Look around the NFL and you'll see a healthy mix of talent at the wide receiver position. Every week, it seems, this crew of playmakers tries to one-up each other. We saw the Lions' Golden Tate score an electrifying, game-winning 66-yard touchdown last Sunday against New Orleans. In Week 10, Antonio Brown roasted the Cowboys for 14 catches, 154 yards and a score. And in Dallas' very next game, Dez Bryant proved uncoverable in the red zone with two TDs.
With Bryant and Odell Beckham Jr. getting ready to battle on a prime-time stage this Sunday night, let's run through the best WRs in all the areas that matter: route running, ball skills, big-play ability after the catch, body control and much more.
Toughest to cover
Julio Jones, Falcons
Jones is the most complete wide receiver in the game based on the tape I watch and the freakish measurables he brings to the field. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds with game speed in the low 4.4 range, Jones is a consistent matchup issue. He uses his rare size-speed combo to create leverage at the point of attack, adjust to the football and win with physicality.
Jones is more than just a deep-ball guy or a red zone weapon. With elite footwork, route-running ability and natural movement skills, this guy can beat opposing defenses from multiple alignments and he produces at all three levels of the field. Think of the 3-step game, intermediate cuts and the vertical shots that rip the souls out of opposing secondaries. You want a wide receiver who can take over on Sundays? It's Jones.
Just look at how he creates separation against Patrick Peterson on the "shake-7" route:
With Peterson playing from an off-man position, Jones presses the release vertically up the field to eat up the cushion of the Cardinals cornerback before stemming inside to sell the in-cut. This is when Jones sinks the hips, turns the All-Pro cornerback around and breaks back to the football. See the separation created? That's an excellent route against one of the best defensive backs in the game.
Honorable mention: Antonio Brown, Steelers
Best overall route runner
Antonio Brown, Steelers
Brown is an electric talent. From his burst off the ball to his ability to separate within the stem, the Steelers wide receiver is clearly the best overall route runner in today's game. Given his footwork at the release, Brown can quickly shed press coverage and he has the top-end speed to suck up the cushion while pushing defensive backs down the field. That allows Brown to snap off routes and accelerate to the ball.
Even when Brown and the Steelers give opposing defenses a pre-snap tip based on the split, such as the out route (bottom of the numbers), the wide receiver still beats defenders because of his razor-sharp cuts and lighting quicks. The deep ball? Brown is excellent at widening cornerbacks to get the exact leverage he wants on intermediate-to-deep inside breaking routes.
Simply put, Brown's tape is coaching-clinic stuff. And every young wide receiver in the league should be studying his game. He's that good.
Honorable mention: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
Toughest to defend in the red zone
Dez Bryant, Cowboys
The slant and the fade are the top two routes you have to defend in the red zone when playing a wide receiver one-on-one. Take away the slant by alignment (inside shade) and drive to the hip of the receiver on the fade to locate the ball. That's defensive back technique 101 in the deep red zone (plus 10-yard line).
However, given the physicality of Bryant, his strong hands at the point of attack and his ability to basically box out defensive backs, he's really tough to keep in check near the goal line. Climb the ladder? Sure. Bryant has the body control and leaping ability to make plays above the rim. And don't expect a call down here. Bryant is going to get the quick push-off and use his natural power to create some separation.
Let's take a look at this example from the Ravens-Cowboys game:
Bryant takes a pretty standard release: stem inside (sell the slant) and then widen for the fade. This creates an opportunity for him to establish the proper leverage to make a play on the back-shoulder throw. The thing that makes this catch even better? CB Shareece Wright's technique is on point. The Ravens cornerback stays square (doesn't take the bait) and eliminates Bryant from working up the field. Hold your ground and challenge the release. But then Bryant uses his physicality to post up Wright. Now Bryant has the leverage to shield the defender from the ball and high-point the throw before using his strong hands to finish this play. Even with the proper technique from Wright, Bryant still wins this matchup. He's a beast inside the red zone.
Honorable mention: Brandon Marshall, Jets
Best body control
A.J. Green, Bengals
When I talk about body control at the wide receiver position, I'm looking for guys who look effortless as they adjust to the throw, work the boundaries (sideline and end line), and finish plays in limited space. That's Green. Yes, he could be listed in a number of categories here. From route running to deep-ball skills, Green is one of the top players at the position. But I love his smooth ability to secure the ball against tight coverage.
Whether we are looking at the fade up the sideline or the corner route in the end zone, Green will snatch throws away from defensive backs and adjust his body to magically get two feet down. Other wide receivers can study all the tape you want on Green, but you can't coach this kind of ability. It's ridiculous.
Honorable mention: Jordy Nelson, Packers
Most dangerous after the catch
Odell Beckham Jr., Giants
Slant routes that go for 60-yard house calls. Shallow crossing routes that turn into explosive gains. These are basic concepts that defenses should limit. Not when Beckham is the target. He can change the game in a blink because of his speed after the catch and the ability to erase angles in the open field.
