NFL’s Top 10 Wide Receivers

By Jacob Westlin
Love of Sports Correspondent

Wide receivers are a surprisingly difficult bunch of athletes to handicap.

It’s perhaps the one position in football most reliant upon another player. A receiver’s quarterback is as important to his personal success as anything.

These are the NFL’s Top 10 receivers, accounting for personal skill, team success and, yes, quarterback chemistry.

Top 10 Wide Receivers

1. Randy Moss, New England

If this list had been published one year ago today, where would Moss be ranked? He was traded for a fourth-round pick, remember!? But today, how can you keep him out of the top slot? Though I believe he was always wrongfully categorized in the T.O. band of team-wreckers, he managed to keep his head down last season and caught more touchdowns than any receiver ever has (23). Losing teammate Donte’ Stallworth will hurt his numbers only slightly, as Wes Welker returns and was a much larger part of the offense anyhow. And come on, Tom Brady’s throwing him the rock.

2. Terrell Owens, Dallas

T.O.’s actually been largely quiet in Dallas. He even cried over his quarterback being heavily criticized in the media. And really, when he keeps his big mouth shut, he’s a stud. Putting up over 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns in the brutal NFC East is huge. As long as he limits his drops, he’ll consistently challenge Moss for the most talented receiver in football.

3. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati

In all my lists, this slot was unquestionably the most difficult one to slot. I know, I know, Johnson’s having all sorts of trouble with the Bengals organization, and who knows how that will translate to on-field success, or lack thereof. But when healthy, and when his mind is right, C.J.’s one of the best receivers in football. Don’t be fooled by his end zone antics; Ocho Cinco’s a tirelessly hard worker and breaks off routes as well as anybody. I’d take his baggage on my team.

4. Torry Holt, St. Louis

Yet another difficult rank, Holt gets the nod for consistency on a recently bad team. Since 2000, his lowest receiving yardage total was 1,188, and he’s never caught fewer than 81 balls. He’s a Super Bowl champion and seven-time All-Pro and perhaps has the best hands in football. The concern you have with Holt, as with a number of talented receivers, is his surrounding team. Marc Bulger’s average, and the defense is poor. Still, Holt’s easily a Top 5 talent.

5. Steve Smith, Carolina

Sure, he punched a teammate in the face … umm … for the second time. But when he’s on the field, there are few better. And he’s only 5-foot-9! That’s absurd, given his production. And really, who else would Jake Delhomme throw the ball to if he weren’t around? He has no other protection in the lineup, to use a baseball term. He’s one of only seven players to ever achieve the receiving triple-crown in a single season (most receiving yards, touchdowns and receptions). Can’t wait to see him this season, of course it won’t be until Week 3!

6. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis

This is a very high ranking, considering Wayne’s failed to be the best receiver on his own team until just last season. But Wayne’s paid his dues and deserves his accolades. Furthermore, I think it would be difficult to say his success is due only to Peyton Manning. Consider the fact he’s had four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, only one of which was less than 1,200 yards and has caught 36 touchdowns over that same time period … all as the second option behind Marvin Harrison! And I try not to put huge stock in Pro Bowl appearances, but honestly, to be selected to the Pro Bowl twice, as the second option on your own team, is pretty tremendous.

7. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona

It’s sometimes hard to know how good this guy really is. I mean, he plays in Arizona, where good players go to die. Nonetheless, without ever being on a winning team, Fitzgerald’s had 100 receptions or more in two different seasons and, strangely enough, had exactly 1,409 receiving yards in each of them. Also, he’s the rare receiver who challenges Holt for best hands. This guy catches everything!

8. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland

The breakout season we’ve all been waiting for finally happened in 2007! We all knew this guy had talent. We just hoped to see it showcased, despite having realistic doubts about the Browns. Who’d have thought Derek Anderson would be the one to shine light on Edwards? Anyway, Edwards had almost 1,300 receiving yards with 16 touchdowns on a 10-win team in 2007. Hopefully the 2007 campaign was the rule and not the exception.

9. Andre Johnson, Houston

Finally, someone on the Texans makes the cut! Despite only playing nine games last season, Johnson had eight touchdowns and over 800 receiving yards. If he comes back healthy, the Texans could do some damage with that young and scrappy defense. If nothing else, he’s a huge target at 6-foot-3, 220+ pounds, and he runs the field well. He’s an ideal target for a young Matt Schaub.

10. Plaxico Burress, New York Giants

Let’s face it, without Burress the Giants don’t win the Super Bowl. Sure, the defensive pass rush was stellar, but subtract Plaxico’s big body as an Eli Manning target and the Patriots hoist the trophy. Remember also, he was hurt all last season and played through it for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. If he comes back healthy, he should once again be successful.

Rising Sleeper - Wes Welker, New England

Yes, “sleeper” is a hard term for a man who caught 112 passes for 1,175 yards a year ago. I’m just not ready to put him in the Top 10 just yet. But his impact on the Patriots’ success last season was immeasurable. He opened up the downfield sidelines for Moss with his many short first down receptions and squirrelly yards after the catch. Welker and Moss are slowly becoming one of the best receiving duos in football. 

Honorable Mention: Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City

Overrated - Brandon Marshall, Denver

I know, to the naked eye it would seem he’d be more suitable for the sleeper category given his breakout 2007. But this guy is ready for an implosion. In 2004, he was arrested for assault, he was rolling with Darrent Williams the night he was fatally shot in Downtown Denver, he was arrested again in 2007 on suspicion of domestic violence and he was arrested once again later in 2007 for a DUI. As a result, he was suspended three games by the NFL. He also injured himself in March “slipping on a McDonalds bag and falling through a television set.” Yeah, right. If he could stay on the field, he’d be fine, but this guy is close to becoming the next Pacman Jones.

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