Below are the league’s top ten receivers going into the 2015 season. The interesting conundrum as you view this list is the question of how much these receivers benefit from having elite passers vs. how much worse their quarterbacks would be without them? In some cases it’s clear these could could not put up the same numbers without their “guy” and in others it’s clear they would be successful regardless of who is throwing them the ball. Your thoughts in the comment section are welcome.
1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
Last year wasn’t his best and there are signs Megatron might be starting to decline a little bit. But the fact remains that his size and speed combination is unprecedented and he is unstoppable when healthy. He’s the best receiver the league has seen since Randy Moss in his prime and any franchise would be thanking their lucky stars to have him.
2. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger is playing the best football of his career at 33 in large part thanks to Brown. Right now Brown is putting up the best numbers in the league and his 129 receptions last year was good for second best all time in league history. Despite being a little slight of size, his speed, route running and hands make him truly special. The former 6th round pick is still somewhat under the radar compared to some of the other big names you see here in the top 5 but his production is undeniable.
3. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
Speaking of playing the best football late in his career, the same could be said for Tony Romo at 35. He has Dez Bryant to thank for that. The Cowboys would be well served to give a long term deal to the receiver that only led the league with 16 receiving touchdowns last year. At 26 he still has many years left ahead of him.
4. A. J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
He’s dropped a little bit due to injuries last year but Green has been nothing short of dominant his first four years in the NFL. If he comes back healthy he’s arguably the best in the league right up there with Megatron. Imagine if he was paired with a quarterback more like what these other guys in the top 5 have the luxury of?
5. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
He’s perhaps a bit of a product of playing with Peyton Manning but the numbers he’s putting up are undeniable. His first two years in the NFL were somewhat average until the arrival of Manning but he’s been a 90 catch, 1,400 yard double digit touchdown guy ever since. And it could perhaps be argued that he’s the one extending Manning’s career.
6. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons showed just how bad they are without Jones in 2013. He bounced back from a very serious injury in 2013 to have the best season of his career last season. Make no mistake, Matt Ryan is simply not the same player without him and the Falcons need him if they want any chance of turning things around.
7. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
He’s perhaps a product of his environment as well. There’s no question any professional receiver would benefit from catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. He had the best year of his career last year, though, and is showing no signs of slowing down. He’s consistently been the Packers’ most reliable target.
8. Odell Beckham, Jr., New York Giants
Perhaps this is a bit premature but then again is it too low? Beckham took the league by storm with 91 catches, 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games as a rookie. We’ve almost never seen a receiver at any stage of development dominate the league like this. At least not since Eli Manning’s brother was throwing passes to Marvin Harrison. The bar is set extremely high for the rest of his career and it will be almost impossible to live up to it. Then again, if he builds off this start he’ll be #1 on this list very soon.
9. T. Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
His ascension has come in tandem with Andrew Luck’s. Hilton has become the DeSean Jackson 2.0 of the NFL with his unique skillset and speed.
10. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This may also be premature but consider what he turned a mediocre passer in Johnny Manziel into in college and consider the numbers he was able to put up last year with the quarterbacks at his disposal. His rookie season may not have gotten the talk of Beckham because of the team he plays for but make no mistake it was extremely impressive. Jameis Winston we’ll acclimate much faster to the league thanks to him.