Look at how quickly he turns this simple play against the Ravens into a touchdown:
This is your classic slant-flat (or bench) combo that plays out as a rub/pick route against man coverage. That allows Beckham to release inside on the slant while getting that separation to the ball on the throw from Eli Manning. And then it's all speed. Beckham accelerates up the field, exposes the overpursuit/poor angle from the free safety and outruns the entire Ravens back seven on a 66-yard touchdown. Nasty. This guy can slice up any secondary in the league after the catch.
Honorable mention: T.Y. Hilton
Best slot receiver
Doug Baldwin, Seahawks
Defensive backs have to play a "two-way-go" inside of the numbers versus a slot receiver. That means the receiver can release inside or outside without the restrictions of the boundary. And given that extra space to work with, Baldwin consistently exposes defensive leverage and technique and gains separation because of his lateral ability. I'm telling you, he's got some quicks.
From the sweet footwork to the route-running skills, Baldwin can beat defenders all day on underneath routes, plus he has the speed to run vertical concepts from the slot. We consistently see him winning on the inside seam, the fade and the deep corner route. Those are tough routes to cover when Baldwin can set up defensive backs, stack on top and then use that burst to separate while the ball is in the air.
Yes, Baldwin can play outside of the numbers (he has done it on 19 percent of his snaps this season, compared to 73 percent in the slot). But his ability to win inside really jumps off the tape. The skill set, the physical play, the toughness ... Baldwin is a warrior on that field.
Honorable mention: Randall Cobb, Packers
Speedster you have to respect the most
Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos
A 4.2 or 4.3 40 looks great the combine, and it can force safeties to play with some initial depth on the field, but running straight 9 routes all day isn't enough to become a consistent threat in the pros. Nah, you need the ability to set up defensive backs within the route stem too. So to me, this category is more about game speed -- who combines a great vertical burst with the footwork needed to get open?
There's no doubt Sanders has the speed to blow the top off the secondary, but he's also a dynamic route runner with the shiftiness to expose defensive backs throughout the stem. Sanders will manipulate defensive technique and then pull away to produce explosive gains down the field.
Here's a great example from the game against the Chiefs:
Instead of taking an outside release and working down the field (standard 9 route technique), Sanders begins to "weave" cornerback Phillip Gaines. That forces Gaines to open, close and then open again with his technique. That's a lot of work for Gaines to match to the upfield shoulder of Sanders. And as you can see, Sanders gets to a position where he can separate on the throw. That allows the wide receiver to stack on Gaines, make the catch and then add another 15-plus yards after the grab before safety Eric Berry creates an angle to pin him into the sideline. This is the type of game speed defensive backs have to respect when Sanders takes a vertical stem off the ball.
Honorable mention: Brandin Cooks, Saints
Craftiest route runner
Amari Cooper, Raiders
Think of the multiple breaking routes, the double moves and the silky smooth ability to glide in and out of cuts. That's Cooper's game. Yes, the Raiders receiver could be mentioned with both Brown and Fitzgerald as the best overall route runner in the game, but of his truly unique movement skills on the field, it's amazing how easy he makes this stuff look when he runs a slant-and-go or beats a defender down the field on the "sting" route (a deep double move: stem to the corner, break back to the post).
Cooper came into the league as a developed route runner after playing in Alabama's pro-style system and that shows on the tape. Just watch him run a deep comeback or break inside to the dig. Cooper works hard throughout the stem and there is very little wasted movement when he sinks to get out of his breaks. He's going to be a star in this league working with Raiders quarterback Derek Carr.
Honorable mention: Julian Edelman, Patriots
Best ball skills
Odell Beckham Jr., Giants
Beckham's 2014 one-handed grab against the Cowboys will live on forever. That's still the sickest catch I've ever seen. Watch enough of Beckham's tape, and it's clear he makes the highlight-reel catches look routine. Yes, his hands are off the charts, but it's also about his body control and his ability to flat-out finish plays. He's a special talent.
Look at how effortlessly he snatched this errant pass last season against the Jets:
Sure, it might not be as impressive as the finish versus the Cowboys on that Sunday night, but this is also an inside-breaking route. That means there is some heat on this throw from Manning. Doesn't matter. Beckham snatches this thing with one hand away from his body -- and the ball just sticks there. Amazing.
Honorable mention: DeAndre Hopkins, Texans
Best at catching balls in traffic
Brandon Marshall, Jets
When I talk about receivers catching the ball in traffic, I immediately think about inside breaking routes -- the dig (square-in), curl, slant, etc. Receivers know whenever they run those routes, defenders will be waiting. Make the grab, take a hit and secure the ball.
This type of game caters to the frame and physicality of Marshall. At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Marshall is built like a basketball small forward, and he knows how to use his size at the point of attack. That's why Marshall wins so often on those inside cuts. He can initiate contact to create some separation and then pin defensive backs to the outside. Essentially, he is shielding the defender from the ball. And he can take a shot too, from a safety dropping down or a linebacker patrolling the middle of the field. Big, strong and powerful. Marshall is the receiver you want to move the sticks on third down on inside routes.
