Top Ten NFL Wide-Receivers That Deserve More Credit
Written by Marquise Brown
The wide-receiver position is one of the most important positions in football, and you hear names such as DeAndre Hopkins, D.K. Metcalf, and Julio Jones amongst the top guys in the position. However, I believe that there are a lot more wide-outs out there that produce and make plays, but whose names you won't hear as much. Here are my top ten wide-receivers that deserve more recognition for their production this season.
10. Damiere Byrd- New England Patriots
I am kicking of the list with the speedy wide-out out of South Carolina, Damiere Byrd, who went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft. Byrd spent the first three years in the league playing for the Carolina Panthers alongside current New England teammate, Cam Newton. Then, he was signed to the Arizona Cardinals, where he had a career high 32 catches, 359 yards, a touchdown, and an average of 11.2 yards per catch last season. Fast forward to this season with the Patriots, he has already hauled in 35 receptions 502 yards, and an average of 14.3 yards per catch. He is only primed to get better, as his connection with longtime teammate seems to get better every week. Despite New England's loss in week 10, Byrd still had a very productive Sunday afternoon with 6 receptions, 132 yards, and a touchdown.
9. Jakobi Meyers- New
England Patriots
8. Michael Pittman Jr. (pictured)- Indianapolis Colts
Next on the list, we have rookie wide-out out of USC, Michael Pittman Jr. Pittman started out the 2020 campaign slow, where in his first four games, he only saw 10 targets for 79 yards. In his last four games, he has seen increased targets an has averaged 62.75 yards per game, which included a 40-yard reception against Tennessee and a 45-yard touchdown against Green Bay. With the inconsistent play of T.Y. Hilton in recent years, the Indianapolis Colts have been looking for a receiver to step up, and I believe Pittman can fit that role, and make a big splash in the years to come.
7. Tim Patrick- Denver Broncos
When you think about Denver wide-outs, you probably think about 2019 standout receiver, Courtland Sutton. But after Sutton went out in the second game of the season with injury, the Broncos desperately needed a second receiver to take pressure off of rookie wide-out, Jerry Jeudy. That receiver has been the third-year man out of Utah, Tim Patrick. Patrick has stepped up big for the Broncos this season hauling in 36 receptions, 563 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Next season with Courtland Sutton returning to the lineup, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick, the Broncos could potentially have one of the most exciting young receiving cores in the NFL.
Cole Beasley has never been known as a number one option, but he has always provided great production for each team he has played for. The 31-year-old has spent 7 seasons as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, where he is as most known for his 2016 campaign, where he hauled in 75 catches, 833 yards, and 5 touchdowns. He also led the Cowboys in catches and yards that season. Then, he signed to the Buffalo Bills in the 2019 offseason. In that season, he had 67 receptions, 778 yards, and 6 touchdowns. This season, despite the addition of pro-bowl wide-out, Stephon Diggs, Beasley is on pace to have his most impressive season yet. Through 11 games, he's hauled in 57 receptions, 667 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Despite his age, Cole Beasley has shown that he can still make big plays, and he has the stats to back it up.
With arguably the best receiver in the NFL and one of the greatest of all-time at the position both on your team, it's easy to get overlooked. But, the third-year wide-receiver, Christian Kirk, has been really impressive. Last season, he was able to haul in 68 receptions, 709 yards, and 3 touchdowns. This season he on pace to improve on his yardage performance from last season, and he has already doubled his touchdown total, including an impressive 80-yard touchdown against Dallas. With Larry Fitzgerald's days numbered, Christian Kirk will continue to get more touches, and will only get better with the improvement of Arizona quarterback, Kyler Murray.
With frequent injuries to Pro Bowl wide-receiver, A.J. Green, and trade rumors, the Bengals have been looking for a number one wide-out for a while now. Tyler Boyd looks like he could be that guy. Boyd has recorded two seasons over 1,000 yards with his 2018 and 2019 campaigns, and so far this season, he has 72 grabs for 725 yards and 3 touchdowns. With Joe Borrow out, the Bengals will need Tyler Boyd more than ever to make some key plays. I believe he could be a pro-bowl receiver in the coming NFL Pro Bowl.
2. Robby Anderson- Carolina Panthers
For years, Robby Anderson has only been known as a guy that can get you one big play every now and again. But since the move to Carolina, he has shown that he can be a team's primary option. With 75 receptions and 912 yards to his name, Robby Anderson has truly shown that he can not only a big play guy, but he can be one of the elite receivers in the NFL.
And capping off the list, we have another young Panthers receiver in DJ Moore. Moore has shown what he can do in his 2019 campaign, grabbing an impressive 87 receptions for 1,175 yards and 4 touchdowns. During this season through 11 games, he has already passed his touchdown total from a year ago, and is top ten in receiving yards this season with 924 yards off of just 50 catches. With the Panthers finally picking up a franchise quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater, DJ Moore will only get better, and soon could be looked at as one of the elite wide-receivers in the NFL.
I believe all of
these receivers have impressed in their own ways, while looking to help their
teams win NFL games. I look forward to see if these receivers can emerge to become an elite NFL wide-out.
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