Who’s No. 1?
There may be some debate about the top spots in the wide receiver rankings when the preseason finally gets underway. Of course, there’s a lot of legal wrangling still left to be done and plenty of free agency activity to address. Several teams will unveil new quarterbacks and trades that had been put on the backburner will finally be executed.
When it’s all said and done, I don’t expect there to be much discourse about the names that comprise the top five at this position. I suspect that any debates will be related to their order.
I’ll pin the No. 1 flag on Roddy White in Atlanta for standard league purposes.
1. Roddy White, Atlanta
White amassed a ridiculous number of targets in 2010 (179), led the league with 115 receptions and posted a double-digit touchdown total for the second straight season. He has recorded at least 83 receptions and 1,153 yards in four consecutive seasons despite the lack of a high-level No. 2 receiver opposite him (I know that Tony Gonzalez has been there the past two seasons). White welcomes speedy rookie Julio Jones to the mix for 2011, a selection that had to please both quarterback Matt Ryan and White.
2. Andre Johnson, Houston
There aren’t enough adjectives to describe the athleticism and sheer dominance of Johnson. Throw the double-team at him. Bring the safety over the top. It’s not going to matter. Johnson is going to snag the ball out of the air, take the hit and signal for a first down.
Johnson averaged 10.6 targets and 6.6 receptions per game in 2010 (including six or more receptions in eight of his 13 games played). His attempt to extend his streak of 100-reception seasons to three was halted because of an ankle injury. Johnson makes the difficult catches to move the chains and can also make the big play downfield (12 catches of at least 25 yards).
To take a longer view on things, Johnson has been the poster child of efficiency and consistency in the past five seasons. He’s averaged 6.6 receptions and 90.8 receiving yards per game during this period. Improvements to the Houston defense will slow the pinball-like offensive numbers of the offense to some degree.
3. Calvin Johnson, Detroit
The Lions are a team on the come in 2011. Johnson was the first building block, the foundation of a new world order in Detroit. Unfortunately, Johnson can’t block on the interior to keep Matthew Stafford upright. Johnson caught four or more passes in 12 games last season with 12 touchdowns (the 13th that didn’t count in Week 1). The arrival of speedster Titus Young as the third receiver to Johnson and Nate Burleson helps to spread the field.
4. Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants
Despite playing with a toe injury, Nicks experienced a fantastic breakout season in his sophomore campaign in 2010. He averaged 10 targets per game and caught four or more passes in 11 of his 13 appearances. Nicks produced four 100-yard games and scored 11 touchdowns. Nine of his receptions covered at least 25 yards.
Think of the upside if Nicks can stay healthy and Manning remembers his team’s colors. I’m counting on it.
5. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
The Indianapolis offense keeps churning along, provided that No. 16 stays upright. I don’t know how much I need to belabor the point. Wayne caught 111 passes in 2010, his third 100-reception season in the past four years. He posted the second-highest yardage total of his career (1,355) with nine receptions of at least 25 yards. Wayne averaged 11 targets per game.
6. Greg Jennings, Green Bay
Jennings earned his third consecutive season with at least 1,100 yards and matched his career high with 12 touchdown receptions. He averaged 79.1 yards per game, just 1.7 fewer yards per game than his career-best in 2008. Jennings logged 16 receptions of at least 25 yards.
The Super Bowl champs are back for another run, bolstered by the healthy return of Jermichael Finley and the selection of rookie Randall Cobb.
7. Miles Austin, Dallas
Austin started the season with a bang, producing three 100-yard games in his first four outings. He topped 60 yards in only four of the Cowboys’ final 12 games, though he scored five of his seven touchdowns with Jon Kitna under center. Nine of his 69 receptions covered at least 25 yards.
Austin returns to a potent Dallas passing game with a healthy Tony Romo back under center. If Romo stays upright, and Dez Bryant becomes the player we anticipate he can be, Austin should see more one-on-one opportunities in 2011.
8. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
I’m not going to write a book on Fitzgerald for this piece. He caught 90 passes for 1,137 yards despite pathetic play from the quarterback position. His streak of double-digit touchdown seasons ended at three, but he was hardly to blame. Fitzgerald caught three or more passes in 14 games, including seven games with at least 80 receiving yards. He recorded nine catches of at least 25 yards.
