SI Top 25 Receivers

azdad1978

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SI Top 25 Receivers
Ranking the top 25 receivers




1. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers: The ultimate offensive weapon has almost single-handedly carried the Panthers' offense the past two seasons. Smith's outstanding speed, quickness and leaping ability enable him to take over a game, which sets him apart from the rest of the receivers. With a league-best 13 100-yard performances in the past two seasons, Smith has proven to be a dominant force despite lacking a complementary playmaker on the offense. His dominance will continue as he and two-time Pro Bowl QB Jake Delhomme form the foundation of the Panthers' new offensive attack.

2. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals: The flamboyant playmaker has led the AFC in receiving yards for four consecutive seasons. As a polished receiver with excellent speed and hands, he has thrived as the favorite target of Carson Palmer in the Bengals wide open offense. Still showing a penchant for getting deep, Johnson led the league with eight receptions over 40 yards last season. With Palmer rounding back to Pro Bowl form, expect Johnson to continue to post big numbers.

3. Roy Williams, Detroit Lions: As the "go-to guy" in Mike Martz's high octane offense, Williams had a breakout season in 2006 with over 1,300 receiving yards and a league-leading 24 receptions over 20 yards. A big, physical receiver with outstanding athleticism and hands, he finally showed the dominant ability that everyone expected when he entered the league. Teaming with Mike Furrey and rookie Calvin Johnson, in the Lions' version of "The Greatest Show On Turf", Williams will see more single coverage this season, which spells big trouble for defenses.

4. Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts: A polished route runner with excellent quickness and burst, he sets the standard for consistency at the position. As the lead receiver in one of the league's most dynamic offenses, he has posted eight consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns. Even with the emergence of Reggie Wayne, there's no reason to think Harrison won't continue to be as effective in 2007.

5. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys: The controversial superstar led the league in touchdown receptions in 2006, but suffered a down year by his standards. Though his season totals should have earned him Pro Bowl accolades, his high number of drops diverted attention away from his positive impact on the Dallas offense. Fully recovered from a wrist injury and playing in an offense that will accentuate his strengths, he will have a big season as Tony Romo's favorite target in 2007.

6. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans: The Texans' "one-man show" hauled in 103 receptions without a legitimate threat on the other side. With an outstanding combination of size, speed and strength, Johnson overpowers smaller defenders in one-on-one match-ups. Though he is sure to see a lot of double coverage, he should see his production rise with new quarterback Matt Schaub under center.

7. Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers: Brett Favre's No. 1 target is one of the most underrated receivers in the league. An outstanding playmaker, Driver has posted over 1,200 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons. After earning his first Pro Bowl nomination, he is finally beginning to get the recognition he deserves. With limited weapons in the backfield, Driver may shatter his career highs in receptions and yards in 2007.

8. Javon Walker, Denver Broncos: After posting a 1,000-yard season in his first season as a Bronco, Walker has established himself as Jay Cutler's favorite target. A vertical playmaker, he excels at double moves and deep routes off play action. With Travis Henry commanding attention in the backfield, Walker and Cutler should hook up for several big plays in 2007.


9. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals: This two-time Pro Bowler has been a dominant force since stepping into the league. Boldin has two 100-catch seasons and three seasons with over 1,200 receiving yards in his four-year career, and few defenders have found a way to slow him down. Using his outstanding athleticism to make up for unpolished route running skills, he does most of his damage as a runner after the catch. With promising Matt Leinart directing a new wide open attack, Boldin will continue to be a force in 2007.

10. Randy Moss, New England Patriots: Once viewed as the best receiver in the league, Moss has fallen from his perch at the top. After displaying lackluster effort and sloppy route running last season, his reputation as one of the premier deep threats has been tarnished. But he is poised to bounce back with a strong season in 2007, when he'll team with Tom Brady to form a lethal big-play combination.


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/bucky_brooks/06/25/top.receivers/1.html
 

SightsSoundsBach13

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This ex-receiver shares the same crack pipe as another ex-receiver, Michael Irvin.

Boldin has unpolished route-running? How many Cardinals games has this guy watched?

Best receiver in the NFL is really a moot point among afficionados. Statistics support Boldin, Fitz, Harrison, Wayne, Holt, Ocho Cinco and Terrell The Mouth. It's an issue of what your flavor is. I personally think Smith is the best. I have more fun discussing which WR's will make leaps forward this year.

Mark Bradley will have to stay healthy because I could see him, Calvin Johnson and Greg Jennings all having break-out seasons in the Black and Blue division. The biggest break-out year could be Brandon Marshall if he wins the second WR job.
 

RugbyMuffin

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WOW!

This guy put as much thought into this article as I do into most posts on the board....which is not much.



20-25 is an abomination to the game:

20. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions: The rookie playmaker from Georgia Tech is set to make the biggest impact of any rookie receiver since Moss in 1998. A phenomenal athlete, he will feast off the single coverage he faces opposite Williams. Playing in a high octane offense directed by Martz, Johnson will be an immediate impact player in Detroit.

