NFL Media Analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks picked their top-5 receivers on a recent Move the Sticks podcast. Their lists got me thinking about mine. I'll stretch it out to ten.
1. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Jones is the best receiver in the game. I like receivers that play the position with a defensive mindset. He punishes defenses.
2. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
I completely understand any list that has Brown #1. He's a fantastic football player and possibly the most difficult receiver to cover in the game. And he does what he does without the size that the other top receivers have.
3. DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans
Hopkins is probably the surprise of the list but his play this year has been outstanding. And he's had Brian Hoyer, T.J. Yates, and Ryan Mallett throwing to him.
4. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
Maybe this is a little high but he's such a treat to watch. He's still the best pass catcher in the league. Every Sunday he puts on a tutorial on how to perform the under-appreciated act of simply catching a football.
5. Odell Beckham, Jr., New York Giants
Beckham has all of the natural skills to be the best of the bunch. He makes everything look so easy. He just has to want to be the best of the bunch.
5. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
So smooth. The only knock that I have with Green is that he seems to disappear from some games but the Bengals do have a lot of offensive options. Every play can't possibly run through him.
6. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
Bryant is much like Beckham. He has the natural talent to be the best. He has the talent to absolutely dominate a game but he doesn't always do so. I've seen several Cowboys games in which I thought that he was injured and out of the game because he was playing no part in it.
8. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
Thomas drops a bit through no fault of his own. The Broncos passing offense just hasn't been that explosive this year and he's a very explosive receiver.
9. Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers
Allen was playing earlier this season like the dominant receiver that I remember him being at Cal. The Chargers offensive production dropped tremendously after he was injured.
10. Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
A new guy and this probably a little early and a little high but Robinson has really impressed this year. He doesn't have a lot of speed but he still manages to stretch the defense. With his size and positioning he's always open.
Honorable Mention:
Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
Nelson was lost for the season with a torn ACL before the season even started. His typical outstanding play would put him on this list. And the Packers might not have lost four of their last five games. When asked last offseason which receiver was the most difficult to cover Vikings corner Xavier Rhodes tapped Jordy Nelson. This was after Rhodes had been tasked with covering Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, and A.J. Green.
It just doesn't feel right to not have Calvin Johnson on this list. He's been among the best, if not the very best, for years. He's still a great receiver but he just hasn't made the impact this year that he's made in the past. He did make an quite impact yesterday but I'm sure that he did just to show me that he still could. His undeserved absence from this list is also due to the receivers that are on it.
Steve Smith has to be mentioned. If he sticks to his decision to retire after this season it's a damn shame that his great career ended on injured reserve. In his prime he was among the best in the league and he was so much fun to watch. He's a Hall of Famer in my book and he should be one in the book that actually counts.
My hope is that Vikings rookie receiver Stefon Diggs is on this list soon. His route running and instincts are that of a veteran receiver. He and Teddy Bridgewater should make a terrific passing combo for years to come.
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