By Jeremy Philipson
1) Houston Texans
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| (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) |
The Colts could
easily be at the top of this list, but I give the edge to the Texans based on
experience. Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, and tight end Owen Daniels have all
been to the playoffs in previous years and know what it takes to win. Johnson,
with 1,058 yards on 69 catches and 3 touchdowns, is having his best year since
2009, when he hauled in 101 balls with over 1,500 yards and scored 9 times. But
Johnson does not have to be the dominant receiver he was in 2009 because of the
strong run game balancing the offense. As the secondary receiver in a run-heavy
offense, Walter hasn’t had many chances, but has done well with the chances he
has had. Although he is only averaging 3 catches per game, he is making those
receptions count with average of 13.3 yards per catch, his highest total since
2008. Rounding out the receivers for Houston is tight end Owen Daniels. Daniels
has been the main target in the red zone, accounting for one touchdown every 8
catches. His 6 scores this season broke his previous career high of 5, which he
accomplished twice. Houston has the experience and talent to get it done
through the air, especially in the playoffs.
2) Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck has
brought this receiving core back from the dead, and it starts with Reggie Wayne.
Wayne is having a career year, with 84 catches for 1,105 yards already. This
puts him on pace for over 1,600 yards, which would break his career high of
1,510 yards, set in 2007. Journeyman Donnie Avery, on his third team in his
four-year career, has finally found a home in Indianapolis. Avery is on pace to
shatter his career high of 674 yards, and being targeted more often than ever.
T.Y. Hilton, a rookie from Florida International University, has been far
better than expected this year. Hilton has pulled in 33 passes for 488 yards
and 5 scores, tops on the team. Fellow rookies
Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener, both tight ends, have combined for 607 yards on
55 catches and 2 scores. Luck has the weapons to perform and will have to
continue to play at a high level to advance in the playoffs.
3) Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have
two great playmakers at the wide receiver positions, in second year player
Cecil Shorts and highly-touted rookie Justin Blackmon. Shorts, who had only two
catches in his rookie season, has been a revelation this year. He has scored in
four straight games, averaging 92 yards and over 5 catches during his streak.
With three 100-yard games in a 5 game span from weeks 8-12, Shorts had
officially become relevant in fantasy circles just in time for playoffs. On the
other side, Blackmon had been a disappointment for the first 10 weeks. He then
proceeded to explode and fill up the stat sheet with 14 catches, 236 yards, and
1 touchdown. If only the Jaguars had a quarterback to get these receivers the
ball.
4) Tennessee Titans
The Titans have 6
players with 25+ receptions. Off to a good start, right? The Titans have 0
players with more than 48 receptions. Wrong; Tennessee has had inconsistent
quarterbacking, coupled with injuries and disappointing play at the receiver
position. It starts with Kenny Britt, the big, strong wide receiver from
Rutgers drafted in 2009. After playing in all 16 games his rookie year, and 12
his sophomore campaign, when he had 775 yards and 9 touchdowns, Britt has only
played in 12 games the past two years. He tore his ACL and MCL in September
2011, and has never fully recovered. Secondary receiver Kendall Wright, a
rookie from Baylor, has been the top pass-catcher for the Titans this year,
with 48 catches for 438 yards and 4 scores. Wright has struggled in his role,
and hasn’t gone over 78 yards in any game this season. Eight-year veteran Nate
Washington and tight end Jared Cook, both coming off career years in 2011, have
been a disappointment thus far. Washington and Cook have combined for only 989
yards on 72 catches, both low numbers for expected top targets. Until Britt
gets healthy, and Jake Locker can stay healthy, the Titans will have trouble at
the receiver position.
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