Top 10 WRs in the NFL

It's that time of year. When discussions get repetitive.... well, more repetitive, and guys like Antonio Bryant are "big stories" on the board. Well, I'll start if off:

My Criteria: Production. Consistency. Playmaking. Explosiveness. Dependability. Chemistry. Off the field.

1. Marvin Harrison: Marvolous Marvin, IMO, is easily the best WR in the league right now. Granted he's old, but that just makes it more amazing. Some of the surest hands, if not THE surest, in the league. Top gun speed, great route running, and smarts. In the pass 8 years have all been 1000+ yards, 10+ TDs, 14+ 20yrd or more catches. Imagine a more athletically talented Chris Chambers with a brain. Gets straight 10s across the board (in my criteria). 3 yards short of the WR title last year. Darn.

2. Torry Holt: Has never been given the props he deserves. He is the model of consistency, along with Harrison. This year was the first year since his rookie year that he did not reach 1300 rec yards, and 1188 rec yards and 10 TDs is still a great year. Big-Play-Holt is just that, with 161 20+yrd grabs in just 8 seasons. That's 20 per season. Won Receiving Title in 2003.

3. Chad Johnson: Got off the a poor start last season but still manage to turn on the jets and finish with 1369 yards and the Receiving Title. Has never failed to put up 1000 yards as a starter. He average 1 big play (20+ yards) a start through his whole career. Besides what you may think, he's a real student of the game. Spends endless hours studing game film, many times sleeping over at the Bengals training facility. With out the Media influence, his production earns him a top 3 spot.

4. Terrell Owens: TO. The most physical WR in the league. The reason why WRs have a break tackle rating in Madden. Can make something good into something great. People might make a case for him being #1 "When he's on the field", but he can't GET on the field! People might consider that off-field issues, I don't. The Love Boat is off field, a DUI is off field, Drug Chargers are off field. When you piss on your coach and he walks onto the field and you don't, that's dependability and chemistry. Luckily he looks alright in Dallas. He's clearly on the downward side of his career, not being able to match his numbers of the past. And he got 1180 yards and 13 TDs last year- so that should tell you his past numbers. He can still produce, that's for sure. But too many key drops leaves him out of the top 3.

5. Steve Smith: One of the most electric WR on the field. However, a frail 5'9 185lbs frame that cost him the 2004 season and the opening to the 2006 season, and leaves him out of the top 3. Yes, he was the #1 WR in 2005. He had the most explosive and most productive season than any other wide, but again, with only three 1000+ yard seasons he's going to have to still prove he can produce year in and year out if he wants to move up.

6. Anquan Boldin: With a record setting rookie season and the best comeback from a sophmore slump you can possibly ask for he's proven himself. Great talent, and skill, and he will only get better. This kid has yet to reach his full potential and will be a cornerstone for AZ for years to come. Seems to have proven his Sophmore Slump was just that and has yet to falter since. Now with Matt Leinart there his future just got White Strips bright. He needs to get to that "next level" if he's to break into the top 5, and he's really close.

7. Randy Moss: Yes, the FREAK. Granted he had a wrecked season. He avg almost 16 ypc through his career. Health has never really been an issue except for 2004 when he got double teamed and pile drived. He can make up for a QB like no other WR. When a pass is off, short, long, he'll go to it and make it look like it was all perfect (See Culpepper). When your on the 20, one play, who you want? A corner jump ball to Moss, easy. No one can jump with this 6'4 freak. You can argue a bad case of dependability and chemistry, true. But his bad side usually comes out when the games already lost, he doesn't make it a lost. Also have to throw in that he will likely be the BEST receiver next year with Brady. Expect to see him at #1 or #2 next year. Unfortunately for him I don't work with "speculation" so based on that, this is where he lies.

