2023/24 NFL season: Ranking the top five quarterback-wide receiver duos

An elite QB-WR duo is a key ingredient for any successful NFL team.

When these two players have chemistry and can connect on passes, they can take over games and lead their team to victory.

They can stretch the field with deep passes, create yards after the catch with their elusiveness and speed, and even make the running game more effective by taking pressure off the running backs and creating more opportunities for them to make plays.

Lets' run through the top QB-WR duos in the NFL heading into the 202/24 season.

Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow / Ja’Marr Chase

First up on our list is the quarterback / wide receiver duo between Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase from the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Looking at Burrow, he recorded 4,475 passing yards during the 2022/23 NFL regular season, while he threw for 35 passing touchdowns and had 12 interceptions.

Chase had a solid season as well, though it is worth noting that he only played in 12 games during the 2022/23 season. He still managed to produce 1,046 receiving yards on 87 receptions, along with 9 receiving touchdowns.

What makes this duo so special is the explosive plays they are capable of. 

Burrow is always poised in the pocket and Chase’s route running ability makes it that much harder for opposing defenses to shut down. 

This duo may have to wait a few weeks after Burrow suffered an injury in practice, but once he is back and healthy, expect him and Chase to have a field day with defenses.

Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen / Stefon Diggs

The second combination on our list is Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills. 

First looking at Allen, he threw for 4,283 passing yards during the 2022/23 season, which helped produce 35 passing touchdowns, along with 14 interceptions.

Diggs was the prime target for Allen last season, totaling 1,429 receiving yards on 108 receptions. 

He had 11 receiving touchdowns, nearly a third of Allen’s total passing touchdowns, and that production is only expected to increase this season, with the Bills the +120 favorites to maintain their domination of the AFC East.

Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford / Cooper Kupp

The third quarterback/wide receiver combo to keep an eye on this season is Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp with the Los Angeles Rams. 

The 2022/23 season was a failure, as both Stafford and Kupp played in just 9 games and the Rams were one of the worst teams in the NFL, despite being the defending champions. 

To get a better picture of what this duo can do, we will instead look at the 2021/22 season, the same season in which the Rams, of course, won the Super Bowl. 

During this season, Stafford threw for 4,886 yards and had 41 passing touchdowns with 17 interceptions.

Kupp posted 1,947 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns, while he of course won the Super Bowl MVP award after scoring 2 touchdowns in the Rams' victory. 

With both Stafford and Kupp back from injury, these are more like the numbers we should be expecting, barring any unforeseen injuries.

Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa / Tyreek Hill

Next on our list is Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill from the Miami Dolphins. 

Tagovailoa had a rough 2022/23 season as he had to deal with concussions for parts of the season and was only able to play in 13 games. 

He still managed to throw for 3,548 yards and had 25 passing touchdowns with just 7 interceptions.

Despite Tagovailoa being out for parts of the season, Hill still managed to produce 1,710 receiving yards on 119 receptions. 

He also had 7 receiving touchdowns, a number that is expected to increase with Tagovailoa fully back for this season.

Minnesota Vikings

Kirk Cousins / Justin Jefferson

The final quarterback/wide receiver duo on our list is Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson from the Minnesota Vikings. 

Cousins posted 4,547 passing yards during the 2022/23 regular season and had 29 passing touchdowns with 14 interceptions.

Jefferson was a big beneficiary and had a league-high 1,809 receiving yards on 128 receptions, while adding 8 receiving touchdowns.

Expect these numbers to stay big as he remains the number one target for Cousins.

Honorable mention - Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes / Travis Kelce

It would not be a true list of quarterbacks without mentioning Patrick Mahomes somewhere. 

This duo of Mahomes and Travis Kelce from the Kansas City Chiefs was overlooked because Kelce is a tight end, of course. 

Still, they are one of the top duos when it comes to quarterback and receiver.

Mahomes threw for 5,250 yards during the 2022/23 season to go along with 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. 

Kelce had 1,338 receiving yards on 110 receptions and 12 receiving touchdowns. 

As the defending Super Bowl champions, expect this combination to continue to produce.