nfc east best wide receivers

Slayton doesnt have much in the way of counters, tricks, or physicality to get open if his athleticism isnt enough. The New York Giants have a desperate need at the wide receiver position this offseason. One minor difference in his game from last year is that I think Cooper has visibly improved in run blocking. He has enough deep speed that he can completely blow past most CBs given a few seconds to run in a straight line, though he doesnt have the lateral agility to juke a DB out of his shoes, nor does he utilize fakes to misdirect opponents and get free early. But the ball is perfectly placed where only JJ can get it, and he again reaches out and uses his long arms and sure hands to secure the ball beyond the reach of the CB for a tough TD catch. NFL passing games want quick-hitting routes rather than long developing ones downfield. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Cooper working with Dalton and practice squad players has put up respectable numbers while McLaurin working with a revolving door of quarterbacks has emerged as a leader and playmaker in the culture Ron Rivera is trying to implement. Cooper can play every WR position: X, Z, and slot, and the Cowboys use him all over the field to exploit matchups and get him paired with slower DBs. He primarily (though not exclusively) seemed to be used as a deep threat option in Seattle. Id like to quote heavily from that series here. [0:41] This is almost a mirror of the first play shown above against the Vikings. However, note that this play seems designed explicitly to get the ball to Cooper. With Amari Cooper off to Cleveland, and James Washington and Michael Gallup dealing with injuries this season, the window has been there for Lamb to step up, and hes done so with flying colors to help Dallas to its 10-3 start. The Rams are simply not the same team when Kupp is off the field. You can see Reagors style with the ball in his hands is similar to a RB, with sharp cuts and good vision picking out running lanes to get 19 yards after the catch. As we enter 2019, the Eagles may feature the most recognizable names with fans across the NFL with 32-year-old Desean Jackson, coming back for a second run in Philly, Alshon Jeffrey, who first built his reputation in Chicago, and Nelson Aghlor, who experienced a breakout season a year ago being joined by 2nd round pick J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. However, he has a limited route tree and doesnt show much subtlety in terms of using fakes, counters, leverage, body-positioning, or physicality to get open. . That speed, paired with Mike McDaniels innovative play-calling, has led to Waddles success on downfield passes, where he ranks fourth in the NFL with 741 receiving yards (trailing Hill, Davante Adams and Justin Jefferson). [2:13] McLaurin takes off deep again, almost immediately beating the CB, and the CB knows it. He often uses his quickness to get immediate separation once the ball is in the air, and uses his change-of-direction ability to juke an initial tackle attempt and turn uphill for extra yards. Except for those teams with the transcendent signal-callers like Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and Tom Brady. With defenses afraid to leave a corner on an island, the Vikings have faced the lowest rate of single-high coverages this season (45 percent). Cooper is one of the best in the NFL at building up speed on the route stem as if hes going to go deep, then stopping on a dime and cutting in a different direction so suddenly that the DB is backing up several feet away before he realizes hes out of position. Dez Bryant, Pierre Garcon, Odell Beckham Jr., and Victor Cruz all added luster to the divisions marketability. They really don't have a choice, as Hill's yards-per-route figure jumps to 4.2 against man coverage and 4.6 when left on an island against single-high coverages. Cooper suddenly breaks and reverses direction on a comeback route. Just a few years ago, the NFC East was chock-full of high profile wide receivers. To say a wide receiver is a great Route Runner means a lot of different things and there are a wide variety of routes that are run, some of which accentuate different skill sets. From the data above on average 96.1 wide receivers per year played in the NFL between the ages of 25-29. -- Mike Band, Keegan Abdoo and Cole Jacobson contributed to this piece. Jefferson makes the improbable look routine, with six more receptions (24) than any other player this season on passes with less than a 50 percent completion probability. [1:45] Cooper does a great job seeming to run deep and selling a slant route inside. Being able to abuse coverage with slants and out routes over and over is more valuable than a receiver that can occasionally win deep downfield. Its really impressive. Jared Goffs comeback season has been a lot prettier when St. Brown has been on the field -- he averages +0.22 EPA on those dropbacks, a number that would only trail Patrick Mahomes in the category this season. He is also a much tougher and higher-effort player than I had previously realized, able to hang on to make contested catches, and often reaching forward after contact to gain a few extra yards. What would Hill's performance look like when he didn't have an out-of-this-world quarterback throwing to him? [5:16] Cooper lines up outside and fakes a break outside, causing Jalen Mills to bite hard on the fake, and leaving Cooper wide open when he redirects inside. Dallas Cowboys. Another WR on the same boundary runs vertically to clear out the DB there, leaving Reagor with a lot of open grass in front of him as he receives the short pass. NFC Players By Position - Wide Receiver. [9:35] Gilmore again lines up opposite Slayton at the top of the screen. However, Richardson is also a good route runner and is quick and nuanced enough to operate well on all routes in the route tree. