The 2025 NFL season is approaching quickly. Wide receivers are chasing significant career milestones, franchise milestones, or contractual incentives. What meaningful numbers are in play?

All Positions: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End

A special thank you to Pro Football Reference and Spotrac for providing key information.

Career Leaderboard Climbs

The NFL has six receivers making a significant impact on the career leaderboards:

Receiving Yards

Hopkins (needs 81 yards), Evans (362 yards), and Adams (1,202 yards) can all reach current 20th overall Jason Witten’s 13,046 yards. James Lofton’s 14,004 at 12th overall is the highest any could reach; Hopkins needs 1,039 and Evans needs 1,320.  Andre Reed’s 18th overall 13,198 is likely Adams' ceiling for 2025; he needs 1,354.  

Allen and Hill are capped at WR25 Brandon Marshall, with 12,351. Allen needs 1,077 and Hill 1,253. Both can gain significant ground on the all-time list, with some tight groupings between Allen’s WR40 and Marshall. A 1,000-yard season would move Diggs from WR50 into the Top 40. 

Receptions

Hopkins (needs 16), Allen (26), and Adams (43) all have a chance to hit the 1,000 reception mark. Overall, 15 players have hit this mark, with Hines Ward the lowest at exactly 1,000. 

Diggs (43), Evans (64), and Hill (102) can hit 900 career receptions, a mark that 28 players have achieved. 

Touchdowns

Evans (needs 11) and Adams (13) can catch seventh-place Antonio Gates at 116. 

Franchise Records

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

Current Stat Levels

• 319 Dolphins Receptions (10th in Dolphins history)
• 4,468 Dolphins Receiving Yards (8th)
• 26 Dolphins Receiving Touchdowns (7th)

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

Current Stat Levels

• 309 Receptions (11th in Dolphins history)
• 4,129 Receiving Yards (10th)
• 20 Receiving Touchdowns (16th)

Hill and Waddle are chasing each other up the team’s receiving leaderboards. There is a trio representing the Top 5 barriers between 400 and 415 receptions, with Jarvis Landry (6th), Chris Chambers (5th), and O.J. McDuffie (4th). Hill had 119 receptions in each of his first two seasons with the team, and Waddle had 104 in his 2021 rookie season. 

The yardage barrier for the Top 5 is more obtainable; McDuffie’s 5,074 is 606 ahead of Hill. 

The Top 5 touchdown mark is held by Paul Warfield at 33. 

Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Current Stat Levels

• 395 Receptions (8th in Bengals history)
• 5,425 Receiving Yards (10th)
• 46 Receiving Touchdowns (5th)

Chase can crack the Top 5 in receptions; he needs 112 to hit T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s 507 with Tyler Boyd just ahead at 513. 

The top 5 in receiving yards are in play as well. Chris Collinsworth is 1,273 away. 

The franchise lead in touchdowns sits 20 away. Chad Johnson (66), A.J. Green (65), and Carl Pickens (63) represent the Top 3. 

Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Current Stat Levels

• 218 Receptions (7th in Texans history)
• 3,230 Receiving Yards (5th)
• 18 Receiving Touchdowns (6th)

Collins can crack the Top 3 in Texans receiving yards and touchdowns; he needs 1,387 yards and 11 touchdowns to catch Owen Daniels, who occupies both spots. He would need 167 receptions to catch Daniels.

Andre Johnson (1,012 receptions, 13,597 yards, 64 touchdowns) and DeAndre Hopkins (632 receptions, 8,602 yards, and 54 touchdowns) are well in front as the Top 2. 

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

Current Stat Levels

• 379 Receptions (9th in Broncos history)
• 5,340 Receiving Yards (11th)
• 32 Receiving Touchdowns (11th)

Sutton signed a four-year extension, keeping him under contract through 2029. He can crack the Top 5 in 2025 with 83 receptions, 860 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Ed McCaffrey holds the spot for receptions and yards, and Lionel Taylor and Haven Moses are tied for the touchdown mark. 

Rod Smith is the franchise’s leader in all three significant categories, with 849 receptions, 11,389 yards, and 68 touchdowns. 

CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

Current Stat Levels

• 496 Receptions (4th in Cowboys history)
• 6,339 Receiving Yards (7th)
• 38 Receiving Touchdowns (9th)

Lamb needs just 35 receptions to hit Dez Bryant’s third-place mark. Posting a season similar to his 2023 total of 1,749 could get him into the Top 3; he is 1,649 away from Tony Hill. Bryant is fifth in that category; Lamb needs 1,120 to get him. The touchdown leaderboard is a steeper climb, though Lamb can get to Hill’s fifth place with 13 touchdowns. 

