The NFL’s 11 best outside receivers

This might be the Golden Era of wide receivers in the NFL. Who are the best of the best?

1. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

(Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports)

There is not much else to say about Julio Jones. The Atlanta Falcons’ standout is elite in every single facet of the game. So much so that Ted Nguyen, who does tremendous work covering the NFL for The Athletic, has named a route after the receiver:

Frankly, in my mind this discussion ended a few years ago, on this very moment:

This was arguably better than the Julian Edelman catch from earlier in the game, and is for my money the best play from a losing team I’ve ever seen in the Super Bowl. (Note to editors: Future column idea).

But Jones continues his high level of play to the current day. In what was a down season for the Falcons he still posted absurd numbers, catching 99 passes for 1,394 yards and six touchdowns. Crazier still? Those were actually down a bit from 2018, when he caught 113 passes for 1,677 yards and eight touchdowns. In fact, that was the first season since 2013 where Jones did not haul in 100 passes or crack 1,500 yards receiving. He is the complete package. From the line of scrimmage:

To downfield:

With the ball in his hands:

And everywhere in between:

And sure, this is a different era. But this is crazy to think about:

For these reasons, and so many others, he is the best of the best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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