If you're looking for a franchise-level wide receiver in a fantasy draft this year, there should be some nice options for the late first and early second round. But maybe not a lot of difference between the top guys.
There could be more parity than usual at the top of the draft board among receivers this year. Calvin Johnson, Josh Gordon, Demaryius Thomas and really some other guys as well. There’s no clear-cut No. 1 guy who’s way above everyone else.
With Johnson and Gordon, they’ll both be in new offenses with new coaches. With Thomas, he might benefit from the Broncos possibly losing Eric Decker in free agency.
All three of those receivers last year ranked among the top 30 we’ve seen this century, at least on a per-game basis.
Here’s the top 30 receivers since 2000. This is using the scoring system of 6 points for touchdowns and 1 for every 10 receiving yards. No credit for rushing yards on this one, but I have worked in touchdowns scored on runs and returns, if applicable.
Numbers are adjusted to games started. So if a guy sat out Week 17, it isn’t held against him. And if he misses a game or two with an injury or suspension, that also wasn’t factored in.
WIDE RECEIVERS, POINTS PER GAME | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | St | Yards | TD | Points |
2007 | Randy Moss, N.E. | 16 | 93.3 | 1.44 | 18.0 |
2000 | Terrell Owens, S.F. | 13 | 111.2 | 1.03 | 17.3 |
2003 | Randy Moss, Minn. | 16 | 102.0 | 1.06 | 16.6 |
2011 | Calvin Johnson, Det. | 16 | 105.1 | 1.00 | 16.5 |
2013 | Calvin Johnson, Det. | 14 | 106.6 | .86 | 15.8 |
2013 | Josh Gordon, Clev. | 14 | 117.6 | .64 | 15.6 |
2002 | Terrell Owens, S.F. | 14 | 92.9 | 1.00 | 15.3 |
2001 | Marvin Harrison, Ind. | 16 | 95.3 | .94 | 15.2 |
2003 | Torry Holt, St.L. | 16 | 106.0 | .75 | 15.1 |
2007 | Terrell Owens, Dall. | 15 | 90.3 | 1.00 | 15.0 |
2002 | Marvin Harrison, Ind. | 16 | 107.6 | .71 | 15.0 |
2001 | Terrell Owens, S.F. | 16 | 88.3 | 1.00 | 14.8 |
2004 | Muhsin Muhammad, Car. | 16 | 87.8 | 1.00 | 14.8 |
2000 | Randy Moss, Minn. | 16 | 89.8 | .96 | 14.7 |
2011 | Victor Cruz, NYG | 14 | 108.5 | .64 | 14.7 |
2005 | Steve Smith, Car. | 16 | 97.7 | .81 | 14.6 |
2004 | Terrell Owens, Phil. | 14 | 85.7 | 1.00 | 14.6 |
2013 | Demaryius Thomas, Den. | 16 | 89.4 | .88 | 14.2 |
2012 | Calvin Johnson, Det. | 16 | 122.8 | .31 | 14.2 |
2000 | Marvin Harrison, Ind. | 16 | 88.3 | .88 | 14.1 |
2007 | Braylon Edwards, Clev. | 16 | 80.6 | 1.00 | 14.1 |
2012 | Brandon Marshall, Chi. | 16 | 94.3 | .69 | 13.6 |
2011 | Jordy Nelson, G.B. | 16 | 78.9 | .94 | 13.5 |
2001 | Rod Smith, Den. | 15 | 89.5 | .76 | 13.5 |
2008 | Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz. | 16 | 89.4 | .75 | 13.4 |
2007 | Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz. | 15 | 93.9 | .67 | 13.4 |
2000 | Rod Smith, Den. | 16 | 100.1 | .56 | 13.4 |
2005 | Torry Holt, St.L. | 14 | 95.1 | .64 | 13.4 |
2009 | Andre Johnson, Hou. | 16 | 98.1 | .58 | 13.3 |
2012 | Dez Bryant, Dall. | 16 | 86.4 | .77 | 13.3 |
—Ian Allan