2011 NFL Report Card: Handing out Grades to Each Team's WR Corps

There's no doubt that the NFL has become a pass-first game, much more so than it ever has been in the past. 

But for all the love that Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Cam Newton and the rest of quarterback stars have received in 2011, each of them has to throw the ball to someone, right?

So in this day and age, having quality wide receivers is paramount to having success in the passing game, and in some ways success in general.

With the regular season now over, I've delivered an overall grade to each club's corps of wide receivers: TIGHT ENDS AND RUNNING BACKS NOT INCLUDED! 

Denver Broncos

Standout: Eric Decker

2011 Stats: 44 catches, 612 yards, 8 TD

Overall Grade: B

Here's an interesting corps to start out with.

None of these players had pro bowl seasons....heck, none even came within a sniff of 800 yards receiving or 50 catches. 

But you have to consider the makeup of the offense. In addition to the Broncos having a really limited passing game early on with Tim Tebow—that may have changed as the season progresses, but this is an overall season grade—the running game was so effective that they didn't have to rely on the pass very often.

Having said that, Decker and Demaryius Thomas really stepped up big down the stretch. Depending on Tebow's development, they could become one of the league's better duos down the road. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Standout: Dwayne Bowe

2011 Stats: 81 catches, 1,159 yards, 5 TD

Overall Grade: B+

Much like the Broncos, the Chiefs certainly had their share of disadvantages along the way. First it was the injury to Tony Moeaki, then Jamaal Charles and finally Matt Cassel. With those three critical injuries, there was no way they were going to play up to the level the did in 2010.

But that didn't stop Dwayne Bowe from having another excellent statistical season, even if he did put up that embarrassing effort at the end of the loss to Pittsburgh.

Still, that's not the only reason why the group earned a very solid grade. Steve Breaston stepped up down the stretch, and rookie Jonathan Baldwin showed tremendous promise. 

Each of those feats are pretty impressive when you consider that Tyler Palko and newcomer Kyle Orton started almost half the team's games. 

Oakland Raiders

Standout: Darrius Heyward-Bey

2011 Stats: 64 catches, 975 yards, 4 TD

Overall Grade: B

The Raiders receivers have made some incredible strides this year.

Darrirus Heyward-Bey has shown plenty to justify his seventh-overall draft selection, although he still has a long way to go. Rookie Denarius Moore has been a true diamond in the rough and when he was healthy Jacoby Ford added another threat to an already speedy group.

But injuries—to Ford, Moore, and especially Louis Murphy—have hampered Carson Palmer down the stretch. And it's hard to look at the acquisition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh and not think "pointless." 

San Diego Chargers

Standout: Vincent Jackson

2011 Stats: 60  catches, 1,106 yards, 9 TD

Overall Grade: B+

I know it's strange to see a fourth consecutive above-average grade for the AFC West; none of those teams have what you'd consider great passing games.

But each group persevered through some tough, tough injuries and none more so than the Chargers.

Forget for a moment that there seems to be something wrong with Phillip Rivers. I'm convinced we are going to learn in the coming weeks that he had some sort of injury, a shoulder or elbow, or whatever. 

But Antonio Gates has clearly been slowed down by injuries and age. Yet both Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd stepped up and made plays when Gates couldn't. So those two deserve accolades. Even rookie Vincent Brown had his moments. 

Patrick Crayton...not so much. 

Houston Texans

Standout: Andre Johnson

2011 Stats: 33 catches, 492 yards, 2 TD

Overall Grade: C-

It should speak volumes that I selected Johnson—who played only seven games this season—as the standout.

Sure, the rest of the Texans wide receivers were limited by Johnson's injury and especially the injury to Matt Schaub. But no one was able to step up in Johnson's absence and help out T.J. Yates.

Kevin Walter continues to be one of the worst starting wide receivers in the NFL and Bryant Johnson and Derrick Mason gave them next to nothing. 

Jacoby Jones tossed in a few big games here and there, but he couldn't shoulder the entire load. It's clear that without Andre Johnson, the Texans' passing game is below average.

Indianapolis Colts

Standout: Pierre Garcon

2011 Stats: 70 catches, 947 yards, 6 TD

Overall Grade: B+

Here's another group that I have to give special marks to based on injuries.

There's no doubt that Peyton Manning's injury was as crippling as any in NFL history, especially since it took the Colts 15 weeks to find a serviceable fill-in. 

And for years, the Colts have always had an average to below-average running game so they could not rely on that one bit. 

