NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the Top 10 QB-WR Combos in the League

As the NFL continues to progress into more of a passing league, teams are looking for a franchise quarterback while also giving him at least one top target to throw to.

The duo you see at the top of this slideshow was integral in changing the fortunes of the entire Falcons franchise, and both players have become fan favorites. Matt Ryan and Roddy White without question form one of the top duos in the league.

So as we look at the top quarterback-wide receiver combos in the league, we'll go over the guidelines of the list. The players will be looked at as equally important to making the group great. Thus, a top quarterback that doesn't have a top wide receiver will be lower than a slightly lower quarterback that has a top-notch wide receiver. This makes it so the tandem has to be great, not just one of the players.

We will also be looking at what the pair has done together more so than what the players have done separately. This means that a guy that had a down year with a new team following several dominating seasons with another may be downgraded a bit and vice versa.

Sadly, the way I'm going to do it, some guys like Calvin Johnson won't make the list for lack of a consistent quarterback, though he and a healthy Matthew Stafford could make this list next season.

The way we will be placing them is like this: Of the 10 players at each position that I list, I will give them a number of where I think they rank compared to other players on the list. The highest number will be one, lowest number 10. The group with lowest average will be the top duo.

The top 10 duos are all very close together with no one group being tons and tons better than the rest. Let's get on to the top 10 quarterback-wide receiver tandems.

10. Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin, Baltimore Ravens

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 21: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens talks to his wide receivers Derrick Mason #85 and Anquan Boldin #81 during a timeout against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Caro

Joe Flacco 2010 Stats: 308-of-489 (62.6 percent), 3,622 yards, 25 TD, 10 INT

Anquan Boldin 2010 Stats: 64 Rec, 837 yards, seven TD

Flacco will forever be linked to Matt Ryan and Matt Ryan always to Flacco because they were the top quarterbacks drafted in 2008. Both have progressed and made the playoffs a couple of times. Flacco is a very good young quarterback and has the talent to become one of the game's best.

Boldin didn't have great numbers last season, but I look for him to get back to where we expect him to be. This means close to 100 catches, well over 1,000 yards and several touchdown catches. He's still one of the better receivers in the league.

Joe Flacco Ranking: 10

Anquan Boldin Ranking: 8

Average Ranking: 9

9. Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a second quarter touchdown pass with Mike Wallace and Rashard Mendenhall while playing the Cleveland Browns on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani

Ben Roethlisberger 2010 Stats: 240-of-389 (61.7 percent), 3,200 yards, 17 TD, five INT

Mike Wallace 2010 Stats: 60 Rec, 1,257 yards, 10 TD

For all the problems he has had off the field, all that Roethlisberger has proven on it is that he is a winner. He doesn't put up the eye-popping stats that you expect from an elite quarterback but still is one of the better playmakers at the position.

Wallace is a young and very fast receiver that is quickly becoming one of the best in the league. He's still a year away probably from becoming a top-notch receiver, but he has the tools and playmaking ability to become one very soon.

Ben Roethlisberger Ranking: 7

Mike Wallace Ranking: 8

Average Ranking: 7.5

8. Philip Rivers and Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers delivers a pass against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo by Doug Pensing

Philip Rivers 2010 Stats: 357-of-541 (66 percent), 4,710 yards, 30 TD, 13 INT

Vincent Jackson 2010 Stats: 14 Rec, 248 yards, three TD

Rivers is as good as just about any quarterback in the league. He's put up the numbers, picked up wins and done so with different supporting casts around him. He continues to improve and seems to be poised to take the next step in the playoffs.

Jackson wasn't on the field much in 2010, but in 2009 he picked up 68 receptions for 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns. He's not the best receiver, but he makes plays and has the traits that teams look for.

Philip Rivers Ranking: 4

Vincent Jackson Ranking: 10

Average Ranking: 7

7. Drew Brees and Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 13: Marques Colston #12 and quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrate Colston's 3-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on December 13, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Drew Brees 2010 Stats: 448-of-658 (68.1 percent), 4,620 yards, 33 TD, 22 INT

Marques Colston 2010 Stats: 84 Rec, 1,023 yards, seven TD

The interceptions hurt Brees' ranking a bit, but he is still an elite-level quarterback that can make plays and throws that other quarterbacks can't.

Colston has the hands and size to be an elite wide receiver, and so far in his career he has played like it. He lacks big-time speed but makes up for it with his route-running and production.

This duo will be working hard this offseason to try to retake the NFC South title.

