Fansided

Projecting the NFL’s statistical leaders for 2014

By Patrick Schmidt

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
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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 11
Next
Sep 8, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) catches a 45 yard touchdown pass over Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings (26) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) catches a 45 yard touchdown pass over Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings (26) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals — Receiving touchdowns

I was tempted to go with Jimmy Graham from the Saints after the record-breaking tight end had 16 touchdowns last year and Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas from the Cowboys and Broncos, respectively, but I’m going with the Bengals talented receiver.

Green finished with 11 touchdowns for the second straight year and with his receptions, targets and yards all continuing to grow with each year in the league, I believe this is the year Green explodes for a 15-touchdown season.

Year Rec Yds Y/R TD Lng Y/G 2011* 65 1057 16.3 7 58 70.5 2012* 97 1350 13.9 11 73 84.4 2013* 98 1426 14.6 11 82 89.1

My lack of confidence in the health of Tony Romo dropped Bryant from consideration and Green edged out the other two candidates because there are too many other stars on those offenses.

The former No. 4 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Green is one of handful of outstanding young receivers in the NFL, but look for Green to narrow the gap between he and Johnson this year as he makes his case as the best receiver in the game.

Andy Dalton doesn’t get a lot of credit around the league for his postseason struggles his first three seasons in the league, but only Manning and Brees threw more touchdowns than Dalton last year. That’s great company.

Home/Chicago Bears