It’s at all times fascinating to see the disconnect between soccer followers and the individuals making the choices. That is particularly prevalent as ESPN launched its extensive receiver rankings, polling executives, scouts, and coaches to get their private Prime 10 checklist on the place.
This can be a consensus rating, which means everybody polled gave an inventory of one-through-10, and so they got a factors system to provide you with 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 considered one of soccer’s nice debates, however these contained in the league give the sting to Chase and his playmaking capacity. One exec known as him the “final decide up and play” receiver, who can basically do all the things 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 an enormous drop off. I personally like Jefferson’s route working extra, and suppose 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 beneath heart.
That mentioned, 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 checklist 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 just’re placing him amongst the most effective within the league then you definately wouldn’t balk at his massive contract.
Hill completed thirtieth within the NFL in receiving yards final 12 months. Positive, you possibly can blame quite a lot of that on the harm to Tua Tagovailoa, however the most effective receivers within the league are nonetheless capable of eat regardless of 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 completely thoughts boggling to me. The one approach it is smart that the Jaguars rookie didn’t make this checklist 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 brilliant spot. He completed third within the NFL in receiving yards, catching passes in any respect three ranges and turning into among the best 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 instructed it’s bizarre to have BTJ solely get an honorable point out, whereas Malik Nabers ranked all the best way 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 had 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 considered one 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, nevertheless it was crickets when it got here to London.
That probably speaks to the incosnsistent offensive teaching in Atlanta and their fluid quarterback state of affairs. If Michael Penix Jr. can shine this season there’s little question 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 price 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 purpose in thoughts. There’s no wasted movement to Nacua, which is why he won’t have the top-end velocity or quick-twitch athleticism of some high guys, however as a result of all the things he does is so intentional he’s capable of shut the hole and match high receivers.
It’s dumb he didn’t crack the Prime 10.