Drew Brees Ranking: 6

Marques Colston Ranking: 6

Average Ranking: 6

6. Tom Brady and Wes Welker, New England Patriots

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Wes Welker #83 celebrates with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots against the New York Jets during their game on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by A

Tom Brady 2010 Stats: 324-of-492 (65.9 percent), 3,900 yards, 36 TD, four INT

Wes Welker 2010 Stats: 86 Rec, 848 yards, seven TD

What more can be said about Tom Brady that hasn't already? He's among the greatest quarterbacks to have ever played the game and continues to play it at as high a level as anyone in the league.

Wes Welker has been as solid and as consistent as any fan could hope for. He's one of the best chain-moving receivers in the league and plays very big despite his size. He is lifted up to an upper level of receivers by the play of Brady.

This duo should continue to give the league fits going forward.

Tom Brady Ranking: 2

Wes Welker Ranking: 9

Combined average: 5.5

T4. Matt Ryan and Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 and Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons walk off the field during a game with the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Matt Ryan 2010 Stats: 357-of-571 (62.5 percent), 3,705 yards, 28 TD, nine INT

Roddy White 2010 Stats: 115 Rec, 1,389 yards, 10 TD

This duo was good enough to lead the Atlanta Falcons to a 13-3 record, which was the best in the NFC last season. Both were named to the Pro Bowl, and both are relatively young (Ryan is 25, and White is 29).

White was without question Ryan's top target last year, as he led the league in receptions and targets in what would become a career season. Ryan also took the next step in 2010 and seems to be on the brink of complete stardom. He's been one of the better quarterbacks in the league since being drafted and could be poised for a true breakout season.

Matt Ryan Ranking: 8

Roddy White Ranking: 2

Combined Ranking: 5 

T4. Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 and DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles talk on the field against the Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaa

Michael Vick 2010 Stats: 233-of-372 (62.6 percent), 3,018 yards, 21 TD, six INT, 676 yards rushing, nine TD

DeSean Jackson 2010 Stats: 47 Rec, 1,056 yards, six TD

Vick came back from all of his struggles to put together one of the better seasons in recent memory from a quarterback. It was far and away his best passing season while still leading all quarterbacks in rushing yards and touchdowns.

Jackson is the ultimate speed receiver, and perhaps the only thing holding him back is durability and slightly more production. Some are wondering how long he will last in the league at his size, but so far he has been among the very best playmakers in the league.

Michael Vick Ranking: 5

DeSean Jackson Ranking: 5

Average Ranking: 5 

3. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, Houston Texans

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 13: Wide receiver Andre Johnson #80 and quarterback Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans watch the final moments from the sidelines at Reliant Stadium on September 13, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Matt Schaub 2010 Stats: 365-of-574 (63.6 percent), 4,370 yards, 24 TD, 12 INT 

Andre Johnson 2010 Stats: 86 Rec, 1,216 yards, eight TD

Schaub can put up numbers as big as anybody in the league, but he hasn't had a ton of success in the win column. Some of this is bad defense; other parts of it are because of him. He's still growing, though, and should continue to progress as one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

Johnson is considered at worst the second-best receiver in the league, but I think he is the best. He has all of the physical traits you look for and has been very productive as a pro. He has a chance to have a special career.

Matt Schaub Ranking: 8

Andre Johnson Ranking: 1

Average Ranking: 4.5

2. Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Wide receiver Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals with quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 during the third quarter of the 2010 NFC wild-card playoff game at University of P

Aaron Rodgers 2010 Stats: 312-of-475 (65.7 percent), 3,922 yards, 28 TD, 11 INT

Greg Jennings 2010 Stats: 76 Rec, 1,265 yards, 12 TD

The Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers have a young duo that is easily among the best in the league. Rodgers took the next step in 2010 and can be argued as the best quarterback in the league right now. Going forward, he, Roethlisberger, Ryan and Flacco will be competing for the top quarterback spot.

Jennings has fairly quietly become one of the best receivers in the game. He possesses good all-around tools and has been Rodgers' favorite target for a while now.

Aaron Rodgers Ranking: 3

Greg Jennings: 4

Combined Average: 3.5 

1. Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts after a play late in the fourth quarter with teammate Reggie Wayne #87 against the New Orleans Saints during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Mi

Peyton Manning 2010 Stats: 450-of-679 (66.3 percent), 4,700 yards, 33 TD, 17 INT

Reggie Wayne: 111 Rec, 1,355 yards, six TD

Its crazy how a 4,700-yard, 33-TD season is a "down" season for any quarterback, but Peyton Manning has been that great over his career. Even with the down year, I give him the top slot in the quarterback ranking for at least one more year, though he and Brady are more 1A-1B to me.

Reggie Wayne has put up huge numbers over his career and at the age of 32 still has a few seasons left in him to pad what should be a Hall of Fame career.

Both guys make up the top duo this year, and all signs point to them probably being tops on the list next season as well.

Peyton Manning Ranking: 1

Reggie Wayne Ranking: 3

Average Ranking: 2