NFL Playoffs: Top 5 Receivers In NFC

The 2026 NFL Playoffs are set, and the NFC has the deepest roster of teams with superior strength on both sides of the ball. That includes some of the most explosive receivers on offense, with five top-rated receivers in the NFC leading the way in the Pro Football Focus (PFF) rankings.  

Three key games decided playoff spots, seedings, and division titles in Week 18. That included the Seahawks-49ers showdown with Seattle winning 13-3 to secure the NFC West title and No. 1 seed and bye in the 2026 playoffs. 

As you consider your fantasy teams and players for the NFL Playoffs, and make your spread, moneyline, and totals bets, these receivers will be most popular in the player props market and driving more watch and wager action. 

The top receivers from the Rams-Seahawks clashes include Offensive Player of the Year favorite Jaxson Smith-Njigba and regular Pro Bowl receiver Puca Nacua. 

Top NFC Receivers

1. Puka Nacua (Rams) –  Another Pro Bowl season for third-year WR Nacua, who had three straight games of at least 160 yards receiving to start December. The former fifth-round pick outpaced every receiver in catches (33), yards (620), and touchdowns (5) in four games in December, leading to a 96.2 PFF receiving grade. The Rams offense leads all playoff teams, averaging 30.5 points per game, 395 yards per game, and 6.2 yards per play. Nacua finished the season with 129 receptions on 161 targets for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns with a 30.2% target share. He ranks second in receiving yards and catch rate (80.1%) among receivers with at least 50 targets. Nacua continues to pace all wide receivers in yards after the catch (666), yards after contact and missed tackles forced, and tied with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for most catches of 20-plus yards (27). 
2. Jaxson Smith-Njigba (Seahawks) – The other third-year receiver tearing up the league is the Seahawks’ 2023 first-round pick, Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He led the league in receiving yards (1,793), explosive plays (42), and 35.8% target share. The Seahawks star receiver was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, and joins Nacua as the leading receiver, averaging the most yards per route run this season (3.61, 3.73).  
3. Christian Watson (Packers) – The 2022 second-round pick made his season debut in Week 8 after returning from a torn ACL injury. His 17.5 yards per catch leads the Packers and leads all NFL playoff receivers this season, while second on the Packers with 611 receiving yards after sitting out Week 18. His 12 plays of 20-plus yards lead Green Bay, along with his target volume (55) and adjusted target rate. Watson had his first 100-yard game of the season in Week 17 against the Ravens in defeat, with all five of his catches going for first downs, including a 39-yard TD catch that helped him earn PFF’s second-highest receiver grade for the week. Watson’s deep-field ability opens up the Packers’ offense with 9 catches for 294 yards on throws beyond 20 yards, with four of his six touchdowns on deep targets.  
4. AJ Brown (Eagles) – The defending Super Bowl champions have a pair of 1,000-yard receivers this season in DeVonta Smith (1,008) and AJ Brown (1,003), and Brown now has six seasons of 1,000-plus receiving yards. The former second-round pick of the Tennessee Titans was a two-sport phenom and was also drafted out of high school by the San Diego Padres in MLB. In his two playoff runs, including two Super Bowl appearances with the Eagles, Brown has 25 receptions in seven games with 309 yards and 3 touchdowns.  
5. Davante Adama (Rams) – The NFL’s leading receiver in touchdowns this season is veteran Davante Adams, who has 14 TDs with 789 yards in 14 games. The 2014 second-round pick of the Green Bay Packers has six Pro Bowls to his credit and added another key target on the Rams’ league-best offense for MVP favorite QB Matthew Stafford. 

Other receivers to watch in the NFC

The Chicago Bears made a worst-to-first run to the NFC North title this season. First-year Bears head coach Ben Johnson has quickly turned the offense into one of the league’s best. The skill-position players are filled with top draft picks, including No. 1 overall QB Caleb Williams. He has four top targets in the 2024 first rounder, Rome Adunze (44 receptions/661 yards in 12 games), 2018 Panthers first round pick DJ Moore (50/682), and rookie second-round receiver Luther Burden III (47/652), who had season-highs in Week 17 against the 49ers, catching 8 passes for 138 yards. Burden has opened up the Bears’ passing game even more, along with rookie TE Colston Loveland, who led the Bears with 58 receptions for 738 yards and 6 TDs to tie Adunze and Moore. The pair of Bears rookie receivers combined for 35 catches, 505 yards, 25 first downs, and 9 plays of 20-plus yards with 3 TDs in December. 

The San Francisco 49ers made a remarkable run to the playoffs and nearly an NFC West title with numerous injuries this season, including to QB Brock Purdy, who returned to ignite the Niners’ offense. Running back Christian McCaffrey is the heavy Comeback Player of the Year favorite, and he’s the top target, and caught 102 passes for 924 yards and 7 touchdowns. But Juan Jennings (55/643) led the team with 9 TD receptions as the 49ers’ top wide receiver target. Niners 2024 first-round pick WR Ricky Pearsall played in just 9 games with 35 receptions for 528 yards while battling through multiple injuries. He’s questionable in the 49ers playoff opener against the Eagles in the Wild Card round, opening opportunities for former undrafted WR Kenrick Bourne (37/551).

Follow more NFL betting news throughout the playoffs at BetOnline, where live/in-game wagering will drive more watch and wager action. 

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