Sporting News Top NFL Wide Receivers

[Car123]

Wide receivers: blessed with the gift of grab

Wide receiver has the easiest choice for No. 1 of all Sporting News' position rankings ahead of the 2012 NFL season. The Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson won a fan vote to grace the cover of the Madden NFL 13 video game, and he has good reason not to worry about the so-called curse that has come with that designation.

Last season, Johnson got his second of what should be many All-Pro selections. He is blessed with the natural skills and work ethic to be the class of the position for years — and join the all-time elites.

The men who follow Johnson are also talented, but their rankings reflect a variety of concerns. Among them are injury, off-field distractions and situations involving their team's offense.

In the passing league the NFL is now, quality receivers are plentiful. Thus, we increase our rankings to 20.

1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

Johnson had 108 receptions, 1,892 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in his 17 games — regular season plus one playoff date. Of his 96 regular-season catches, 77 went for a first down, which tied for the league lead. Johnson became the highest-paid wideout in league history by signing an eight-year extension in March, a most deserving reward.

Johnson is not only richer than other receivers, but he also plays bigger at 6-5, 236 pounds, and stronger and faster. His nickname is Megatron, but there is nothing robotic or even bionic about the $132 million man.

Opponents double- and triple-team him in an attempt to take him out of games. They rarely succeed. Quarterback Matthew Stafford makes it a point to keep getting the ball to Johnson and keep giving him opportunities to outwork cover men with his rare talent.

2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

Fitzgerald isn't that much of a distant second. He is equipped with brilliant hands and has an incredible knack for going up and getting passes — "high-pointing" — when they're not ideally thrown. The fact he produced at a high level with Kevin Kolb and John Skelton shows it doesn't even matter who's throwing the ball to him. Last season's numbers: 80 catches, 1,411 yards, eight touchdowns.

3. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers

It's unfortunate that a knee injury cut short Jennings' outstanding 2011 season by three games and hampered him for the playoffs. Otherwise, he was remarkably clutch in making crucial catches all over the field for Aaron Rodgers. At 5-11, 198 pounds, he is a savvy route-runner who probably surprised opponents over the years with his burst.

4. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans

Johnson played the fewest games in his career last season, with seven as he dealt with hamstring issues. But he hinted that he hasn't lost anything at age 30 with his stellar performance in two playoff games. In them, Johnson had 13 catches for 201 yards and a TD. He should be back to full speed for what should be another playoff season, and if Matt Schaub is healthy as well, look for him to round back into his elite form.

5. Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears

Off-field issues have caused him to be on three teams over seven seasons, but there's no denying at 6-4, 230 pounds, Marshall remains one of the toughest matchups for cornerbacks around the league. Assuming he stays clear of trouble, this season's reunion with strong-armed Jay Cutler should open the way for his biggest season yet. Based on his past with the "Randy Ratio," offensive coordinator Mike Tice should be willing to unleash the "Marshall Plan" to make sure his new receiver gets enough touches

6. Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers

Wallace is the league's premier deep threat with his blinding speed to zip past coverage. Considering he's played only three seasons, he is still learning to become an all-around receiver with his routes as teams pay more attention to him. Even though the Steelers are going to a new offense, they should target him downfield just as often.

7. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons

He has an uncanny connection with quarterback Matt Ryan, and that contributed to White to being one of the league's busiest receivers in terms of how many passes come his away. There was a concern with a few drops last season, but the solution is putting less of a burden on White by following through on the Falcons making their promising second-year receiver (see below) into a true co-No. 1.

8. Wes Welker, New England Patriots

Welker fits the Patriots' offensive philosophy to perfection. As he comes back with the franchise tag, he should be happy he'll get another chance to thrive under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He will continue to dominate the slot, moving the chains for Tom Brady. The addition of Brandon Lloyd outside will give him an easier time inside.

9. Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants

To maintain their offensive prowess with Eli Manning as Super Bowl champs, the Giants won't rush Nicks back from a foot injury. He is too valuable with his ability to win his battles outside and in the red zone to adequately replace. Although teammate Victor Cruz (see below) rightfully got attention for his breakout season, Nicks is the better receiver and tougher matchup.

10. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals

Like many rookie receivers with his talented skill-set, Green took advantage of his great speed to shine immediately. He made the Pro Bowl as his production helped the Bengals get to the playoffs, but he's only tapped into some of his immense potential. As he develops into a smoother route-runner and as quarterback Andy Dalton grows with him, Green has room to jump into the top three.

11. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers

Nelson has a unique blend of track-star speed and a tough upper body. After he wins the one-on-one fights with defensive backs, he can shoot past them for big plays. He also excels at positioning his lanky 6-3, 217-pound frame to grab high passes from Rodgers.

