Factoid
Everyone knew and expected that Darrius Heyward-Bey would be one of the league’s least effective starting receivers this year. He’s caught only 41 percent of the passes thrown his way, last among the 50 players with at least 45 pass attempts this season.
But there are some unexpected names joining him at the bottom. Larry Fitzgerald. Randy Moss. Other than Heyward-Bey, those guys have caught the lowest percentage of passes in the league (again, among those who have seen at least 45 throws).
At the other end of the spectrum are Austin Collie and Davone Bess. Those guys have both caught over 75 percent of their throws.
We’re not saying Collie or Bess is better than Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald has been held back by suspect quarterback. And Moss has run primarily deep routes, which brings down his average. Collie and Bess operate out of the slot, where you tend to see players catch a higher percentage of balls (but for fewer yards).
But it’s one of the statistical trends we look at from time to time.
Players catching the highest percentage of passes
Through Week 9; 45 attempt minimum.
Pct. Rec Att
81% 44 54 Austin Collie, IND
76% 39 51 Davone Bess, MIA
73% 36 49 Jahvid Best, DET
73% 40 55 Antonio Gates, SD
72% 33 46 Mike Thomas, JAC
71% 40 56 Wes Welker, NE
70% 37 53 Dallas Clark, IND
67% 35 52 Brandon Pettigrew, DET
67% 45 67 Danny Amendola, STL
67% 46 69 Marques Colston, NO
67% 42 63 Jason Witten, DAL
66% 43 65 Steve Smith, NYG
66% 54 82 Roddy White, ATL
66% 48 73 Santana Moss, WAS
65% 45 69 Jabar Gaffney, DEN
65% 43 66 Miles Austin, DAL
64% 38 59 Frank Gore, SF
64% 39 61 Chris Cooley, WAS
64% 30 47 Kellen Winslow, TB
64% 49 77 Reggie Wayne, IND
63% 45 71 Hakeem Nicks, NYG
63% 38 60 Eddie Royal, DEN
63% 34 54 Zach Miller, OAK
62% 38 61 Anquan Boldin, BAL
62% 33 53 Vernon Davis, SF
62% 29 47 Tony Gonzalez, ATL
62% 29 47 Jermaine Gresham, CIN
60% 47 78 Brandon Marshall, MIA
60% 39 65 Andre Johnson, HOU
60% 33 55 Mike Williams, SEA
60% 30 50 Jeremy Maclin, PHI
60% 31 52 Percy Harvin, MIN
59% 30 51 Steve Johnson, BUF
57% 39 69 Chad Ochocinco, CIN
57% 26 46 Derrick Mason, BAL
56% 31 55 Michael Crabtree, SF
56% 29 52 Mike Sims-Walker, JAC
55% 26 47 Dustin Keller, NYJ
54% 38 70 Calvin Johnson, DET
54% 32 59 Mike Williams, TB
54% 26 48 Steve Smith, CAR
54% 26 48 Lee Evans, BUF
53% 32 60 Greg Jennings, GB
53% 42 79 Brandon Lloyd, DEN
53% 45 85 Terrell Owens, CIN
52% 24 46 Johnny Knox, CHI
47% 24 51 Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
47% 22 47 Randy Moss, NE-MIN
46% 35 76 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
41% 19 46 Darrius Heyward-Bey, OAK
—Ian Allan
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