Top Ten Receivers Entering 2019
Top Ten Receivers Entering 2019: Hopkins Reigns, T.Y. Just Misses
With the NFL becoming more of a passing league every year, wide receivers are only getting better. With free agency slowing down and the draft still some time away, we examine the league’s top receivers going into 2019.
Just Missed: T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts; A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
10.) Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
Adams has been a touchdown machine for the Packers over the past three seasons, racking up 35 scores in that span. Adams truly became an elite receiver after signing a four-year contract extension with Green Bay, racking up nearly 1,400 yards for Aaron Rodgers this past season. With Matt LaFleur coming to inject some life into this offense, Adams is primed to take his game to the next level.
9.) Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
Thielen cooled off after a historic start to the season where he amassed the 100 yards receiving mark in eight straight games. He was virtually unstoppable throughout the first half of the season, building on last season’s breakout performance. The Vikings are lucky to have him under contract for an absolute bargain after paying him at the right time. With new OC Kevin Stefanski attempting to open up the run game for Minnesota and a capable QB slinging him the rock, it should be easier for Thielen to continue stacking up yardage in the future.
8.) Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Philip Rivers enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career with the assistance of sixth-year man Keenan Allen. Allen fell three receptions short of the century mark and four yards short of 1,200. Allen’s most spectacular performance came in a comeback victory against Pittsburgh in which he showed why he’s been one of the game’s best since he entered the league. He’s had his fair share of injury issues but has hit 1,000 yards in three of the four seasons in which he’s played more than half of the games. When he suits up, he’s as reliable as they come.
7.) Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Regardless of who’s throwing him the ball, Mike Evans continues to post huge numbers. Because he plays for a team like Tampa Bay, his consistent elite production tends to fly under the radar. Evans totaled 1,524 yards and eight scores on a team that couldn’t even decide who its quarterback was going to be. The 6’5 veteran has never had a season under 1,000 yards, and if new head coach Bruce Arians can work his magic on Jameis Winston, we could see some other-worldly production from Evans this year.
6.) Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Hill burst onto the scene during his rookie season as a speedy return specialist and occasional deep threat. His ability to be a #1 receiver was questioned, but with 2,662 yards over the past two seasons, all questions have been answered. The league’s fastest man elevated his game with Patrick Mahomes at the controls, recording five multi-TD games and a 200-yarder against the Rams. Hill was a first-team All-Pro at the “FLEX” position and second team at wide receiver.
5.) Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
2018’s reception leader, Thomas and MVP-candidate Drew Brees destroyed defenses weekly over the course of the season. Thomas started all 16 games en route to a career-high 1,405 yards with an 85% catch rate on his targets. His best performance came in a regular season shootout against the Los Angeles Rams in which he tallied a franchise record 211 yards to hand LA their first loss. Thomas was elected to the All-Pro first team after the season.
4.) Odell Beckham, Jr., New York Giants Cleveland Browns
Beckham’s injury and behavioral issues over the past couple of seasons shouldn’t make people forget what he’s capable of when he’s on the field. He only played in 12 games this past season, yet still caught 77 balls for 1,052 yards. It was a shocker to see him traded to Cleveland in a blockbuster, but if he stays healthy, the rest of the AFC North should fear for their playoff lives. Beckham averages 92.8 receiving yards per game for his career.
3.) Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers Oakland Raiders
Another top receiver shipped out of town, but this time, the player demanded it. In 2018 he posted his second-lowest yardage total in his past six seasons一 that total being 1,297 yards. The attention paid to him allowed his former counterpart JuJu Smith Schuster to go over 1,400 yards, a true measure of his impact. He led the league in receiving touchdowns with 15, but it remains to be seen if business will still be boomin’ in Oakland.
2.) Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Five straight seasons with over 1,400 yards. Five. ‘Nuff said.
1.) DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans
Hopkins knows he’s the best in the game, as captured by an NFL Sound FX. Hopkins caught 115 passes this season without a single drop. The most sure-handed receiver in the game came a smidge short of 1,600 yards in his bid for a first-team All-Pro nod. For the first time in his career, Hopkins had a high-end quarterback slinging him the rock for 16 games, and we all witnessed the full extent of his talent. Hopkins has done more than a great job of being the successor to the legend Andre Johnson, and with Deshaun Watson set to be his partner for a long time, Houston should make some noise in the coming years.
-By: Micah Jimoh