Three Breakout Wide Receiver Candidates in 2022

Gabriel+Davis+in+the+Buffalo+Bills+huddle+in+2021.

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Gabriel Davis in the Buffalo Bills’ huddle in 2021.

Ethan K.

Gabriel Davis

After Patrick Mahomes’ magical comeback in the 2021 Divisional round, Gabriel Davis’ stellar 201 yards and four touchdown performance (Pro-Football-Reference.com) got overshadowed. The UCF product had an amazing game, dominating cornerbacks Mike Hughes and Rashad Fenton. Davis had a decent season, but his name mostly began to get recognition after the Divisional game. With Cole Beasley leaving Buffalo in 2022, Davis’ role will get elevated to the second wide receiver and his production should be amplified even more. If his magical playoff run foreshadows correctly, Gabriel Davis could become a top 20 receiver in his third season in the league. 

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Westbrook-Ikhine, an undrafted free agent out of Indiana, had a pretty solid season in 2021 as a sophomore. The former Hoosier had 476 yards and four touchdowns as the fourth wide receiver in Tennessee in 2021 (Pro-Football-Reference.com).With Julio Jones gone, Westbrook-Ikhine could see an increase in targets, even despite the addition of Robert Woods. Not a flashy player, Westbrook-Ikhine is a reliable outside receiver that could potentially see more time by playing in the slot in 2022. With a solid offseason and hard work, the consistent role player could post a very good season in his third year as a professional.

N’Keal Harry

Arguably a top ten blocking wide receiver in the league, Harry has the potential to have his best season yet. The 2019 first round draft pick never made his impact in the receiving game like Bill Belichik and the Patriots had hoped. In his first three years in the league, Harry recorded just 57 receptions, 598 yards and four touchdowns. He is yet to break 400 yards in a season, with 309 in 2020 being his career high (Pro-Football-Reference.com). A change of scenery would be beneficial, as a different system, with Harry elevated in the depth chart, could sky-rocket his success. As ridiculous as this prediction may seem, his blocking skills ensure some playing time that could end up resulting in a very successful season for Harry outside of New England.