Marques Colston: 5 Reasons New Orleans Saints Receiver Is NFL's Best

When the New Orleans Saints re-signed Marques Colston this offseason, they were bringing back the best wideout in the NFL.

Colston has been with the Saints since they drafted him in the seventh round of the 2006 draft. Through those six seasons, Colston has caught for at least 1,000 yards five times.

He has been an integral part of Sean Payton's offense and a consistent target for Drew Brees.

Whenever the conversation for best receiver in the league comes up, Colston is rarely mentioned, and that is a mistake.

There are many factors to an NFL wide receiver's game, and Colston is good at just about every one of them.

Let's take a look at five reasons why Colston is the best receiver in the NFL.

Ability to Stretch the Field

When Marques Colston comes up in conversation, speed is never the first thing that people think of.

Colston is not a burner by any means, and most of the time the Saints will not send him deep to stretch the field.

However, Colston is a big target and has great hands. It also helps that his quarterback is Drew Brees.

There have been many times that the Saints have sent Colston on a seam route and he was able to catch the deep ball. Most of the time, Colston will not jet by the defensive back, but he uses his body to essentially box out the defender and make the catch.

Most teams like having a burner who can run past defenders and get the deep ball. Colston can get down field and catch the deep ball, but in an entirely different way.

Solid Hands

The strongest part of Marques Colston's game is his ability to catch the tough passes.

Colston is known for going over the middle and making the tough grabs.

If a receiver is going to be in the discussion for best in the league, then he better have some amazing hands.

The Saints depend on Colston on third downs, and he always comes through.

The best part about Colston is that he can make the catch just about anywhere on the field.

He does not mind going over the middle. He can make the tip-toe catch on the sideline. He can make the leaping grab over the defender. He can catch the quick slant and take it to the house.

The NFL has not respected how good Colston really is, and most people have no idea how great his hands are.

Technical Skills at the Game

Marques Colston is the best receiver in the game not only because of his physical attributes and skills, but also because of his knowledge of the game.

Colston is one of the best route runners in the league, and in turn he creates separation between himself and the defender.

Many receivers slack off on their route running because they believe that they have the speed or strength to just get by defenders. Colston has the strength to push by guys, but that would not be nearly as successful.

Instead, Colston uses his strength combined with perfect routes to get wide open.

Colston also studies the playbook and knows exactly where he and his teammates need to be on any given play.

This makes the entire offense flow better, especially since every guy on the Saints' roster does the same thing.

The fact is that Colston has the technical part of the game down. He understands the motions and reasons behind the game.

Mechanics and technique will hurt a quarterback if they are not correct, and that is the same for every other position in the NFL.

Colston is definitely among the league's best in regards to technique.

No Drama

Most NFL receivers cause drama.

We think of guys like Terrell Owens, Randy Moss and Chad Ochocinco.

Not every receiver is quite that bad, but even guys like Hines Ward, Stevie Johnson, Brandon Marshall and Steve Smith have been known to cause a bit of trouble.

The best receivers in the league are the ones who keep their mouths closed and talk with their play on the gridiron.

Players like Marques Colston, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson and Wes Welker are the new breed of wideout. These guys do not cause drama and do not get upset if the ball is not coming their way.

However, Colston is on a team that has four or five other guys who get the ball about as many times as he does. Not many receivers can play a role like Colston's and be satisfied.

If Colston was one of the only targets for Brees, then he would probably have made multiple All-Pro teams and be recognized as the best in the league.

Colston is not recognized like that, and he is okay with that. 

True Team Player

Not only does Marques Colston keep his thoughts to himself, but he plays the game like a real teammate.

There are many receivers in the league that take plays off and do not block well, especially guys who consider themselves the best at their position.

Owens and Moss were infamous for doing this throughout their careers.

Colston, on the other hand, has always been an amazing teammate.

There are many times in an NFL game when a receiver is expected to run a route hard and not get the football. Teams do this to distract defenses, and Colston is one of the best in the game at doing this.

This player runs routes hard no matter who gets the ball. Colston is also a great blocker.

Blocking is sometimes overlooked as a part of a receiver's game, but it is very important to the success of the team.

The Saints have an amazing blocker on the outside in Colston, and he gives 100 percent every play, no matter whom the ball goes to.