NFL
The NFL has become a vertical passing league. In 2018, 21 out of 32 quarterbacks threw for over 3,000 yards. The passing game has become the 1st option for successful teams. Tom Brady has never had an elite running back and he has won 6 Super Bowls. Passing wins in the modern-day NFL.
Top 10 Wide Receivers:
On the outside looking in:
Julian Edelman (New England Patriots).
Mike Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
Stefon Diggs (Minnesota Vikings).
Robert Woods (LA Rams).
Amari Cooper ( Dallas Cowboys).
#10) TY Hilton (Indianapolis Colts): The Colts could be one of the best teams in the NFL this year and a lot of that has to do with TY Hilton. The Former FIU star is a 4-time pro bowl and when healthy, he is almost impossible to stop. Hilton averages over 16 yards per catch for his career. With Andrew Luck healthy, the Colts WR could make the pro-bowl again.
#9) JuJu Smith-Schuster (Pittsburgh Steelers): In 2018, the 22-year old out of USC, had 111 catches and 7 touchdowns. Antonio Brown is now in Oakland, so Schuster will be the number one option in Pittsburgh. He will also receive more double team coverage. The Steelers were 4th in total offense last year. They must develop a consistent number 2 option at the wide receiver position. I expect JuJu to catch at least 90 balls in 2019. Remember, he is not even 23 years old.
Tied @ #9)Adam Thielen (Minnesota Vikings): Has there ever been a quieter superstar in the NFL? Most NFL broadcasters don’t even know what college Thielen came from…(Minnesota State Mankato). Over the past 2 seasons, Thielen has 204 catches and over 2,500 receiving yards. Theilen has Stefon Diggs on the outside of the field so defenses can’t double team either one of them. He has quietly become one of the best offenses weapons in the game.
#8) Jarvis Landry (Cleveland Browns): Landry has more receptions in his first five years in the NFL than any other wide receiver in history. In four years in Miami, the former LSU star caught 84,110,94 and 112 passes. Last season with the Browns, he caught 81 balls. Landry has been successful without a proven quarterback and no dominant running game. With Odell Beckham Jr. on the other side of the field, Landry could catch 100 balls. I expect him to have a career high in yards and touchdown catches this season. He is the most underrated WR in the game today.
#7) Keenan Allen (LA Chargers): Over the past two seasons Keenan Allen has 197 catches and over 2,500 yards. He is 6’2. 215lbs and can do it all as a wideout. Allen can run crossing routes over the middle or beat you down the field. There is a reason the Chargers are one of the favorites to win the AFC this year and Allen could win offensive player of the year.
Tied @ #7) Tyreek Hill (Kansas City Chiefs):
The Former West Alabama star is one of the fastest players in the entire NFL. He has had some off-season issues but his production on the field can’t be argued. Last season Hill had 87 catches, 12 touchdowns and over 1,400 receiving yards. Hill appears to have injured his leg in a pre-season practice but if he stays healthy he can have another Pro Bowl season.
#6) Antonio Brown (Oakland Raiders): Antonio Brown has had over 100 catches in each of the last 6 seasons. Despite turmoil in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room he had 104 catches and 15 touchdown receptions. With Jon Gruden and Derek Carr, Brown should be just as productive for the Oakland Raiders.
#5) Davante Adams (Green Bay Packers): One could argue that Adams has been the best WR over the past 2 seasons. The Former Fresno State standout has 185 catches, over 2,100 receiving yards and 23 touchdown catches over the past 29 games. Adams does this, despite being in an offense, that is predicated on spreading the ball around.
#4) DeAndre Hopkins (Houston Texans): If you were to build a perfect wide receiver in a lab, you would create DeAndre Hopkins. There is nothing he can’t down on the gridiron. Hopkins and quarterback Deshaun Watson could be the best quarterback and WR combination over the next 5 years. In 6 years he has 528 catches, 7,437 receiving yards and 47 touchdown passes. Hopkins could be number 1 on this list without an argument.
#3) Odell Beckham Jr. (Cleveland Browns): The man they call “OBJ” is a human highlight reel. OBJ talks a lot and draws a lot of attention to himself but he backs it up on the field. In just 56 NFL games he has 390 receptions, 5,476 receiving yards and 44 touchdown receptions. Beckham can catch the ball over the middle or beat you with his speed. Anything a quarterback throws his way, he will catch. He is also a great runner after the catch. OBJ should have a legendary season with the Cleveland Browns. The team has a plethora of weapons all around him.
#2) Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons): Over the past 5 seasons, Jones has had 1,593, 1,871, 1,409, 1,444 and 1,677 receiving yards. He is 6’3, 220lbs. He is big, strong and fast. Sometimes he looks like he is a man amongst boys on the football field. Jones joked around and said he could get 3,000 yards this season. Almost every general manager in the NFL would take him as their number 1 wide receiver.
#1) Michael Thomas (New Orleans Saints): In his first three years in the NFL Thomas has 321 receptions, 3,787 yards and 23 touchdowns. Thomas was a 2nd round pick out of Ohio State. No one thought he would be putting up Hall of Fame numbers. Thomas is scheduled to make $1 million this season. He is holding out of training camp. The Saints should pay him and give him what he deserves. Thomas is the best WR in the NFL.
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