NFL Rankings 2011: Top 10 Deep Threats in the NFL (With Video)

There are certain players around the league who thrive on their ability to bring in the long bomb. An elite home-run threat can completely change the course of a game.

To be a great deep threat, a player has to have elite speed, great hands or spectacular route-running. To be elite, he has to have all three.

Teams gamble on guys like Ted Ginn Jr. and Darrius Heyward-Bey because they are trying to bring in a guy to stretch the field and take over games in only a few plays.

Sorry Percy Harvin, Braylon Edwards, and Ben Obomanu, not this time. Let's take a look at the top 10 deep threats in the NFL.

10. Vernon Davis

Vernon Davis is the only tight end on this list. He's at number 10, only because his average is driven up by his spectacular run after catch ability.

Even so, he's got deep threat wide receiver speed at the tight end position. He is one of the few tight ends who can run the gauntlet of routes. His career could really take flight under Jim Harbaugh.

Too big for defensive backs, too fast for linebackers, Davis had 16 catches over 20 yards. He had a 16.3 average to boot, leading all tight ends.

9. Anthony Armstrong

Anthony Armstrong is probably the "unknown" of the list. Some may even think teammate Santana Moss deserves more recognition than Armstrong.

The numbers are hard to ignore though. He only managed to bring in 44 receptions last season, but he put forth a 19.8 yard average. Only two players in the entire league had a better YPC average.

The undrafted 28 year old from West Texas A&M could have a breakout season in 2011.

8. Johnny Knox

Johnny Knox is a shining star on a lackluster Chicago receiving corp. He managed to amass 960 yards, in spite of being in an offense that had problems getting going at times.

Knox only had more than five catches in one game last season, but he had a huge impact. Even one or two catches from a deep threat like Knox can alter the course of a game.

7. Calvin Johnson

People forget how fast Calvin Johnson is because he is such a huge physical specimen. He's a complete receiver and his speed isn't even necessarily the strongest part of his game.

Even so, the guy can flat out fly. He combines tremendous leaping ability, height and speed to embarrass defensive backs.

He's a red zone nightmare and a great possession receiver, but the guy is also lethal when he goes deep.

6. Malcom Floyd

Malcom Floyd only had 37 catches in 2010, but he was still able to make a huge impact. A 19.4 yard average made teams account for him on every play.

His stat sheet isn't spectacular, but he's a playmaker. Floyd has decent speed, but he uses his 6'5" frame to bully shorter defensive backs and haul in the deep pass.

His most impressive game last season came against Oakland's heralded secondary, where he brought in eight catches for a ridiculous 213 yards. That's a 26.6 yard average. 

5. Kenny Britt

If Kenny Britt can manage to avoid the law, he's going to be a dominant player in 2011. He's got the frame and the top end speed to dominate defensive backs.

With a young quarterback in Jake Locker, the Titans need him to be on the field. The Randy Moss experiment tanked, but they already have a deep threat in Britt.

He missed four games last season and still managed to haul in nine touchdowns and 42 catches. His YAC yards aren't off the chart, but his average is. That's sort of the combination that seems to follow deep threats.

4. Greg Jennings

Greg Jennings is so great off the line, that he's nearly impossible to cover. He has great speed and runs clean routes, which make him a lethal deep threat.

Having Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre as his quarterbacks doesn't hurt him either. The Packers call on him to be more than just a big play receiver, but he still maintains a 16.6 yard average.

12 touchdowns and 21 plays over 20 yards helped bring a Lombardi Trophy to Title Town.

3. Brandon Lloyd

Brandon Lloyd is known for his acrobatic catches. Prior to 2010, that's about the only positive trait he brought to the table. The journeyman wide receiver put it together in 2010, and has become one of the best deep threats in all of football.

23 catches of 20 yards or more helped earn him a Pro Bowl. He has underrated speed and incredible timing. The Broncos run a pass happy offense, so some of his stats are inflated. You can't overlook the fact that he averaged 18.8 yards per catch.

Lloyd goes into next season as an elite deep threat in the NFL, regardless of who is under center.

2. DeSean Jackson

DeSean Jackson is probably the fastest player on this list. He's arguably the best return man in the game and is the ultimate game changer (just ask Giants fans).

He had the best average in the entire NFL last season, with an amazing 22.5 yard average. He's got the burners to complete blow by cornerbacks and is a key component of the high octane offense in Philly.

A lot of teams are kicking themselves for passing up the opportunity to bring in Jackson, some even in the second round. It was a two horse race for the top spot here. Unfortunately, there can only be one No. 1.

1. Mike Wallace

DeSean Jackson may have a slight edge on Mike Wallace in the speed department, but Wallace has a bigger offensive impact. The Steelers made up for completely botching the draft that brought in Limas Sweed over Jackson.

26 of his 60 catches went for at least 20 yards. In a smash-mouth Pittsburgh offense, having a guy who can go for six at any time is incredibly valuable.

Wallace had four games of 100 or more yards where he only caught the ball four times or less. He's also one of the very few guys on this list with double digit touchdown receptions.