Wide Receiver Rankings: Two of the Best are Cardinals

RealScouts - SportingNews.com

Some of the NFL's best wide receivers make headlines for the wrong reasons: Off-field troubles, contract squabbles, trade requests and bad attitudes. But despite all the whining, crying and complaining, this group includes some of the greatest pure athletes to ever play the game.

Here are our top 20 wide receivers:

1. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals. If there were any questions about Fitzgerald's place at the top of this list, his incredible postseason run should have been enough to convince doubters. He had an incredible 30 catches for 546 yards and seven touchdowns in four games while averaging 18.2 yards per catch despite constant double-teams. He has outstanding physical tools and the skills to dictate coverage and control a game.

2. Andre Johnson, Texans. Johnson is the only player who can challenge Fitzgerald for the title of best receiver. Johnson led the league in receptions and receiving yards in 2008 despite double-teams, umbrella coverage and every other scheme defensive coordinators could fathom. With a healthy Matt Schaub and an improving line and rushing attack, Johnson could overtake Fitzgerald in '09. For that to happen, he must find the end zone more often and get the Texans to the playoffs.

3. Reggie Wayne, Colts. Though his 1,145 yards was the mark of a "bad" year, Wayne still possesses the speed and route-running ability to dominate from anywhere on the field. Last season, he proved he can be a true No. 1 receiver.

4. Anquan Boldin, Cardinals. Boldin is big and physical working the underneath routes and the middle of the field, and he makes plays after the catch. He might be the No. 2 on the Cardinals, but he'd be No. 1 for almost every other NFL team. And that's what he wants. Expect the trio of Boldin, Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston to be catching passes from Kurt Warner again this season.

5. Randy Moss, Patriots. By Moss' standards, 2008 was a down year. But that happens when the NFL's best quarterback gets hurt. Moss, 32, shows more savvy with age now; in addition to remaining a deep threat, he has learned to adjust his routes and make plays after the catch.

6. Terrell Owens, Bills. In Buffalo, Owens has a smart and accurate QB, a deep threat opposite him and a strong running game. Still, it's the least explosive offense of his career. If the Bills, as reported, move toward a three-wide, no huddle attack, it could create even more mismatches for him downfield. He's still talented, but he turns 36 in December and has a less-than-ideal situation.

7. Braylon Edwards, Browns. Edwards is a big, physical receiver who is hard to knock off his routes and has the physical tools to expose any cornerback. Will the Browns keep him? Will the Browns find a QB to get him the ball? Edwards proved in '07 that he has superstar potential.

8. Lee Evans, Bills. Owens' arrival finally will allow Evans to see some favorable coverages. Evans has deep speed, and his improved route-running provides more opportunities after the catch. He could surpass all previous career highs in '09.

9. Greg Jennings, Packers. Jennings turns 26 in September. After proving to be a big-time playmaker in '07 with 12 touchdowns, he put up great numbers in 2008: 1,292 yards on 80 catches. QB Aaron Rodgers will be better in his second year as a starter, which means Jennings' star is on the rise.

10. Steve Smith, Panthers. Smith put together eight 100-yard games in 2008, gaining 1,421 yards for a career-high 18.2-yard average despite constant double-teams. This year, the running game should continue to balance the offense. As long as Smith remains healthy, his stellar route-running skills and aggressiveness again will make him one of the NFL's most productive playmakers.

11. Calvin Johnson, Lions. New Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is a proponent of the vertical passing game and likes to go to the air in the red zone. Both strategies play to Johnson's tremendous tools. Daunte Culpepper and Matthew Stafford both have strong arms, but both can be inconsistent and the offensive line is a work in progress. He still figures to see a lot of double-teams. Until the Lions improve, Johnson will be a step below the top receivers.

12. Roy Williams, Cowboys. In addition to trying to learn a new offense in midseason, Williams played out of position at flanker and was hampered by a foot injury in '08. Back in good health and at split end, Owens' old spot, we expect better things for Williams. He won't duplicate Owens' production but should be better than he was last year.

13. Donald Driver, Packers. Driver, 34, is a polished receiver who consistently delivers. Over the past seven seasons, Driver has missed just two games and only once had fewer than 70 catches. The Packers do have younger receivers developing, which could cut into Driver's production.

14. Marques Colston, Saints. Colston is the featured receiver in the Saints' pass-happy attack and a favorite target of QB Drew Brees. He finished strong last year, but coming off a Pro Bowl season in '07 he struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Colston will get plenty of opportunities to make plays, but he has to stay healthy.

15. Roddy White, Falcons. White has 2,584 receiving yards on 171 receptions and 13 touchdowns the past two seasons. He finally emerged as a big-play threat with QB Matt Ryan last season and could be even better in '09 with the addition of TE Tony Gonzalez. White could be placed higher on this list, but he does play in a run-first offense. Plus, we want to see how he performs with coverage often rolled his way this season.

16. Chad Johnson, Bengals. Johnson, a.k.a "Ocho Cinco," is coming off his worst season but did play most of the year without QB Carson Palmer. Some say Johnson is in decline, but we think he remains a good route-runner who is capable of stretching the field. Johnson can return to the Pro Bowl this year -- if he gets his mind right and has Palmer at 100 percent.

17. Brandon Marshall, Broncos. A hugely talented receiver blessed with unique physical tools, Marshall's young career has been hampered by off-field issues and injury (he had hip surgery this offseason). Now, he's lost his quarterback. Marshall will not be ready to practice until well into the summer, which means he likely will struggle early in the season. We expect his natural talent to compensate for some of that, but we're not sold on either QB option, Kyle Orton or Chris Simms.

18. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks. Houshmandzadeh produced well on a bad team in Cincinnati, but he is not a big-play threat or even a big red-zone target. He can beat coverage with his route-running skills, and his versatility allows him to align anywhere on the field. Despite making 92 catches in '08, he averaged less than 10 yards per catch and scored just four times. He could become more productive if he can create some chemistry with a healthy Matt Hasselbeck.

19. Hines Ward, Steelers. Ward is a blue-collar receiver in the true Steelers mold. TV commentators talk about his professionalism, team-first attitude and downfield blocking skills -- all true -- but it shouldn't be lost that he had 81 catches last season and turned in his first 1,000-yard season in four years while playing through a myriad of injuries. With that said, he is 33. Santonio Holmes looks to be taking over as the No. 1 receiver, and second-year man Limas Sweed will take on a larger role this year.

20. Wes Welker, Patriots. Welker is one of the best possession receivers in the game and one of the reasons the Pats were among the league leaders in yards after the catch. His ability to read coverage and adjust his routes makes him a tough guy to cover in the middle. But he lacks the size to work anywhere other than the slot, and he's not a threat in the red zone.

RealScouts analyze NFL and college players, coaches and teams exclusively for Sporting News.

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