So the numbers that Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon managed (mostly with Dan Orlovsky) are extremely impressive. And even Austin Collie contributed some big catches, like he did in Week 17. 

Whether it's with Andrew Luck or Peyton Manning, next year's passing game should be much improved....that is, of course, assuming they re-sign Wayne. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Standout: Nobody

Overall Grade: F

I'm sorry, I hate to beat up on a team that's had such a terrible season, but the Jaguars' passing game is the worst in the NFL. And although you can say that a major part of that is because they have a rookie quarterback in Blaine Gabbert, that type of excuse carries little merit when Cam Newton, Andy Dalton and even Christian Ponder and T.J. Yates have played either decent, good or awesome in 2011. 

And since the Jaguars do have Maurice Jones-Drew, perhaps the best running back in the game, the receivers should be contributing more.

Mike Thomas was by far the best receiver but he did nothing to warrant that new contract. Jason Hill and Chastin West tried their best, but not nearly enough to warrant a passing grade. I wonder if Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell are in shape. 

Tennessee Titans

Standout: Nate Washington

2011 Stats: 74 catches, 1,023 yards, 7 TD

Overall Grade: B

The loss of Kenny Britt could have been crippling for the Titans, but Nate Washington (who essentially scored the game-winning touchdown in Week 17) and Damian Williams picked up the slack and that was a major reason why the Titans hung in the playoff race as long as they did. Lavelle Hawkins was also a very pleasant surprise for Tennesee. 

And since the running game was such a tremendous disappointment this year, as a group, the Titans' wide receivers really earned their pay this year.

Maybe they don't have a game-breaker like a Calvin Johnson or Wes Welker, but it proved to be a very good group, even without Britt. 

Baltimore Ravens

Standout: Anquan Boldin

2011 Stats: 57 catches, 887 yards, 3 TD

Overall Grade: B

Although his stats weren't overwhelming, and nowhere near his career-highs, I thought Anquan Boldin had a fantastic season for Baltimore. He was just what Joe Flacco needed, which was a very consistent receiver. 

And the emergence of Torrey Smith as the deep threat they've needed in Baltimore since...well...forever, was huge. There's a case to be made that he singlehandedly beat the Steelers. 

Still, I can't get over how disappointing Lee Evans was. And since rookies Tandon Doss and LaQuan Williams had the opportunity to make a name for themselves in his place—and didn't—the rest of the group's grade suffers some. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Standout: A.J. Green

2011 Stats: 65 catches, 1,056 yards, 7 TD

Overall Grade: B+

I'm trying not to be too wowed by what A.J. Green did, but....WOW!

Rookies do not come in and play as consistently as he did this year. In that respect, other than Randy Moss' incredible 1998, he probably finished up the greatest single-season rookie performance ever by a wide receiver.

Couple that effort with a rookie quarterback at the helm, a very solid season from Jerome Simpson and the loss of Jordan Shipley, and the wide receiving corps is now one of the team's greatest strength. All that after cutting loose former Pro Bowlers Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens. 

It will be very exciting to see what Green and Simpson do in the postseason against Houston. 

Cleveland Browns

Standout: Greg Little

2011 Stats: 61 catches, 709 yards, 2 TD

Overall Grade: D+

Almost every other slide you've read so far gives wide receiving corps some amnesty for injuries to one of the team's key offensive players. And although Peyton Hillis' absence for part of the season certainly cost the Browns, I can't in good conscience give that group even a decent grade. 

Sure, Colt McCoy isn't Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers, but top to bottom, the Browns have one of the league's most depressing collection of receivers. So much so that there should be some regret in making the draft-day trade with Atlanta; Julio Jones would have been such an incredible boost. 

Mohamad Massaquoi was a huge disappointment and Josh Cribbs is better suited as a return man...unless he's playing Pittsburgh. The one bright spot this year—and the reason the Browns don't receive a failing grade—was rookie Greg Little. 

His role needs to increase next year, regardless of whether or not Cleveland replaces McCoy. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Standout: Mike Wallace

2011 Stats: 72 catches, 1,193 yards, 8 TD

Overall Grade: A+

Here are the two reasons why the Steelers' collection of wide receivers earn top marks for 2011:

1) Hines Ward, probably the greatest receiver in team history, had a fairly miserable season.

2) Steelers players voted their second-leading receiver, Antonio Brown, the team MVP, ahead of their Pro Bowler Mike Wallace, who clearly opens things up for everyone else and therefore is the standout.

