We’ve had basically a full week of preseason games and while it isn’t much to go on, we have been able to draw a few conclusions. Let’s take a look at how our wide receiver rankings currently look:
With the news that Johnny Knox is running with the second team for the Bears, you have to drop him off the Top 40 completely. At this point how can you possibly expect him to be able to produce nearly enough to be viable?
It appears like A.J. Green has a ton of potential upside, but his quarterback could be an obstacle that he is unable to overcome in his rookie campaign. Andy Dalton just didn’t show much of an interest in trying to make plays down the field, instead settling for short passes. In his preseason opener he went 11-15, but for just 69 yards. Maybe the two develop a rapport and start making plays, but at this point it is tough to consider him as a WR3.
Malcolm Floyd, who had been rumored to be leaving San Diego for much of the preseason, ultimately decided to return to San Diego where he should step right back into the #2 receiver spot. While he has yet to exceed 45 receptions or 776 yards in a season, if he can remain healthy he has the potential to be a major factor for the Chargers in 2011. Having caught 6 TD on just 37 receptions in 2010, you have to like the potential upside.
The San Francisco 49ers were in desperate need of a receiver who could complement Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree… Actually, they needed a receiver who could step in and lead the way, taking the pressure off of Crabtree, who has a ton of potential but continually has underperformed. Enter Braylon Edwards, who had 53 receptions for 904 yards and 7 TD as a member of the Jets a year ago. Don’t look for him to rediscover his 2007 form (80 receptions for 1,289 yards and 16 TD), but he could push for 60 catches and 1,000 yards depending on how he’s used. That makes him a low-end WR3, don’t you think?
With Jeremy Maclin out of practice and it unknown when he may return, there has to be concern about his availability for Week 1. The unknown drops him to a top WR3 for me, though once he returns to practice and proves healthy he could easily be bumped back up.
The addition of Lee Evans will help the Ravens to stretch the field, meaning more room for Anquan Boldin to operate. While Evans remains more of a bench option, his addition helps to move Boldin up a few notches.
Thanks for the heads up guys. Obviously Garcon shouldn’t be listed twice…lol The second one was supposed to be Collie and has been adjusted.
Garcon ahead of Collie? Interesting. I’m more worried about Garcon dropping easy passes than Collie getting another concussion. The second is more likely, but I wouldn’t want to lose Peyton’s respect and get his “I’m disappointed in you” face. You can tell he loves Collie’s guts over the middle.
Will, we’ll actually be taking a closer look at their receiving situation in the next day or two. It’s hard to see much value there, isn’t it?
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