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Earlier this week, we discussed and debated which running back would lead the NFL in rushing yards in 2015, with Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson, LeSean McCoy, Eddie Lacy, and Jamaal Charles among the players receiving votes. While picking the league’s leading rusher isn’t easy, identifying the receiving champion may be even trickier. After all, for the most part, we can predict which backs will get 20 or so carries a game — it’s sometimes harder to determine how quarterbacks will spread the ball around to their various receivers.
Still, there are some strong candidates at the wide receiver position, and many of them are the same players who were at the top of the league’s receiving-yard leaderboard a year ago. Betting site Bovada.lv lists Antonio Brown, Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, Dez Bryant, Odell Beckham, Demaryius Thomas, Randall Cobb, T.Y. Hilton, and A.J. Green as the favorites to lead the NFL in receiving in 2015, and all nine of those players ranked among the league’s top 13 in receiving yards per game a year ago.
Among the dark horses, there are some intriguing second-year wideouts, such as Mike Evans, Jordan Matthews, Brandin Cooks, and Amari Cooper. Alshon Jeffery and DeAndre Hopkins, who lost key WR teammates in the offseason, are also viewed as reasonably strong candidates to battle for the crown. Unfortunately, two other potential contenders – Jordy Nelson and Kelvin Benjamin – have already gone down with season-ending injuries.
What do you think? Will one of the players listed above lead the NFL in receiving yards in 2015, or will a deeper sleeper emerge and earn that honor? Who will lead the league in receiving yards this season? Weigh in below with your thoughts!
I really like Brown. He’s a complete receiver who’s equally potent as a deep threat as he is making the tough catches over the middle of the field, and he’s a good route-runner to boot. There are a lot of weapons on the Steelers offense (when Bryant and Bell return, at least), which could hinder Brown’s overall production. But the same was true last year, and his numbers were just fine. I smell a repeat.
Julio Jones is ready to take the receiving title. I love Antonio Brown, but a healthy season from Jones is unstoppable. Matt Ryan can get him the ball, and while Roddy White can still be a useful receiver on the other side, Jones is going to be the go-to guy in an offense that struggles to run the football.
Jones has a similar situation as Dez Bryant in Dallas, except the Cowboys should still be committed to running the football, even without DeMarco Murray. Jones had 26 more targets than Bryant last year, and I expect him to be an even bigger part of the offense in 2015.
A.J. Green is in the same boat, but with a less dynamic quarterback. I wouldn’t count out Calvin Johnson if he bounces back from an injury-riddled 2014 season.
Alshon. Mark it down.