The quarterback play can’t get any worse. Can it?
9. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City
Few wide receivers have produced a six-week stretch to rival Bowe’s brilliance between Weeks 6 and 12 last season (with 733 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns). Despite a decided lack of support in the receiving corps, Bowe still obliterated opposing defenses. He caught 72 passes for 1,162 yards, including 10 receptions of at least 25 yards.
The Chiefs addressed the wide receiver position in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by selecting Jonathan Baldwin out of Pittsburgh. His arrival, combined with Jamaal Charles’ dominance out of the backfield, should create additional space for Bowe to operate.
10. Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh
Wallace posted a strong rookie campaign in 2009. He positively dominated cornerbacks while running past them as a sophomore in 2010. Seventeen of Wallace’s 60 receptions covered at least 25 yards, and he recorded a reception of at least 20 yards in 14 games. He finished the season with 1,257 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
He returns as the No. 1 option for Ben Roethlisberger alongside “Dancing” Hines Ward and emerging speedster Emmanuel Sanders. Wallace obviously benefits immensely from a full 16-game slate with his quarterback, though the Steelers’ backups performed much better than anyone could have anticipated during Roethlisberger’s 2010 suspension.
11. Mike Williams, Tampa Bay
There were a lot of questions about Williams’ “heart” following his exit from Syracuse. He ended those thoughts with a fantastic rookie season as the top option for Josh Freeman. Williams caught four or more passes in 11 games and tied for fourth in the NFL with 11 touchdown receptions. He finished 36 yards shy of 1,000 for the season. Williams’ total of 129 targets ranked 13th, and he demonstrated great aptitude as a red-zone beast with sneaky downfield speed (had eight receptions of at least 25 yards). Look for the Buccaneers to open things up for Freeman and the passing game with Williams and Arrelious Benn.
12. Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia
Teammate DeSean Jackson receives the hype, and deservedly so, but Maclin was equally deadly for the Eagles and proficient in the red zone. He scored four touchdowns in the first three games of the season and became a safety valve for Michael Vick. Maclin finished the campaign with 70 receptions, 964 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He caught four or more passes in 12 of his 15 games with eight receptions of at least 25 yards.
13. Marques Colston, New Orleans
Colston earned his fourth 1,000-yard season in five NFL campaigns. He stayed relatively healthy (he had wrist and knee surgeries this offseason) and gutted through the campaign to generate an 84-reception, seven-touchdown season. Colston generated three 100-yard games (five with at least 80 yards) and scored his seven touchdowns during the seven-game stretch from Week 7 to Week 14.
We look back to 2007 to see Colston’s potential dominance (98 receptions for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns). Colston’s injuries and Drew Brees’ proficiency at spreading the ball around prevent me from projecting a return to those heights.
14. Brandon Marshall, Miami
Marshall is expected to fully recover from his offseason stabbing whenever camps open. Whether he’ll have a quarterback who can get him the ball is another issue.
Despite horrid play last season under center, Marshall still amassed 86 receptions on 145 looks and logged his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season. Offensive inefficiency led to Marshall’s lowest touchdown total (three) since his rookie year in Denver. Marshall appeared in 14 games for the listless Dolphins.
The Dolphins bring back Marshall and Davone Bess while adding a deep speed threat in Edmund Gates.
15. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia
Jackson expects to ink a new deal with the Eagles once the lockout ends. The speedy receiver and returner earned his second consecutive 1,000-yard season as the chief downfield threat for Michael Vick. Jackson recorded 15 receptions of at least 25 yards in his 47 catches, including his ridiculous 91-yard grab against the Cowboys. In fact, Jackson earned 57.5 percent of his yardage total in four games.
16. Steve Johnson, Buffalo
Johnson became Ryan Fitzpatrick’s top target in Buffalo, and the duo electrified the fantasy world for period of time. He scored in five consecutive games between Weeks 3 through 8 (had six total), recorded an 11-catch game against Chicago in Week 9 and then obliterated Cincinnati in Week 11 (had 137 yards and three touchdowns). Johnson caught three or more passes in 15 games and logged 10 receptions of at least 25 yards. He and Fitzpatrick are back for another round in 2011.
