Now that the MLB Home Run Derby is upon us, it’s time to swing for the fences in the NFL and celebrate four talented wide receivers with big-play ability from the NFC East.
A.J. Brown | Philadelphia Eagles
DeVonta Smith deserves serious consideration for this slot — his 63-yard catch in Week 2 against the Vikings in 2023 was the longest of the wide receiver’s career, beating a 55-yard grab against the Buccaneers in last year’s NFC wild-card game — but over the past two seasons, no player has had more big plays for the Eagles than Brown.
Brown had a 59-yard touchdown against the Commanders last year, one of two scores on his way to 175 yards for the day. He would finish the season with seven 100-yard games, tied for fourth-most among NFL receivers.
More importantly, Brown led the team with 21 plays of at least 20 yards, seven better than Smith and six more than new Eagles running back Saquon Barkley had with the Giants last season. Only five receivers have more touchdowns (18) since Brown joined the Eagles in 2022, making him the team’s most dangerous weapon.
CeeDee Lamb | Dallas Cowboys
Lamb led the team with 1,749 yards last year, falling 50 yards shy of Miami’s Tyreek Hill for the league lead. The pair also led the NFL with 29 plays of 20 yards or more.
The Cowboys’ leading receiver for the past three seasons. Lamb finished 2023 with career highs in receptions (135) and touchdowns (12). No catch was more exciting than Lamb’s 92-yard touchdown grab against the Lions in Week 17, the longest of his career.
Of course Lamb has been absent from the team’s offseason activities while looking for a new contract this summer, but quarterback Dak Prescott said his No. 1 receiver will be ready for the regular season. He better be, otherwise Dallas could have trouble repeating as NFC East champion.
Terry McLaurin | Washington Commanders
Big plays were hard to come by for the last-place Commanders in 2023 but McLaurin finished with 79 catches for a team-high 1,002 yards, his fourth-straight 1,000-yard season. A dual-threat weapon like new running back Austin Ekeler may prove to be more dynamic in 2024 but until he does, McLaurin should be considered the team’s best offensive weapon.
Malik Nabers | New York Giants
The sixth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft hasn’t played a down of NFL football, but in terms of big-play ability he’s already the team’s best option. Darius Slayton led all Giants receivers with 770 yards last year while tight end Daniel Bellinger had just 255 yards backing up the recently retired Darren Waller.
Nabers ranked second in the FBS with 1,569 receiving yards and tied for third with 14 touchdowns with LSU last season. He had six games with a catch of 40 yards or more, including a 51-yard catch against Army in late October.
His longest catch resulted in a 75-yard touchdown during a 63-7 win over Purdue in 2022’s Citrus Bowl, where he led the team with 163 yards and a touchdown. Things won’t be so easy in 2024 but rest assured when the Giants want to go deep, Nabers will get the call.
