The USFL is returning for another season. We’ve scoured every team’s roster, the most recent draft, preseason reports, and other insights to assemble the following list of the top USFL wide receivers heading into the 2023 campaign.
Top USFL Wide Receivers in 2023
In our weekly USFL wide receiver rankings, performances from game to game will be taken into account in addition to each player’s pedigree and overall career résumé. For now, we’re going off of what we know, which admittedly is part evidence-based and part conjecture because depth charts remain heavily in flux.
1) Jonathan Adams, New Orleans Breakers
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Jonathan Adams is my No. 1 WR on the assumption he’s still getting better at barely 24 years old. A former Fred Biletnikoff Award finalist while playing at Arkansas State, Adams broke out in 2022 with a 31-406-3 receiving line. That actually placed him near the top of all three categories.
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With other standouts like Lance Lenoir and Sal Cannella joining the XFL and KaVontae Turpin on the Dallas Cowboys, Adams enters 2023 as a seemingly clear-cut elite receiving option.
2) Derrick Dillon, Memphis Showboats
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Derrick Dillon was once clocked with 4.29 speed in the 40-yard dash. Assuming Willis is the real deal, the Memphis offense could run largely through Dillon and Alex Collins. And assuming their offensive line is as good as it appears to be, Willis should have plenty of time to find Dillon downfield.
3) Marlon Williams, Birmingham Stallions
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Marlon Williams was tied for No. 2 in the league last year with four receiving scores, and he was No. 3 in receiving yards (474) and yards per reception (14.8). I like betting on young, ascending talent. Williams is 23 years old and primed for an even bigger year.
4) Jordan Suell, Philadelphia Stars
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The differences among the top eight USFL wideouts are minimal in some respects. Surprisingly good or bad QB play could shift any of these guys around.
A case could be made that Jordan Suell is the best WR in this league. For now, I’ve got him at No. 4 because I prefer the breakout ceilings of the other three guys. But Suell shined while starting all 10 games last season in an offense that led all teams in scoring. The 25-year-old is in a good spot to build off of his recent 37-379-3 receiving numbers.
5) Alonzo Moore, New Jersey Generals
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The run-friendly Generals know how to involve their receivers. Last year, they benefitted from having three top-12 WRs: KaVontae Turpin, Alonzo Moore, and Darrius Shepherd.
These days, Turpin is with the Cowboys, while Shepherd is lighting up the XFL with the Battlehawks. Holes will be filled, but the facts seem clear: Moore will play as big or an even bigger role in 2023. The fairly fast Nebraska product could realistically lead the USFL in receiving yards, and it’s quite possible that no wideout has a lower floor.
6) Bailey Gaither, Pittsburgh Maulers
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Bailey Gaither played quite well on the 1-9 Maulers, reeling in 63% of his targets for a cool 24-368-4 receiving line. By NFL standards, that wouldn’t be much to sneeze at. But in the USFL, that placed him among the upper echelon of productive receivers.
Pittsburgh should improve this year, though it could take until 2024 or 2025 before they’re in serious playoff contention. In the meantime, Gaither should continue to be a leading offensive option on a squad that trailed all other teams last year in points scored.
7) Joe Walker, Michigan Panthers
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Joe Walker was a rare bright spot on last year’s 2-8 Panthers. And actually, Michigan’s offense wasn’t the biggest problem. They lost five games by five points or less. Their defense frequently let them down.
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But playing from behind has its advantages if you’re a fan of receivers. And Walker should benefit tremendously as the de facto No. 1 target on a team that might continue to operate from behind.
8) Teo Redding, Houston Gamblers
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Isaiah Zuber led the 2022 Gamblers in targets (40), receiving yards (322), and receiving TDs (5). Now he’s in the NFL with the Raiders.
Houston was 3-7 with Zuber in an offense that was inconsistent at best. The question heading into 2023 is, which receiver(s) will step up?
Teo Redding is the likeliest candidate on a team looking to right the ship. Redding was No. 2 on the Gamblers in all of the previously mentioned receiving categories. While this could turn into a spread-the-ball offense, Redding is the frontrunner for No. 1 WR work. That should keep him well-fed throughout the season.