Honorable mention: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
Toughest to cover deep
Julio Jones, Falcons
Jones has to be the guy here, right? With the size/speed combo we discussed earlier, he can press the defensive vertically, split the secondary in half and climb the ladder to finish on 50-50 throws. The jump ball down the field? That's a high-percentage throw in the Falcons' system because Jones is going to take it away from the defensive back. Too big, too strong.
Check out how Jones absolutely destroyed the perfect defensive call from the Chargers to haul in a big gain earlier this season:
This is Cover 2 from San Diego -- two-deep safeties over the top with a cornerback getting a jam on Jones at the line to disrupt the release. But the Falcons wide receiver runs right through the jam like it was nothing, immediately eats up the cushion of the safety and then splits the middle of the field. This is a great ball from QB Matt Ryan. Just put it out there for Jones to go get it. When I watch this play, I start to wonder: How do you stop this guy if you're a defensive coach/player? Perfect call and perfect coverage to limit the deep ball. And yet, Jones exposes the secondary again.
Honorable mention: A.J. Green
Toughest to tackle in space
Tavon Austin, Rams
This guy is lighting quick with the sudden burst/acceleration to break the ankles of defenders. We can see that in the return game too. You don't see many guys with his lateral speed, vision and the ability to stop and start on a dime. Good luck breaking down and trying to wrap this guy up in space.
There's a reason the Rams utilize Austin in multiple alignments and schemes. He will play in the slot, align outside of the numbers, carry the ball out of the backfield and make plays off the jet sweep. Even the simple bubble screen is going to put stress on the defense because Austin can find daylight and then embarrass tacklers once he gets up the field.
Honorable mention: Golden Tate, Lions
Best catch radius
Mike Evans, Buccaneers
Evans could have made this list in several categories because he's a matchup weapon at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds with 4.5 speed. But I like him here because of the massive catch radius he brings to the field. This allows Evans to catch passes well outside of his frame and finish plays versus man coverage. Whether that is in the red zone or out in the field, Evans is a weapon on 50-50 throws, the back-shoulder fade and balls that require him to adjust.
Look at this example from the Bucs-Falcons game earlier this season. Not many WRs can make this catch and hold on after the vicious hit from rookie safety Keanu Neal.
This a deep outside breaking route and Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston leaves this ball to the inside. But look at Evans' ability to reach back and pluck this pass out of the air with one hand. That's a great example of a wide receiver concentrating on making a catch outside of his frame, knowing full well he's going to get lit up. Big-time grab.
Honorable mention: Jordy Nelson
Toughest dude on the field
Steve Smith Sr., Ravens
Back in 2002, when I was playing safety for the Packers, Smith caught an inside curl route. I drove on the ball and went for the tackle. Smith wasn't having any of it. He gave me a stiff-arm to the chin that literally lifted me off the ground. And all I could do -- to avoid being dumped on the turf -- was reach out and grab Smith's face mask. It didn't work. Smith threw me off and went 61 yards for a near-touchdown while I got a 15-yard penalty. See ya.
Smith is one of the top competitors I ever played against. And he's also one of the toughest dudes I've ever seen on the field. You want to match up versus Smith? OK. Then you'd better be ready to work, because he is going to battle all day. And he raises the level of competition around him. That's a true football player.
Honorable mention: Doug Baldwin, Seahawks
Best run-blocker
Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
There are a lot of great run-blocking wide receivers in the NFL. Guys who will work down the field and compete versus defensive backs to facilitate more production for their teammates. But I chose Fitzgerald here because of the blocking he does in the run front. Whether he is cracking down on the edge or leading up through the hole, the veteran isn't afraid to get dirty.
This is a classic power scheme from the 2015 game against the Packers, and the Cardinals use Fitz to help clear the way:
Fitzgerald motioned down to a reduced split, and with the guard pulling to the edge, Fitz is left to block the primary support player. And he washes him down. That allows the guard to fit up on the cornerback as the Cardinals create an open running lane for David Johnson to get up the field and into the end zone for a touchdown.
Honorable mention: Demaryius Thomas, Broncos
Best up-and-comer
Terrelle Pryor, Browns
The Browns got an absolute steal with Pryor. I like his tape and you can see the development on the field from the former Ohio State quarterback. Given his size (6-foot-4, 223 pounds) and speed (estimated 4.4 range), Pryor can create matchups at all levels of the field. His route running, in particular, really jumps off the film. Pryor has solid footwork and the ability to create leverage back to the ball. Plus, he shows explosive play ability to stretch the defense and produce after the catch. With Pryor, the Browns have a young building block at the offensive skill positions. And he will continue to grow at the position.
Honorable mention: Stefon Diggs, Vikings