ScoutIndex

BUF BUF

Josh Palmer

WR

Josh Palmer came into the league as a 3rd-round selection (77th overall) in 2021, drafted out of Tennessee. Now with BUF, he's in his 6th NFL season. His 63.9 ScoutIndex Rating last season ranked in the 84th percentile among WRs — solidly above average. Deep Threat is his calling card, grading in the 98th percentile among his peers. Across 6 NFL seasons, he has totaled 207 catches for 2,670 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Size

6'1", 210#

College

Tennessee

Draft

Rd 3, 77th overall (2021)

Seasons

2021–2026

2026 ScoutIndex Rating · WR

Methodology
49.1

62th percentile among WRs · limited sample

3 games · 9 targets

Role×0.14-0.54
Hands×0.1-0.34
Volume×0.12-0.38
Total EPA×0.22-0.02
EPA/target×0.3+0.26
Yards/target×0.12+0.21

Week 1 projection · @ HOU

Methodology
Rec1.9 (0–4)56% 1.5+
Rec1.9 (0–4)56% 1.5+
Rec1.9 (0–4)56% 1.5+
Rec1.9 (0–4)56% 1.5+
Rec1.9 (0–4)56% 1.5+
Rec1.9 (0–4)56% 1.5+
Rec yds26.7 (6.2–47.3)53% 25.5+
Rec yds26.7 (6.2–47.3)53% 25.5+
Rec yds26.7 (6.2–47.3)53% 25.5+
Rec yds26.7 (6.2–47.3)53% 25.5+
Rec yds26.7 (6.2–47.3)53% 25.5+
Rec yds26.7 (6.2–47.3)53% 25.5+
Rec TD0.1 (0–0)6% 0.5+
Rec TD0.1 (0–0)6% 0.5+
Rec TD0.1 (0–0)6% 0.5+
Rec TD0.1 (0–0)6% 0.5+
Rec TD0.1 (0–0)6% 0.5+
Rec TD0.1 (0–0)6% 0.5+

Mean (10th–90th percentile) · recent form × matchup. Informational, not wagering advice.

2026 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismReceivingRoleImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speedno data▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among WRs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burstno data▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine WRs.

Agilityno data▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine WRs (faster = higher).

Size66▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the WR cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Receiving

Hands5▶

Catch rate — receptions ÷ targets.

Deep Threat98▶

Average depth of target — receiving air yards ÷ targets.

YAC Ability75▶

Yards after catch ÷ reception.

Role

Target Share33▶

Share of the team's targets while on the field, target-weighted across the season.

Air-Yards Share74▶

Share of the team's total air yards, target-weighted across the season.

Impact

Efficiency73▶

Receiving EPA ÷ target — the Rating's largest component.

Volume49▶

Total targets this season.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026BUF49.133802
2025BUF47.81222303
2024LAC63.915395841
2023LAC53.5106385812
2022LAC57.6164727693
2021LAC51156333534

Career profile

Across 6 NFL seasons on file, Josh Palmer has played in 71 regular-season games, playing for 2 teams: LAC (2021–2024), BUF (2025–2026).

He has rushed for 16 yards and 0 touchdowns. As a receiver he has caught 207 passes for 2,670 yards and 12 touchdowns. His most productive receiving season was 2022 with LAC: 769 yards and 3 touchdowns in 16 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2024: a 63.9, in the 84th percentile among WRs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

2026 splits

regular season
SplitGRecRec ydsRec TD
Home2
2
1.0/g
46
23/g
1
Away1
1
1.0/g
34
34/g
1
In division1
1
1.0/g
3
3/g
0
Out of division2
2
1.0/g
77
39/g
2
In wins2
2
1.0/g
77
39/g
2
In losses1
1
1.0/g
3
3/g
0
On grass2
2
1.0/g
46
23/g
1
On turf1
1
1.0/g
34
34/g
1
Indoors1
1
1.0/g
34
34/g
1
Outdoors2
2
1.0/g
46
23/g
1

2026 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1HOU1 rec, 34 yds, 1 TD60.9
Week 2DET1 rec, 43 yds, 1 TD62.9
Week 4NE1 rec, 3 yds, 0 TD24.8

Josh Palmer — common questions

What position does Josh Palmer play?
Josh Palmer is listed as a WR.
Which teams has Josh Palmer played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Josh Palmer has played for LAC (2021–2024), BUF (2025–2026).
Where did Josh Palmer go to college?
Josh Palmer played college football at Tennessee.
When was Josh Palmer drafted?
Josh Palmer was selected in round 3, 77th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Josh Palmer scored?
Josh Palmer has 12 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (12 receiving).
What is Josh Palmer's ScoutIndex Rating?
Josh Palmer rated 49.1 for 2026, the 62nd percentile among WRs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 3, 2021

Also from Tennessee