The 2020-21 NFL season was interesting for receivers. Most of the highest rated receivers on Madden 21 regressed in the year as a whole. Many of the players with the biggest upgrades are rookies or second year players that made great strides over the course of the season.

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Those new to the league almost always have a low rating at the start of the year, giving them more potential to improve their rating as it goes on. However, there were a surprising amount of established receivers that slid down several rankings. This list will cover the wide receivers in Madden 21 with the largest upgrades.

10 Scotty Miller 69-75

Scotty Miller Bucs

While Miller is certainly not one of the top weapons in the Buccaneers offense, he did make a few key plays last season. The second year Bowling Green product caught 33 passes for 500 yards and 3 touchdowns. It may not seem like much, but Tampa Bay likely has three hall of famers on the outside. Miller was a consistent producer and developed a good rapport with Brady.

9 Davante Adams 94-99

Davantae Adams

Adams' performance last season proved that he is a top WR in the league right now. In his seventh season, Adams scored a career best 18 touchdowns on 115 catches. The hall of fame QB's top target will definitely miss the masterful Rodgers if he decides to leave Green Bay. After a slow 2019 due to Rodgers' injury, Adams played as well any any receiver in the NFL in 2020. He probably would have received an even higher upgrade, but ratings are capped at 99.

8 Terry McLaurin 82-88

Terry McLaurin

McLaurin has the speed and quickness to create space in the open field. The second year player managed to catch 30 more passes this season than the one before. He also broke the 1,000 yard threshold for the first time in his short career.

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McLaurin was one of the few players on Washington that lived up to expectations in 2020. Mediocre quarterback play and team drama made his accomplishments even more impressive.

7 Brandon Aiyuk 72-78

brandon-aiyuk

The rookie receivers balled out in 2020, and Aiyuk was an honorable mention for rookie of the year. Aiyuk evolved as a deep threat for the 49ers, averaging 12 yards a catch. He managed to log 750 yards on just 60 receptions, scoring a total of 7 touchdowns in his rookie campaign. San Francisco made a good choice picking up Aiyuk in the first round of last year's draft.

6 Russell Gage Jr. 67-74

Russell Gage

Gage and Ridley have emerged as the successors to Julio Jones in Atlanta. It may have taken Gage two more seasons than Ridley, but he has finally found a role for the Falcons. In 2018, Gage had only 6 receptions on just 10 targets.

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Fast forward to 2020 and Gage has almost 800 yards on 72 receptions. After the departure of Gabriel and Sanu, Gage was moved up to third in the depth chart. With the trio of Jones, Ridley, and Gage, it is perplexing how the Falcons offense struggled in 2020.

5 Chase Claypool 70-77

Chase Claypool

Claypool had a fantastic rookie season, averaging more than 14 yards a reception. With Smith-Schuster's production down, it was important for Pittsburgh to get  as much out of the rookie as they could. The 6'4" receiver out of Notre Dame surprised everyone by scoring 11 touchdowns and getting close to a 1,000 yard season. Claypool is yet another talented rookie receiver that exceeded expectations in year one.

4 Tee Higgins 71-78

tee-higgins

Higgins and Burrow were quite the combination in Cincinnati. Unfortunately, Burrow suffered a season ending injury and the pair were unable to continue their run. If Cincy can improve their protection schemes next year, they may be a force in the division. Higgins managed to tie the record for the most receptions as a Bengals rookie and finished third among rookie receivers in yards. Almost any other year Tee Higgins would have won rookie of the year honors.

3 Darnell Mooney 66-75

Darnell Mooney

When the season was over, Mooney had surpassed the Bears rookie record for most receptions in a season. The Bears had Trubisky problems and a wide receiver shortage at the beginning of last year. Mooney was a much needed addition to a Chicago team that struggled on offense. The first year receiver proved that he can be a contributor for years to come.

2 D.K. Metcalf 79-89

DK Metcalf

D.K. Metcalf is an unbelievable athlete. At 240 ibs, Metcalf can run a 4.3 second 40 yard dash. He even competed in a 100 meter dash event just a few weeks ago and stayed in the race against runners that were 50 pounds lighter. Metcalf impressed in almost every week of the 2020 season, which warranted upgrade after upgrade as it went on. EA will likely rank the top player in the 90s come next season.

1 Justin Jefferson 74-86

Justin Jefferson

What Justin Jefferson did as a rookie receiver is historic. Jefferson had more yards than any rookie receiver in history. He was also one of the few rookies that have ever been invited to the Pro Bowl. Not only did Jefferson break yardage records, he also contributed 7 touchdowns on 88 receptions. The massive increase from 74-86 is modest when looking at the numbers. In just one year Jefferson went from a 74 rated benchwarmer to one of the best wide receivers in the league.

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