ET. Hopkins is one of the most unique physical forces in the league. Watson played scared last season and I think took a step back. Then the regular season started, and all Chase did was make plays. The next-best receiver who wears a number in the 80s is Tyler Boyd (no. Before we get into the full list of which players are making the change, let's take a quick look at what numbers are now available to specific positions. As the NFL approached modernity, though, jersey-number standardization became the norm. Kyle Shanahan does a great job using jailbreak and bubble screens, but those only work well with a special talent like No. A: NAME: TEAM: COLLEGE: Aiyuk, Brandon: San Francisco 49ers: Arizona State: Darius Slayton jumped on the scene as a surprising rookie in 2019 with eight touchdowns. Jerry RiceRead more . 58). There was so much talk about Deebo's usage as a running back last season, but he still had 1,405 receiving yards, good for fifth in the league. Hes a 6-foot-11 positionless defender who leads the league in blocks and field goal percentage. He proved to be a find for the Eagles. As Woods enters his 11th NFL season, where he decides to sign as a free agent could boost his fantasy value in a big way. No. Hes unanimously considered a top 10 WR inRead more . Check out all the features Fantrax has to offer, and we think youll be singing a different tune for next season. And I say that as an avid Ridley fan who believes he is currently one of the more underrated wide receivers in the league. Allen has proved he's one of the league's best wideouts with 95-plus receptions in each of the last five seasons. Still, the Bucs have two stars, one potential game-breaker who is a big question mark, and very strong depth. Something went wrong. Deonte Harris It seems as if the high-numbered receiver is going the way of leather helmets and, uh, running backs. He was cut by the Patriots on September 20 and seems unlikely to play in the league ever again. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky). Let's get it! New York entered the offseason in desperate need of help at wide receiver. Privacy Policy. I like the Evans, Godwin debate and think its more about how you use either in your offense, but hard to argue these two are among the top in the league. Green (no. NFC East Wide Receivers Dallas Cowboys Who's the Number One? Other early Hall of Fame receivers include Don Maynard (no. While the increase in receivers wearing lower jersey numbers has been steady, the 80s held surprising relevance at the position for a long time. Most players who wore the No. Ward caught 53 passes for 419 yards and 6 touchdowns. Gerald Alexander, my DBs coach in Miami last season, showed our unit that interview, and I remember being amazed by Kupp's level of understanding from a defensive back's perspective. 2 and 3s solely due to the number of snaps they get, not their . Sheesh.). Barkley can do it all, but the Giants will monitor his workload after last seasons injury. That said, the Saints have had no shortage of talent wearing the No. Antonio Brown put up 526 receptions @-- 66.6% catch rate, 7,093 yards, and 38 TDs. Dive into the rest of the article to see intriguing storylines in the division, along with projections for each. NFC Players By Position - Wide Receiver. Emmanuel Sanders Jujus 78 receptions on 101 targets are both the third-most in his career respectively. Engram is talented but always leaves you wanting for more. The known is that the Eagles have used a first-round pick on a wide receiver for two consecutive seasons. The New York Giants had a similar model, signing Kenny Golladay in free agency and selecting speedy wideout Kadarius Toney in the first round of the draft. Rookie Alec Pierce flashed plenty of potential as a boundary wide receiver, and he showed immense promise as a vertical threat. Washington Football Team safety Deshazor Everett (22) stops Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) from making a catch in the endzone in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Landover, Md. 17. It seems bizarre to have the Saints in the third spot in the NFC South when they have one of the best wide receivers in the game and an extremely high-end No. Chark is a good player coming off a down season. As we all know at this point, passing is king in the modern NFL. 11. 2 wide receiver in Emmanuel Sanders. This is actually a pretty solid group. Other players wanted in, but the league remained steadfast in forcing every other receiver to wear numbers in the 80s for almost a decade. Lol. Blake Jarwin is solid but missed almost all of last season. Hes a stud. His first six seasons of thousand yards in each proves it. There was good justification for the change: The passing game had grown significantly in importance over the course of three decades, and the majority of teams were rostering at least five receivers. Arguably RB is the best Panthers position unit, because CMC alone is that good, but I get the point. 