Image via Complex Original
The days of true bell-cow running backs are in the rearview mirror and franchise quarterbacks running the league is a tired narrative. A shift in the style of play, brought about by changes in league rules and an evolution in offensive creativity, has created an increased demand for receivers. That demand has been met by a surplus of blue-chip talent. From an origin standpoint, some of this is a byproduct of the game’s growth on a grassroots level. From Peewee and Pop Warner leagues to high school recruiting, media proliferation, and college offenses, overall talent has improved.
In regards to the position of wide receiver, smart offensive coordinators now plug niche players into roles where they can excel. For example, small shifty receivers are often sent to the slot, straight-line burners line up outside, where they can run deeper routes, and big receivers typically stay outside the numbers or show up in the red zone. At the end of the day, nearly every receiver in the NFL falls into one of four molds.
Towering Terrors
Historical prototype: Randy Moss
Current prototype: Julio Jones
Full list: A.J. Green, Dez Bryant, Brandon Marshall, Demaryius Thomas, Alshon Jeffery, Allen Robinson, Kelvin Benjamin, Mike Evans, Terrelle Pryor, Kenny Britt, Michael Floyd, Vincent Jackson
This is perhaps the most impressive category from a sheer athleticism standpoint. In high school and college football, there is the occasional big receiver who’s slow and uncoordinated. That doesn’t fly in the NFL. These guys run 4.4 second 40-yard dash times and turn on a dime. They are red zone nightmares and win the 50-50 balls more often than not, but putting a safety or linebacker on them in coverage isn’t likely to get the job done. Consider the recently retired Calvin Johnson. Megatron was built like a tight end, yet faster than most running backs. There wasn't a defensive player that could effectively cover him one on one. The best big receivers can outrun most corners and outreach or overpower the rest.
Slot Nightmares
Historical prototype: Wes Welker
Current prototype: Doug Baldwin
Full list: Jarvis Landry, Randall Cobb, Jordan Matthews, Julian Edelman, Tavon Austin, Cole Beasley, Jamison Crowder, Danny Amendola, Victor Cruz, Jeremy Kerley, Eddie Royal, Adam Humphries
The slot receiver position is now a mainstay on most NFL depth charts. These guys are the reason defenses play so much nickel defense. They aren’t necessarily small, but that’s often the case. Shorter strides and a low center of gravity help make for a quicker change of direction. While these receivers may be smaller in stature, they’re often the toughest guys on the field. Jarvis Landry is 5’11", yet he routinely runs over tacklers after the catch. Slot players fearlessly throw their bodies into traffic across the middle of the field where safeties and linebackers make their living inflicting pain on opponents. Slot receivers continue to thrive as the league evolves toward shorter, high-percentage passes and bubble screens.
Turf Tacticians
Historical prototype: Jerry Rice
Current prototype: Antonio Brown
Full list: DeAndre Hopkins, Odell Beckham Jr., Jordy Nelson, Golden Tate, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, Steve Smith, Michael Crabtree, Eric Decker, Davante Adams, Allen Hurns, Jermaine Kearse, Stefon Diggs
The dirty word for these receivers is “possession,” but the top end players in this category don’t fit that label. Unlike the other three categories, these receivers don’t have one outstanding trait that stands out in particular. No, these players are great at just about everything. Whether it’s ball skills, route running, body control, or a combination of all three, these players are nearly impossible to cover simply because they do everything right. They have no obvious limitations. Some bigger corners matchup well with tall receivers and elite nickel corners can limit great slot receivers, but there’s no blueprint for how to shut down receivers like Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins.
Speed Demons
Historical prototype: Isaac Bruce
Current prototype: DeSean Jackson
Full list: T.Y. Hilton, Brandin Cooks, Emmanuel Sanders, Jeremy Maclin, John Brown, Sammy Watkins, Travis Benjamin, Mike Wallace, Tory Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., Kenny Stills, Marvin Jones
Similar to the Towering Terrors, these players overwhelm defenses with sheer athleticism. That doesn’t mean they aren’t skilled, or that there isn’t an art to running deep routes, but there isn’t anything fancy about simply outrunning the opposition. Getting separation is a fundamental skill for receivers. Bigger receivers can get by without it sometimes, while slot receivers rely on crisp routes. Speed receivers get to their spots faster than the coverage and can survive without precise route running. For example, Mike Wallace has long been criticized for running pour routes, but good luck covering him one-on-one.