17. Vincent Jackson, San Diego
Jackson has spoken openly about his desire to remain in San Diego, though the feeling might not be reciprocated by A.J. Smith. He returned from his holdout and immediately sustained an injury. Jackson completed the season with 14 receptions for 248 yards and demonstrated his potential dominance with a three-touchdown performance against the sinking 49ers.
Jackson averaged 63.5 receptions, 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
18. Brandon Lloyd, Denver
There are two questions to be asked of Lloyd coming into 2011. Was his performance in his eighth season the start of great things? Or, was the Broncos’ need to chuck the ball downfield in shootouts the catalyst.
Lloyd had caught a grand total of 164 passes with 15 touchdowns in seven seasons before arriving in Denver. He was a first-team all-fantasy stud with his 1,448 receiving yards, a total that included 18 catches of at least 25 yards (with six 100-yard games).
To put the offensive scheme in perspective, Lloyd caught only 50.3 percent of the passes thrown to him. Do you trust the deep ball? Is he set for a huge encore or a tremendous flop?
19. Wes Welker, New England
Welker remained a PPR beast in 2010, producing 86 receptions in his 15 games played. He caught three or more passes in every game of the season, but finished only five games with 70 or more receiving yards (had one 100-yard game in the Week 14 rout of Chicago).
The Patriots return Welker and second-year tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Will Deion Branch and Brandon Tate be enough to create space for Welker and return him to his previous brilliance?
20. Dez Bryant, Dallas
Questions about Bryant’s maturity remain. He’s working to put those concerns aside by joining the Cowboys’ workouts.
Bryant has the physical skills to be a top-10 receiver as his game rounds out. He posted a fantastic run in the middle of his rookie season, scoring six touchdowns in a six-game stretch prior to sustaining his season-ending leg injury. Bryant has the ability to open things up downfield (seven catches of at least 25 yards) and can set up in the red zone.
The passing game is set up mighty well for Dallas, provided all the principals can stay healthy.
21. Anquan Boldin, Baltimore
Boldin didn’t light the fantasy world on fire in his first season as a No. 1 receiver. He caught only 64 passes despite participating in all 16 games for the first time since 2006. Boldin’s reception and receiving yardage (837) totals were his lowest since his injury-shortened sophomore season in which he played in 10 games. He opened the season with two 100-yard efforts in his first three games, including the eye-popping three-touchdown performance against the Browns.
Boldin caught four or more passes in seven of the Ravens’ first nine games. He caught three or fewer passes in six of the final seven games, including just five receptions for 26 yards in the final three regular season games. Boldin topped 60 receiving yards only six times. He’s a solid No. 2 option, but doesn’t rate as a fantasy hero in this offense.
22. Santonio Holmes, New York Jets
Holmes posted a solid first, and perhaps last, season for the Jets. He rejoined the team in Week 5 after serving a four-game suspension and produced 52 receptions for 746 yards. Holmes eased into the mix (had 10 receptions in his first three games) before his game expanded. It should be noted that his three biggest efforts came against Detroit, Cleveland and Houston, defenses that ranked 16th, 18th and 32nd against the pass, respectively.
The Jets have to make decisions about their receiving corps this summer, as both Holmes and Braylon Edwards can depart via free agency.
23. Sidney Rice, Minnesota
Rice’s hip injury was one of the most frustrating to track coming into the 2010 season. He was supposed to be ready for the start of camp, then the third preseason game and didn’t make his debut until Week 11. Rice ultimately caught 17 passes for 280 yard with two touchdowns (had 105 yards and two touchdowns against the Bills). His injury, coupled with Brett Favre’s rapid disintegration, led the Vikings to a terrible end.
There are a number of teams rumored to be interested in bringing Rice and his surgically-repaired hip onboard for 2011. Chicago and St. Louis are among the most frequently mentioned potential destinations. Minnesota beat writers don’t anticipate that Rice returns to the Vikings.
24. Kenny Britt, Tennessee
Britt emerged as one of the game’s premier deep threats in 2010. He comes into 2011 with two huge questions on the board. Will his off-the-field problems result in a suspension? Will Jake Locker or a stop-gap quarterback be capable of getting him the ball downfield?
Britt logged four receptions of at least 50 yards last season (had seven receptions of 25 yards or more) and five games with at least 85 receiving yards in his 12 games. He was impacted tremendously by a hamstring injury, thereby cutting short what might have been a monstrous sophomore campaign.
