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The receiving yards leaders continue to take shape entering Week 17 of the 2021 NFL season. While one player has held the top spot for almost the entire year, the rest of the field has been battling for position. There are 16 players who have already eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards this season, but none have more than these five who currently lead the way.
NFL receiving yards leaders ahead of Week 17
Here are five NFL players with the most receiving yards as Week 17 approaches.
#5 - Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs - 1,197 receiving yards
In addition to being ranked 5th in receiving yards heading into Week 17, Tyreek Hill, also, ranks third in receptions. He currently has 104 receptions, making him one of only three players in the NFL this season who have already surpassed 100 receptions. This is the first time in his career that he has recorded over 100 receptions in a single season.
With two games remaining in the 2021 NFL season, Tyreek Hill has already set a new career high in receptions. He has also gone over 1000 receiving yards for the fourth time in his six-year career. He continues to be one of the most important pieces in the Kansas City Chiefs offense, which ranks second with 285.1 passing yards per game this year.
#4 - Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers - 1,247 receiving yards
Deebo Samuel has emerged as one of the most dynamic players in the NFL this season. He ranks fourth in the NFL with 1,247 receiving yards while consistently making big plays. Among all players with at least 25 receptions this season, Deebo Samuel's 17.8 receiving yards per reception is the highest average. He also ranks second in the NFL with a 692 YAC.
Samuel has added another dimension to his game this year by contributing solid production in the rushing game as well. He carried the ball 44 times this year for 301 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 6.8 yards per carry. He has become an elite offensive weapon in Kyle Shanahan's creative offensive scheme for the San Francisco 49ers.
NFL receiving yards leaders
Here are the players with the most receiving yards entering Week 17 of the 2021 NFL season.
#3 - Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers - 1,362 receiving yards
In addition to ranking third in total receiving yards, Davante Adams ranks second with 97.3 receiving yards per game. He also ranks second in the NFL with 106 receptions and third with ten receiving touchdowns. He is just 23 receiving yards away from setting a new career high. Adams would surpass the 1,384 yards he recorded back in the 2018 season.
For the third time in the last four years, Davante Adams has eclipsed 1,300 receiving yards. In that same four-year time period, he has also exceeded 100 receptions and ten touchdowns three times each. He is the primary weapon in the Green Bay Packers' passing game. He accounts for more than a third of their 3,947 total receiving yards as a team this year.
#2 - Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings - 1,451 receiving yards
Justin Jefferson had one of the greatest rookie seasons for any wide receiver in NFL history last year. Now in his second year, he is having an even better one than his first. He has set new career highs in just about every receiving category. He also still has two more games to increase his totals even higher. He is one of the best young players in the entire NFL.
Justin Jefferson has already exceeded his totals from last year in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and first downs gained. He set an NFL record this season for most receiving yards of any player over their first two years in the league. He has quickly emerged as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. He's really only getting started in his young and promising career.
#1 - Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams - 1,734 receiving yards
Cooper Kupp has been the best wide receiver of the 2021 NFL season. He leads all players with 1,734 receiving yards, 134 receptions and 14 receiving touchdowns. He also leads all players with 745 YAC and all receivers with 80 first downs gained. He is one of the leading candidates to win the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year award for his consistent dominance.
Cooper Kupp has a real chance to eclipse 2,000 receiving yards this season. He would only have to perform slighlty above his current pace to reach the milestone. He is currently on pace for 1,965 yards at his 115.6 yards per game average. He needs just 266 receiving yards, or 133 per game, to accomplish this legendary task.
No player in NFL history has ever exceeded 2,000 receiving yards in a single season. The current record is 1,964 held by Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson during the 2012 NFL season. Cooper Kupp is on pace to beat that record by just one yard at his current pace. A strong finish over the final two games could result in the best season of all-time by any wide receiver.
