- Messages
- 79,281
- Reaction score
- 45,652
Posted: July 16, 2008
War Room scouts
The top wide receivers in the NFL can come with mercurial personalities and stand out as some of the league's premier prima donnas. But when they're quiet, just go out and do their jobs within their team's offense and show off their awesome athletic skills, no other position is more fun to watch.
The current crop of wide receivers features many promising youngsters, but two long-time dazzlers remain at the top:
The current crop of wide receivers features many promising youngsters, but two long-time dazzlers remain at the top:
1. Randy Moss, New England Patriots. Coming off 98 catches, 1,493 receiving yards and a league-record 23 receiving touchdowns, TD, Moss served notice that he still is the best in the game.
2. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys. Yes, Owens will be 35 in December, but he ranked in the top five in the NFL in receiving yards, yards per game, touchdowns and 20-plus yard receptions in 2007. He is truly right behind Moss.
3. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts. Wayne could make an argument for being the top receiver on this list. He adjusts well to coverage and can beat you deep or with strong route running underneath. Even with coverage rolled to him last season (with Marvin Harrison out with a knee injury), he still dominated.
4. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans. He is defined by size, speed, and a great set of hands. He needs to stay healthy, but based on pure talent and his physical tools, he deserves to be ranked this high.
5. Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts. Some will point to last season and argue he doesn't belong here. But consider Harrison had at least 85 receptions in seven of the past eight seasons and posted double-digit TDs in eight consecutive seasons before '07. If healthy -- the word we get is that he is -- he can return to being a dominant receiver.
6. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals. Fitz is a do-it-all receiver who can either use his strength to overwhelm corners in press coverage or use his speed to stretch the field. He also is a dangerous red zone threat with great hands and the athleticism to make tough catches.
7. Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams. The owner of eight straight 1,000-yard seasons and at least 90 catches in each of the past six years, Holt continues to rank among the elite. Age and injuries are beginning to slow him down but haven't quite taken their toll yet.
8. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals. Johnson's offseason antics have lessened his status among the average fan, but he is an explosive player who stretches the field better than anyone. He still doesn't get nearly the credit he deserves for his route-running skills.
9. Plaxico Burress, New York Giants. What Burress did last season despite struggling through a myriad of injuries is nothing short of remarkable. Blessed with unbelievable skills and physical tools, he is definitely a top-10 receiver when his head is on straight.
10. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers. Smith could certainly earn consideration for a higher spot on this list, but if 2007 proved anything, it's that Smith can't do it himself. With Jake Delhomme back under center, and improvements to the Panthers' receiving corps, offensive line and running game, Smith can easily reestablish himself among the upper echelon.
11. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints. Colston gets plenty of chances to show his wares in the Saints' aggressive passing attack. He matched Moss in catches (98) last season and only continues to improve. What a steal of a seventh-round pick.
12. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns. Edwards broke out in '07 and the Browns don't show any sign of taking the air out of the ball. His combination of size, speed, and athleticism makes him a tough assignment for even the best corners.
13. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals. Housh is the best of the "possession" receivers on this list because of his size, strength and ability to win one-on-one battles out of the slot. He is a top red zone threat and a great route runner.
14. Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers. Despite the big play antics of young speedster Greg Jennings, Driver is still the go-to guy for the Pack. A tough player, he consistently works the middle of the field to make tough catches in traffic.
15. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers. Injuries have been a problem in recent seasons, and Ward isn't getting any younger (now 32). He remains one of the game's most complete receivers: a great route runner while showing good hands, a tough end zone presence and elite blocking skills.
16. Wes Welker, New England Patriots. With all the talk of Moss last season, many don't realize the Welker is the one who made the New England passing attack operate at such a high level. His ability to read coverage, adjust his routes, make catches in the middle of the field, and then make plays after the catch is a combination that is hard to find.
17. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals. Boldin is big and physical working the underneath routes and the middle of the field, and also is adept at making plays after catches. He might be the No. 2 on his own team, but he would be a No. 1 for most other teams.
18. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos. Marshall is huge at 6-4, 230 but has deceptive speed for a man that size. He has stunning body control and strong hands, capable of making unbelievable catches look easy. He is one young receiver to watch -- if he can stay healthy and out of off-field trouble.
19. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers. Another young playmaker who uses his speed to stretch the field and make big plays after catches.
