NFL: Predicting 2014 statistical leaders

Projecting the NFL’s statistical leaders for 2014

Dec 29, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) celebrates with quarterback Peyton Manning (18) after scoring a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

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Aug 14, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) reacts after catching a touchdown pass against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Will Blackmon (not pictured) during the second quarter of the preseason game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears — Receptions

Marshall has played five seasons with Jay Cutler as his quarterback and in each of those five seasons he has had at least 100 receptions, including an average of 109 in his two seasons with the Bears.

Year Tm Rec Yds Y/R TD R/G 2012*+ CHI 118 1508 12.8 11 7.4 2013* CHI 100 1295 13.0 12 6.3

Marshall finished fourth in receptions, trailing Washington’s Pierre Garcon by 13 and was fifth in targets and will continue to see a heavy volume of targets and receptions as Cutler’s go-to guy.

The emergence of Alshon Jeffery last season showed there was plenty of balls to go around in Chicago last year and I’m of the belief that his presence on the other side will free Marshall up for some more opportunities to face man coverage where he can do things like this.

Credit: @gifdsports /

Cutler already looks to Marshall early and often, seeing his 6-4 receiver with more man coverage will only increase his targets.

A.J. Green, Andre Johnson and Antonio Brown were under heavy consideration here because they don’t have a No. 2 as good as Jeffery to spread the ball to, but Green is still looking for his first 100-catch season, Johnson continues to get no help from his quarterbacks and I think Brown is due to regress a bit from his 110 catches from last year.

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