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Current Stat Levels

• 495 Receptions (5th in Vikings history)
• 7,432 Receiving Yards (4th)
• 40 Receiving Touchdowns (7th)

Jefferson can catch Randy Moss (587) for second in receptions. He could catch Moss for second in yards as well, but would need 1,884 to do so. He is lower on the touchdown list, though the Top 3 (Adam Thielen at 55) is in play. 

Cris Carter is the top target for the team, with 1,004 receptions, 12,383 yards, and 110 touchdowns. 

Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers

Current Stat Levels

• 904 Receptions (2nd in Chargers history)
• 10,530 Receiving Yards (2nd)
• 59 Receiving Touchdowns (3rd)

New Hall of Famer Antonio Gates is the franchise leader in all major categories, with 955 receptions, 11,841 yards, and 116 touchdowns. Lance Alworth is second with 81 touchdowns. Allen returns to the Chargers after a year in Chicago and has a decent chance to become the receiving leader, needing 52. A 1,311-yard season would push him to the top, though his role is not expected to be large enough for that total. 

Contract Incentives

Contract details are obtained from Spotrac.

Nico Collins, Houston Texans

2025-2027 Incentives

• Pro Bowl: $250,000
• 95 Receptions: $250,000
• 1,460 Receiving Yards: $250,000

Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns

2026-2027 Receptions Incentive

• 75: $500,000
• 90: $875,000

2026-2027 Receiving Yards Incentive

• 1,000: $500,000
• 1,250: $875,000

Stefon Diggs, New England

2025 Reception Incentives

• $500,000 each for 70, 80, 90, 100

2025 Receiving Yard Incentives

• $500,000 each for 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Annual Performance Incentives (cumulative)

• Receptions
  • 55: $66,667
  • 65: $133,333
  • 75: $216,666
    
    
• Receiving Yards
  • 650: $66,667
  • 750: $133,333
  • 850: $216,666
    
    
• Receiving Touchdowns
  • 6: $66,667
  • 7: $133,333
  • 8: $216,666

Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts

Annual Incentives

• 1,000 Receiving Yards + Playoff Berth: $250,000
• 1,300 Receiving Yards OR Pro Bowl Selection: $250,000

Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers

2025 Escalators

• 50% Snaps: $1.5M
• 60 Receptions: $666,667
• 600 Receiving Yards: $666,666
• 6 Touchdowns: $666,667

Cooper Kupp, Seattle Seahawks

Receptions Escalator (non-cumulative)

• 85: $250,000
• 95: $500,000

Receiving Yard Escalator (non-cumulative)

• 950: $250,000
• 1,050: $500,000

Joshua Palmer, Buffalo Bills

Receiving TD Incentive (non-cumulative)

• 4: $250,000
• 6: $500,000
• 8: $1M

Receiving Yard Incentive (non-cumulative)

• 600: $250,000
• 750: $500,000
• 900: $1M

Marquise Brown, Kansas City

Total Touchdowns (non-cumulative)

• 5: $500,000
• 6: $750,000
• 7: $1M

Playing Time Incentive (non-cumulative)

• 45%: $500,000
• 52.5%: $625,000
• 60%: $750,000
• 75%: $1.5M

Receiving Yard Incentive (non-cumulative)

• 500: $500,000
• 625: $625,000
• 750: $750,000
• 1,000: $1.5M

Christian Kirk, Houston Texans

Annual Incentives: $3M

• $500,000 each for 1,000, 1,100, 1,200 receiving yards ($1M earned 2022)
• $500,000 each for 80, 90, 100 receptions ($500,000 earned 2022)

DeAndre Hopkins, Baltimore Ravens

Performance Incentives (Max $1M)

• 611 Receiving Yard: $500,000
• 57 Receptions: $500,000
• 6 TDs: $500,000
• 48% Snaps: $500,000

Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers

Receiving Yards (cumulative)

• 800, $250,000
• 1,000: $250,000
• 1,250: $500,000

Receptions (cumulative)

• 70: $250,000
• 80: $250,000
• 90: $250,000
• 100: $250,000

Receiving Yards + Playoffs (cumulative)

• 600 + Playoff Berth: $500,000
• 1,000 + Playoff Berth: $750,000
• 1,250 + Playoff Berth: $750,000

Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks

Reception Incentive (non-cumulative)

• 50: $250,000
• 60: $450,000
• 70: $650,000
• 80: $1M

Receiving Yard Incentive (non-cumulative)

• 650: $250,000
• 750: $450,000
• 850: $650,000
• 1,000: $1M

Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints

Reception Incentive (cumulative)

• 60: $250,000
• 70: $250,000
• 80: $250,000

Receiving TD Incentive (cumulative)

