AFC West wide receiver rankings: Antonio Brown joins talented division
By Grant Tuttle
The case could be made that the AFC West has the best receivers of any division in football. So, who has the best group in the division? We discuss.
With names like Antonio Brown, Tyreek Hill, and Keenan Allen, one can’t help but wonder if the AFC West is home to the best receivers in the NFL. On each team in the division, there are players that are explosive playmakers. Additionally, there are receivers who can make the easy catch and gain a first down when the game is on the line. So, who has the best group in the AFC West?
When breaking down a receiving group like this, a fanbase will undoubtedly be unhappy with the outcome of these rankings. That being said, this is, of course subjective, and the results are a close call. There is no correct answer until the season is over. Here are my 2019 rankings.
1. The Kansas City Chiefs
Projected wide receivers: Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Mecole Hardman, De’Anthony Thomas, Demarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle
There may not be a better receiving group in football than the Kansas City Chiefs. Why are they so good? It’s because of how fast this group is.
The Chiefs have been looking for a nickname for their offensive weapons and have come up with the name, “The Legion of Zoom.” Which would be a good name, if you didn’t care about being unique. That being said, the Chiefs are fast, fast, fast and can make guys miss. Pairing this group with reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes is a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators.
Tyreek Hill is obviously the most talented player in this group. Hill not only has world-class speed, but his ability to accelerate is off the charts. After an offseason of questions, Hill will be looking to prove his worth and that is a scary thought.
Sammy Watkins has had myriad injury troubles in his career, but the early indicators are that Watkins is in the best shape of his life. To add on to that, Mecole Hardman brings 4.33 speed to the equation. Robinson, Thomas, and Pringle are also fast and very capable of spreading the field. Watch out for Kansas City’s wideouts.
Projections:
Tyreek Hill: 93 receptions, 1,521 yards, 7 Touchdowns
Sammy Watkins: 69 receptions, 782 yards, 9 Touchdowns
Mecole Hardman: 36 receptions, 439 yards, 4 Touchdowns
De’Anthony Thomas: 25 receptions, 272 yards, 1 Touchdown
Demarcus Robinson: 19 receptions, 193 yards, 2 Touchdowns
Byron Pringle: 13 receptions, 111 yards, 0 Touchdowns