FLORHAM PARK, NJ – AUGUST 01: New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson #17 attends training camp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on August 1, 2022 in Florham Park, New Jersey. Rich Schultz/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Rich Schultz/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)
Training camps are underway in the NFL, and as of Thursday, there’s a slew of preseason games this week. It’s an opportune time to look at the depth charts to highlight four wide receiver battles and analyze them along with each player’s chances to lead the NFL in receiving yards from DraftKings Sportsbooks.
4 NFL wide receiver position fights
New York Jets: Garrett Wilson vs. Corey Davis
With second wide receiver Elijah Moore at the top of the depth chart, Wilson and Davis appear to be fighting for secondary targets from sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson. Davis had a disappointing first season with the Jets in 2021, being limited to nine games and catching just 34 passes for 492 yards and four touchdowns.
It is further disheartening for Davis’ outlook that the Jets went to the well again and selected Wilson for the 2022 NFL Draft after beating Moore by the 34th overall pick last year.
The rookie wide receiver needs to prove he’s ready for the NFL level to oust Davis completely, and barring injuries it’s likely all three wideouts will be involved consistently. Now all the Jets need is consistent quarterback play to fuel the passing attack.
Win Odds: Wilson (+10000) and Davis (+15000)
Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks vs. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine vs. Kyle Philips
Rookies Burks and Philips were listed as backups on the first Tennessee depth chart of the season, with Robert Woods and Westbrook-Ikhine listed ahead of them. Woods plans to remain a vertical leg, but Burks and Philips have the potential to both establish themselves as superior options over Westbrook-Ikhine.
Despite a bumpy start to the offseason, Burks is still likely the best pick to earn a seed and earn a sizeable target share after the Titans selected him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In addition, Philips plans to operate more outside of the slot, where Westbrook-Ikhine lined up the most in 2021.
However, not all types of goals will likely be available. Tennessee aired it for the eighth time in the league last season, and they also went nine games without star running back Derrick Henry.
Win odds: Burks (+10000), Westbrook-Ikhine (OTB) and Philips (OTB)
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Green Bay Packers: Sammy Watkins vs. Christian Watson vs. Romeo Doubs
With Watkins returning to training after a hamstring injury that sidelined him earlier at camp, he’s the favorite to start against No. 1 wide receiver Allen Lazard. The eight-year veteran has struggled with injuries for most of his career, most recently battling for a full season as a rookie in 2014.
The storage performance of Doubs is all the more significant. He could play a major role on offense at some point or for quite some time this season, and catching passes from four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been a comfortable showing for many wide receivers over the years.
Finally, it looks like Watson is dropping in far down the depth map to launch the campaign. He is currently on the active/PUP list following off-season knee surgery and is expected to miss most of training camp. Green Bay also has veteran receiver Randall Cobb in the mix to make Watson’s path even more difficult at game time.
Receiving yards odds: Watkins (+20000), Walker (OTB) and Doubs (OTB)
Kansas City Chiefs: Mecole Hardman vs. Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. Skyy Moore
Swapping wide receiver Tyreek Hill for the Dolphins in the offseason and then letting free-agent wideouts Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson go leaves Kansas City’s depth chart looking brand new.
Beat writers hand the #1 job to freshman-year KC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, and tight end Travis Kelce has surpassed 100 goals and 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last six seasons, making quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ top- 2 goals are established.
It’s the secondary appearance to win, and if Hardman, Valdes-Scantling or Moore can rise above their peers, third place in a strong offense’s pecking order confers statistical advantages. Don’t be surprised if all three end up in supporting roles, though, and end up with similar snaps and goals for most of the 2022 season.
Receiving Yards Odds: Valdes-Scantling (+10000), Hardman (+20000) and Moore (OTB)
Keep an eye on our live odds page throughout the week for the best possible paylines and connect with others in the SBR community on our popular sportsbook forum.
Neil Parker
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A lifelong supporter of the Cowboys, Cubs, Maple Leafs and Gators, Neil has covered sports in print and online since 2011. His past positions include USA TODAY, theScore, DraftKings Playbook and RotoWire. He is a graduate of St. Thomas University and Acadia University and spends a lot of time at the KenWo Golf Club.