SN Ranks The Top 25 WR's In The NFL

[Crippa]

Originally Posted by SportingNews.com

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.

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.

Click Here For The Full List

What do you think of the list? Should changes be made or is this pretty much spot on?

[ut_jazz]

I don't agree with having a 36 year old coming back from major knee surgery ahead of guys like Chad Johnson & Steve Smith. And why is smith so low? Apparently they aren't taking into account the fact he lost his QB almost all of last season. You are only as good as the QB that is throwing to you.

Andre Johnson is talented but he hasn't had the year that guys below him have had.

Santonio Holmes is nowhere to be found on this list!

I have a lot of problems with this list

[johhnywave]

Andre Johnson in terms of pure talent is better than most of the guys he's above except probably Fitz and Smith. I mean if he and Schaub don't go down, they have an enormous year, and the Texans probably would have made the playoffs. I think Colston is a bit high and Welker is a little low. I do not understand how this is ranked because some players have the talent so they are rated high, then you have guys who actually do produce who are rater low, then you have guys who produce and aren't as talent rated high and vice versa.

Brandon Marshall is one of the best specimens of a receiver I have ever seen.

[Clutch Productions]

i like the list its got most of the big names on there. but i do agree with ut_jazz santonio deserves to be on the list. there are a few things that could be switched around but not bad of a list.

[2K8]

a top 10 is difficult to make let alone a top 25, but i think they did a good job, the only problem i have is that roy williams is a top 5 receiver and shud be ahead of harrison, and harrison shud move down to 7 and take plaxico outta the top 10, plaxico is very good, but i dont think hes there yet with the other guys

[kglvr]

I think a better topic title would be "SN attempts to rank the top 25 WRs in the NFL". This list made me laugh.

[vcfan15]

Randy Moss ftw.

And i think harrison should actually move up, and Owens should move down. causing Ocho Cinco to move up

[SteveNash3424213421J]

Why the heck is Wes Welker on this list?

And why is he ahead of Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson? If it was fantasy projections I might see it. But ranking actual players, no way.

[kglvr]

Originally Posted by SteveNash3424213421J

Why the heck is Wes Welker on this list?

And why is he ahead of Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson? If it was fantasy projections I might see it. But ranking actual players, no way.

I couldn't agree with you more. It blows my mind to see him grouped with the other guys. He is totally a product of Tom Brady and Randy Moss (and to an extent, Donte Stallworth). NE MADE teams play deep and fear the long-ball, so WW just had to juke out LBs near the LOS and get easy yards. He's got good hands and is "quick", I'll give him that, but he couldn't carry an offense. He should be judged as a #1 WR, and without a pass-heavy system.