NFL Receivers: DeSean Jackson, Percy Harvin and Every Team's Best Target
The 2010 NFL regular season is nearly over, and we the fans have had plenty of time to soak in all that the wide receiver position has to offer.
Some make huge, game-changing plays, like DeSean Jackson. Others move the chains and keep their team's hopes alive, like Anquan Boldin.
The one common factor that all 32 of these wideouts share, however, is that they are elite and the best their squads have to offer.
St. Louis Rams: Danny Amendola
1 of 32
Many may remember Amendola from HBO's Hard Knocks series three years ago when he was vying for a spot on the Dallas Cowboys' roster.
Now one of the league's top receivers, Amendola leads the Rams with 75 receptions this season, providing an excellent safety valve for young rookie quarterback Sam Bradford.
Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald
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Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald made a name for himself during the 2009 NFL playoffs when he and Kurt Warner connected on several big pass plays in which Fitzgerald used his superior athleticism to beat the defense.
Fitzgerald continues to carry the Cardinals this season with 78 receptions and nearly 1,000 yards receiving. Still, Arizona is just 4-10 on the year.
San Francisco 49ers: Vernon Davis
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Vernon Davis is the first tight end on the list, and it's no surprise why. The big-framed receiving tight end has size and speed to match.
Davis leads the 49ers with 50 receptions and six touchdowns. Sadly, no one else has stepped up for the Niners at receiver this year.
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Seattle Seahawks: Mike Williams
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Seattle's Mike Williams hasn't been too spectacular this season, but he is suddenly elite by default. Williams has just one touchdown but still has eight plays over 20 yards.
The Seahawks could make the playoffs this year, and Williams could have a chance to play big in the postseason.
New Orleans Saints: Lance Moore
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Though many would have you believe that Marques Colston is the Saints' No. 1 wideout, Lance Moore may be more worthy of the title.
Moore has been clutch for New Orleans the past few seasons and is usually Drew Brees' main target when he is under siege.
Atlanta Falcons: Roddy White
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Nothing new here. Roddy White has been Atlanta's guy for the past few seasons and currently leads the NFL in receptions and receiving yards.
White is the first receiver to catch more than 100 balls this season and will likely be headed to the Pro Bowl if the Falcons aren't Super Bowl-bound this February.
Carolina Panthers: Steve Smith
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Carolina's Steve Smith has had a disappointing season by his standards, catching just two TDs and accumulating just 554 receiving yards.
The Panthers' offense has been disappointing altogether, and Smith isn't the only one who would like to forget 2010.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Williams
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The second Mike Williams to make the list, this Williams leads the resurgent Tampa Bay Bucs back into the playoff picture with nearly 60 receptions and eight touchdowns.
Williams is a rookie from Syracuse with a bright future in the league.
Green Bay Packers: Greg Jennings
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The Packers' Greg Jennings has emerged as one of the league's top receivers over the years and now is Green Bay's go-to guy more often than not.
Jennings leads the team with over 1,000 yards receiving and 12 TDs in 2010.
Chicago Bears: Greg Olsen
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Chicago's Greg Olsen doesn't stand out statistically for the Bears. But if you watch a Bears game, you quickly notice who Chicago's No. 1 threat is: Greg Olsen.
Jay Cutler often forces the ball to Olsen, who has excellent hands to go along with his knack for getting open down the field.
Minnesota Vikings: Percy Harvin
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Percy Harvin was an all-purpose player at the University of Florida a couple of years ago, and in two seasons with Minnesota Harvin has made all sorts of huge plays.
Though he is a receiver, Harvin is a threat to score on punt returns and on end-around plays.
Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson
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Detroit's Calvin Johnson is just one of nine players this season to have gone over 1,000 yards receiving by Week 16.
Johnson's size is nearly unmatched by any NFL corner or safety, as is his talent.
New York Giants: Hakeem Nicks
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Hakeem Nicks has quickly emerged as the league's most explosive receiver. Nicks has 10 touchdowns for the G-Men this season and a remarkable 18 plays of 20 yards or more.
Nicks has also helped erase memories of Plaxico Burress with his stellar play.
Philadelphia Eagles: DeSean Jackson
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DeSean Jackson has been the definition of "big play" this season, as he has an insane 22.8-yard average per reception.
Jackson has just 45 receptions but over 1,000 yards receiving. Also, Jackson is responsible for 20 plays of 20 or more yards and eight plays of 40-plus yards for the Eagles this season.
Dallas Cowboys: Jason Witten
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Witten leads all NFL tight ends in receptions and yards this season. For that matter, he leads most wide receivers.
