It’s that time of the week again, time to take another look at the top 32 wide receivers in the NFL following Week 7. This week we see some moving up and/or down the list as some receivers stepped up and had big games while others have gone down a bit thanks to their quarterback or team situation.
Please keep in mind that these rankings are not based on the careers including what they have done in the past or what they could do “if” they had this or “if” they did the same thing that they did last year. For example, both Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson may be much better than Danny Amendola but in all reality, if those guys aren’t as productive as the other guys are then they are going to sit lower on this poll. In addition, we aren’t looking at potential rather we are looking at real tangible production.
So without further delay, here are the top 32 wide receivers in the NFL starting from 32 working our way down to number one.
No. 32: Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints
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Last Week: 20
It’s hard to believe that there is just one wide receiver from the New Orleans Saints on this list but such is the way that things are happening with the Saints these days. Colston is having a good season, the best of any of their receivers but he isn’t getting enough passes thrown his way in that offense.
No. 31: Davone Bess, Miami Dolphins
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Last Week: Unranked
Bess is solid in a somewhat productive offense and is starting to play better than his teammate, Brandon Marshall. He’s had three touchdowns already this season and is poised to have a lot more as 2010 rolls on.
No. 30: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
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Last Week: 31
It’s not really Fitzgerald’s fault that he’s not cranking out the yards or touchdowns this season. The quarterback situation is not the best in Arizona and he’s feeling it. Perhaps things will get better and he will move up on our power rankings as the season moves on.
No. 29: Johnny Knox, Chicago Bears
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Last Week: 16
Sure, Knox may not be the most productive wide receiver in terms of scoring touchdowns, but he’s an asset on a team that has very few playmakers at the wide receiver position. He’s become a reliable target for quarterback Jay Cutler and could end up being their number one wide receiver in time.
No. 28: Danny Amendola, St. Louis Rams
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Last Week: 23
On a team without many other solid options, Amendola continues to be a bright spot for the Rams in their passing game. Quarterback Sam Bradford trusts him and he rarely lets him down.
No. 27: Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Last Week: Unranked
The “old reliable” has been just that this season, reliable. Ward’s contributions are not only strong but his blocking is a big help. He’s the consummate receiver and one of the most important pieces of the puzzle for the Steelers.
No. 26: Eddie Royal, Denver Broncos
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Last Week: 19
Royal is starting to show some of the same characteristics he had when he was a rookie with the Broncos, coming through in the clutch for quarterback Kyle Orton when he’s needed. Royal could end up being one of the better wide receivers in the AFC before all is said and done.
No. 25: Brandon Marshall, Miami Dolphins
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Last Week: 9
Marshall is a solid option for the Dolphins and should be a player that helps quarterback Chad Henne grow and learn in this offense. If those two can connect often the Miami passing offense could be dangerous.
No. 24: Mike Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Last Week: Unranked
Many experts felt that Williams, after having a troubled collegiate career, wouldn’t be able to do what he has already managed to do in the NFL. He’s becoming quarterback Josh Freeman’s favorite target and barring any off the field issues or breakdowns, could become one of the Bucs best receivers in a long time.
No. 23: Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals
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Last Week: 25
The combination of Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco has helped make the Bengals offense better. It’s just too bad that their defense hasn’t been able to help them win games. In the meantime, these guys should continue to shine in Cincinnati.
No. 22: Santana Moss, Washington Redskins
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Last Week: 10
Moss continues to be quarterback Donovan McNabb’s most reliable target even if he isn’t putting up huge numbers. He runs great routes and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
No. 21: Steve Smith, New York Giants
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Last Week: 18
Smith along with Hakeem Nicks, help create one of the best wide receiver combinations in the NFL. As long as Eli Manning can get the ball down the field to Smith and not turn it over, both receivers should have a good season with the Giants.
No. 20: Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills
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Last Week: Unranked
Has anyone here heard of Johnson? Not many, but this Buffalo Bills wide receiver is making a splash on a team that no one really talks about. People should start paying more attention to him because he’s really making waves up in lonely Buffalo.
No. 19: DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles
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Last Week: 14
Hopefully Jackson makes it back it back from his concussion soon because the NFL is currently missing one of its most exciting players. He’s definitely one of the biggest playmakers at the position and helps make the Eagles that much better.
No. 18: Malcolm Floyd, San Diego Chargers
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Last Week: 3
Along with the rest of Chargers, Floyd appears to be dropping a little bit. He plays well and has a great quarterback but things aren’t going to well in San Diego. His value is not as strong as it used to be.
