When it comes to NFL players, the wide receiver position is a unique one that has changed over the years. Gone are the days when a good receiver only had to be fast and have decent hands. Now they need to run quality routes and be able to help their team out when the play is on the other side of the field. It takes a special person to become one of the best in the game.
Based on that premise, here are the top five wide receivers in the NFL at the start of the 2011 season.
Andre Johnson – Houston Texans
It may come as a surprise to you, but Johnson has been in the league since 2003 when the Texans drafted him in the first round. It did not take him long to become one of the dominant players at the wide receiver position, averaging over 100 catches from 2008 to 2010.
Had he not missed a few games last year, Johnson’s numbers would have been even greater than the 86 receptions for 1,216 yards and eight scores. Look for him to rebound in 2011 and be near the top once more. It is going to be hard for any of the younger receivers to replace Johnson from the top five list.
Roddy White – Atlanta Falcons
White had a breakout year in his second year in the NFL when he lead the league with 115 receptions for 1,389 yards with 10 touchdowns. On top of that, White was targeted 179 times in 2010, most in the NFL.
Though he does not have the blazing speed like DeSean Jackson, White runs solid routes and has great hands. He is going to be near the top of this list for some time to come.
Larry Fitzgerald – Arizona Cardinals
Out on the West coast is a wide receiver that has the ability to change a game each time he touches the ball. Fitzgerald tall frame has made him a desirable target for the slew of quarterbacks he has seen over the years. Even last year with the mess behind center, he hauled in 90 receptions for 1,137 yards with 6 scores.
When it comes down to it, Fitzgerald is going to bounce back from his below par season and show why the Cardinals spent the effort to bring in Kevin Kolb.
Calvin Johnson – Detroit Lions
Despite what Cris Carter thinks, Johnson is definitely one of the top five wide receivers in the NFL. In 2010, he was able to bring down 77 receptions for 1,120 yards and 12 touchdowns. And he was able to do this with three different quarterbacks.
Just wait until Johnson has one complete year with a healthy Matt Stafford at the helm. The two are going to make some magic happen in 2011 and are going to be a complete nightmare for the opposing defenses.
Reggie Wayne – Indianapolis Colts
If you are looking for consistency, look no further than Wayne who has at least 100 receptions or more in three of the last four seasons. He set a career high with receptions in 2010 with 111 for 1,355 yards and six touchdowns.
Wayne has always been the team player with the Colts and has developed into one of the top five wide receivers in the NFL. The question is will he be able to maintain this year thanks to Manning missing most if not all of the season.
Honorable Mentions
Mike Wallace – Pittsburgh Steelers
In 2010, Wallace hauled in 60 receptions for 1,257 yards with 10 touchdowns. What is even more impressive is he 21.0 yards he averaged per catch. Give him another two years and he is going to be ranked up there with the best of them.
DeSean Jackson – Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles offense exploded last year thanks to the connection between quarterback Michael Vick and Jackson. Jackson brought in 47 receptions for 1,056 yards with six touchdowns. If Jackson is able to haul in more receptions in 2011, he is going to find himself near the top of the food chain.