8. Reggie Wayne: GREAT season last year. 1310 yards and 9 TDs. Benefits a lot from having the best WR and QB with him, but that's not to take away from his skills. Would be a #1 WR on almost any other team, only serving as the #2 to maybe those listed above. Unfortunately with Harrison there he will never be the "go-to-guy" and his numbers will never get a serious explosion. When Harrison retires, look for Wayne to easily be on top of all the charts. Right now he's not the "heart" or "soul" or the team, he really is just a luxury in Indy. But what a great luxury he is!

9. Donald Driver: The ONLY weapon Favre has on the offense. He's averaged 1200+ yards, 14+ ypc, and 18 20+ receptions in last 3 years. I don't know what fountain of youth he's dug up but those are really good numbers. Was really impressive last season and kept the Packers in a lot of game they shouldn't have been in. He's done good but I just can't honestly say I'd take him before any of the other 8.

10. Hines Ward: Who says possession WRs can't be great? This guy is there in the clutch, and he can explode too. As Pitt WRs begin to be stripped away, first Plax, then Randel El, they know who to keep. Super Bowl MVP, Ward. No better attitude in the NFL. Makes everyone around him better. Big reason for Big Ben developing the way he has. Sadly he got the rough side of fortune with Maddox, and an inexperience Ben. When Ben hits his prime (IMO, he hasn't) it might be too late for Ward.

*Honorable Mention: Andre Johnson: Still hasn't reached that level yet. Guy has the gifts now it's time to bring them out. Hopefully Schaub can unleash this kids full potential. I believe he can do it, now it's time for him to show me he can.

 

No way their in the top ten. Some of the biggest things I look for is consistency, production, and dependability. Both of them have only a single 1000 yard season under their belts. No way.

Maybe one day, but I don't go with "speculation" and "potential".

Roy William, Larry Fitz, Lee Evans, and even Andre Johnson are all on the same boat. They still need more years and more consistent production. All have great potential, but you don't get into the top ten on what you "can possibly, maybe" do. Andre is closer though, hopefully Schuab can get him there.

 

But he doesn't have Favre so he is not. Not going on speculation. If I was Moss would be #1 now with Brady. But he's not even in the top 5.

And no, one more season wouldn't be Roy or Lee in the top ten. Maybe Andre. But getting a pair of 1000 recieving yards isn't a big accomplishment. Roy has yet to establish that he can compete year in and year out.

I'm not interested in one year wonders or two seasons tyrants. Granted if Roy williams has another amazing 1300 yard season, or more, sure. But just 1000 yards and <10 TDs. Still has ways to go. Same with Lee Evans.

 

Yes I would.

One thing I took into consideration is veteranship. 1st, I rule out anyone with just one great year, since everyone can have A great year (eg. Clayton). Before I pick someone I want to know they can do it year in and out. Second, is he the go to guy? TJ isnt, and Horn was (he was also in my top ten last year, but he fell out of it this year). No WR on that list has been NEARLY as productive as Driver's been in the last three years.

Driver has averaged 1200+ yards, 14+ ypc, and 18 20+ receptions in last 3 years. You can't really say that Favre has exactly been in his prime the last few years, and I'm being really nice. If we can include guys like Chad Johnson, Marvin and Reggie, and Holt, who all play with Palmer, Peyton, and Bulger respectively, why can't we include Driver? Merely becuase he plays with a downward-side-of-his-career-Favre?

I personally still think Favre has it. Not like he use to, but still one of the better QB in the league. But not enough to say he can simply will Driver to run and catch and bend spoons with his mind.

 

We all know WHAT Moss can do. And he can produce and explode like no other WR. He just hasn't done it in awhile. I give him sympathy for playing in Oakland, that's just horrible. Instead of suspending players we should send them to play in Oakland.

Not to metion it just seems foolish to leave next years #1 WR off the top ten. I am completely against speculation, but Moss-Brady.... that's not really speculating. That's as much speculation as saying the sun will rise tomorrow. It may not.... but c'mon. It's a safe bet.