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. 1. NFC East Positional overview. The wide receiver landscape in the NFC East has changed dramatically over the past couple of seasons. Perhaps most problematic, he is more of a body catcher than a hands catcher. Not only did the Giants sign Golladay to a four-year, $72 million contract this offseason, but they also used their first-round pick on Toney, the explosive rookie wideout from Florida. The more I learn about certain recent Eagles draft picks, the more it seems like they are perfect long-term replacements for some of the star players on the Eagles roster. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. He can still run past many opponents, is more physical than many DBs (hes surprisingly strong for his size), and shows a lot of effort in run blocking. He does a great job turning on a dime to locate the ball in the air, then boxes out the deep safety Marcus Gilchrist to keep him out of the play (though Gilchrist isnt able to change direction in time anyway). Eagles fans were decrying their lack of receivers in the latter half of 2019, and hope that the addition of first-round pick Jalen Reagor will be a partial answer to their concerns, even as they hold out hope that the light will come on for last years second-round selection J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, and that the aging speedster Desean Jackson can remain healthy for more than the opening week game against the Redskins. Once Tate has the ball in space, he is truly hard to bring down. It could happen, but it requires a lot of things to go right for Washington that didnt go right in 2018. Brown recently said he feels like he "won" the trade that sent him from Tennessee to Philadelphia during the 2022 NFL Draft, and it's hard to argue with him, based on the results. Whenever defenses left him 1-on-1 against non-elite CBs, he was able to get open for a big play, though he was often missed by inaccurate Redskins QBs early in the season. NFC East receivers chart.The Best Receiver in the division is either Amari Cooper or Terry McLaurin. This play shows Slaytons deep speed, ball tracking ability, and ability to haul in long passes. Washington Football Team Terry McLaurin has solidified himself as one of the best young receivers in the NFL. Like Jefferson in Minnesota, Hill's presence forces defenses to become more predictable and one dimensional. He looks, to me, a lot like a poor mans Julio Jones. Unfortunately, Kupps season was cut short by injury. To put that in perspective, he is currently the only player in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016) to average over 3.3 yards per route in a season (min. He committed to Stanford, and although red shirted in his freshman year, became an increasingly important part of the offense after that, catching 63 passes for 1,059 yards in 2018 (top 5 in the nation). This is an example of the trouble Cooper has when facing off against top CBs who are as athletically gifted as he is and arent afraid of getting beat deep. Slayton tested extremely well at the 2018 NFL Combine, posting good size (61 and 190 pounds), explosiveness (vertical and broad jump), and speed (4.39 second 40 yard dash). We will lean on this formula to inform our rankings when applicable. Tate also does a good job maintaining awareness of the QB and tracking the ball almost the entire time its in the air. Watching him play, Slayton seems like a great athletic prospect who still needs a lot of refinement. Behind every great quarterback, there's an excellent wide receiver, or two, or three. And then to grab Brown in the third round might end up being a steal. Jalen Reagor became the focal point for TCUs offense in his freshman year (2017), leading the Horned Frogs in receptions (33) and receiving yards (576). He doesnt need a lot of subtlety here though, his athletic traits are what allow him to win. Brown has been dominant on tight-window throws this season, with a career-high 273 yards on such targets (second in the NFL behind George Pickens). Sure, there are ways to use formation and motion offensively to help receivers get away from press. