Randy Moss: Where Does He Fit Among Elite NFL Receivers Today?
Randy Moss is on his way back to where it all started: the Minnesota Vikings. The Patriots shipped him back for a third round pick.
It's a safe bet to assume that Moss won't be as productive in his first year back with the Vikings as he was in his first (rookie) year with the team in 1998.
He doesn't have to catch 17 touchdowns this season to be a success. His presence alone should have a major impact on the struggling Minnesota offense. And if nothing else, it will bring some help to Brett Favre's ailing receiving corps.
But where does Moss rank among the rest of the league's wideouts?
No. 20: Mark Clayton
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After never really living up to his first round pick status with the Ravens, Clayton has caught fire by being reunited with a Sooner arm in St. Louis.
He's given the Rams a speedy veteran to take some of the pressure off Sam Bradford, and it has yielded stunning results.
No. 19: Hines Ward
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In the middle of his 13th season, Ward has gotten off to a slow start: just 12 catches for 165 yards and one touchdown. Obviously, the Steelers quarterback carousel is to blame for the lack of production.
But anyone who flatly assumes that Mike Wallace is Pittsburgh's best receiver is mistaken. Ward remains the best blocking wideout in the league, and his presence over the middle, run-after-the-catch, and ability near the goal line makes him one of the more reliable players in the AFC.
No. 18: Wes Welker
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Welker certainly benefited from having Randy Moss opposite him. Let's see how he responds to being the clear-cut No. 1 receiver for Tom Brady.
While Moss may have pulled another "play when I feel like it" season in 2010, Welker's production dipped: his yards-per-catch is way down from previous seasons.
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No. 17: Brandon Lloyd
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Talk about a late bloomer! Lloyd has been notorious for under-producing since his arrival in the league. Enough that three different franchises (San Francisco, Washington, and Chicago) gave up on him.
But with Josh McDaniels and a pair of fine complementary receivers, Jabar Gaffney and Eddie Royal, Lloyd has somehow become a major threat.
He's only two yards behind NFL-leading Reggie Wayne and is averaging 18.2 yards per catch. A few more touchdowns—he has just one—and he is looking at a Pro Bowl spot.
No. 16: Braylon Edwards
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This isn't a list of best off-the-field-decision-making receivers. The plain fact is that Edwards has been better AFTER the DUI than before.
His numbers in a Jets uniform haven't come close to his production in Cleveland in 2007, when he caught 16 touchdowns. But he appears to be a dangerous deep threat for Mark Sanchez. And if Santonio Holmes is able to return at reasonably top form, then Edwards will do even better in the the second half of the season.
No. 15: Chad Ochocinco
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Ochocinco's stats are once again very good. But he is not necessarily having a great season. He totalled 12 catches and 159 yards in Week 1, but the Bengals were being blown out by New England virtually the entire game: They threw on almost every down, and the Pats were content to give up underneath completions.
Since then, he hasn't caught more than four passes per game and hasn't reached the end zone. Still, any quarterback would want him on their team.
No. 14: Austin Collie
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Collie is yet another diamond in the rough for the Colts and Peyton Manning.
Although he benefits tremendously from the fact that
a) Indianapolis has no running game,
b) Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark are consuming a lot of attention, and
c) his quarterback is a first ballot Hall of Famer,
Collie is a future star.
No. 13: Terrell Owens
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Owens deserves a pass for his sabbatical in Buffalo. He didn't have a quarterback and the Bills were not a good team. In Cincinnati, he clearly has rebounded and, on the road at Cleveland last week, he kept the Bengals in the game.
No. 12: Donald Driver
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Unlike running backs, wide receivers often improve with age and are extremely productive into their mid-thirties. Driver is a great example.
The emergence of James Jones along with Jermichael Finely as the Packers tight end take catches away from him. But, he is still Aaron Rodgers best weapon.
No. 11: Randy Moss
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Moss has proven that when he is unhappy and/or unmotivated he does not play up to his Hall of Fame abilities.
In Minnesota, he should experience a natural rejuvenation and feeling of "being wanted," which he said he didn't feel in in New England. Swapping out Tom Brady for Brett Favre might prove to be a downgrade. But, on any given play, there is no better big play receiver in the league.
No. 10: Roddy White
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Very quietly, White has put up incredible numbers. No doubt Tony Gonzalez's addition has opened things up, but his emergence has made the Falcons one of the premier offenses in the NFL.
No. 9: Steve Smith (New York Giants)
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The Giants wide receiving corps is stacked for the future. With Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham coming into their own, Eli Manning has plenty of options.
Smith is the most vital member of the group. His work ethic has been routinely praised, and that was proven last year when he caught 107 passes. His numbers in 2010 will pick up.
No. 8: Miles Austin
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He is capable of breaking one at any moment. And in the Cowboys pass-first offense, that scares defensive backs from the opening minute of the game. Averaging better than 100 yards per game, with Dez Bryant, Roy Williams, and Jason Witten on the field at the same time, makes Austin an elite player.
No. 7: Anquan Boldin
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After a rough start for Joe Flacco and the Baltimore offense, the passing game has been great the past two weeks. Considering his footwork and hands, when it comes to the sideline routes he might be the best in the NFL. The Ravens are really lucky to have him peaking while Ray Rice is nursing a sore knee.
No. 6: Brandon Marshall
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The biggest, most physical receiver in the NFL, Marshall's yards-after-the-catch ability has been a great help in Chad Henne's development. And whatever he has been teaching Davone Bess has yielded even more production for the Dolphins.
No. 5: Reggie Wayne
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If Wayne hadn't begun his career in the shadow of Marvin Harrison, he might have been named an All-Pro long before 2007.
And if Dallas Clark wasn't there to take away receptions, yards, and touchdowns, imagine what type of numbers he would put up. Even with Austin Collie and Clark, Wayne is leading the league in yards and turned out the best day of his career last week against Jacksonville.
No. 4: DeSean Jackson
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Speed kills. It's that simple. He is the fastest receiver in the NFL. Every time he touches the ball, he is thinking end zone. And since it hasn't mattered who's throwing him the ball—Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, or Michael Vick—he will be a Pro Bowler no matter who is under center for the Eagles.
No. 3: Calvin Johnson
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Matthew Stafford's second significant injury in two seasons has set back the Lions passing attack. But even with Shaun Hill at quarterback, Calvin Johnson hasn't suffered too much.
In today's NFL, whenever a team needs a score on third down, near the goal line, what do teams run? The jump ball to the corner of the end zone. Johnson's size, hands, and leaping ability make him the best in the league at that particular duty. It's an incredible safety net for any team.
No. 2: Andre Johnson
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Each of the past two seasons, Johnson has been the best receiver in the AFC. And although Arian Foster has emerged as a great rusher (at least thus far), Johnson is the main man in Houston. Look what he did against the Redskins (when healthy): 12 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown.
He makes Matt Schaub a much better quarterback because of his speed and route running. Expect the ankle injury to be only a momentary set back.
No. 1: Larry Fitzgerald
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Forget this year's stats. From a purely physical standpoint, Fitzgerald is the best receiver in football.
Fitzgerald can make every catch and run every route. And his play in the end zone is as good as Randy Moss's was in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The number one goal on offense is to score touchdowns. Yardage and receptions are nice, but whether you're called upon 20 times or 2 times in a game doesn't matter if you score. And four of the previous five seasons, Fitzgerald has put up double-digit touchdowns. No other receiver can make that claim.
When the Cardinals give him a quarterback, he will start to put up those typical All-Pro numbers.
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