The Top 10 NFL Wide Receivers

Reuben Cohen by Contributor Written on January 08, 2009

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The WR position has been the most tumultuous position in the NFL of late, with guys like Plaxico Burress going and shooting their careers in the foot (or, in Burress' case, the thigh). But it is still overlooked that the WR position is one of the deepest, most talented pool of players in the National Football League.

So I'll count down from the 10th best in the league to No. 1. I won't tell you who that is, but it's not Brandon Marshall, despite my having his picture (Marshall is on the list somewhere, though).

Enjoy!

10. Greg Jennings

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Jennings burst onto the scene as a rookie from the second round in 2005, and has not looked back. Once it seemed impossible that even with his instant stardom, Jennings could ever surpass teammate Donald Driver, but that has clearly happened now, helped on by the departure of Brett Favre, who loved Driver more than any other target.

10. Greg Jennings

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Jennings burst onto the scene as a rookie from the second round in 2005, and has not looked back. Once it seemed impossible that even with his instant stardom, Jennings could ever surpass teammate Donald Driver, but that has clearly happened now, helped on by the departure of Brett Favre, who loved Driver more than any other target.

9. Anquan Boldin

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Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald play off of each other very nicely, and being one half of the best WR tandem in NFL history elevates Boldin into the top 10 itself. Oh yeah, and he's caught 11 TDs this year despite missing four games due to injury.

8. Calvin Johnson

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Johnson gets little respect because of his team, but he's quietly developing into everything we expected from the former No. 2 draft pick.

7. Reggie Wayne

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It's clear Reggie Wayne has benefited his entire career from playing with Marvin Harrison and Peyton Manning, but he consistently puts up big numbers and he's in the Pro Bowl once again this year.

6. Terrell Owens

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Owens hasn't been in national attention lately for his play as much as his mouth, but you can't deny his talent and he definitely keeps himself in shape. I have trouble believing that he's 35 years old.

5. Randy Moss

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A year ago, Moss would have been first on this list, but he showed this year that he couldn't be quite as effective with a less talented quarterback.

4. Brandon Marshall

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So here is where Marshall is ranked. He came back from a freak accident in the offseason to have one of the best seasons of any WR this year, and he has nowhere to go but up at his age.

3. Larry Fitzgerald

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Fitzgerald is the other, even better half of the Cardinals' excellent duo. He seems to run wild over every defense the Cardinals play.

2. Andre Johnson

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The Texans' entire offense is carried by Andre Johnson right now. And they aren't a bad team despite it. While Steve Slaton was developing, and Matt Schaub was hurt, Johnson stayed hot all year and showed all of the tools of a top WR especially adaptability to a constantly changing environment down in Houston.

1. Steve Smith (the Panthers one)

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Smith is not just a speedy guy as we all said he was earlier in his career. Smith proved this year to be the guy to stretch the field and it can often take all of a defense's resources just to cover him adequately.

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written on January 08, 2009 Rankings/List

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