Tag Archives: Route

*Note*: This isn’t a top 5 pass-catchers list, it’s envisioning which group of WR’s make up the best options for an elite quarterback. Because we’re assuming Drew Brees, Tom Brady, or most likely Aaron Rodgers is under center route running and field vision are more sought-after qualities than physical tremendousness. For example: Megatron is the league’s best receiver, but he does not make my receiving corp because his route running abilities are not ideal.

Slot WR’s: Wes Welker and Greg Jennings- In my eyes these are the two best route runners in the NFL. They are also brilliant at reading the defense so they can alter their routes in synchrony with the quarterback. Fitzgerald’s has been the best in seasons past but his quarterback situation makes it impossible to properly evaluate his ability as he often has to break off routes for poorly thrown passes.

Deep Threats: Mike Wallace and Jordy Nelson- These guys are the fastest most explosive receivers in the league. No one accelerates off the line and after the catch better than Mike Wallace and no one breaks tackles and eludes the defensive backs better than Jordy Nelson. It’s also comforting to know these guys play for great quarterbacks and I’ve witnessed good route running from both of these receivers. Jordy Nelson also brings in an element similar to Calvin Johnson. He doesn’t have the exact same physical tremendousness, but he’s surprisingly close. I’ve often referred to Nelson as a white Calvin Johnson.

5th receiver: In a passing league a receiving unit needs as many options as possible. As long as a 5 receiver set is possible by the league’s rules I might as well include a 5th option. I’m going to go with Hakeem Nicks. I like this guy’s body of work, he runs good routes and makes good use of the field. He’s not one of my top 10 receivers this year (others have stolen off his production), but his value to a deep receiving unit is quite obvious.

TE’s: Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, and Jermichael Finley- Rob Gronkowski should be rather evident, he’s the best TE in the game and excels in every facit possible. He might just be the best red zone option in the game and he can own pass rushers while blocking. Jimmy Graham is also a clear choice, he’s got insane ups and downhill style. He’s a giant that allows a quarterback to complete throws into heavy traffic.
I really, really didn’t want to include Jermichael Finley on this list. He’s not one of the best pass-catchers and he’s not even a top 5 TE. His drops are beyond infuriating and he draws too many penalties. He’s on this team for one reason only and that is because he’s the biggest physical mismatch in football and regardless of underwhelming play defenses constantly double cover and swarm him even though they leave Jennings and Nelson in suicide single coverage. Finley is on this team so defenses fear his mismatch ability and double cover him rather than focusing on other receiving options in this elite group.
Calvin Johnson is a great deep threat, but Jordy Nelson and Mike Wallace are the best as well as better route runner than Calvin Johnson. Johnson’s biggest skills are outmuscling DB’s to the ball and retrieving the ball from anywhere in his area code. If Rodgers is throwing the ball those skills will be far too under-utilized because Aaron will provide accuracy such that the ball is always at his receivers’ hands.
@Vegeta
DeSean Jackson, Devin Hester? Jackson was benched by his own team and Hester’s purely a return man.