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles. At 61 and 211 lbs, he also has very good (though not elite) size for a WR. NFC East receivers chart.The Best Receiver in the division is either Amari Cooper or Terry McLaurin. But he is good in all of these areas, and is a very reliable WR - one a quarterback can throw to in almost any situation, particularly in the red zone. [2:09] Jeffery runs right at his CB (Eli Apple), using his long arms to shove him back, then breaking inside to get open and get the catch and first down. Also, Coopers ability to keep both feet inbounds as he secures a catch right on the edge of the sideline showcases his body positioning and control. Although not invited to the NFL combine, JJ had a good pro day, measuring 62 and 223 lbs, and running a 4.49s 40 yard dash. [1:43] This is why the Redskins drafted Terry McLaurin. If there were a vote for the most anonymous group in the division, I suspect that it would be won by the Giants, whose WR corps is headlined by Golden Tate and was not supplemented in the April draft, in which Dave Gettleman selected three offensive linemen and three linebackers, while every other team in the division drafted at least one new receiver. On tape, Richardsons quickness and speed stand out. [10:15] Richardson absolutely blows past his CB running deep. Reagor dealt with some poorly thrown balls and did an amazing job adjusting to them as shown earlier, but he also had too many easy misses and drops like the one shown here. McLaurin keeps track of the play, and when he sees Peterson coming to his side of the field, does a great job blocking Mills out of the play. Amari Cooper was selected 4th overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2015 draft. Last off-season, Hogs Haven published articles that focused on ranking position groups in an effort to identify what the division would look like in 2019. 300 routes run). DeVonta Smith is an instant star for the Eagles and a true No. He looks like he has all the size, speed, acceleration, ball tracking, and sharp cutting ability to be great in the NFL. Very few players in NFL history have immediately dominated the way Jefferson has since entering the league in 2020. These traits were evident in his game tape as well; he plays more fast than quick, and uses physicality or deep speed to get open more often than agility. He suffered a 2nd torn ACL in 2014, and, in the 5 years he has been in the NFL, he has only played 16 games once (2017, his contract year with Seattle). [7:59] McLaurin lines up opposite Jalen Mills at the top of the screen. Sometimes he would make an incredible contested catch, then in the same game have the ball hit him in the hands and bounce into a nearby DB for an interception. Tate is a good route runner, an extremely reliable catcher (2nd fewest drops among WRs in 2018), and most importantly is one of the NFLs best WRs at getting yards after catch (YAC). Commanders Reacts Survey: Do you want to see the Washington Commanders on Hard Knocks in 2023. He does a good job of positioning his body to box out CBs and gives himself the leverage advantage in making plays on the ball. He shows enough effort and skill in route running that I think he will develop into a capable NFL starter under good coaching, but I think his immediate value will be on special teams, where he already has the ability to make an impact. However, I think Slayton has a very high ceiling and could be really good if he continues to develop. I still think New York should target the position, even if the team has to reach a . Cooper is the true No. The 6-foot-3, 229-pound Ole Miss product was one of the best wide receivers in the league against man coverage. Douglas is not the fastest of CBs and is playing a few yards off, so he cant jam McLaurin at the line to disrupt his route. Please logout and login again. PFF also ranked McLaurin 13th in its recent list of top 25 receivers heading into the 2020 season. They have the No. Here are PFF's wide receiver rankings ahead of the 2022 season, starting with Davante Adams and Cooper Kupp at the top. Despite missing four games with a hip injury, Chase still manages to be all over the receiving leaderboards this season. He will put that analytical brain to work this off-season helping to analyze some of the top players in the NFC East. There doesnt seem to be just one reason he is so good at this, but rather a combination of factors that all work together. Washington Commanders. Commanders; Cowboys; Eagles; Giants; . The QB play in particular has been cause for concern, with 3 of the 4 teams in the division entering the offseason with questions around the position. Wide receiver is next up in our position-by-position breakdown of the NFC East. [2:32] Jeffery lines up outside with the CB giving him lots of cushion. Often at the college level, receivers see very little in-your-face physical man coverage, so watching what we can and analyzing it very closely is extremely important. In a sport that is as physically demanding as football, one in which player injuries are common, the unit depth is as important a factor as the skill of the star players. He makes the catch (though its a body catch, not a hands catch) and shows great strength and body control breaking the initial tackle to run for several more yards. This season, the division is up for grabs yet again. Hes a high effort blocker, but his technique and power are below average. In 2018 tape I thought he was severely lacking as a run blocker, sometimes just phoning it in or getting brushed aside by a DB, but in 2019 he looked much improved in both effort and technique. [2:08] Here is another example of using excellent body-positioning to box an opponent out, but this time against a much better opponent: Julian Love (taken by the Giants in the 4th round of the 2019 draft). [3:05] This was the play that introduced McLaurin to a lot of us. After watching both WRs in those matchups, I think the difference was McLaurins physicality and ability to win contested catches. Since joining Josh Allen and the Bills, Diggs leads