• 5: $250,000
• 7: $250,000
• 9: $250,000

Receiving Yard Incentive (cumulative)

• 650: $250,000
• 750: $250,000
• 850: $250,000

Playing Time Incentive

• 80%: $250,000

Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars

Reception Incentives (non-cumulative)

• 50: $100,000 ($200k w/ playoff berth)
• 70: $250,000 ($500k w/ playoff berth)
• 90: $500,000 ($1M w/ playoff berth)

Receiving Yard Incentives (non-cumulative)

• 800: $100,000 ($200k w/ playoff berth)
• 900: $250,000 ($500k w/ playoff berth)
• 1,000: $500,000 ($1M w/ playoff berth)

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Seattle Seahawks

Reception Incentives (non-cumulative)

• 45: $250,000
• 55: $500,000
• 65: $750,000

Receiving Yard Incentives (non-cumulative)

• 500: $250,000
• 600: $500,000
• 700: $750,000

KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys

Annual Reception Escalator (non-cumulative)

• 40: $250,000
• 50: $500,000
• 60: $750,000

Annual Receiving Yard Escalator (non-cumulative)

• 500: $250,000
• 700: $500,000
• 900: $750,000

Curtis Samuel, Buffalo Bills

Annual Total Yards Incentives

• 800: $250,000
• 1,000: $500,000
• 1,200: $1M

Annual Total Touchdown Incentives (non-cumulative)

• 6: $250,000
• 8: $500,000
• 10: $1M

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Miami Dolphins

Receiving Yard Incentive (cumulative)

(requires the team is Top 20 in Points Scored)

• 500: $50,000
• 600: $75,000

Reception Incentive (cumulative)

(requires the team is Top 20 in Points Scored)

• 40: $50,000
• 50: $75,000

Mack Hollins, New England Patriots

Reception Incentive (cumulative)

• 30: $300,000
• 40: $300,000
• 50: $400,000

Noah Brown, Washington Commanders

Receptions Incentive (non-cumulative)

• 40: $125,000
• 50: $375,000
• 60: $625,000

Receiving Yards Incentive (non-cumulative)

• 600: $125,000
• 700: $375,000
• 800: $625,000

Sterling Shepard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Performance Incentives (cumulative)

• 40 Receptions: $125,000
• 50 Receptions: $125,000
• 400 Receiving Yards: $125,000
• 500 Receiving Yards: $125,000

Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots

Reception Incentives (cumulative)

• 40: $500,000
• 50: $500,000
• 60: $500,000
• 70: $500,000
• 80: $500,000

Receiving Yard Incentives (cumulative)

• 600: $500,000
• 700: $500,000
• 800: $500,000
• 900: $500,000
• 1,000: $500,000
• 1,100: $500,000

Josh Reynolds, New York Jets

Reception Incentives (non-cumulative)

• 20: $125,000
• 30: $450,000
• 45: $600,000
• 60: $750,000

Receiving Yard Incentives (non-cumulative)

• 200: $125,000
• 350: $450,000
• 500: $600,000
• 650: $750,000

Receiving TD Incentives (non-cumulative)

• 3: $200,000
• 5: $350,000
• 7: $500,000

Tim Patrick, Detroit Lions

Reception Incentives (non-cumulative)

• 35: $250,000
• 45: $500,000

Receiving Yard Incentive (non-cumulative)

• 400: $250,000
• 500: $500,000

Super Bowl Win Plus (cumulative)

• 55 Receptions: $250,000
• 600 Receiving Yards: $250,000

Van Jefferson, Tennessee Titans

Reception Incentives (non-cumulative)

• 30: $100,000
• 40: $250,000
• 50: $500,000
• 60: $750,000
• 60 Receptions + Playoff Berth: $250,000

Demarcus Robinson, San Francisco 49ers

2026 Escalator

• 55 Receptions OR 8 Receiving Touchdowns: $1.5M

Zay Jones, Arizona Cardinals

Reception Incentives (non-cumulative)

• 50: $500,000
• 60: $750,000
• 70: $1M

Receiving Yard Incentive (non-cumulative)

• 600: $500,000
• 700: $750,000
• 800: $1M

Kalif Raymond, Detroit Lions

Reception Incentives

• 50: $125,000
• 70: $100,000

Receiving Yard Incentives

• 650: $125,000
• 800: $100,000
• 5 Total Touchdowns: $50,000

KhaDarel Hodge, Atlanta Falcons

Annual Performance Incentives (cumulative)

• 30 Receptions: $125,000
• 30% Playing Time: $125,000

Tylan Wallace, Baltimore Ravens

Receiving Yard Incentive

• 300: $150,000

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