It’s all the time fascinating to see the disconnect between soccer followers and the individuals making the selections. That is particularly prevalent as ESPN launched its broad receiver rankings, polling executives, scouts, and coaches to get their private Prime 10 listing on the place.
It is a consensus rating, which means everybody polled gave an inventory of one-through-10, they usually got a factors system to give you the ultimate rankings, no dissimilar to All-Star voting. There have been some surprises to say the least.
Ja’Marr Chase over Justin Jefferson at No. 1
That is one in every of soccer’s nice debates, however these contained in the league give the sting to Chase and his playmaking potential. One exec referred to as him the “final decide up and play” receiver, who can basically do the whole lot requested of him earlier than, throughout, and after the catch.
Placing Chase over Jefferson isn’t actually a shocker. They’re No. 1 and No. 1A within the league — after which there’s a giant drop off. I personally like Jefferson’s route operating extra, and assume he’s proven the power to get his yards even with sub par quarterbacks, whereas Chase has benefitted way more from having an elite expertise below heart.
That stated, I wouldn’t fault anybody for having thee two in both order.
Tyreek Hill is No. 3
Now this one we will make enjoyable of for being dangerous. Entrance workplace of us are supposed to have the ability to have a look at a participant holistically, and it’s wild to see Hill make it this excessive on the listing regardless of having a down 12 months and quitting on his crew in Week 18.
If Hill was actually the No. 3 receiver within the league he would have been traded proper now. If a man has such a pronounced degree of expertise that you simply’re placing him amongst one of the best within the league then you definately wouldn’t balk at his giant contract.
Hill completed thirtieth within the NFL in receiving yards final 12 months. Positive, you’ll be able to blame quite a lot of that on the harm to Tua Tagovailoa, however one of the best receivers within the league are nonetheless in a position to eat despite a change at QB. Hill simply can’t.
It ought to have been a number of different guys on this place.
Brian Thomas Jr?
This one is totally thoughts boggling to me. The one means it is smart that the Jaguars rookie didn’t make this listing is as a result of not sufficient individuals across the league noticed him.
It was an abysmal 2024 season in Jacksonville, however Thomas Jr. was a mammoth vibrant spot. He completed third within the NFL in receiving yards, catching passes in any respect three ranges and turning into the most effective younger targets within the NFL. His 14.7 yards per reception ranked sixth within the NFL amongst receivers with over 100 targets, and fact be advised it’s bizarre to have BTJ solely get an honorable point out, whereas Malik Nabers ranked all the way in which up at No. 7.
No love for Drake London
It’s powerful to even say that Drake London is “polarizing,” as a result of execs have been in lockstep that he doesn’t belong wherever close to the Prime 10. That’s fairly wild contemplating he was 4th within the league in receiving yards final 12 months, and one in every of solely 10 receivers to catch 100+ passes in 2024.
It’s not a lot that London didn’t crack the Prime 10, however extra that he didn’t earn a single vote to be within the Prime 10 in any respect. Receivers the likes of George Pickens, D.J. Moore, and Cortland Sutton garnered not less than one vote, but it surely was crickets when it got here to London.
That possible speaks to the incosnsistent offensive teaching in Atlanta and their fluid quarterback scenario. If Michael Penix Jr. can shine this season there’s little doubt he’ll rise.
Did the NFL neglect that Puka Nacua exists?
Right here’s a person who completed with 990 receiving yards regardless of solely taking part in in 11 video games. If we extrapolate out his utilization fee he would have completed with 1,530 receiving yards — bettering his already ludicrous rookie season.
Nacua doesn’t have that one unicorn trait that blows you away, which is why he was such a steal within the 2023 NFL Draft — however he performs fast. Each motion he makes is intentional, environment friendly, and completed with a aim in thoughts. There’s no wasted movement to Nacua, which is why he won’t have the top-end pace or quick-twitch athleticism of some high guys, however as a result of the whole lot he does is so intentional he’s in a position to shut the hole and match high receivers.
It’s dumb he didn’t crack the Prime 10.
