Today’s NFL is a quarterback league. This also means there has to be a lot of talent among the wide receivers. After all what good is a quarterback if he doesn’t have anyone to throw to?
The best wide receivers typically have great quarterbacks, and it is the quarterbacks that help them get all the notoriety they have come to know. With that said, a lot of the following players have made it to the list based on their own talent and the things they have done to put their team on their back.
It isn’t like every wide receiver will have a Peyton Manning or Tom Brady throwing them the ball, which means more times than naught the throw won’t be perfect. This is when true talent comes through forcing a playing to get vertical and make a tough catch. These are the truly exceptional players.
Anyway, without further ado, I give you the ten best wide receivers heading into the 2014 NFL season.
[new page = 10. DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins]
2013 season
Yards: 1,332
TDs: 9
Coming off the best season of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, the team released him and he was signed by their division rival Washington Redskins. He is never going to be the biggest guy on the field but his speed needs to be respected. His big play capabilities are off the charts and opposing defenses do not want him to catch the ball in open space. Between him, Pierre Garcon and RG3, the Redskins are one of the fastest offensive teams in the league.
[new page = 9. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans]
2013 season
Yards: 1,407
TDs: 5
Andre Johnson loves to go up and get the ball. He is a big body that is exceptional when stretching the field. Last season he lacked in touchdowns because their entire team struggled throughout the year especially having trouble with their quarterbacks. He still managed to be one of seven players capable of piling up over 1,400 yards. With a steady quarterback situation his TD totals should rise next season. He still is the dominant deep threat he has been known to be over the last few seasons.
[new page = 8. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers]
2013 season
Yards: 1,314
TDs: 8
Nelson excels in his route running more than most receivers in the game. He is a big guy and often uses his strength to his advantage. Obviously having Rodgers throw him the ball has helped a lot. Between his ability to be in the right place and Rodgers putting the ball wherever he wants, these two will be a great duo for years.
[new page = 7. Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears]
2013 season
Yards: 1,421
TDs: 7
All Jeffery needed was one season to overshadow his teammate Brandon Marshall. The two are very similar players and on the same team they are both lethal. However Jeffery is molding into the better player because the focus is still very much so on Marshall and Jeffery is somewhat faster with better hands. He loves to challenge defensive backs vertically and can make a lot of noise after the catch.
[new page = 6. Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns]
2013 season
Yards: 1,646
TDs: 9
Gordon is the complete package – young, fast, big, strong and a good route runner. Unfortunately he is on the Browns. With that said he was the only player last season to post over 1,500 yards. With Johnny Football at the helm the two should be a great team Gordon could easily move up this list next season. His only problem is off-field issues. There is still a question of whether or not his four game suspension will stick at the start of the 2014 season.
[new page = 5. Antonio Brown, Pittsburg Steelers]
2013 season
Yards: 1,499
TDs: 8
Antonio Brown was the only positive part of the Steelers organization last season. He was constantly putting up decent yardage and wasn’t having a problem getting in the end zone. His style of play is much like DeSean Jackson only not as fast. With that said he is a better route runner. He was constantly making defensive backs looks awful in coverage with his quick cuts and ability to run the sideline.
[new page = 4. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos]
2013 season
Yards: 1,430
TDs: 14
Thomas is coming off the back to back season with Peyton Manning as his quarterback. In both season he had double digit touchdowns and over 1,400 yards. While a lot of the credit will go to Peyton, he is still an elite wide receiver. It will be interesting to see how he does without Eric Decker opposite him but as long as Peyton is throwing him the ball he should show similar numbers to his past two seasons.
[new page = 3. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys]
2013 season
Yards: 1,233
TDs: 13
Bryant is a freak athlete. He is bigger and stronger than almost every wide receiver in the game. His problem comes with cockiness. He is elite but rather than prove it with his numbers he has to prove it with his flash. Also being a member of the Dallas Cowboys hurts his numbers because of the pressure continually on him and his quarterback Tony Romo. All they need to do is focus on the game of football and shut people up by playing the way they are capable of playing.
[new page = 2. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals]
2013 season
Yards: 1,426
TDs: 11
Through three seasons in the NFL thus far Green hasn’t dropped below the 1,000 receiving yards mark. Last year his productivity could have been better – although it was already better than most – because several of his fellow receivers had a big season. He is no longer the only threat in Cincinnati but he is still the most dangerous. After two years of domination and plenty of time for defensive backs to figure out his game he is just continually getting better. I would like to see more consistency however as he will go off one game then do barely anything the next.
[new page = 1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions]
2013 season
Yards: 1,492
TDs: 12
Calvin Johnson is the most dangerous deep threat in the NFL. There is a reason his nickname is Megatron. It also helps that Matt Stafford might have one of the strongest arms in the league, he typically can just throw the ball deep and somehow Johnson will find a way to catch it. He can improve his short game but when it comes to release and beating a defensive back deep he is unmatched.