Power Rankings: 10 Best NFL WR’S

Previously we discussed the top ten running backs coming into the 2010 NFL season, now it is time to take a look at the wide receivers. These are the ten guys that should be on everybody’s radar for the upcoming season.

Honorable Mention: Steve Smith, Anquan Boldin, Wes Welker, Marques Colston

Top 10 Wide Receivers

10. Sidney Rice: Rice emerged last season with Brett Favre tossing to him finally putting up the numbers that everyone knew he was capable of. He quickly became the Vikings number 1 wide out and caught a number of big passes in key situations throughout the year for Minnesota. With Favre still pondering retirement as always, I expect he will return for another season with the Vikings and Rice will benefit once again.

9. Miles Austin: Probably the biggest surprise of the 2009 season was the production of Austin for the Cowboys. After letting Terrell Owens go and bringing in Roy Williams from Detroit it was a done deal that Williams was the new number 1 guy.  Austin came out of nowhere last year with blazing speed and finished third in the league in both receiving yards and touchdowns. With Williams and the rookie Dez Bryant playing along side him Austin might see his touches go down but it should not affect his ability to be one of the biggest threats on the Cowboys offense.

8. Desean Jackson: By far the most exciting receiver in the game when he gets the ball in space. Jackson is one of the fastest players in the league and developed into a premiere receiver in just his 2nd season. Catching 10 balls for over 40 yards or more speaks on his big play ability down the field. With Kevin Kolb leading the Eagles in 2010, Jackson should get plenty of touches and when he gets his hands on the ball there is always a chance that it’s headed for the end zone.

7. Roddy White: Just one year removed from exploding on the scene as one of the better receivers in the game, White followed the 2008 season by catching a career high 11 touchdowns last year. Without much help from the other receivers to take pressure of him in Atlanta in addition to Michael Turner having a dreadful 2009 season, White still put up big numbers showing that he is truly a top 10 wide out in the league. With Turner coming back from injury and Tony Gonzalez playing in his 2nd season as a Falcon, expect Roddy White to once again impress as Matt Ryan’s favorite target.

6. Calvin Johnson: He had a down year last season finishing with just under 1,000 receiving yards but dealt with injuries. Johnson should bounce back nicely in his 2ndseason with Matthew Stafford throwing him the ball. He is still young and continuing to develop as a wide out but I am expecting a big year out of him in 2010.

5. Brandon Marshall: Everyone is aware of what Marshall is capable of, last season he set the single game record for receptions with 21 catches against the Colts. But it is the off the field issues that seem to get him more press than what he does on the field. I am not going to say that he won’t cause some type of drama this year in Miami but I will guarantee that Marshall will produce for a Dolphins team that was in desperate need of a true number one receiver.

4. Reggie Wayne: You always know what you are going to get with Wayne. Even without a true number 2 wide out to take some pressure off of him last season he still managed to do what he seems to do every year, put up big numbers. Peyton Manning’s favorite target had 100 catches and 10 touchdowns in 2009. He is one of the most consistent receivers in the game and should continue to prove this during the 2010 season.

3. Randy Moss: No doubt about it that he is one of the best receivers in the game. In a 2009 campaign some people were questioning if he was falling back into the mold of the younger immature Moss from past seasons but, he finished the year with 13 touchdowns and over 1,200 receiving yards. Coming into a contract year in 2010 you have to believe Moss is out to prove that he still has all the tools that have made him one of the better wide outs we have seen in the past 10 years. Also getting one more big pay day might be in the back of his mind as well.

2. Larry Fitzgerald: In past years Fitz was typically the guy at the top of everyone’s list for best receiver in the game. However coming into this season a few things have changed, he no longer has Kurt Warner throwing to him or Anquan Boldin as his sidekick. Fitzgerald tied for the lead league in touchdowns last season and even with the roster changing around him you should once again expect big things from him this year.

1.  Andre Johnson: He led the league in receiving last season with 1,569 yards, in doing so he became the first person to lead the NFL in receiving yards in back to back years since Jerry Rice. You can not help but root for this guy, he is a breath of fresh air in a time of diva receivers who demand the ball more. He just goes about his business and gets the job done. Johnson is an absolute beast and the clear cut number 1 wide out coming into the 2010 season.