No. 17: Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
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Last Week: 5
Johnson, along with the rest of the Texans, had this Sunday off so he didn’t see any action. Johnson, along with the rest of the Texans passing game, needs to get going if Houston wants to make the playoffs this season. Granted, they have won some games but their passing offense is not as good as it was in 2009.
No. 16: Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys
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Last Week: 8
Austin hasn’t been seeing too many balls thrown his way thanks to the re-emergence of Roy Williams, but he’s enough of a threat to keep teams double teaming him and opening things up for other receivers. Hopefully his production improves as the season goes on.
No. 15: Terrell Owens, Cincinnati Bengals
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Last Week: 7
Owens continues to make plays for the Bengals even if the team isn’t winning a lot of games. For those who scoffed when he was brought to the Queen City in thinking that he would be a problem child, so far he’s been nothing but productive so far this season.
No. 14: Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Last Week: 32
Wallace came into the NFL with a lot of talent and he’s proving that with each game that he plays. As long as the Steelers keep passing the ball as much as they have Wallace should remain one of the top wide receivers in the AFC.
No. 13: Brandon Lloyd, Denver Broncos
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Last Week: 2
Lloyd continues to impress with his ability to catch the ball and make things happen. He’s a solid receiver who has turned his career around and has become an asset on offense for Denver.
No. 12: Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs
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Last Week: Unranked
The Chiefs are starting to look good on offense, and despite his problems making catches, Bowe is helping them out greatly in the passing game. Perhaps after a few seasons in the NFL, he’s finally starting to catch on.
No. 11: Braylon Edwards, New York Jets
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Last Week: 21
Edwards was another player on a bye this past week but he moves up thanks to the production and value that he has had this season. He may be a troubled player but he’s found himself in New York and could have a good career there.
No. 10: Louis Murphy, Oakland Raiders
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Last Week: 27
Darrius Heyward-Bey? Not a factor. Murphy? He’s the man in Oakland. He’s done very well despite the fact that the quarterback situation in Oakland is never stable. He’s going to be a big factor for this team in the future and is starting things off on the right foot in Oakland.
No. 9: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
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Last Week: 11
On a team with little else in the passing game, Johnson has become a rock. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get his due because he plays in Detroit. If he was on a team like the Colts or the Packers, he would be a Pro Bowler each and every season.
No. 8: Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts
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Last Week: 6
Like Wayne, Collie didn’t play this Sunday, but he makes up one of the better wide receiving groups in the NFL. Watch Collie continue to play well this season and become one of the leaders in touchdown receptions.
No. 7: Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers
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Last Week: 22
Jennings has become the Packers' top target now that tight end Jermichael Finley is out and he’s certainly ready to step up to the challenge. Look for Jennings to become one of the top receivers in the NFL the rest of this season and could end up being a Pro Bowl player before all is said and done.
No. 6: Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants
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Last Week: 15
Nicks is the most valuable wide receiver on the Giants and is starting to blossom into one of the better ones in the NFL. As long as he and quarterback Eli Manning can connect on passes, he along with the rest of the team should have a good season on offense.
No. 5: Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles
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Last Week: 12
There is no doubt that Maclin means a lot to the Eagles especially with DeSean Jackson sitting out because of a concussion. He’s finally picked things up, understands the game and is turning into one of the league’s best receivers.
No. 4: Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
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Last Week: 1
Even though Wayne didn’t play this past Sunday that is no reason why he fell in this week’s poll and why he shouldn’t be ranked. He still means a lot to Peyton Manning and the Colts and will continue to build upon a good season so far.
No. 3: Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans
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Last Week: Unranked
Britt burst onto the wide receiver scene over the last two weeks and he rises all the way up to the third spot in this week’s rankings. He’s been the go to guy for the Titans in the passing game and has caught seven touchdowns so far this season. He is certainly one of the most, if not “the” most valuable players on the Tennessee squad right now.
No. 2: Anquan Boldin, Baltimore Ravens
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Last Week: 13
If you want a player that means a lot to his team in how he helps the offense as well as what he means to game planning (by opposing team’s defenses), you need to look no further than Boldin. He’s a highly productive receiver and one of the league’s best.
No. 1: Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons
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Last Week: 4
Roddy White has had a solid season so far and is quarterback Matt Ryan’s most reliable target. He’s made some big plays and is a huge part of why the Falcons are now leading their division.
Those Who Dropped Off The List
The players that dropped off of the power rankings this week are:
Jabar Gaffney, Denver Broncos
Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens
Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
Mark Clayton, St. Louis Rams
Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers
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