12. Victor Cruz, New York Giants

Cruz is impressive as a salsa dancer, but he is even better at using his quick, fleet feet as a receiver. Even though he's 6-0, 204 pounds, he is hard to bring down after initial contact. He is a compact receiver who can get off to the races after the first wave of pursuers.

13. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers

All it took was a talented young quarterback to come in and rejuvenate Smith, who is now a 33-year-old, six-time Pro Bowl player. Smith established an immediate excellent connection with reigning rookie of the year Cam Newton. Playing his first full season of games since 2005, Smith reemerged as an elusive big playmaker. He is built like Welker at 5-9, 185 pounds, but his speed outside makes him more like an older version of Cruz.

14. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints**

The Saints** have so many weapons, sometimes this steady, unflashy producer can be overlooked. A lean, 6-4, 225-pound target, Colston has yet to make the Pro Bowl. He has been a red zone and third-down favorite of Drew Brees since entering the league as a 2006 seventh-round pick. Only eight players have more receptions than Colston's 449 since 2006. Only five have more receiving TDs than Colston's 48.

15. Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

At 6-5, 230 pounds, Jackson has Calvin Johnson-like size for the red zone and sneaky-good speed to stretch the field. His most impressive career stat as he moves on from the San Diego Chargers is his 17.5 yards per catch. The Bucs will give Josh Freeman ample chances to use his arm to get the ball deep to Jackson.

16. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs

At 6-2, 221 pounds, Bowe is another receiver who uses his frame to position himself well over smaller defensive backs. He has soft hands and the strength to push would-be tacklers out of the way to gain extra yardage. Now all he needs is a consistent quarterback as the Chiefs enter a new coaching regime under Romeo Crennel. Matt Cassel's health is the key.

17. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

Because of hamstring issues as a rookie, Jones was limited to 13 regular-season games, and yet he had 959 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He is a strong, good-hands receiver, and it looked like he was shot from a cannon with some of the big plays he made after the catch. At 6-3, 220 pounds, Jones should get a lot more involved in the offense opposite White.

18. Santonio Holmes, New York Jets

Holmes is 5-11, 192 pounds and that makes slippery when shooting downfield outside and running tougher routes inside. With the Jets the past two seasons he has been hampered by inconsistent quarterback play — and an inconsistent quarterback relationship. That has taken away some of the long-ball effectiveness he had as a one-time Super Bowl MVP with the Steelers. Here's projecting that will change as Holmes works to restore the rapport with Mark Sanchez.

19. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles

Jackson might be the most dangerous receiver and return man in the league once has the ball in his hands and can zip into open field. The key for him bouncing back from 2011 is holding onto the ball and putting in a more consistent effort. With a team-wide commitment to erasing last season's disappointment, it's now up to Jackson now that he's been paid. He got a five-year, $47 million contract this spring.

20. Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys

Austin missed six games last season with hamstring problems, but the Cowboys compensated well for his absence with super-sub Laurent Robinson. But now Robinson is gone, departing as a free agent to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Austin, a two-time Pro Bowl, says he's ready to go. To dethrone the Giants in the NFC East, the Cowboys need Austin to come back strong. They could use his big-play ability to help young speedster Dez Bryant emerge as a top-20 receiver.

NFL rankings: Among wide receivers, none bigger than Calvin Johnson - NFL - Sporting News

[Cary Kollins]

Dat list iz dum.

[Darth Biscuit]

Ummm... no.

[The Special One]

Dat list iz dum.

yes

[rayzor]

too many ny giant WRs ahead of smitty.

jordy nelson ahead of smitty? nah.

roddy white ahead of welker and smitty? ha.

and mike wallace at #6? ugh.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Greg Jennings #3?! Who the hell made this list?

[vorbis]

vincent jackson at #15. c'mon.

[Mage]

Disagree with it, but didn't really have an issue with it (to the extent where it was completely LOL-worthy) until I saw Wallace at #6. Really? He isn't better than Smitty. Smith is as good as going deep as Wallace and then some.

Disagree with Jennings at #3 but he has excellent hands and is probably the best route runner in football.

[PhillyB]

lol

[Brandon]

Well, they got the first two right. After that.... uhhhh no.

[Peppers90 NC]

i honestly dont think that list is far off. I think Cruz is being touted a little highly but Hakeem Nicks is the real deal. Of course none of us like Roddy so we are going to hate on him but he is a top 10 wr. You could probably take 5-15 and switch them around in any spot and it wouldnt be wrong. We love Smitty, he makes a helluvalotta plays, but honestly, he does drop some easy ones here and there.

[KittyLover]

List is off. Welker is good because of the system. I think the only one I agree with is Megatron (agree as in placement). There is no arguing that.

[Car123]

^^Yeah Welker is a system wr

The Pats don't even want to re-sign him