NFL Divisional Rankings: Wide Receiver
This is part three in a series. I’ve been ranking the divisions by positions and have so far covered the Quarterback and running back positions. This is intended for debate, so let me know where I’ve gone astray with my rankings.
Each team generally carries six, maybe five, wide receivers, but I’ll list the top two for each team while taking into account the other players.
#8 A.F.C. South
Andre Johnson/Kevin Walter, Houston Texans
Kenny Britt/Kendall Wright
Justin Blackmon/Laurent Robinson
Reggie Wayne/Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts
The depth in this division is not very good at all, though there is some promise. Andre Johnson might be the best WR in the league (for me though it’s Calvin Johnson). Kenny Britt is good, but just a knucklehead. I like the Kendall Wright fit with Tennessee (though it’s possible that Nate Washington will start). Justin Blackmon and Laurent Robinson is an okay grouping, but unless Blaine Gabbert improves his game dramatically they won’t put up the numbers this year. Reggie Wayne is past his prime and Austin Collie might never reach his.
#7 A.F.C. East
Brandon Lloyd/Wes Welker, New England Patriots
Steve Johnson/Donald Jones, Buffalo Bills
Santonio Holmes/Stephen Hill, New York Jets
Devone Bess/Brian Hartline, Miami Dolphins
Brandon Lloyd and Wes Welker are so much better than the other pairings it’s almost unfair. I’ll take a boneheaded Stevie Johnson over a locker room cancer Santonio Holmes. Jones and Hill are both unproven. Does Chad Johnson have anything left in the tank? If not this is a very depressing Miami Dolphins WR corps.
#6 N.F.C. West
Larry Fitzgerald/Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals
Randy Moss/Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
Sydney Rice/Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks
Brandon Gibson/Danny Amendola, St. Louis Rams
I think with the exception of St. Louis tandem, a fair question that could be asked is how much better could these players looked if they were playing for a quarterback like Drew Brees, Rodgers, etc. Fitzgerald remains one of the games top Wide receivers and Michael Floyd should be an excellent WR in the N.F.L. if he keeps his head on straight. I’m not sure what Randy Moss has left. Positive reports have been coming out of San Francisco, but that doesn’t mean anything. Crabtree hasn’t been as bad as the reputation that proceeds him, but he has been disappointing. Brandon Gibson and Amendola are not very impressive–Brian Quick should be starting by season’s end on the outside.
#5 A.F.C. West
Dwayne Bowe/Jon Baldwin, Kansas City Chiefs
Malcolm Floyd/Robert Meachem, San Diego Chargers
Demariyus Thomas/Eric Decker, Denver Broncos
Darrius Hayward-Bey/Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders
Bowe and Baldwin are clearly the best #1 and #2 WR combo in this division. It was a toss up for me between San Diego and Denver, but I like Vincent Brown more than I like Andre Caldwell, which is why I went with San and Diego. Bey and Moore are very fast and can be dangerous. Bey is getting better every year and Moore is poised for a big year, but heading into the season I don’t think you can rank them better than fourth.
#4 N.F.C. North
Calvin Johnson/Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions
Greg Jennings/Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
Brandon Marshall/Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
Percy Harvin/Jerome Simpson, Minnesota Vikings
Calvin Johnson might be the games best Wide receiver. Greg Jennings is considered a top 10 WR by some, Jordy Nelson was a touchdown machine as well. Between Johnson and Jennings 31 touchdowns. Brandon Marshall is reuniting with Jay Cutler and could be poised for a big season. Devin Hester is fast, but hasn’t been a great WR yet. Percy Harvin is very talented, and underrated, but has migraines that have kept him out of action from time to time Jerome Simpson is talented.
#3 A.F.C. North
Mike Wallace/Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
A.J. Green/Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati Bengals
Anquan Boldin/Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens
Greg Little/Mohamed Massaquoi, Cleveland Browns
Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown are terrific grouping–a dangerous pair of WR that could get hot and be apart of a Superbowl run like Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz were. Emmanuel Sanders is no slouch either. I really think A.J. Green will be special and I like the Sanu pairing. Boldin is one of my favorite players in the N.F.L. to watch because of his style of play, but he’s not the player he once was. Torrey Smith has to refine a lot of points in his game, but he’s already a very good deep threat. Greg Little and Mohamed Massaquoi are okay, but I’m not sure there is a true number one in that group.
#2 N.F.C. South
Roddy White/Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Steve Smith/Brandon LaFell, Carolina Panthers
Vincent Jackson/Mike Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Marques Colston/Devery Henderson, New Orleans Saints
After the White and Jones combination it was tough for me to rank this group. I like all the number ones for each team, but the number two Wide receivers for each team have a lot to proof. I like LaFell’s upside and I think regardless of quarterback Steve Smith is the best WR in the division. Jackson has played on the West Coast in San Diego for his entire career and is undervalued, I believe, by most fans. Jackson is a very good wide receiver. I like Colston, but he has injury concerns and I think his quarterback play helps elevate his game, but he’s a very good player as well.
# 1 N.F.C. East
Hakeem Nicks/Victor Cruz, New York Giants
Miles Austin/Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
Jeremy Maclin/DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles
Pierre Garcon/Santana Moss, Washington Redskins
While other divisions can best, the N.F.C. East’s top players, no division boasts the depth of this division. Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz arguably both top 10 WR in the league last year, especially if you count in Hakeem Nicks’ playoff performance. Miles Austin has had to fight through some injuries, but is a very talented player and while the missed opportunity in the Giants game defines their season he’s a good player. Dez Bryant has tremendous upside and has flashed brilliance at times. DeSean Jackson and Maclin both had down years last year, but I expect bounce back years from both and definitely Maclin. Pierre Garcon actually put up his best numbers in his first season without Peyton Manning, but he’s inconsistent. Santana Moss is an elder-statesmen, but a real good one.