25. Steve Smith, New York Giants
Smith’s position here assumes a speedy return from his microfracture surgery. He was just off the pace in pursuit of a second straight 100-reception season, recording 47 receptions and 517 yards through eight weeks. Smith doesn’t necessarily have the same explosiveness downfield as Nicks and Mario Manningham, but he’s a sure-handed, sit-down receiver who helps to move the chains with sneaky big-play capability (had receptions of at least 20 yards in four games last season).
All reports from New York have indicated that Smith will be re-signed by the Giants once the lockout is lifted, though the selection of Jerrel Jernigan does cloud things a bit.
26. Percy Harvin, Minnesota
There are few players who are more electrifying than Harvin in the NFL. He’s a threat to break a long one each time he touched the ball. He caught a total of 71 passes for 868 yards, including three 100-yard games (had 97 in another).
I suspect that we see a lot of quick-hit looks to Harvin from Christian Ponder (assuming no veteran quarterback comes into Minnesota) and that the Vikings essentially use him as a running back on the edge. Harvin’s role and value increases this offseason once the Vikings make a decision on Sidney Rice, who is set to test free agency.
27. Austin Collie, Indianapolis
Collie played brilliantly as the third receiver for the Colts. He caught 27 passes in the first three games of the season and recorded four or more receptions in eight of the nine games in which he appeared. Collie is clearly a PPR machine who isn’t afraid to operate over the middle. That is the concern as he enters his third season out of BYU. Collie experienced multiple concussions last season. He catches anything on his hands.
28. Johnny Knox, Chicago
Knox emerged from the pack to become Jay Cutler’s favorite target in 2010. He recorded 960 receiving yards on 51 receptions with five touchdowns. Knox caught multiple passes in 11 games last season, including seven games of at least 75 yards.
The Bears’ selection of Gabe Carimi in the first round of the NFL Draft should allow Cutler to stay upright more often in 2011. That bodes well for Knox’s productivity.
29. Malcom Floyd, San Diego
If the old school Redskins were “The Smurfs,” what would you call the Chargers’ receiving corps? Floyd received his chance to shine during Vincent Jackson’s holdout and excelled prior to experiencing a hamstring injury that derailed his second-half efforts. He finished the season with 37 receptions for 717 yards and six touchdowns.
Floyd is one of several key free agents that must be addressed by the Chargers once the lockout lifts.
30. Robert Meachem, New Orleans
Meachem did not achieve the dominant status that fans and fantasy owners had anticipated in 2010 following his nine-touchdown breakthrough in 2009. He battled an ankle injury that required surgery. He recorded just one fewer reception that his 2009 total, though one-third of his yardage production came in two games. Meachem’s 100-yard games came in Weeks 13 and 16, long after fantasy owners had sought out alternatives.
There are no questions about the New Orleans offense. It’s just a matter of how the workload is distributed.
31. Michael Crabtree, San Francisco
To call Crabtree’s 2010 season a disappointment would be a gross understatement. He caught just seven more passes as a sophomore than he did as a rookie, and 227 of his 741 receiving yards came in two games.
Fantasy owners will likely pay a discounted price on Crabtree coming into 2011. Improved quarterback play and a rededication to being a star will determine whether he represents as a true bargain.
32. Steve Smith, Carolina
The longtime Carolina star has expressed interest in joining another squad once the lockout ends. Reports from San Diego indicate that the Chargers have interest in adding the 10-year veteran once the lockout lifts. Smith scored in back-to-back weeks to open the 2010 season, but never found the painted grass again.
Poor quarterback play and his own continuing health issues contributed to his low output (had 46 receptions for 554 yards). I’d be curious to see him as a No. 2 option in a different offense. Think about him as the third option behind Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates in San Diego.
33. Mario Manningham, New York Giants
Manningham moderately improved his average performance in 2010 over his 2009 production while recording four additional touchdown receptions. He caught three or more passes in 12 games last season and finished the year with three consecutive 100-yard efforts (including four touchdowns).
He’s a dominant downfield threat as a No. 3 option behind Smith and Nicks. Injuries to his fellow receivers opened the door for additional opportunities in 2010. He’ll get better one-on-one chances in 2011, but his target total dips if Smith and Nicks are healthy.
