It’s at all times fascinating to see the disconnect between soccer followers and the folks making the choices. That is particularly prevalent as ESPN launched its large receiver rankings, polling executives, scouts, and coaches to get their private Prime 10 listing on the place.
This can be a consensus rating, that 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 certainly one of soccer’s nice debates, however these contained in the league give the sting to Chase and his playmaking means. One exec known as him the “final choose 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 an enormous drop off. I personally like Jefferson’s route working extra, and assume he’s proven the power to get his yards even with sub par quarterbacks, whereas Chase has benefitted far 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 people 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 yr and quitting on his staff in Week 18.
If Hill was really the No. 3 receiver within the league he would have been traded proper now. If a man has such a pronounced stage of expertise that you simply’re placing him amongst the most effective within the league then you definately wouldn’t balk at his giant contract.
Hill completed thirtieth within the NFL in receiving yards final yr. Positive, you’ll be able to blame plenty of that on the damage to Tua Tagovailoa, however the most effective receivers within the league are nonetheless capable of 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 approach it is sensible that the Jaguars rookie didn’t make this listing is as a result of not sufficient folks 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 changing 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 reality be advised 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 robust 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 yr, and certainly 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 at the least one vote, however it was crickets when it got here to London.
That seemingly 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 overlook 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 charge 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 carried out with a objective in thoughts. There’s no wasted movement to Nacua, which is why he may not have the top-end pace or quick-twitch athleticism of some prime guys, however as a result of the whole lot he does is so intentional he’s capable of shut the hole and match prime receivers.
It’s dumb he didn’t crack the Prime 10.