But even if we look past the great duo that Brown and Wallace have been this year—both topping the 1,000 yard mark—it's the play of Jerricho Cotchery and Emmanuel Sanders that earn that additional plus.

Signed off the waiver wire, Cotchery has made some big catches and although Sanders has been limited by injuries, he too put up good numbers. 

And one more thing: As good as Ben Roethlisbeger is outside of the pocket, it wouldn't mean that much if his receivers didn't do a good job of improvising and coming back to the quarterback. That's an intangible that validates that A+. 

Buffalo Bills

Standout: David Nelson

2011 Stats: 61 catches, 658 yards, 5 TD

Overall Grade: C

I don't care what his overall stats were; for another ridiculously stupid moment on the field, I refuse to give Stevie Johnson the "standout" nomination. 

So since David Nelson was one of the league's best stories in 2011—an undrafted player who put up very good numbers—he gets it. 

But Brad Smith did not contribute nearly enough as a pass catcher and Naaman Roosevelt and Donald Jones disappeared at times.

You can't look at the tremendous falloff in production by the Bills offense and blame it all on Ryan Fitzpatrick, especially since the Bills' running game was pretty consistent all season. 

Miami Dolphins

Standout: Brandon Marshall

2011 Stats: 81 catches, 1,214 yards, 6 TD

Overall Grade: B+

We all know that Brandon Marshall is extremely talented so his excellent season has almost become expected.

I'm more impressed with the play of Brian Hartline and Davone Bess.

Neither receiver came close to the 1,000-yard mark, but with Marshall as the ideal target and Reggie Bush's fine finish that's not a realistic goal.

Matt Moore proved that the Dolphins made the right move by giving him a relatively big contract, but the trio of receivers deserve some of the credit. 

New England Patriots

Standout: Wes Welker

2011 Stats: 122 catches, 1,569 yards, 9 TD

Overall Grade: B

I'm a bit conflicted in giving the Pats wide receivers a grade. If I was grading just Wes Welker and Deion Branch, the duo would get an A+. But we're talking about the entire corps of wide receivers. 

Yes, Welker led the NFL in catches and yards, earning another Pro Bowl spot. And Branch had a very good year as well.

But Chad Ochocinco was a huge bust and Matthew Slater and Julian Edelman gave them basically nothing in the passing attack.

Now you can say that the main reason for that is that Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez have emerged as top-notch wide receivers so there simply aren't enough balls to go around. But you'd like to see a Super Bowl contender have more than two wide receivers, no matter how good the tight ends and backs are as pass catchers. 

New York Jets

Standout: Plaxico Burress

2011 Stats: 45 catches, 612 yards, 8 TD

Overall Grade: C-

Santonio Holmes had a decent year statistically, but it's almost unbelievable that Dustin Keller finished with more catches and yards.

Holmes really took a step back this season (personality-wise too) and I think it's got to be one of the major reasons why Mark Sanchez struggled and the Jets are sitting home this postseason. You can't help but think Holmes became a bit complacent after signing that big contract. 

In the end Holmes is way more talented than anyone else on the roster and probably 95 percent of the receivers in the league. That's why it should be such a surprise that Burress and Jerome Kerley ended up taking away some of his catches.

And while Burress deserves some serious kudos for catching a bunch of passes and being a red-zone threat just a few months after being released from a lengthy prison term, that's more of a reflection on the lack of options for Mark Sanchez than anything. 

They probably should regret letting Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery go. Neither put up even remotely good statistics, but they would have been options for Sanchez. 

Arizona Cardinals

Standout: Larry Fitzgerald

2011 Stats: 80 catches, 1,411 yards, 8 TD

Overall Grade: B+

The decision to trade for and pay a bundle to Kevin Kolb has become slightly more questionable thanks in part to some great play by the Cards receivers.

We all know how great Larry Fitzgerald is and his performance in 2011 was status quo, i.e. awesome.

But Early Doucet has done a great job taking Steve Breaston's spot and Andre Roberts has come on in the second half of the season to give Arizona a very nice trio of receivers. 

In short, they've all made John Skelton look pretty good. 

San Francisco 49ers

Standout: Michael Crabtree

2011 Stats: 73 catches, 880 yards, 4 TD

Overall Grade: D

There's been so little to pick on about the 49ers this year that the lack of depth in the wide receiving corps has gone largely unnoticed. 

Michael Crabtree has done a decent job, but that's about it. 