34. Santana Moss, Washington
Despite obvious issues in the Washington offense, Moss caught a career-high 93 receptions and posted his highest yardage total since 2005 (1,115). He caught five or more passes in 13 games last season with 10 efforts of at least 72 receiving yards.
Moss clearly still has some gas left in the tank and an ability to make plays downfield. Will he return to Washington to play for Mike Shanahan with John Beck under center? Or, will Moss become a second option elsewhere?
35. Mike Williams, Seattle
Williams posted a fantastic comeback in his reunion with Pete Carroll. He had produced a total of 44 receptions and 539 yards in portions of four seasons between Detroit, Oakland and Tennessee before getting his shot at redemption in 2010. Williams caught 65 passes for 751 yards with two touchdowns for the playoff-bound Seahawks and showed flashes of his USC self.
Williams caught six or more passes in five games last season, including double-digit reception efforts against Chicago and Arizona (twice). Most of Williams’ damage was done in those five games, so there is some inherent risk in his selection, but I’m optimistic that Carroll can get more out of him in his second full season in the system.
In addition to questions about Williams’ ability to build on his 2010 efforts, fantasy owners also have to consider the Seattle quarterback slot. Does Matt Hasselbeck come back? Is Charlie Whitehurst the guy? Or, do the Seahawks swing a deal for another signal caller?
36. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh
Ward finished his 2010 season with a fantastic effort against the Packers in Super Bowl XLV (had seven receptions, 78 yards and a touchdown). He caught three or more passes in 11 games last season, averaging 47.2 yards per game with five touchdowns. Ward’s reception total of 59 marked his lowest output since 2000.
He stands as the No. 2 option to Wallace for 2011. The potential is there for a bounce-back in terms of receptions and yardage to some degree, but the Steelers have several young options looking to take on larger roles.
37. A.J. Green, Cincinnati
The changing of the guard is underway in Cincinnati, and a new No. 1 option was secured on the first day of the NFL Draft. Green immediately becomes the top option for Andy Dalton (or one of the Palmers, Carson or Jordan). He’s got breakaway speed downfield with a willingness to work middle routes.
38. Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis
Garcon shone in his third season out of Mount Union, registering 67 receptions and 784 yards with six touchdowns in 14 games. He caught three or more passes in 11 of his final 12 games. Unfortunately, Garcon topped 60 receiving yards only six times during that period and scored only one touchdown prior to Week 13.
The Indianapolis juggernaut returns for another run, and Peyton Manning continues to distribute the ball brilliantly. He’ll carve up the workload between Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Garcon and tight ends Jacob Tamme and Dallas Clark, who returns from injury.
39. Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati
Ochocinco has been embroiled in a war of words with Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis, thereby indicating that his 10-year run with the team is over. It’s always possible that something changes, but I suspect that the arrival of Green signals the proverbial turning of the page.
Ochocinco took a backseat to Terrell Owens for much of the season, registering 67 receptions for 831 yards and four touchdowns. In fact, Ochocinco has caught 72 or fewer passes in three consecutive seasons as the offense sputtered under Carson Palmer (and injury fill-ins during the 2008 campaign).
Ochocinco logged two double-digit reception games in 2010, indicating that he can still wreak some havoc downfield on occasion. Will some team roll the dice on him in 2011?
40. Braylon Edwards, New York Jets
Edwards will never come close to replicating his brilliance of the 2007 season (had 16 touchdowns while working with Derek Anderson). He settled into a nice role as a No. 2 for Mark Sanchez. Edwards caught four or more passes in eight games last season and seven games of at least 70 receiving yards (had 904 receiving yards and seven touchdowns overall).
Edwards may return to a No. 1 role for Sanchez if Holmes exits New York once free agency opens. Holmes may opt to depart New York this summer. Edwards has expressed interest in returning to Rex Ryan’s squad.
41. Randy Moss, Tennessee
Moss’ precipitous drop from a dominant downfield threat to a well-traveled journeyman is a frightening reminder of how quickly things change in this world. Moss dropped from a 1,264-yard, 13-touchdown performer in 2009 to a 393-yard, five-touchdown performer for three teams in 2010. Still, he turned in one of the game’s top moments in Week 2 against the Jets.
