In 2020, Justin Jefferson burst onto the scene with the Vikings and amassed 1,400 receiving yards, the most by an NFL rookie in the Super Bowl era. It was a feat so impressive it figured to stand the test of time.

And it did … if you consider one year as the test of time. It lasted all the way to 2021, when Ja’Marr Chase entered the league with the Bengals and put up 1,455 receiving yards, surpassing Jefferson’s achievement. This was one former heralded LSU wideout overtaking another former LSU wideout. Jefferson went in the first round in the 2020 NFL Draft, going 22nd overall, the fifth wide receiver to come off the board. Chase went No. 5 in 2021 and it stood to reason his lofty rookie record would hang around for a while.

Well, “a while’’ needs to be redefined, as Chase’s mark lasted all the way to … 2023. Jefferson and Chase were high picks and their greatness was anticipated. That an under-the-radar fifth-round pick, Puka Nacua out of BYU, hit the field for the Rams and instantly became a vacuum-like target was something else. He reset the rookie record with 1,486 receiving yards as he hauled in 105 passes. It is tempting to wonder if in an increasingly pass-happy league filled with offensive masterminds and pre-snap motion and the utilization of 00 (five wide receivers) and 01 and 10 (four wide receivers) personnel packages can turn almost anyone into an instant sensation as a pass catcher.

This year, three rookie receivers entered the league with great expectations. Marvin Harrison Jr. went to the Cardinals with the No. 4 overall pick. Malik Nabers went No. 6 to the Giants. And Rome Odunze went No. 9 to the Bears. There are top prospects at this position most years but these three are considered to be elite, as far as their potential as Day 1 playmakers.