AFC West positional rankings: Who has the best wide receivers?
By Grant Tuttle
CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 03: Kai Nacua #43 of the Cleveland Browns breaks up a pass intended for Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of a game at StubHub Center on December 3, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
In our latest AFC West positional rankings post, we break down the division’s top wide receivers for each team to see who is best.
The AFC West has a lot of talented roster positions, but this is perhaps this is the strongest of all of them. Today we continue our breakdown of the division by looking at which team has the best wide receivers.
This one may be a bit complex and drawn out as I will not be comparing groups but rather individuals within the groups. For each team I will break down the top three wide receivers on each team. That means that I am not looking at slot receivers together, etc. I will be simply looking at the top three most talented at the position and comparing them in that manner.
Reminder: Predictions assume that the player plays all 16 games. Furthermore, each post assumes all players are healthy and able/allowed to play.
So, let’s get started with the first overall wide receiver for each team:
1. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Keenan Allen is arguably a top five receiver in the NFL today. However, he has struggled staying healthy for an entire season. In fact, last season was Allen’s first complete season, tallying 16 games. Despite his struggles in remaining healthy, his production speaks volumes. Allen produced numbers of an elite receiver last season and if he can stay healthy, there is no reason to believe that he won’t do it again.
2016-2017:
102 receptions, 1,393 yards, 6 Touchdowns
Prediction:
94 receptions, 1,031 yards, 7 Touchdowns
2. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Tyreek Hill is the most explosive player in the NFL, and there is no question that Kansas City will continue to showcase his top speed and versatility. With Patrick Mahomes under center, the Chiefs will likely look to stretch the field more frequently. With blazing speed, Hill is inclined to produce more dominant stats. He is quickly becoming a superstar caliber player. With better route running, Tyreek Hill could also be a top five wide receiver.
2016-2017: (15 games)
75 receptions, 1,183 yards, 7 Touchdowns
Prediction:
79 receptions, 1,311 yards, 5 Touchdowns
3. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
In Denver there has been a Quarterback problem and one may argue that there still is. It is hard to tell whether Thomas has just taken a step back, or if the Quarterback play has worsened his production. Once regarded as a top five receiver, Demaryius Thomas has been on a gradual decline for the last two seasons. As a possession receiver, he looks to rack up plenty of receptions. Denver hopes that Case Keenum can bring the spark back to Demaryius Thomas after a disappointing year. I believe that he will see similar numbers next season.
2016-2017:
83 receptions, 949 yards, 5 Touchdowns
Prediction:
85 receptions, 961 yards, 6 Touchdowns
4. Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders
Amari Cooper is a good topic of discussion regarding Wide Receivers in the NFL today. Analysts are seemingly split on whether Cooper is a good number one receiver or not. Cooper had a disappointing season last year, leading many Raiders fans to call for change at the Wide Receiver position. The Raiders made a change, but it did not include Cooper. Instead, they let Michael Crabtree go and signed Jordy Nelson in his place. With Jon Gruden leading the team, I do not see Cooper becoming a dominant player. With Gruden’s desire to bring back “old school” football, I fully expect the Raiders to run the football more often then last season; making it even more difficult for Amari Cooper.
2016-2017: (14 games)
48 receptions, 680 yards, 7 Touchdowns
Prediction:
56 receptions, 767 yards, 5 Touchdowns