2012 NFL Season Predictions – Top 5 Wide Receivers in the NFL: As the NFL offenses become more and more reliant on the passing game, wide receivers continue to carve out larger roles. Not surprisingly, better caliber athletes are gravitating toward the position, ushering in a new breed of receiver. The depth at the position is better than it has ever been, and receivers are becoming some of the top playmakers on the field. With that in mind, here is a look at how the top wide receivers stack up for the 2012 NFL season.
2012 NFL Predictions: Top 5 Wide Receivers
1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
Coming off a year when he led the NFL with 1,681 receiving yards and finished second with 16 touchdowns, there is little doubt that “Megatron” is the best receiver in the game. He can torch cornerbacks down the field with the speed, and his size and strength makes it impossible to single cover him. More importantly, Johnson is a red zone nightmare for opposing defenses. He has huge ends, an incredible vertical leap and excellent body control. There were times when Matthew Stafford simply threw the ball up in triple coverage and let Johnson come down with it. He is pretty darn close to an unstoppable weapon at the receiver position.
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
Believe it or not, Fitzgerald is set to top 10,000 career receiving yards early in 2012. He has been a steady performer in Arizona since his rookie season, and 1,200-plus yards and eight or more touchdowns can basically be penciled in. The numbers are even more impressive when you consider that Fitzgerald hasn’t exactly worked with a lot of great quarterbacks in his time with the Cardinals. He has never been the fastest guy on the field, but he is a superb route runner, he probably has the best hands in the league, and he uses his body in traffic as well as anyone. Fitzgerald is a true master of his craft.
3. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
In terms of athleticism, Andre Johnson is the only receiver that can match Calvin Johnson. He has a rare blend of size and speed, and he isn’t afraid to make catches in traffic over the middle of the field. Andre isn’t quite as effective in jump-ball situations as Calvin, but the real concern is his durability. He has missed extended time in three of the last five years, and Johnson still seems to be bothered by nagging groin and hamstring injuries. When healthy, he is a game changer and a threat to lead the NFL in receiving yards. Whether or not he plays a full season remains to be seen.
4. Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears
He changes teams, he changes quarterbacks, and Marshall just keeps catching 100-plus passes and topping 1,000 yards. His production slipped slightly the past couple of seasons while playing for some talent-depleted Miami teams, but a reunion with former Denver teammate Jay Cutler in Chicago this season should lead to big things for Marshall. He has deep threat speed as well as a physical style of play that allows him to thrive on underneath routes. He can have some issues focusing at times and isn’t a great ambassador for a franchise off the field, but Marshall can flat out get the job done on when he suits up.
5. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
Talk about a rookie year. Quickly developing a rapport with fellow rookie Andy Dalton, Green topped 1,000 yards and made the Pro Bowl in his first year in Cincinnati. His natural athleticism allowed him to excel, and Green is well on his way to becoming one of the top deep threats in the game. He also displayed the ability to go up and get balls in traffic that will translate into red zone success. Green has the size and speed to dominate and is only going to get better as he refines his route running. Not to mention that the guy throwing him the ball should only improve, as well. He has all the tools to become the league’s next star receiver.
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