Weekly The Generation, Year 1, Issue 17
December 26, 2023
Wondering how a highlight-reel catch stacks up against the best of the year? We have you covered, ranking every incredible reception of the 2023 NFL season. That means all of the top one-handed grabs, diving snags, toe-tapping chunk plays and ridiculous circus catches are all in one place, stacked up against each other. But who ranks No. 1 right now?
1. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Game: Week 1 vs. Bills (fourth quarter, 4:55)
On a red zone fade ball from Zach Wilson to Garrett Wilson, we see really tight coverage from Buffalo’s Tre’Davious White. Wilson, who tied the score with the TD, setting up the Jets to eventually win in overtime.
2. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Game: Week 7 vs. Steelers (third quarter, 11:50)
We see play-action on first down here for the Rams, a staple in Sean McVay’s system.
3. Jake Bobo, Seattle Seahawks
Game: Week 7 vs. Cardinals (second quarter, 4:47)
Bobo has to play through contact on this end-zone throw from quarterback Geno Smith.Bobo gets his eyes back to locate and secures the catch. It’s a ridiculous finish on a 50-50 ball.
4. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Game: Week 16 vs. Lions (fourth quarter, 1:24)
Jefferson made one of the best catches of the year in a late-game situation,. With the safety driving top down and the cornerback sinking to the catch point, Jefferson went above the rim on this one.
5. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Game: Week 8 at Commanders (second quarter, 0:38)
With the ball in the high red zone and the Commanders showing man coverage, Jalen Hurts threw up a back-shoulder fade to Brown. It’s an excellent finish against tight coverage to get six.
6. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Game: Week 10 at Vikings (third quarter, 5:30)
With Olave running a fade route, quarterback Jameis Winston throws this ball to the back pylon. That’s a top-five grab on the season.
7. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
Game: Week 10 vs. Giants (first quarter, 13:08)
This is a staple seam route for Lamb, releasing up the numbers, with the defender playing to the bottom hip in coverage. That’s why quarterback Dak Prescott puts this throw out front.
8. George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
Game: Week 16 vs. Bengals (second quarter, 1:08)
To win over the top on a 9 route The ball should be delivered to the upfield shoulder, but with a throw short from Mason Rudolph into the boundary, Pickens had to adjust. Put it in Pickens’ highlight tape.
9. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
Game: Week 9 at Saints (first quarter, 11:27)
It’s a contested-catch situation here, with safety Tyrann Mathieu over the top of the route.
10. Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
Game: Week 6 vs. 49ers (third quarter, 14:05)
In a one-on-one boundary matchup on a fade route, Cooper played above the rim here on the finish. It’s a big-time play.
11. Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Game: Week 1 at Colts (second quarter, 4:56)
Jones created separation in the high red zone with a double-move, he went full extension to get hands on this one, securing the catch and getting a knee down, on an absolute dime from quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
12. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Game: Week 2 at Panthers (third quarter, 7:22)
On a straight go route, Olave had his right arm pinned by Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson in coverage and had to extend his left hand. He locates the ball, keeps the play alive and secures the catch for a 42-yard gain.
13. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Game: Week 6 vs. Colts (second quarter, 12:51)
This is a hole-shot throw for Lawrence, with Engram flexed out wide against Cover 2. Jacksonville finds the void and puts the ball into the boundary here, as Engram adjusts and finishes with a one-handed grab in front of the deep-half safety.
14. Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars
Game: Week 2 vs. Chiefs (second quarter, 0:20)
We see a nice fade route into the boundary, and a one-on-one matchup for Ridley.
Source: Matt Bowen/ESPN