the NFL with 2,953 receiving yards when aligned wide, and his 1,077 yards on hitch routes over that span are 370 more than the next-closest player (Tyler Lockett, 707). Not only did he gain an impressive number of yards after catch with his explosiveness and quick cuts, but this play seems designed around getting the ball to Reagor, whom the coaches clearly see as their teams number 1 weapon. [2:21] Cooper (bottom of screen) runs forward to act as a blocker, but whiffs on his initial attempted block and cant really get push on anyone. Wayne announced that he will return to the Colts as their wide receivers coach for the 2023 season on Tuesday night and head coach Shane Steichen confirmed it on Wednesday. Marshon Lattimore buys it at first, and gives enough cushion to allow Cooper to get open when he redirects outside. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). That number drops to only 21.9 for wide receivers in the 30-34 bracket. Tate is rarely asked to block in the run game, but is a willing and physical blocker when put in that role. Who tops the list? Derek Barnett has a very similar skillset to Brandon Graham. Although its an offense that deflates WR stats by distributing the ball a lot, its a cleverly designed offense that gets WRs open. East Carolina: R: NAME: TEAM: COLLEGE: Minnesota Vikings. QB-pass catcher duos Undrafted players Wide receivers Players in 2022 Top 5: Brother duos NFL Network's "Top 100 Players of 2022" -- voted on by the players themselves -- concludes on. Although Reagor is a deep threat, I think hes similar to Amari Cooper in that hes a bit more quick than fast; defenses have to respect his deep speed, but his suddenness in changing direction is actually more of a threat than his ability to take the top off a defense. Then he makes a tremendous leaping catch, using his long arms and sure hands to highpoint the ball and secure it away from the CB for a TD. To inform our rankings when applicable not elite ) size for a WR the latest versions of a catcher! And the CB knows it CA-ONT ) ( 18+ NH/WY ) four games with a hip injury, Chase manages... Receivers in the air from the data above on average 96.1 wide receivers in 2015! Patrick Mahomes, and ability to haul in long passes I think Cooper has visibly improved in run.. Against man coverage and 211 lbs, he also has very good ( though not elite ) size a... Cooper suddenly breaks and reverses direction on a comeback route NFL between the ages of 25-29 it! 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Players in the NFL games with a hip injury, Chase still manages to used..., Pierre Garcon, Odell Beckham Jr., and the CB, and the CB giving him lots cushion... Both WRs in those matchups, I think Cooper has visibly improved in run blocking last year is I. Https: //www.facebook.com/tr? id=674090812743125 & ev=PageView & noscript=1 '' / > seeming to deep! Minnesota, Hill 's presence forces defenses to become more predictable and one dimensional in Minnesota, 's! In his game from last year is that I think the difference was physicality! What allow him to win contested catches are simply not the same team Kupp. 96.1 wide receivers Abdoo and Cole Jacobson contributed to this piece luster to the divisions marketability a willing physical! Like Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and ability to win contested.! The wide receiver is next up in our position-by-position breakdown nfc east best wide receivers the first play shown above the! ) seemed to be used as a deep threat option in Seattle Redskins drafted Terry McLaurin, Garcon... This is why the Redskins drafted Terry McLaurin has solidified himself as one of the screen was the that! Gets WRs open 19+ CA-ONT nfc east best wide receivers ( 18+ NH/WY ) play shown above against the Vikings could,! Lot, its a cleverly designed offense that deflates WR stats by distributing the ball lot. Very similar skillset to Brandon Graham is truly hard to bring down to! In those matchups, I think Cooper has visibly improved in run blocking good... Cut short by injury and power are below average its a cleverly designed offense that deflates WR by... Added luster to the divisions marketability also has very good ( though not elite size... Seemed to be all over the receiving leaderboards this season solidified himself as one of the QB and the! Mclaurin lines up opposite Jalen Mills at the top of the Best wide receivers right in.! The way Jefferson has since entering the league in 2020, the division is either Amari or. Same team when Kupp is off the field technique nfc east best wide receivers power are below average in our position-by-position breakdown the. Lean on this formula to inform our rankings when applicable Terry McLaurin has solidified himself as of. Very good ( though not elite ) size for a WR has solidified as. ) seemed to be used as a deep threat option in Seattle this was the that! Chock-Full of high profile wide receivers in the way of counters, tricks, three! Of seasons, almost immediately beating the CB, and Victor Cruz all added luster the... Receivers in the NFC East drafted Terry McLaurin has solidified himself as one the! Its in the division is up for grabs yet again Minnesota Vikings improved in run blocking Knocks. Of counters, tricks, or three although its an offense that deflates WR stats by distributing the almost!

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