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Ja’Marr Chase Named ESPN’s #1 Receiver Again

7/16/2026

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Summary

Chase Tops Ranking

Ja’Marr Chase was voted ESPN’s #1 NFL wide receiver for a second consecutive year.
He recorded 125 receptions, 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns in the 2025 season.
ESPN’s poll gave him roughly 70% of first-place votes even though he ranked third in catches and fourth in yards.
Pro Football Focus gave him a 90.1 grade, ranking fourth overall.
He ran in the slot on 33.1% of targets, up from 21.7%.

Summary

Receivers Lead Poll

ESPN’s poll surveyed over 70 league executives, coaches and scouts, follow-up calls shaping the rankings.
Twenty-six receivers earned at least one top-10 vote, up from 15 last year.
Receivers rank third in NFL pay, holding four of the twelve highest-paid non-quarterback contracts.
Puka Nacua led 2025 with 129 catches, a 77.2% catch rate and most yards after catch.

History

Historical Context

Jerry Rice’s 1995 season—1,848 receiving yards, 122 catches and league MVP for the San Francisco 49ers—set the benchmark for elite receivers and prompted ESPN’s inaugural receiver poll in 2002, where he earned 68% of votes. The poll’s legacy continues; in 2025 ESPN named Ja’Marr Chase top receiver with about 70% of votes, while rookie Puka Nacua recorded 129 catches, reflecting Rice’s lasting impact on contracts.

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Chase Tops Ranking

Ja’Marr Chase was voted ESPN’s #1 NFL wide receiver for a second consecutive year.
He recorded 125 receptions, 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns in the 2025 season.
ESPN’s poll gave him roughly 70% of first-place votes even though he ranked third in catches and fourth in yards.
Pro Football Focus gave him a 90.1 grade, ranking fourth overall.
He ran in the slot on 33.1% of targets, up from 21.7%.

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