace, Lamb’s rookie season would have yielded 993 receiving yards. Not to mention, he was catching passes from Andy Dalton and Ben Dinucci the final 11 games of the season. In 5 games with Dak Prescott at quarterback, Lamb averaged 86.6 yards per game and on pace for a 1,472 yard season with the extra game. With the return of Prescott and a year of experience, Lamb should have no trouble eclipsing 1,050.5 receiving yards this season.
2. Diontae Johnson Over 950.5 Total Receiving Yards
Diontae Johnson ended the 2020 season with a total of 923 receiving yards and was on pace for 1,045 in a 17 game season. Last year Johnson ranked 4th in the NFL among wide receivers in total pass targets. Although Big Ben will be facing an impending fall-off this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers passing offense should provide enough volume for Johnson to be a thousand yard receiver. With a pass heavy offense, guaranteed volume, and an extra game, Johnson should surpass his total with ease.
3. Brandon Aiyuk Over 825.5 Total Receiving Yards
I would like to start off by saying I believe this total is criminally low. As the 25th overall pick out of Arizona St, Brandon Aiyuk put up 748 yards in just 12 games last season. Furthermore, Aiyuk averaged 83.3 y/g over the final 7 games of the season, which was on pace for 1,416 yards in 17 games. It should be noted that George Kittle and Deebo Samuel will likely be at full health for the season; however, I believe Aiyuk is the most talented pass catcher on the roster. As the breakout rookie heads into his second season, Aiyuk should easily tally over 825 yards.
4. Tyler Lockett Over 975.5 Total Receiving Yards
Tyler Lockett has been constantly underrated over his past three seasons. Lockett racked up over 950 receiving yards every year since 2018 and surpassed the 1,000 yard mark the past two. In doing so, Lockett also saw his targets increase steadily through the years from 70 to 110 to 132 in 2020. Although Lockett may be seen as the Seattle’s second option, he actually ended last season with 3 more targets than DK Metcalf. If the Seahawks continue to “let Russ cook”, Lockett should have no trouble reaching 1,000+ yards for a third time in a row given the extra game.
5. Cooper Kupp Over 1,000.5 Total Receiving Yards
Since entering the league in 2017, Cooper Kupp has been an impact player when on the field. In his 4 seasons, Kupp has a career 66.1 y/g which in a 17 game season is 1,124 yards. Additionally, of the players on this list, Kupp and the Los Angeles Rams experienced the most beneficial offseason move with the addition of Matthew Stafford at quarterback. Needless to say, Stafford is a huge upgrade from Jared Goff and could be the piece the Rams and this receiving core have been missing. Assuming he’s healthy, Kupp should see positive regression as WR1 with his new quarterback.