Who Are The Top 5 NFL Wide Receivers So Far This Season?

One of the most popular positions to rank in the NFL are the wide receivers. From sick one handed catches to ankle breaking routes, the wide receiver position is one of the most exciting to watch. However, so far in the 2017 NFL season, wide receivers have underperformed. Receivers like Julio Jones and T.Y. Hilton have not looked as good as they have in the past. Additionally, major injuries to players like Odell Beckham Jr. results in a lost season for a top receiver. Let’s get into my top 5 receivers so far in 2017.

5. Mike Evans:

If there were honorable mentions on this list, T.Y. Hilton would be on it, as him and Evans could have both been in this spot. However, Evans lands at number 5 due to consistency. The 6’5” receiver is on the come up and everybody knows it. He’s only 24 and he’s already seen as one of the best receivers in the NFL. His height, skill set, and reliable hands make him a favorite option for Jameis Winston to throw to. Evans has 40 catches, 532 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns this year. He is a matchup nightmare for cornerbacks and draws the double team quite often. Look for him to continue to be at the top of the food chain in a league where receivers seem to produce less than they used to.

4. A.J. Green:

Andy Dalton’s favorite target, Green, has proven year after year he is a top NFL receiver. Every year there seems to be a highlight or two where A.J. catches a 50+ yard TD and finds his way to burn the defence. His combination of speed and height makes him virtually impossible to guard. This year he has 39 catches, 578 yards and 4 touchdowns. He is targeted the most by any Bengals receiver and gets the double team multiple times a game, which sometimes still cannot stop him. Look for A.J. to build on his resume and finish the year strong.

3. Julio Jones:

Julio in my opinion has the skillset to be the best receiver in the NFL. He’s tall, he’s fast, he’s strong, and he has great hands. However, this year he is having an underwhelming season in his standards. The fact that he’s having an underwhelming season and he is still 3rd on my rankings proves how dominant this guy is. In 2017 he has 43 catches, 658 yards, and 1 touchdown. Unfortunately, he is struggling to find the endzone, but that does not mean he has a top 3 receiver. He’s been held under 65 yards receiving only one time this whole season. He has been reliable, and in a year Matt Ryan has not looked good, Julio is still holding his own. Yeah, he has not had a monster 300 yard game this year like he did last year, but he is still doing solid and his skills alone are enough to land him on number three on this list.

2. DeAndre Hopkins:

Alright, I am just gonna come out and say that Hopkins is showing all the people who doubted him wrong. Nobody saw this season coming from him at all. After a very disappointing 2016 campaign Hopkins definitely bounced back this year in a big way. He has 51 receptions, 692 yards receiving, and an NFL leading 8 receiving touchdowns. Rookie QB Deshaun Watson’s dominance most definitely has assisted in Hopkins success, however with Watson done for the year, Hopkins will be tested. He has the height, the size and the speed to be a top five receiver in this league, and so far he is showing that to everybody who doubted him.

1. Antonio Brown:

Year after year Brown comes out and shows he deserves to be at the top of the wide receiver list. He can literally do it all. Where he lacks in height he makes it up with his speed, route running, amazing catching, and most importantly, his dance moves. He currently leads the league in receptions and in receiving yards with 57 and 835. He currently has  3 touchdowns and leads all receivers in yards after the catch by far. He is extremely difficult to keep up with, and even if a corner can catch him, bringing him down is not easy either. Ben Roethlisberger has not looked good and he’s even admitted this, however Brown still holds that consistency that he always has. Brown is the best receiver in the league, and at this moment it is hard to argue against that.

Written by Casey Spilka