Moss is expected to be released from Tennessee once the lockout lifts, thereby allowing him to shop his services for an incentive-laden one-year deal. Is he done, or will a team roll the dice on Moss wanting to play some football (he’s 142 yards from 15,000 in his career and 46 receptions from 1,000).
42. Davone Bess, Miami
Despite horrid quarterback play in Miami, Bess continued his dominance as a PPR option in 2010. He caught four or more passes in 12 games last season, yet he topped 60 receiving yards only six times (had 79 receptions for 820 yards and five touchdowns overall).
The quarterback position remains unsettled in Miami with Chad Henne expected to take the reins once again (barring a post-lockout shift in personnel). Bess represents a solid WR4 option because of his frequent targets, but dominant efforts will be few and far between.
43. Anthony Armstrong, Washington
Armstrong established himself as an intriguing deep threat for the dysfunctional Washington offense last season. The undrafted rookie amassed 44 receptions for 871 yards, including eight games with at least three receptions. Armstrong caught a pass of at least 19 yards in 12 different games. He may slide into the No. 1 role should Santana Moss exit Washington this offseason.
44. Julio Jones, Atlanta
The Falcons paid a high price to trade up for the right to draft Jones. He joined his teammates for makeshift workouts almost immediately, looking to build on his post-Combine and post-Draft momentum. Jones is a fantastic receiver over the middle that will most certainly benefit from the attention afforded White, Gonzalez and Michael Turner. He’ll have plenty of room to run after the catch.
45. James Jones, Green Bay
Jones is one of the more maddening players to watch. He makes some spectacular plays downfield, only to offset them with the occasional lapse of concentration. In 2010, Jones established new career marks in receptions (50) and receiving yards (679) while matching his 2009 touchdown total (five).
The Packers’ selection of Cobb in the second round of the NFL Draft likely signals the end of Jones’ run in Green Bay.
46. Mike Thomas, Jacksonville
Thomas’ highlight reel will always be led or capped by his 50-yard “Hail Mary” touchdown reception against Houston from Week 10 of the 2010 season. His eight-reception, 149-yard effort was the outlier in his otherwise consistent weekly play. Thomas caught four or more passes in 11 games last season, producing more than 80 receiving yards on just four occasions.
He’s the leader in the Jacksonville receiving corps following the departure of Mike Sims-Walker.
47. Donald Driver, Green Bay
Driver logged his lowest reception total since 2003 last season (had 51 receptions for 565 yards), as Aaron Rodgers distributed the ball more frequently to secondary options James Jones and Jordy Nelson. Driver saw his six-year streak of 1,000-yard campaigns come to an end.
The Packers return with a full complement of receivers for 2011. Greg Jennings leads the way, with Driver standing alongside Nelson, rookie Cobb and tight end Finley. Driver will still put up solid numbers overall, but I suspect that his workload will be more inconsistent than in years past.
48. Derrick Mason, Baltimore
Mason matched his 2009 touchdown total with seven last year, but his overall production fell markedly. His 61 receptions marked his lowest total since becoming a first-team receiver in Tennessee in 2000. Mason caught three or more passes in 11 games last season. He finished the year with just five games of 50 or more receiving yards.
Mason remains the No. 2 option to Boldin (third, if you count Ray Rice), but the Ravens drafted two receivers this April. Tandon Doss will be challenging for playing time in camp.
49. Jerome Simpson, Cincinnati
Simpson finished the 2010 season with a bang. He logged back-to-back 100-yard games while racking up 18 receptions against the Chargers and Ravens with three touchdowns.
It’s potentially a huge season of change in Cincinnati, with longtime stars Palmer and Ochocinco moving onto new opportunities. If that occurs, Simpson slides up the depth chart and into the starting lineup for Dalton (or a Palmer) alongside Green.
50. Terrell Owens, Cincinnati
Owens’ first (last?) season in Cincinnati ended on injured reserve, the first early exit of his career. He missed the final three games of the season, yet finished the 2010 season just 17 yards shy of 1,000 for the season with 72 receptions and nine touchdowns. Nearly half of his season’s yardage count came in three games (465 yards). Still, Owens demonstrated that he can still take over a game on occasion.
The big question is whether Owens has burned too many bridges to get another shot.
