Handing out holiday report cards for rookie WRs: Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, Elijah Moore headline group

We’re nearly to 2022, and I have yet to check in on the rookie class of receivers, a class of pass catchers that had five members picked in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and seven inside the top 50.

Could I have just waited until the conclusion of the regular season ended to hand out report card grades? Absolutely. But nothing says I can’t circle back at the start of the new year, just like the response you’re getting to every email you’ve sent this week.

Here’s my 15-game report card for all notable rookie receivers.  

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals

Draft status: 1st receiver picked (Round 1, 5th overall)

Stat to know: 7th among all qualifying receivers in YAC per reception (6.6)

Report card grade: A-

Chase was on a Randy Mossian, Anquan Boldin-esque pace as a rookie receiver into November, but he’s cooled of late with just two outings featuring 50 or more receiving yards since Halloween. Added defensive game plan attention comes with the territory as a wideout after three 100-plus-yard contests and six scores in September and October alone. 

Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins

Draft status: 2nd receiver picked (Round 1, 6th overall)

Stat to know: Average depth of target (aDOT) of 7.1 yards is the second-lowest among all receivers with at least 100 targets

Report card grade: B

As evidenced by his low aDOT, the Dolphins have mostly deployed Waddle in a gadget role. While he can handle those responsibilities, he’s a lot more than a jet sweep and screen weapon.

Waddle missed Miami’s Week 15 outing against the Jets due to COVID-19, but before that, the sudden separation specialist had 38 receptions for 436 yards in his last five outings, which included his first 100-plus yard performance, a nine-grab, 137-yard, one-score eruption against the Panthers. 

Devonta Smith, Eagles 

Draft status: 3rd receiver picked (Round 1, 10th overall)

Stat to know: Last among qualifying rookie receivers in YAC per reception

Report card grade: C+

The quarterback play has likely limited Smith to a certain degree, but he’s yet to meet the lofty expectations that came with him to the NFL after his dazzling career and final season at Alabama that culminated with him (rightfully) winning the Heisman Trophy. 

We all thought we’d see more YAC flashes from Smith, but those have been few and far between. He hasn’t been a downright disappointment, though. His 741 yards rank third among first-year wideouts, and the Crimson Tide legend has had the challenging task of taking most of his reps on the perimeter despite his skinny frame.

Kadarius Toney, Giants 

Draft status: 4th receiver picked (Round 1, 20th overall)

Stat to know: Won all three contested-catch opportunities and forced three missed tackles vs. Cowboys in Week 5

Report card grade: C

Toney showcased his abilities on a few, rare occasions this season — like a six-catch, 78-yard outing against the Saints and a 10-grab, 189-yard masterpiece against the Cowboys. But injuries have severely hindered the former Florida Gator. 

He probably deserves an “incomplete” grade, but for the sake of this article, Toney gets a C. Got to stay available in the NFL. 

Rashod Bateman, Ravens

Draft status: 5th receiver picked (Round 1, 27th overall)

Stat to know: Tied with Waddle among qualifying rookie receivers for highest contested-catch win rate (75%)

Report card grade: C+

A groin injury placed Bateman on the shelf until mid-October, so it’s not a surprise it’s taken him some time to get up to speed in the NFL. In an offense that’s struggled through the air recently and has seen Tyler Huntley on the field more than Lamar Jackson the past two weeks, the former Minnesota Golden Gophers’ star has proven to be a valuable albeit low-volume commodity. 

He’s caught 12 of his last 15 targets for 139 yards, and like Chase and Smith, has predominantly played on the perimeter (83.4% of his snaps), where there’s less room to operate.

Elijah Moore, Jets 

Draft status: 6th receiver picked (Round 2, 34th overall)

Stat to know: Third in deep receptions (20-plus yards) among all rookie receivers with eight

Report card grade: B+

Moore was just taking off when a quad injury grounded his rookie season. (Yes, that was an attempt at a Jets pun.) After having a hard time getting on the field early in his debut campaign, Moore flashed glimpses of borderline WR1 play by averaging 5.7 receptions for 76.5 yards in his six contests before the injury. 

Rondale Moore, Cardinals

Draft status: 7th receiver picked (Round 2, 49th overall)

Stat to know: 8th in missed tackles forced despite being 33rd in total receptions

Report card grade: C+

Moore was an offensive utilityman at Purdue — sort of. The Boilermakers absolutely got him the ball in gadget-y ways, but he did showcase the ability to run legitimate routes from the slot, and even the perimeter and win. Arizona picked Moore in Round 2 and deployed him as a horizontal threat only. He carries an aDOT of 1.2 yards into Week 16, the lowest among all qualifying receivers, not just rookies.

His usage has directly limited his efficiency when attempting to accumulate yards. 

Josh Palmer, Chargers

Draft status: 11th receiver picked (Round 3, 77th overall)

Stat to know: No drops on 28 targets

Report card grade: C

Palmer is sometimes third but usually fourth in passing priority for the Chargers offense. Heck, there are many instances Austin Ekeler takes precedence over him. But the third-round selection has proven he’s capable as a low-volume option for Justin Herbert. 

He’s turned those 28 targets into 21 receptions for 249 yards with two scores, and the former Tennessee standout set career highs in grabs (five) and yards (66) just two weeks ago against the Giants.

Nico Collins, Texans 

Draft status: 14th receiver picked (Round 3, 89th overall)

Stat to know: Has a contested-catch conversion rate of 57.6% 

Report card grade: C-

Going from Tyrod Taylor to rookie Davis Mills hasn’t created ample receiving opportunity for anyone on the Texans not named Brandin Cooks, but Collins has flashed. He has over 40 yards in four contests this season and amassed a season-high 69 yards in Week 14 against the Seahawks. 

Collins is quicker than his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame would suggest, and he plays confidently when skying for a jump ball. Would love to see more volume down the stretch, now that Mills is locked in as the starter.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions

Draft status: 17th receiver (Round 4, 112th overall)

Stat to know: Fourth in NFL in catches over past four weeks

Report card grade: B-

St. Brown felt like a relatively high-floor prospect, or someone who could overcome his lack of starting receiver speed because he was such a crisp route runner and had experience navigating the entire route tree at USC. 

He didn’t have his first five-plus-catch outing until October. Since then, St. Brown has only had one contest with fewer than four receptions. And he’s registered 26 grabs in his past three. The former Trojans star is rounding into form as a valuable possession slot receiver in Detroit. 

(All stats courtesy of TruMedia unless otherwise stated)