The 49ers offense may be grounded—some combination of Frank Gore's fine running, Jim Harbaugh's gameplans, and Alex Smith's limitations—but for only one receiver to have 30 or more catches is a conspicuous stat. And it can't all be blamed on Braylon Edwards. 

Seattle Seahawks

Standout: Doug Baldwin

2011 Stats: 51 catches, 788 yards, 4 TD

Overall Grade: C-

Doug Baldwin had a pretty nice season, but not nearly enough to warrant a decent grade for the Seattle receivers. For all the flack that the Seahawks offense takes, Marshawn Lynch was lights out these last two months and Tarvaris Jackson has shown significant improvement.

Both of those facts are fairly hard to believe since Sidney Rice missed a huge chunk of the year with injuries, Ben Obomanu did next to nothing the final two months of the season and the Seahawks saw Mike Williams take a huge step back.

Still, Golden Tate showed just enough to suggest he can become a quality receiver.  

St. Louis Rams

Standout: Brandon Lloyd

2011 Stats: 51 catches, 683 yards, 5 TD

Overall Grade: B

In light of Sam Bradford's injury (and apparent regression in Josh McDaniels' offense) and the injuries to Mark Clayton and Danny Amedola, I thought the Rams receiving corps did a decent job.

Brandon Lloyd enjoyed a strong season considering he was joining a new team with a myriad of offensive woes. Danario Alexander has what it takes to be a real stud and the two rookies (Greg Salas and Austin Pettis) had a few good games.

Speaking of those woes, that's another reason why you have to give the Rams receivers a bit of extra credit: They have perhaps the NFL's worst pass protection so the receivers didn't have nearly as many chances to run complete routes as they should have.

Atlanta Falcons

Standout: Roddy White

2011 Stats: 100 catches, 1,296 yards, 8 TD

Overall Grade: A-

Roddy White overcame a case of the dropsies this year to have another fantastic season and even though he missed a few games because of the hamstring injury, Julio Jones has been every bit as productive as A.J. Green....and probably more explosive. The trade with Cleveland was warranted.

Toss in a pretty fine season from Harry Douglas, despite the fact that they have a Hall of Fame tight end and the offense's first priority is running the football, and Atlanta's receiving corps did an extremely praiseworthy job in 2011. 

Carolina Panthers

Standout: Steve Smith

2011 Stats: 79 catches, 1,394 yards, 7 TD

Overall Grade: A-

Steve Smith is remarkable and what he did in 2011 will probably be lost among all the other stories, but it shouldn't.

Having said that, he's not the only Panthers receiver who deserves mention.

Brandon LaFell was a fine second option and Legedu Naanee was a tremendous third option for Cam Newton. 

For the three of those receivers to combine for close to 2,400 yards and record over 150 catches with a rookie quarterback under center deserves additional praise. 

New Orleans Saints

Standout: Marques Colston

2011 Stats: 80 catches, 1,143 yards, 8 TD

Overall Grade: B+

Just because Drew Brees was awesome in 2011 doesn't mean all the credit is due to his receiving corps. Jimmy Graham was the team's premier pass catcher and Darren Sproles was also a huge part of the cause. 

Nevertheless, the four-headed monster of Colston, Robert Meachem, Lance Moore and DeVery Henderson were each capable of being the team's leading receiver. So even if there wasn't a star, since each of them was well above average, they are as deep of a unit as any. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Standout: Mike Williams

2011 Stats: 65 yards, 771 yards, 3 TD

Overall Grade: B

I'll bet you're surprised by that grade.

The Bucs suffered through a horrific 2011 and quarterback Josh Freeman was the focus of the negative turnaround. 

But Tampa Bay's receiving corps was hardly to blame for the problems: Most of Freeman's interceptions were bad decisions. 

So considering the entire picture, Mike Williams had a very good season while Preston Parker, Arrelious Benn, and Dezmon Briscoe all took great strides in their second years. For that trio to combine for over 100 catches and 1,300 yards when Williams and Kellen Winslow were the lead dogs is significant. 

Chicago Bears

Standout: Johnny Knox

2011 Stats: 37 catches, 727 yards, 2 TD

Overall Grade: C

The Bears' crop of wide receivers also deserves some amnesty for their paltry overall numbers this year.

Injuries to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte have hurt, there's no question about that. Still, other than Johnny Knox, who really delivered for Chicago down the stretch? No one.

Sure Dane Sanzenbacher had a decent rookie campaign and Devin Hester did what he could as a spot contributor. 

But Roy Williams had another average season and the same can be said about Earl Bennett.

