Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are off to great starts, but they don’t have the numbers. They don’t lead the league in catches, yards, or touchdowns — collectively or individually. 

Brown has 43 catches for 718 yards and six touchdowns; Smith has 40 catches for 442 yards and two TDs. Brown’s numbers put him near the top in each category, but Smith ranks much lower.

The Bills have a great argument for the best duo with Stephon Diggs and Gabriel Davis, who have combined for 11 touchdowns in seven games, the most of any duo. Diggs’ seven scores lead the league and his 764 yards receiving are second to Tyreek Hill of the Dolphins.

Hill may have only two touchdowns, but his 961 yards and 69 catches lead the league. Throw in 727 yards and five scores for Jalen Waddle and the Dolphins have a strong case for the best receiving tandem, too. 

Philly fans may never forgive the Eagles for passing on Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson in 2020, but the Eagles have better receivers than the Vikings. After nine games, Jefferson and Adam Thielen have combined for fewer yards and touchdowns than Brown and Smith. 

Jefferson’s 752 yards are third-most in the NFL, but Thielen has only 352. They only have five touchdowns between them.

Cincinnati deserves consideration. Ja’Marr Chase has six touchdowns and 605 yards, but how do you choose between Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins when forced to take only two receivers? Higgins has 504 yards and three touchdowns, and Boyd has 493 yards and four TDs.  

It’s safe to say the Bengals have the best trio of wide receivers, but with Chase to miss four to six weeks with a hip injury, they must do more to be considered among the league’s best duos.

Brown and Smith are great, but they don’t form the league’s best 1-2 receiver duo.