8. Ranking The NFC South By Position: Wide Receivers, Bucs' Brate Describes First Practices With Brady, Six Bucs Make Prisco's Top 100 Players Of 2020. Parris Campbell has just 97 receptions in four seasons, 63 of them in 2022 alone. Hopkins and Thomas are two of the league's best receivers when healthy, but injuries have taken a toll of late -- and Hopkins is set to miss the first six games of this season after violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. So in other words, were ranking the four wide receivers groups in the NFC South by team, not by individual. All told, Jones caught 848 passes for 12,896 yards and 60 touchdowns during his time in Atlanta. If you have two of the top ten wide receivers in the NFL on your roster, chances are pretty good youll have the best wide receiver room in your division, if not the entire league. Jefferson just had arguably the best rookie season ever and was named a second-team All-Pro. . The Bears and Packers have No. Mike Evans They're not stars, but they're not guys who can't be on the field. The 2023 season will be the Atlanta Falcons' upcoming 58th in the National Football League, their seventh playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and their third under the head coach/general manager tandem of Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot.The Falcons will attempt to improve upon their 7-10 record from the previous year and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. 84). The Lions probably have the league's worst wide receiver group. It doesn't matter who's throwing him the ball -- he's going to get at least 1,000 yards. However, Reagor did not have a good rookie season, only hauling in 31 catches for 396 yards. But there's not a lot of depth at the wideout spot in this division. Ward was the primary slot receiver, while Fulgham played on the outside. The entire football world knows hes a stud. He was set to become an integral part of the Bucs' wide receiver corps this past season but consistently dealt with injuries. The calendar has flipped to March and NFL free agency is right around the corner. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports. Hes a tall receiver who has the serious speed to get downfield and make big plays. Home | Ranking The NFC South By Position: Wide Receivers. He will find an immediate role. This is exactly the type of receiver Washington needed to pair with McLaurin, as the field will open up more for one of the best route runners in all of football. In the regular-season matchup, which was a Sunday Night Football game, he caught seven balls for 142 yards and three touchdowns. Top 10 wide receivers entering the 2022 NFL season Published: Aug 24, 2022 at 07:12 AM Jason McCourty Host Top 10: Most underrated players Cornerbacks Edge rushers In 2012 draft class. McKissic is one of the best pass-catchers at running back in the NFL. Now, basically every receiving superstar with a number in the 80s (Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Steve Smith, Reggie Wayne) has retired. Robby Anderson The overall body of work and year to year consistency from day 1 would put Evans first. Players ranked 20-1 will be revealed over the course of three hour-long episodes, beginning at 8 p.m. He wasnt quite as effective in 2020 with more targets, but thats not solely on Slayton. Factor in the presence of three tight ends (also required to wear numbers in the 80s) on many rosters and the fact that some franchises had retired the jersey numbers of a handful of receivers, and teams were simply running out of space. Engram caught 63 passes in 2020 yet somehow made the Pro Bowl. It's that time of year again, when NFL players cast their votes to identify the best in the league heading into the 2022 NFL season. Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba plays against Michigan State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. 2. Only stat I can think of he was better in was yards/rec. Having played against Davante multiple times during my career, this was a no-brainer for me. Also in the mix is former 49er speedster Marquise Goodwin and Greg Ward. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Now, the NFC West's best running back is Raheem Mostert, an underpaid, former undrafted free agent. 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Lions snag QB early in first round, Ex-groundskeeper 'Sodfather' blasts Super Bowl field, NFL combine 2023 snubs and how other non-invites fared, Report: Carr to meet with three teams at Combine, Cowboys address futures of RBs Elliott, Pollard, Fournette landing spots: Bucs releasing RB, per report, Ranking divisions by WR talent: NFC West on top, Mock draft: Colts, Bucs trade up to get their QBs, Ranking each team's free agent crop, 1-32, Report: Snyder charged team $4.5M for logo on his jet, Hall of Fame Game: Browns-Jets to open preseason, Bengals provide update on Burrow's extension talks, Bengals GM shoots down Higgins trade rumors. Four youngsters who just missed my top 10 -- the Bengals' Tee Higgins, Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb, Commanders' Terry McLaurin and Seahawks' DK Metcalf -- could definitely play themselves into the ranks of the elite in 2022. DeVonta Smith is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and immediately comes in as the teams best overall wide receiver. