NO. 1 RANDY MOSS (Oakland Raiders)Strengths: Has a rare combination of size, explosiveness and athleticism. Possesses top-end speed, tracks the ball well and is a lethal vertical threat. Dominates jump balls because of his size, leaping ability and timing. Has body control and can adjust to throws outside his frame. Reads defenses fairly well and usually locates soft spots against zone coverage. Can shield defenders from the ball; his big hands help him make tough catches in traffic. Has dangerous speed and some elusiveness after the catch. Weaknesses: Will run half-hearted routes, especially when he isn't the primary receiver. Lacks elite initial quickness, doesn't always use his hands well and has some trouble against press coverage. Doesn't always sustain blocks. Has serious character issues. Was slowed by a hamstring injury last year. Bottom line: Moss is a lightning rod for controversy and is a bit of an underachiever, but when the effort is there, he nearly defines the prototype at the position. His ability to go deep plays to Kerry Collins' strength of throwing deep with accuracy. Grade: 9.5 NO. 2 TORRY HOLT (St. Louis Rams)Strengths: Has excellent speed and initial quickness. Gets clean releases against press coverage. Sets up defenders, explodes out of his cuts and separates against man-to-man coverage. Adjusts to passes outside his frame and can make difficult catches on vertical sideline routes. Reads defenses well, makes pre-snap adjustments and finds soft spots against zone coverage. Can shield defenders and make tough catches in traffic. Has big hands and rarely drops anything. Is fast and shifty after the catch. Weaknesses: Lacks elite size and occasionally gets muscled out of his routes. Sometimes takes his eyes off the ball to find the defender. Doesn't play with a mean streak or consistent intensity. Won't sustain blocks. Bottom line: What Holt loses because of his less than ideal strength and size he makes up for with speed, excellent routes and know-how. Grade: 9.4 NO. 3 MARVIN HARRISON (Indianapolis Colts)Strengths: Is tough and durable. Shows excellent quickness off the snap. Has great hands and can make catches outside his frame. Has excellent body control and despite his size, can take the ball away from bigger defenders. Has rare feel for the game. Can work through double-teams and still make big plays. Will make catches in traffic. Has excellent feel for working back to the ball when the quarterback is flushed out of the pocket. Is an exceptional route runner; knows how to set up guys and get out of breaks quickly. Can make defenders miss after the catch. Weaknesses: Can have trouble against press coverage because of his lack of size and strength. Is just average as a blocker. Sometimes avoids contact and goes out of bounds. Bottom line: Harrison's consistent play and willingness to put in a lot of time with Peyton Manning will land Harrison in the Hall of Fame when his career is finished. Grade: 9.2 NO. 4 CHAD JOHNSON (Cincinnati Bengals)Strengths: Possesses an elite combination of size, strength and athletic ability. Has deceptive speed and is a vertical threat. Is physical and can take the ball away from defensive backs. Has tremendous agility and body control. Has excellent hands to make tough catches look easy. Consistently beat double-teams last season. Weaknesses: Needs to improve his concentration and on-field attitude when things go wrong. Must give better effort on the back side when he is not the No. 1 option. Could improve at finding holes in zone coverage. Bottom line: About the only thing missing from Johnson's game is a consistent effort as an aggressive blocker. One of the game's dynamic young receivers, he plays with great enthusiasm. Grade: 9.1 NO. 5 TERRELL OWENS (Philadelphia Eagles)Strengths: Has a remarkable physical makeup, prototypical size, speed and strength, and his talent demands constant double-teams. Makes plays and is a threat to score every time he makes a catch. Will go over the middle and make catches in traffic. Is effective against zone and man coverage and can't be defended one-on-one. Catches the ball away from his body and does a good job shielding the ball from defenders. Is a monster in the red zone. Weaknesses: Needs to improve his routes; relies too much on physical strength to get open. Has inconsistent concentration and intensity and can be distracted by off-the-field issues. Bottom line: Although Owens creates too much controversy for some, he is one of the NFL's elite playmakers, and he makes the receivers around him better. Grade: 9.0
08-03-2005, 21:22
Top 10 Wide Receivers 
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Strengths: Has a rare combination of size, explosiveness and athleticism. Possesses top-end speed, tracks the ball well and is a lethal vertical threat. Dominates jump balls because of his size, leaping ability and timing. Has body control and can adjust to throws outside his frame. Reads defenses fairly well and usually locates soft spots against zone coverage. Can shield defenders from the ball; his big hands help him make tough catches in traffic. Has dangerous speed and some elusiveness after the catch. Weaknesses: Will run half-hearted routes, especially when he isn't the primary receiver. Lacks elite initial quickness, doesn't always use his hands well and has some trouble against press coverage. Doesn't always sustain blocks. Has serious character issues. Was slowed by a hamstring injury last year. Bottom line: Moss is a lightning rod for controversy and is a bit of an underachiever, but when the effort is there, he nearly defines the prototype at the position. His ability to go deep plays to 