20. Roy Williams, Detroit Lions. Williams has thrived in Detroit's passing attack in recent seasons, but with an emphasis on the run coming in '08, look for more modest numbers. The emergence of Calvin Johnson may also cut into his numbers.
21. Bernard Berrian, Minnesota Vikings. Berrian is a home run threat whose skills were underutilized in Chicago. He can stretch the field with the best of them, which makes him an important signing for the Vikes, but Tarvaris Jackson must deliver the ball accurately downfield for Berrian to deliver his most impact.
22. Chris Chambers, San Diego Chargers. The Chargers' offense starts with LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates, and then come the wide receivers. But the former Dolphin came over to give the Chargers a legitimate perimeter threat with his size and speed. Chambers and Philip Rivers especially clicked in the playoffs, to the tune of 16 catches, 278 yards and a TD in three games.
23. Lee Evans, Buffalo Bills. Evans has obvious top-level talent but hasn't been as productive as some in Buffalo would have hoped. That's stemmed from problems at quarterback, a conservative offense and the lack of a complementary threat to draw coverage. That could change this year with a new, more wide-open passing attack and the arrival of good-looking rookie James Hardy. If Evans can show more than flashes, he will shoot up the list.
24. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions. The second-year player has the size to beat press coverage, the toughness to win jump balls and the speed to run past coverage. He is still developing, and his role in the Lions' new offense remains to be seen, but he has the skill set and the physical tools to become an elite player sooner than later. There is a reason you heard all those Roy Williams trade rumors.
25. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons. White has always had the deep speed to become a big-play threat, but last season, he showed vast improvement in his route-running skills and more focus in both his preparation and play. Although the Falcons are welcoming rookie Matt Ryan at quarterback and need to develop much better pass protection, the still developing White deserves to make the cut here.
Maybe next year?
The top breakout candidate to crack the top 25 for '09:
Steve Smith, New York Giants. Smith was a big-play receiver with his big-time college pedigree from USC and began to flash those talents in the second half of the Giants' Super Bowl season, contributing some key catches in the playoffs. Smith can either work from the slot or on the perimeter and has reliable hands. Look for him to get much more involved in the offense in Year 2.
War Room scouts
The top wide receivers in the NFL can come with mercurial personalities and stand out as some of the league's premier prima donnas. But when they're quiet, just go out and do their jobs within their team's offense and show off their awesome athletic skills, no other position is more fun to watch.
The current crop of wide receivers features many promising youngsters, but two long-time dazzlers remain at the top:
The current crop of wide receivers features many promising youngsters, but two long-time dazzlers remain at the top:
1. Randy Moss, New England Patriots. Coming off 98 catches, 1,493 receiving yards and a league-record 23 receiving touchdowns, TD, Moss served notice that he still is the best in the game.
2. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys. Yes, Owens will be 35 in December, but he ranked in the top five in the NFL in receiving yards, yards per game, touchdowns and 20-plus yard receptions in 2007. He is truly right behind Moss.
3. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts. Wayne could make an argument for being the top receiver on this list. He adjusts well to coverage and can beat you deep or with strong route running underneath. Even with coverage rolled to him last season (with Marvin Harrison out with a knee injury), he still dominated.
4. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans. He is defined by size, speed, and a great set of hands. He needs to stay healthy, but based on pure talent and his physical tools, he deserves to be ranked this high.
5. Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts. Some will point to last season and argue he doesn't belong here. But consider Harrison had at least 85 receptions in seven of the past eight seasons and posted double-digit TDs in eight consecutive seasons before '07. If healthy -- the word we get is that he is -- he can return to being a dominant receiver.
6. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals. Fitz is a do-it-all receiver who can either use his strength to overwhelm corners in press coverage or use his speed to stretch the field. He also is a dangerous red zone threat with great hands and the athleticism to make tough catches.
7. Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams. The owner of eight straight 1,000-yard seasons and at least 90 catches in each of the past six years, Holt continues to rank among the elite. Age and injuries are beginning to slow him down but haven't quite taken their toll yet.
8. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals. Johnson's offseason antics have lessened his status among the average fan, but he is an explosive player who stretches the field better than anyone. He still doesn't get nearly the credit he deserves for his route-running skills.