21. Mark Clayton, Baltimore Ravens: The third-year receiver quietly took over as the Ravens' top wideout last season. A crafty route runner with sneaky speed and quickness, he makes his living working over the middle. But with five receptions over 40 yards, his ability to get deep should not be overlooked. With Derrick Mason, 33, losing a step and Todd Heap garnering most of the defense's attention, Steve McNair will make Clayton his No. 1 target.

22. Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles: Lost in the hype of the Eagles' playoff run was the emergence of Brown. Playing as the lead receiver in a balanced offense, Brown responded by averaging over 17 yards per catch with eight touchdowns. He is an ideal receiver in a West Coast offense. With Donovan McNabb set to return, Brown should see his numbers jump dramatically as one of McNabb's favorite targets.

23. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers: Rarely mentioned in the same breath as other top receivers, Ward epitomizes the Steelers' blue collar personality. Not necessarily fast or quick, he is a tough, crafty player who goes about his business with little fanfare. His production has fluctuated over the past five seasons, but look for him to catch a ton of balls this season as Ben Roethlisberger's favorite receiver.

24. Darrell Jackson, San Francisco 49ers: The newly acquired Jackson gives the 49ers a legitimate No. 1. Though he suffers from an occasional drop, Jackson is a smooth route runner who has a knack for getting open. Injuries have slowed him over the past two seasons, but he has enough left in the tank to thrive as Alex Smith's go-to guy.

25. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints: Coming off a surprising rookie season, Colston will have to shake the "one-year wonder" label. A raw route runner who relies on his size and athleticism to win one-on-one match-ups, he'll have it a little tougher during his second season. Now viewed as the lead receiver in the Saints' offense, Colston will face the opposition's top corner and coverage, all designed to take him out of the game. Though he will continue to be Drew Brees' favorite target, his production may not match his rookie season totals.


Jackson, Ward, Brown deserve this but the rest are pathetic.

No to mention that Calvin Johnson is not even in the NFL yet and he makes the top 25. Disgusting.

Anyone else want to vomit after seeing Roy Williams before Marvin Harrison on this list?
 

Shogun

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Switch Larry Fitzgerald with Roy Williams, Torry Holt with Donald Driver and after 16 I just stopped reading because then he was just reaching.
 

cardsfanmd

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This is an absolute joke. I am really beginning to wonder why I din't pursue a career in this guy's field. Wouldn't be tought to beat him out.

My first problem is the lack of respect for Fitz and Reggie Wayne. There is no way either of them should be held out of the top ten. Someone please let me know what GM would take Lee Evans(13) or Plaxico Burress(14) over Fitz?

Second is the end of it all. I would take Hines Ward over Mark Clayton, Reggie Brown, Dieon Branch or that little midget Santana Moss any day. IMO, any "best recievers" list that has to include players like Brown, Clayton, Branch, Jackson should be cut down to a lesser number.

All in all, even if I agreed with this guy's picks why would I care who the 25th best reciever in the league was anyhow? To me he would really be the seventh worst #1 reciever in the league and a guy his team should be looking to replace.
 

dreamcastrocks

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Second is the end of it all. I would take Hines Ward over Mark Clayton, Reggie Brown, Dieon Branch or that little midget Santana Moss any day. IMO, any "best recievers" list that has to include players like Brown, Clayton, Branch, Jackson should be cut down to a lesser number.

I could understand Santana Moss, but I agree with the rest. He has single-handledly won games for Wash. If we are going to criticize midgets, then Steve Smith belongs below Ward using your logic.
 
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seesred

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Considering that most so called experts pick Q and Fitz as one of the top duos, how can they have a top twenty five without the two top 5 guys?

GBR
40
 

MadCardDisease

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15. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals: After leading the league in receptions (103) in 2005, Fitzgerald saw his production suffer as the Cardinals broke in a rookie quarterback. But he is poised to bounce back in a major way in 2007. Blessed with outstanding size, he is one of the best at adjusting to bad balls. As a clutch receiver with a penchant for coming down with the tough grab, he has become Leinart's favorite red zone target. Though he has to share the ball with Boldin in the Cardinals' offense, Fitzgerald should still be very productive in 2007.

Larry was injured when his production fell off. HELLO!
 

Duckjake

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15. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals: After leading the league in receptions (103) in 2005, Fitzgerald saw his production suffer as the Cardinals broke in a rookie quarterback. But he is poised to bounce back in a major way in 2007. Blessed with outstanding size, he is one of the best at adjusting to bad balls. As a clutch receiver with a penchant for coming down with the tough grab, he has become Leinart's favorite red zone target. Though he has to share the ball with Boldin in the Cardinals' offense, Fitzgerald should still be very productive in 2007.

Here's a surprising, at least to me, stat. 45% of Fitzgerald's receptions in 2006 came on first down plays.

Also he had 8 receptions for 6 TDs from inside the redzone. Boldin had 6 receptions for two TDs.

This is according to the "situational stats" on nfl.com.
 

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