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Scouts Inc. ranks the top 10 wide receivers in the NFL:
1. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona: He isn't an instant accelerator, but few are as dangerous downfield as Fitzgerald, due to his innate ability to sky for the ball and consistently bring it down, regardless of who is around him. He catches everything in sight and has improved dramatically with his abilities after the catch. What he did in the postseason last season affirms that he is a big-game player.
2. Andre Johnson, Houston: Johnson is another specimen who really doesn't have a physical weakness to speak of. He can get deep, but he might be at his best shielding the defender from the ball and making the tough catch in traffic. Amazingly, Johnson has not produced a high touchdown total since entering the league. That should change. The Texans' offense goes as Johnson goes.
3. Calvin Johnson, Detroit: This is clearly the guy with the most upside at the position. Simply put, he is very rare. Human beings with his size should not possess his speed and amazing body control. He is just scratching the surface and it might not be long before he sits alone atop these rankings. Johnson is a defense's nightmare.
4. Randy Moss, New England: Moss has started somewhat slowly by his standards, but he is an all-time great player who is still capable of changing a game in a heartbeat. He isn't the most physical guy around, but he is extremely gifted with his height, length, burning speed and ability to contort his body to go up and get the ball at its highest point. It sometimes goes unnoticed by the public, but Moss is also a student of the game with a great understanding of coverages and his opponent. New England hasn't gotten Moss vertical like in years past, but only Jerry Rice has more 100-yard games.
5. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis: Wayne is incredibly productive and consistent on a year-to-year basis. He is the focal point of a tremendous passing game and is now the player whom QB Peyton Manning leans on most. However, what separates him ever so slightly from the top four is his lack of size and overall physicality. Still, few do it better and he is a tremendous fit in Indianapolis' offense.
6. Greg Jennings, Green Bay: Like several of the wideouts on this list, Jennings probably still has not yet reached his prime, but he is very advanced for a receiver his age (26). Jennings is a big-play threat who has consistently found the end zone during his career. Teammate Donald Driver has overshadowed him slightly in 2009, but Jennings is still among the game's best.
7. Steve Smith, Carolina: Smith has suffered through mediocre quarterback play, and the Panthers seemingly refuse to acquire another suitable pass-catching weapon to take the consistent double-teams away from Smith. Still, he produces year after year. Smaller than many of the players on this list, Smith (5-foot-9) plays much bigger than he is listed and with an aggressive edge to his game.
8. Roddy White, Atlanta: TE Tony Gonzalez has eaten into some of White's production this season, but don't be fooled into thinking he is not one of the best wide receivers in the business. He is very fluid, yet still possesses excellent height, strength and bulk. White is also an accomplished deep threat whose presence opens up room for Gonzalez and the Falcons' running game alike.
9. Anquan Boldin, Arizona: Although he has missed quite a bit of time because of injuries over his career, Boldin's toughness never should be brought into question. He is almost like a running back with the ball in his hands and excels over the middle and near the goal line. He probably benefits more from Fitzgerald's being on the other side than Fitzgerald benefits from Boldin, but he is a top-notch football player in his own right.
10. Vincent Jackson, San Diego: Jackson just edged out Wes Welker and Marques Colston for this final position. He is a true up-and-comer who has a high ceiling. His tools are not that much different than Calvin Johnson's -- but he has a far better supporting cast and a borderline elite quarterback throwing him the ball. A free-agent-to-be, Jackson should break the bank this offseason.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
1. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona: He isn't an instant accelerator, but few are as dangerous downfield as Fitzgerald, due to his innate ability to sky for the ball and consistently bring it down, regardless of who is around him. He catches everything in sight and has improved dramatically with his abilities after the catch. What he did in the postseason last season affirms that he is a big-game player.
2. Andre Johnson, Houston: Johnson is another specimen who really doesn't have a physical weakness to speak of. He can get deep, but he might be at his best shielding the defender from the ball and making the tough catch in traffic. Amazingly, Johnson has not produced a high touchdown total since entering the league. That should change. The Texans' offense goes as Johnson goes.
3. Calvin Johnson, Detroit: This is clearly the guy with the most upside at the position. Simply put, he is very rare. Human beings with his size should not possess his speed and amazing body control. He is just scratching the surface and it might not be long before he sits alone atop these rankings. Johnson is a defense's nightmare.
4. Randy Moss, New England: Moss has started somewhat slowly by his standards, but he is an all-time great player who is still capable of changing a game in a heartbeat. He isn't the most physical guy around, but he is extremely gifted with his height, length, burning speed and ability to contort his body to go up and get the ball at its highest point. It sometimes goes unnoticed by the public, but Moss is also a student of the game with a great understanding of coverages and his opponent. New England hasn't gotten Moss vertical like in years past, but only Jerry Rice has more 100-yard games.
5. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis: Wayne is incredibly productive and consistent on a year-to-year basis. He is the focal point of a tremendous passing game and is now the player whom QB Peyton Manning leans on most. However, what separates him ever so slightly from the top four is his lack of size and overall physicality. Still, few do it better and he is a tremendous fit in Indianapolis' offense.
6. Greg Jennings, Green Bay: Like several of the wideouts on this list, Jennings probably still has not yet reached his prime, but he is very advanced for a receiver his age (26). Jennings is a big-play threat who has consistently found the end zone during his career. Teammate Donald Driver has overshadowed him slightly in 2009, but Jennings is still among the game's best.
7. Steve Smith, Carolina: Smith has suffered through mediocre quarterback play, and the Panthers seemingly refuse to acquire another suitable pass-catching weapon to take the consistent double-teams away from Smith. Still, he produces year after year. Smaller than many of the players on this list, Smith (5-foot-9) plays much bigger than he is listed and with an aggressive edge to his game.
8. Roddy White, Atlanta: TE Tony Gonzalez has eaten into some of White's production this season, but don't be fooled into thinking he is not one of the best wide receivers in the business. He is very fluid, yet still possesses excellent height, strength and bulk. White is also an accomplished deep threat whose presence opens up room for Gonzalez and the Falcons' running game alike.
9. Anquan Boldin, Arizona: Although he has missed quite a bit of time because of injuries over his career, Boldin's toughness never should be brought into question. He is almost like a running back with the ball in his hands and excels over the middle and near the goal line. He probably benefits more from Fitzgerald's being on the other side than Fitzgerald benefits from Boldin, but he is a top-notch football player in his own right.
10. Vincent Jackson, San Diego: Jackson just edged out Wes Welker and Marques Colston for this final position. He is a true up-and-comer who has a high ceiling. His tools are not that much different than Calvin Johnson's -- but he has a far better supporting cast and a borderline elite quarterback throwing him the ball. A free-agent-to-be, Jackson should break the bank this offseason.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
