The NFL’s 8 best receivers against press coverage

NFL offenses have been trying more and more recently to beat defenses as a group, stretching concepts from condensed formations, 2×2 and 3×1 sets that spread across all sorts of route combinations, and quick game/RPO passing ideas that prevent the pass rush from getting to them before the ball is out the door.

To combat this, defenses are using all sorts of pass rush plans that are difficult or impossible to protect against, or sending safety switches that give the quarterback completely different coverage looks pre-snap and post-snap. With regards to the NFL's recent quick-game revolution, many defensive coordinators are trying to go back in time by putting as many cornerbacks in press coverage as possible. Whether it's aggressive press coverage like we saw in the 1960s and 1970s, or press match coverage that allows cornerbacks to operate routes from the line of scrimmage (which supposedly results in fewer deep plays), modern NFL defenses are just as focused on disrupting receivers as they are on disrupting quarterbacks.

Honestly, this is how modern NFL defenses function.

So in the “if this happens, then that happens” chess match that's always been a major component of football, a receiver who can beat press coverage on a regular basis will be more valuable than he was a decade ago, when more defenses were trying to replicate the Seattle Seahawks' Legion of Boom Cover-3 without the on-field talent of a LOB.

With these modern defensive structures in mind, here are the NFL's best receivers against press coverage.

(All advanced metrics are Next Generation Statistics Unless otherwise stated.

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

Hill might be the toughest receiver to cover in the NFL in general, but he becomes truly formidable when trying to apply pressure: His ability to draw cornerbacks off the line of scrimmage with short-area moves and unmatched field speed to move vertically when he's released from pressure means there's very little a defender can do.

Still, the defender tried. Somehow, Hill ended up with 55 targets against press coverage, second in the NFL. He caught 38 of them for 665 yards and six touchdowns, a 69.1% catch rate and 17.5 yards per completion. Hill's receiving EPA against press coverage was +43.6, by far the best among receivers covered. Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers was second at +33.1.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel would be happy to see opposing defensive coordinators adopt more of these tactics. Personally, I'd like to see Hill boxed in at mid-to-deep range and not have him lock down my defense with simple screens.

Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The receiver who scored the most touchdowns against press coverage last season was Mike Evans with seven. Evans was targeted 37 times in the press and caught 19 of them for 303 yards, which was a 48.1% catch rate, 16.7 yards per catch and an EPA+ of 15.3, good for 12th-best on this list. But when you look at Evans' targets against the press, two things become clear: the passes to him weren't always accurate (sorry, Mayfield), and opposing cornerbacks would rush him hard at times to offset Evans' 6-foot-5, 231-pound frame and his ability to lunge like a Godzilla at the ball.

When Evans gets an even shot, even the best pressing cornerbacks struggle with him.

CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

As Lamb's contract dispute with the Cowboys continues, there has been a lot of discussion about whether he is a true No. 1 receiver. The definition varies from person to person, and some argue that a No. 1 receiver isn't necessary to have a successful passing game. But in Lamb's case, I think the question unfairly undercuts him because he makes the plays he does best so easily.

This extended to Lamb's press play as well: he was targeted 40 times in the press and caught 28 passes for 400 yards, two touchdowns, a 70.0% catch rate, 14.3 yards per catch and the league's fourth-best EPA +25.7.

In Week 8 of the 2023 season, the Los Angeles Rams decided to pressure Lamb multiple times and it was a disaster for their defense. Lamb caught all five passes against the press for 110 yards and a touchdown. Terrible.

Now that CeeDee Lamb has signed a new contract extension, making him the second-highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, the debate will continue as to whether Lamb is truly the No. 1 receiver on the field.

That definition is different for everyone, and some could argue that a No. 1 receiver isn't necessary for a passing game to be successful, but in Lamb's case, I think he's unfairly held back by this question because he makes the play he does best look too easy.

Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers

Aiyuk was targeted just 33 times against press coverage in 19 games last season, but he made the most of those opportunities, finishing with 22 catches for 392 yards and four touchdowns for a 66.7% catch rate, 17.8 yards per catch and an EPA+ of 33.1, second only to Tyreek Hill.

Regardless of where he plays after 2024, Aiyuk has become one of the NFL's best and smartest route runners, with a particular skill set in press coverage from the line of scrimmage to the catch point. It's tough to compete against his short-range quickness and explosiveness, along with his understanding of how to best beat cornerbacks with the right route cuts.

Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Was Chase better against press coverage last season when Joe Burrow was throwing the ball? Well, sure… but Chase did more than enough to prove he's capable of beating the press no matter who the quarterback is in after Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11. Overall in 2023, Chase caught 24 passes on 41 targets against press coverage for 430 yards, four touchdowns, a 58.5 catch percentage and 25.4 EPA.

Chase's athleticism is obvious and often talked about. Not many players have his size (6-foot, 201 pounds), downfield speed and athleticism, especially when it comes to making contested catches. In Week 12, Chase faced off against Joey Porter Jr. of the Pittsburgh Steelers with Jake Browning at quarterback. Chase gave the younger Porter, who was plenty reliable as a press cornerback, a tough fight.

Garrett Wilson, New York Jets

If Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy and play at his “used Aaron Rodgers” pace, Wilson will undoubtedly be one of the most devastating receivers against press coverage. He's already done that in 2023 with Zach Wilson, Trevor Simian and Tim Boyle as quarterbacks, and Wilson will likely win some kind of award for it.

When pressured last season, Wilson caught 26 of 52 passes for 445 yards, three touchdowns, a 50.0% catch rate, 17.1 yards per catch and an EPA of 16.6. But as with Mike Evans, you have to rewatch the tape to see what situations Wilson was in. When given even the slightest opportunity, Wilson destroyed aggressive pressure at the line of scrimmage or match press on his routes.

George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers

With quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields this season and Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky in 2023, Pickens is another receiver who should be on quarterback waivers for his ability against press coverage. Still, he had 26 catches for 586 yards and four touchdowns on 49 press targets. Pickens' 22.5 yards per catch average was tops among receivers targeted at least 10 times against press coverage, not to mention his 53.1 catch percentage and +18.0 EPA, which speak more to the caliber of players throwing him the ball than any shortcomings on his own part.

Pickens was lethal against the press last season, especially on fades and corner routes, but as this matchup against Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (one of the best press cornerbacks in the business) shows, Pickens has it all under control. Sadly, the 2023 quarterback problem seems to be resurfacing in another form.

Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Collins had a breakout season with CJ Stroud as his quarterback in 2023. Thanks to that, the 2021 third-round draft pick out of Michigan signed a three-year, $72.25 million contract extension this offseason with $32.116 million guaranteed. Collins' production against press coverage was also impressive. He was targeted 34 times against the press, making 22 catches for 466 yards and four touchdowns, with a 64.7% catch rate and EPA+ of 31.9 (third in the league behind Tyreek Hill and Brandon Aiyuk).

Collins had the benefit of Stroud throwing him perfect pass after perfect pass, but that's not to discount his own abilities. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Collins was a formidable presence to deal with at the line of scrimmage, and his sense of escaping pressure at the start of his routes is further enhanced by his speed down the field and his knack for making contested catches. Even when better pressing cornerbacks tried to contain him, the results were generally in Collins' favor.