For the Bears to deal away Greg Olson this offseason suggests that Mike Martz had confidence that he could get a ton out of this group. 2011 suggests he was wrong. 

Detroit Lions

Standout: Calvin Johnson

2011 Stats: 96 catches, 1,681 yards, 16 TD

Overall Grade: A

At this point, Calvin Johnson's numbers shouldn't surprise anyone. He's the best wide receiver in the NFL.

But the entire group earns an A for the performance of two other players.

Nate Burleson is probably not worth the millions he's making, but he was a fine third option for Matthew Stafford behind Johnson and tight end Brandon Pettigrew. 

And then there was the play of rookie Titus Young. For a small receiver from Boise State to step in right away and contribute the way he did sows that the Lions have a very bright future under Matthew Stafford. 

Green Bay Packers

Standout: Jordy Nelson

2011 Stats: 68 catches, 1,263 yards, 15 TD

Overall Grade: A+

This is the biggest no-brainer of them all.

Although Jermichael Finley is a very good tight end, the Packers wide recievers are Aaron Rodgers' greatest complement. 

Nelson had an amazing season, Randall Cobb certainly pulled his weight as a rookie and Greg Jennings was headed for another great year had he not suffered that knee injury against Oakland. 

And even if he's showing signs of his age, Donald Driver is fully capable of contributing in the postseason. That foursome—with Finley over the middle—makes the Packers nearly unstoppable. 

Minnesota Vikings

Standout: Percy Harvin

2011 Stats: 87 catches, 967 yards, 6 TD

Overall Grade: B

The duo of Donovan McNabb and a rookie quarterback doomed the Vikings receivers before the season even started. 

But Harvin overcame all of that to put up career highs in receptions and yardage. 

And while Michael Jenkins and Devin Aromashodu didn't exactly remind Vikings fans of a Cris Carter-Randy Moss duo, for them to have nearly 80 catches and 900 yards with Harvin, the quarterback issues and two prominent tight ends in Visanthe Schiancoe and Kyle Rudolph, should be encouraging for Christian Ponder. 

Dallas Cowboys

Standout: Dez Bryant

2011 Stats: 63 catches, 928 yards, 9 TD

Overall Grade: B+

None finished with 1,000 yards or 70 catches, but given Jason Witten's importance in the Dallas offense, the Cowboys' trio of wide receivers are a as good as any in the NFL.

Bryant is a stud; I don't care what his overall statistics are. 

Miles Austin was very effective when he was actually in the lineup. 

And Laurent Robinson is one of the better feel-good stories of the 2011 season, being cut twice in the preseason only to emerge as one of Tony Romo's favorite options.

New York Giants

Standout: Victor Cruz

2011 Stats: 82 catches, 1,536 yards, 9 TD

Overall Grade: A-

If you thought Laurent Robinson was a nice feel-good story, just look at the case of Victor Cruz. It's an absolute shame that he wasn't selected to the Pro Bowl and he was again electrifying in the win over Dallas. 

Throw in Hakeem Nicks—let's give him a pass on that drop in the Redskins game—and his second-straight 1,000-yard season, and it's little wonder why Eli Manning didn't miss Steve Smith one bit. 

Mario Manningham didn't took a step back and Ramses Barden hasn't been able to turn his ridiculous size into catches, but Eli Manning isn't the sole reason why the Giants pass offense is one of the best in the NFL. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Standout: Jeremy Maclin

2011 Stats: 63 catches, 859 yards, 5 TD

Overall Grade: B

Although the 2011 Eagles were as disappointing as any in the NFL, it's tough to point to the receiving corps as the major problem, especially since three different quarterbacks started for Philly this year.

Maclin—who had a serious health scare in training camp—had some big games, despite the emergence of LeSean McCoy as the focal point of the offense.

And don't forget that Jason Avant set career highs in receptions and yardage.   

Now whether or not DeSean Jackson—who was part explosive, part destructive—is back next year remains to be seen. 

Washington Redskins

Standout: Jabar Gaffney

2011 Stats: 68 catches, 947 yards, 5 TD

Overall Grade: B

For Gaffney to post career highs in a season mired by awful quarterback play is a tremendous compliment to him. 

And although Santana Moss' numbers dipped considerably this year, he too had some moments that defied his status as a 10-year-plus veteran.

The presence of those two didn't seem to rub off on the youngsters, however. At least not yet. Anthony Armstrong's numbers plummeted as did his place on the depth chart. Niles Paul was barely able to get on the field, and Leonard Hankerson had just one good game before his season-ending injury.