NFL Power Rankings: The 11 Best QB-to-WR Connections of 2011

The NFL has been blessed with some great blossoming relationships between QBs and WRs.  In days of old, it was Tarkenton to White, Zorn to Largent or Young to Rice.  

OK...perhaps Zorn to Largent wasn't known to that many people, but it certainly was an exciting duo for a new franchise and launched Steve Largent on his record-setting Hall of Fame career.

What will be the connection of the current era that fans remember?  Who was the best tandem, and which groups are on their way up and who is burning out?  Here are a few possibilities.

The Ball Boy Passing to Larry Fitzgerald: 90 Rec, 1,137 Yards, Six TDs

There is no way I can leave Larry Fitzgerald off of this list, as he's as good a WR as there is in the game today.  He was hampered by poor QB play in 2010, which could continue into '11.

Fitzgerald's true value will be established during the 2012 season.  He has a clause in his contract that will keep the Cardinals from using the franchise tag on him when his contract expires at the end of the upcoming season.  This will allow him to choose the team—and QB—he wants to work with.

Ryan Fitzpatrick to Steve Johnson: 82 Rec, 1,073 Yards, 10 TDs

Could there have been a less likely passing tandem to hit 1,000 yards in 2010?  Ryan Fitzpatrick was a suspected backup-quality QB and Steve Johnson had accumulated 16 games of service in two years with stats reflective of a decent day for many WRs (12 receptions, 112 yards and two TDs).

Fitzpatrick-to-Johnson will get another opportunity in '11, as the Bills opted to not draft a QB during the '11 draft.  There is some debate on if Fitzpatrick can improve on his 2010 season and prove himself as a starting-caliber QB.  

Johnson will also have the opportunity to prove he belongs in the company of the best WRs in the NFL.  He had too many dropped passes last season, such as the one in this video that cost them a win vs. the Steelers.

He will need to turn that around in '11 if he is going to earn respect as a No. 1 WR.

Drew Brees to Marques Colston: 84 Rec, 1,023 Yards, Seven TDs

Marques Colston continued his history of solid production.  The question Colston needs to answer is if he is just a 1,000-yard guy, or can he take that next step and become one of the best WRs in the league?

He already has an advantage catching passes from Drew Brees.  Colston is a veteran WR now and needs a strong showing in 2011 to prove he is an equal partner with Brees and not just a fortunate recipient of one of the best QBs in the league. 

Michael Vick to DeSean Jackson: 47 Rec, 1,056 Yards, Six TDs

DeSean Jackson is one of the most promising young WRs in the league.  Paired with a rejuvenated  Michael Vick, the Eagles have one of the best emerging passing tandems in the NFL.

Vick and Jackson could surpass the 1,500-yard mark if both players can remain healthy in 2011.  2010 provided the pair with some needed familiarity, and should provide a nice boost to their performance in 2011.

Ben Roethlisberger to Mike Wallace: 60 Rec, 1,257 Yards, 10 TDs

Wallace averaged an amazing 21 yards per catch during the 2010 regular season.  He wasn't able to continue at this pace in the postseason, though, averaging just 8.8 yards in three playoff games.

He did put in a solid performance in the Super Bowl, though, compiling 89 yards and a TD on nine receptions.

Wallace put up better numbers after Roethlisberger returned from his suspension.  He has shown great progress in his two years in the league and should become a top WR in Pittsburgh.  

If Emmanuel Sanders can build off his rookie season, the Steelers will have a good transition plan from Hines Ward.

Kyle Orton to Brandon Lloyd: 77 Rec, 1,448 Yards, 11 TDs

It is hard to place Lloyd on this list, as he caught over 250 yards and a pair of TD passes from Tim Tebow.  However, his 2010 performance can't just be ignored, as he makes this list even if the games with Tebow at QB are not factored.

This could also be the last time Orton and Lloyd qualify for a top tandem so I'm compelled to add them.

The QB position in Denver is a huge uncertainty headed into the anticipated '11 NFL season.  Fans will be quite interested to see what QB is given the reins of the Broncos.

Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne: 111 Rec, 1,355 Yards, Six TDs

Wayne's six TDs keep him from moving any higher on this list, but Wayne has never been known for putting up big scoring numbers.  

What Wayne does do is catch a lot of passes and help keep the chains moving for the Colts.  Seventy-two of his receptions in 2010 were for first downs, down slightly from his career average of 72 percent.  

He had 111 receptions, a career high for Wayne.  He did surpass 1,500 yards in 2007, and had a career mark of 12 TDs in 2004.  

He has shown the capacity to be the top WR in the NFL.  He will need a few additional TDs and some playoff success to earn that spot during the 2011 season.

Matt Cassel to Dwayne Bowe: 72 Rec, 1,162 Yards, 15 TDs

One of the plays that gets the attention of fans is a beautiful TD pass.  This is where Bowe excelled in 2010, almost doubling his total of 16 TD catches in his first three seasons.  

This isn't the only criteria for a great passing tandem, but leading the league in this stat certainly doesn't hurt Cassell and Bowe's standing...and was enough to push them ahead of Manning to Wayne.  

The former first-round pick finally came into his own last season, and now that he will have a little help he could be set for a real breakout season in '11.

Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson: 86 Rec, 1,216 Yards, Eight TDs

The Texans have built a powerful offense around Johnson, Schaub and an unlikely hero at RB...Arian "It's Australian for RB" Foster.

Johnson missed three games in '10, hindering his overall numbers.  Similar to the prior two seasons, he averaged just under 100 yards per game.  Had he played all 16 games, he likely would have surpassed 1,500 yards.

If the Texans can just get their passing defense in order, they could be a quality team.

Matt Ryan to Roddy White: 115 Rec, 1,389 Yards, 10 TDs

White led the league in receptions, was just behind Brandon Lloyd in yards and was seventh in TDs.  However, the two didn't connect as expected in the playoffs and Atlanta made a quick exit.

White is yet to miss a game in his six-year career.  He has four straight 1,000-yard seasons with 21 TDs over the past two campaigns.  What he doesn't have is playoff success...and a viable No. 2 receiving option.

It comes as little surprise that the Falcons have brought in another receiver to help spread some of the workload.  The team is anxious to see if playoff success will follow.

Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings: 76 Rec, 1,265 Yards, 12 TDs

To be fair, 82 yards and one of Jennings' TDs were thrown by Matt Flynn.  Demonstrating how important Rodgers was to Jennings and the Packers offense, though, Jennings' yards per game with Flynn starting was half of what it was when Rodgers was throwing the ball.

What isn't represented in the season stats are the playoff numbers.  Jennings had two 100-plus-yard playoff games, and he and Rodgers hooked up for two important TD passes in Super Bowl XLV.

Falcon fans will be unhappy that this tandem topped the list, as White had more receptions (by far) and more yards.  However, their postseason performances propelled them into the top spot.  Rodgers and the Packers dominated Ryan and the Falcons in Atlanta.  

So much of what makes fans remember great tandems is postseason performances.  This is where Rodgers-to-Jennings made their mark, and earned them the top spot for 2010.