The AFC East boasts some of the NFL's best wide receivers from top to bottom. While some teams rely more on their receivers than others, they play a big part in being their team's offensive weapons in a playmakers NFL.
Let's dive into the best AFC East starting WRs for each team and see how they are contributing to their team's success.
Ranking the 4 best WR1s in the AFC East
4.) Khalil Shakir - Buffalo Bills
Khalil Shakir is an up-and-coming wide receiver who stepped up big time last year, especially when Josh Allen had to prove he could still be an elite quarterback with a new receiving core. His stats showed that he recorded 821 yards and four touchdowns.
The good news is that not only has he surpassed expectations as a fifth-round pick, but the talented receiver also has more room to grow this season as the Bills will be running it back with the receiving core. Additionally, they have signed Joshua Palmer as a free agent from the LA Chargers, who is a valuable pickup that they did not have to overpay for and could take some pressure off of Shakir.
3.) Garrett Wilson - New York Jets
Garrett Wilson finally earned the big payday he was looking for. The Ohio State Buckeye alum has been one of the Jets' historic bright spots in mostly years of historic failure.
Wilson won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2022, pre-Aaron Rodgers, and is a generational talent at the wide receiver position. The skilled receiver is considered a franchise cornerstone, alongside Sauce Gardner. Wilson earned a 4-year, $130 million extension to remain with the Jets in the future.
Now in his first year with new head coach Aaron Glenn and new quarterback Justin Fields, Wilson is excited to get to work fresh off his payday. In his last three seasons of play, he has totalled 3,249 receiving yards. Look for Wilson and Fields to work together to develop chemistry to make big plays in hopes of new wins for a hungry Jets team.
2.) Stefon Diggs - New England Patriots
Stefon Diggs will be, without a doubt, a Hall of Fame wide receiver once his playing days are done. But right now, he returns to the AFC East as one of the biggest characters in this division. The Patriots hope to have a new attitude in Foxboro under new head coach Mike Vrabel, while quarterback Drake Maye hopes to take a step forward in his second year of development.
By signing Diggs, this hope gives Maye a premier number one receiver he did not have last season. The problem with Diggs is not his performance, but rather the fact that he wants the ball thrown to him too much. Additionally, they signed him to a three-year contract worth $69 million.
If he does well with the team, it will be worth it. As for Diggs, the four-time Pro Bowl recipient (2020-2023), can now return to a division that featured the team he used to play for, the Buffalo Bills, and to sweep them twice a year, every year.
1.) Tyreek Hill - Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill is undoubtedly one of the fastest players in today's NFL. Back when he was with the Kansas City Chiefs, he could run any go route on the face of the earth. When Patrick Mahomes needed a big downfield play, "The Cheetah" would always make it for him.
Now with the Dolphins, and while he still can make those deep pass plays, it's a little more streaky when dealing with the fact that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has a bad history with injuries.
Last season, in 17 games played, Hill totaled 959 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns. This will be a pivotal year for him if he wants to stay in Miami; otherwise, he may consider leaving.