Witten has long been a security blanket for quarterbacks in Dallas and will likely continue to provide that service as long as he is healthy.
Washington Redskins: Santana Moss
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Moss is one of the smallest Redskins, but that doesn't mean he isn't one of the best. Moss leads all Washington receivers in receptions, yards and touchdowns this season.
If only he was a little bit taller.
New England Patriots: Wes Welker
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Welker has been superb this season after returning from a knee injury a year ago. Welker has seven touchdowns on 83 receptions.
Tom Brady's famous check-down or quick zip pass to Welker in the flat has been a staple in the Pats' offense this season.
New York Jets: Santonio Holmes
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Holmes has enjoyed his new home in New York this season. Even though he missed the first four games of the season because of suspension, he still has over 600 yards receiving and nearly 50 receptions.
Holmes has proven his talent this season playing alongside a mediocre quarterback.
Miami Dolphins: Brandon Marshall
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Miami's Brandon Marshall has been the Dolphins' best receiver this season, but he hasn't been one of the league's best.
Marshall has just 815 yards on 71 receptions this season to go along with only three TDs.
Buffalo Bills: Steve Johnson
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Steve Johnson is most likely known for his horrific dropped pass against Pittsburgh earlier this season that would have won the game in overtime.
Still, Johnson is as talented as they come and leads the Bills' team in receiving this season.
San Diego Chargers: Antonio Gates
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There is no question that Antonio Gates is the best Bolts receiver this season. In the absence of Vincent Jackson, and while nursing a foot injury, Gates helped revive the Chargers in the AFC playoff race.
Gates' 10 touchdowns lead the Chargers this season, and his 50 receptions have all been equally important for San Diego.
Kansas City Chiefs: Dwayne Bowe
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Kansas City's stud wideout Dwayne Bowe currently leads the league in receiving touchdowns with 14 through 14 games.
The big play threat also has 16 plays of 20-plus yards this season for the Chiefs.
Oakland Raiders: Jacoby Ford
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Jacoby Ford doesn't stand out statistically for the Raiders this season. Still, the rookie from Clemson has been a big play magnet for Oakland and arguably one of their top playmakers.
Ford already has a long highlight reel in just one NFL season.
Denver Broncos: Brandon Lloyd
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The NFL's second leading receiver in yards, Denver's Brandon Lloyd has had a breakout season in 2010.
Lloyd also has 10 TDs to go along with his eight plays of 40-plus yards.
Indianapolis Colts: Reggie Wayne
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The Colts' Reggie Wayne has been the one constant for Peyton Manning this season. With injuries to Austin Collie and Dallas Clark, Manning has been forced to integrate new faces into the offense.
Wayne has made that transition slightly easier while accumulating nearly 100 receptions and over 1,200 yards receiving.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Marcedes Lewis
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Jacksonville's Marcedes Lewis has emerged as David Garrard's favorite target. The talented tight end has nine receiving TDs in 2010.
Lewis has the size and strength of a tight end but the hands and speed of a wide receiver.
Tennessee Titans: Kenny Britt
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No Tennessee receiver is exactly tearing it up this season for the Titans. But if there is one standout in this disappointing 2010 campaign, it's Kenny Britt.
Britt has seven touchdowns and 600 yards receiving on only 33 receptions this year.
Houston Texans: Andre Johnson
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Johnson, arguably the NFL's best receiver at the moment, has been as good as advertised in 2010.
Johnson has 86 catches for over 1,200 yards and eight Texas-sized TDs this season.
Cincinnati Bengals: Chad Ochocinco
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Cincinnati's Chad Ochocinco has been outperformed by teammate Terrell Owens this season. But clearly the Bengals' best receiver remains Ochocinco.
Ochocinco has much better hands than Owens and incredible footwork on the sideline and at the back of the end zone.
Cleveland Browns: Benjamin Watson
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Benjamin Watson hasn't been overwhelmingly good this season, but by Browns standards he's been pretty impressive.
Watson leads the Browns with 58 receptions for nearly 700 yards and three TDs.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Wallace
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Though some would argue that Hines Ward is the Steelers' best at the position, the statistics and your eyes would tell you otherwise.
Wallace is in a two-man race with DeSean Jackson for Pennsylvania's "king of the big play" title.
Baltimore Ravens: Anquan Boldin
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Newly acquired wideout Anquan Boldin has fit in perfectly in Baltimore. The quiet and humble receiver leads the Ravens' receiving staff with 60 receptions and seven TDs in Baltimore's run-first offense.
Boldin's tough-minded personality has represented the Ravens well on the field for the most part this season.
Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.
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