9. Plaxico Burress, New York Giants. What Burress did last season despite struggling through a myriad of injuries is nothing short of remarkable. Blessed with unbelievable skills and physical tools, he is definitely a top-10 receiver when his head is on straight.
10. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers. Smith could certainly earn consideration for a higher spot on this list, but if 2007 proved anything, it's that Smith can't do it himself. With Jake Delhomme back under center, and improvements to the Panthers' receiving corps, offensive line and running game, Smith can easily reestablish himself among the upper echelon.
11. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints. Colston gets plenty of chances to show his wares in the Saints' aggressive passing attack. He matched Moss in catches (98) last season and only continues to improve. What a steal of a seventh-round pick.
12. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns. Edwards broke out in '07 and the Browns don't show any sign of taking the air out of the ball. His combination of size, speed, and athleticism makes him a tough assignment for even the best corners.
13. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals. Housh is the best of the "possession" receivers on this list because of his size, strength and ability to win one-on-one battles out of the slot. He is a top red zone threat and a great route runner.
14. Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers. Despite the big play antics of young speedster Greg Jennings, Driver is still the go-to guy for the Pack. A tough player, he consistently works the middle of the field to make tough catches in traffic.
15. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers. Injuries have been a problem in recent seasons, and Ward isn't getting any younger (now 32). He remains one of the game's most complete receivers: a great route runner while showing good hands, a tough end zone presence and elite blocking skills.
16. Wes Welker, New England Patriots. With all the talk of Moss last season, many don't realize the Welker is the one who made the New England passing attack operate at such a high level. His ability to read coverage, adjust his routes, make catches in the middle of the field, and then make plays after the catch is a combination that is hard to find.
17. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals. Boldin is big and physical working the underneath routes and the middle of the field, and also is adept at making plays after catches. He might be the No. 2 on his own team, but he would be a No. 1 for most other teams.
18. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos. Marshall is huge at 6-4, 230 but has deceptive speed for a man that size. He has stunning body control and strong hands, capable of making unbelievable catches look easy. He is one young receiver to watch -- if he can stay healthy and out of off-field trouble.
19. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers. Another young playmaker who uses his speed to stretch the field and make big plays after catches.
20. Roy Williams, Detroit Lions. Williams has thrived in Detroit's passing attack in recent seasons, but with an emphasis on the run coming in '08, look for more modest numbers. The emergence of Calvin Johnson may also cut into his numbers.
21. Bernard Berrian, Minnesota Vikings. Berrian is a home run threat whose skills were underutilized in Chicago. He can stretch the field with the best of them, which makes him an important signing for the Vikes, but Tarvaris Jackson must deliver the ball accurately downfield for Berrian to deliver his most impact.
22. Chris Chambers, San Diego Chargers. The Chargers' offense starts with LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates, and then come the wide receivers. But the former Dolphin came over to give the Chargers a legitimate perimeter threat with his size and speed. Chambers and Philip Rivers especially clicked in the playoffs, to the tune of 16 catches, 278 yards and a TD in three games.
23. Lee Evans, Buffalo Bills. Evans has obvious top-level talent but hasn't been as productive as some in Buffalo would have hoped. That's stemmed from problems at quarterback, a conservative offense and the lack of a complementary threat to draw coverage. That could change this year with a new, more wide-open passing attack and the arrival of good-looking rookie James Hardy. If Evans can show more than flashes, he will shoot up the list.
24. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions. The second-year player has the size to beat press coverage, the toughness to win jump balls and the speed to run past coverage. He is still developing, and his role in the Lions' new offense remains to be seen, but he has the skill set and the physical tools to become an elite player sooner than later. There is a reason you heard all those Roy Williams trade rumors.
25. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons. White has always had the deep speed to become a big-play threat, but last season, he showed vast improvement in his route-running skills and more focus in both his preparation and play. Although the Falcons are welcoming rookie Matt Ryan at quarterback and need to develop much better pass protection, the still developing White deserves to make the cut here.
Maybe next year?
The top breakout candidate to crack the top 25 for '09:
Steve Smith, New York Giants. Smith was a big-play receiver with his big-time college pedigree from USC and began to flash those talents in the second half of the Giants' Super Bowl season, contributing some key catches in the playoffs. Smith can either work from the slot or on the perimeter and has reliable hands. Look for him to get much more involved in the offense in Year 2.