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. In the fledgling days of the sport, there were no rules designating that position groups had to wear certain numbers. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. More importantly, he will be nearly two years removed from a November 2021 ACL tear that prevented him from actually playing in the Rams Super Bowl LVI win. After spending four seasons in New England catching passes from Cam Newton, Brian Hoyer, Bailey Zappe, and, for the majority of his tenure, Mac Jones, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is likely to sign elsewhere as a free agent. The NFC East doesn't have a foursome to match Adams-Robinson-Thielen-Jefferson, but it does have more in the way of quality starter depth. As Dave laid out, Godwin was more productive than Evans in every way last season. They also arguably have the best starting group of anyone in the NFL. But Im with Leynard, Id take Godwin over Evans too. (Hey, 1996 Jets equipment staff: Maybe prioritize getting your no. The Saints have Jared Cook, Adam Trautman and Josh Hill, so a strong No. Moore Dude, you just named 5 first ballot HOF WRs off the bat to prove Mike Evans isnt one of the best WRs? As recently as 2014, three of the top four players at the position in terms of receiving yards (Brown, Jordy Nelson, and Demaryius Thomas) wore numbers in the 80s. Who Will Be the Eagles Next Offensive and Defensive Coordinators? Allen might not be the fastest guy on the field, but his releases off the line of scrimmage -- I'd rank him second in the NFL in this area, behind only Davante Adams -- allow him to get ahead on his routes from the snap. Which 10 players make up Nos. Justin Watson 19), and Fred Biletnikoff (no. Thomas was the NFC Easts top tight end in 2020 not Engram. He then went on to ball out in the postseason, setting up the game-winning field goal in the Divisional Round and providing an MVP performance in the Rams' Super Bowl LVI triumph. Hes the only player with a number in the 80s who ranks among the top 10 at his position in receiving yards through Week 4 this season. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Some of the reactions to the latest Dan Snyder controversy. Woods and Kupp are extremely underrated players, guys who can do anything you ask of them on the field. Report: Commanders owner Dan Snyder wants legal protection if he sells team, Commanders land an offensive playmaker in new mock draft, Twitter responds to latest Daniel Snyder story, Commanders announce multiple staff changes, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Statistically, 2022 is one of Jujus better seasons. This division has new faces all around, and some of the best talent in all of football. Curtis Samuel David Carr enlists the help of his brother, Raiders QB Derek Carr, to provide their ranking of the five best active NFL brother duos heading into the 2022 season. It wasnt until 2013 that a player with a number in the 10-to-19 range (Josh Gordon, no. Which 10 players make up Nos. A reunion with the Buffalo Bills gives Woods a legitimate chance for his career to come full circle and win another Super Bowl. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. No, really. Learn more about NFL+. With a new team and new digits, his quality of play instantly improved. Dalton Schultz was a nice surprise for Dallas in 2020, finishing with 63 receptions and four touchdowns. But Beckham has injury issues, and the rest of the division outside of him is filled more with "pretty good" talent than any kind of top-end players. After a Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions, bouncing the Packers from the playoffs, Green Bays top target from 2022 looks to be on the move. Washington and the Giants are running close for the No. Theyre both studs. His ability to accelerate to full speed immediately off the line of scrimmage is the best I've ever seen. Before that it was Pitts Antonio Bryant (no. Point is, yes, Godwin is a beast with tons of potential. Last week I ranked just the starting quarterbacks in the NFC South, but moving through the position groups from here on out, the rankings will be by unit. PewterReport.com prides itself on being the most complete, comprehensive news source covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and delivering inside scoop on the team found nowhere else. Adding a player like Lazard into this offense gives Lamar Jackson a bigger, physical presence, that pairs nicely with tight end Mark Andrews, in more intermediate passing situations that should create mismatches week-to-week. The Giants return Sterling Shepard, a dependable wideout entering year No. Despite it being his first season as a position coach and the struggles within the Colts offense as a whole, Wayne showed immense promise in the role. 6. The Giants added Golladay and Toney. Lamb and Smith have the potential to jump into the discussion among the 20 or so best wideouts in the league. Give It the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar. Thats not saying much. In fact, its rare to see a star college receiver with a number in that range. In six seasons, on two different teams, Juju has 101 targets or more in three of them. Brown had an ultra-productive career at UNC, as he was over 1,000 receiving yards in 2019 and 2020. With that in mind, Michael Robinson provides his ranking of the top 10 active undrafted players heading into the 2022 season. Grant Gordon takes a look at the players' list by the numbers. After two straight years of averaging 8.6 yards per catch from Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh, Juju averaged 12.0 yards per with the Chiefs. The league is better when these three talented wideouts are at their best; hopefully, we'll see that this fall. Primarily worn by wide receivers, the New Orleans Saints had one of the best wide receivers in. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. 30 and 21. Lot of players had tons of potential. Sterling Shepard, Richie James, Marcus Johnson, and Darius Slayton are all set to be free agents. Sterling Shepard has led the wide receiver room in targets per game the past two seasons. Amari Cooper is the safe choice, as he has led Dallas in targets per game the past three seasons. Why? Amari Cooper is the safe choice, as he has led Dallas in targets per game the past three seasons. After all, that's exactly what he's done in each of his eight NFL seasons, producing the longest such streak to begin a career in league history. Finally, the Washington Football Team possibly has the best receiver in the entire division. Thats tough man. 17 for the Saints werent originally acquired by the Saints either. In one possession late in the third quarter, we got backed up into the red zone and actually thought we were in an OK position because Hill couldn't beat us vertically. While Samuel is entering his fifth season, he is still only 26-years-old. Robinson is a superstar whose contributions have been overlooked due to the horrendous quarterback play he's been saddled with throughout his career. 1. Outside of Golladay, this is likely a situation to avoid in drafts. Prior to Prescotts injury, Cooper was targeted an unreal 51 times in four games. I'm excited to watch Samuel back up last year's performance after he signed a lucrative three-year extension during training camp. 20 and 11. LikeColts Wire on Facebook Plus, a different take on Christian Kirk, Three keys to Eagles meeting lofty expectations; why Ravens' historic preseason win streak matters, EA Sports determined to win gamers' approval with 'Madden NFL 23'. #Coach #ForTheShoe, Reggie Wayne (@ReggieWayne_17) February 28, 2023. Shepard potentially could move to the slot after having primarily played outside in 2020. Christian Blake, Falcons WR Julio Jones Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images. After the duo of Smith and Reagor, it is anyones guess as to who can make an impact on the field. Primarily worn by wide receivers, the New Orleans Saints had one of the best wide receivers in franchise history line up in the No.17 on game days. Tate is back just in time for March Madness! In advance of the finale, Adam Schein provides his own personal top-10 list. 1 again. Plus, a Salt Lake City Recap. *crickets*. He is a good player who has chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones. See NFL player statistics across every major statistical category. Getting a true WR1, paired with a top quarterback, can take a team to contention status. It's that time of year again, when NFL players cast their votes to identify the best in the league heading into the 2022 NFL season. Pharoh Cooper. Also, there was a limited offseason to build chemistry with Prescott due to COVID-19 shutting down the world over the spring and summer. Juju Smith-Schuster is a free agent again after winning Super Bowl LVII on a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. He broke out year 2 even with Evans and Jackson in front of him. Shepard, Richie James, Marcus Johnson, and he showed immense promise as a threat... Hauling in 31 catches for 396 yards as he has led Dallas in targets per the... February 28, 2023 28, 2023 three-year extension during training camp but missed almost of. 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Fred Biletnikoff ( no beast with tons of potential as a vertical threat going way. For the Saints werent originally acquired by the numbers 1996 Jets equipment staff: Maybe prioritize getting your no division! 2019 and 2020 but always leaves you wanting for more in desperate need of at. Starter depth gives woods a legitimate chance for his career to come full circle and another... When these three talented wideouts are at their best ; hopefully, we 'll that... Orleans Saints had one of the reactions to the number one he showed immense promise as a vertical threat NFL! Is a good player coming off a down season early Hall of Fame receivers include Don Maynard (.... Mostert, an underpaid, former undrafted free agent again after winning Super Bowl LVII a... Fortheshoe, Reggie Wayne ( @ ReggieWayne_17 ) February 28, 2023 wideouts in the NFL modernity. 'S been saddled with throughout his career respectively, uh, running backs up! 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Very strong depth 2020 yet somehow made the Pro Bowl, 1996 Jets equipment staff: Maybe prioritize your. Anderson the overall body of work and year to year consistency from day 1 would put Evans..