ESPN: Moss and Welker ranked in top 64 NFL WRs

[Seneschal2]

...#1 and #23. From E..N insider (free preview):

1. Randy Moss
Moss proved last season that his two-year lull in Oakland was an aberration, catching an NFL-record 23 TDs. On the Raiders, Moss lacked a quarterback who could consistently get him the ball, Obviously, that's no longer the case. Moss is no longer a sub-4.3 guy, but he can run sub-4.5. What separates him from almost every other wide receiver on this list is his ability to outjump any defensive back in the NFL. When you're 6-4, that's a huge advantage.

23. Wes Welker
Welker was an absolute steal by the Patriots in a trade with the Dolphins last offseason. He is a smart, instinctive receiver who can read coverages on the move while finding soft spots in underneath zones. When he makes a catch, he takes it upfield immediately. There's no dancing with Welker. He was Tom Brady's favorite target in 2007 and tied for the NFL lead with 112 receptions. Despite being just 5-9 and 185 pounds, he is a much better blocker than many realize.

 

[tedylb]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

Not trying to be a homer, but I'd put Welker in the top 10. I think he was almost as valuable as Moss last year.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

Not trying to be a homer, but I'd put Welker in the top 10. I think he was almost as valuable as Moss last year.

FWIW, the ranking was done by Scouts, Inc. for E*PN. And their blogger agrees with you that Welker is ranked too low, although he would put Welker in the 11-15 range. (As he points out, you don't catch 112 passes--or, to add my point, have ~140 passes thrown your way--by accident.)

From the homerific POV, Welker was #2 in the league last year, but looking a bit more objectively, I'd put him somewhere around #10 myself.

 

[BritPat]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

Talking of his blocking, was it in the playoffs when he layed a guy out?

 

[blackglass3]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

Talking of his blocking, was it in the playoffs when he layed a guy out?

Chargers game, maybe?

 

[mangenious]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

thats a little low for Welker, from an unbiased view I think he belongs somewhere in the low mid teens. IMO his YPC show that his reception totals are highly influenced on the number of screens thrown his way. Still Welker is really good but you cant put him ahead of the Holts, Plax's, Boldins, and Fitz's in the NFL

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

Talking of his blocking, was it in the playoffs when he layed a guy out?

Well, he pancake blocked James Butler in the regular season finale, and he blasted Corey Ivy in the Baltimore game (sending him flying about five yards).

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

Yeah Welker is definitely underrated @ 23. I guess it fits his persona, though.

I personally wouldn't take either of the Steelers WR's over him, and they're at 18 & 19. Santonio Holmes had half as many catches as Welker and still got ranked ahead

His numbers are better across the board compared to Evans, Bowe and Driver. I'd put him in the 12-15 range, making an assumption that Marvin Harrison will come back to form after last year.

I think I'd go something like:
1 Moss
2 Wayne
3 A. Johnson
4 Smith
5 Owens
6 Edwards
7 Burress
8 Ocho Cinco
9 Fitzgerald
10 Holt
11 Colston
12 Harrison
13 Welker
14 TJ Housh
15 Jennings
16 Boldin
17 R. Williams
18 Marshall
19 Troy Brown
20 Vincent Brisby

 

[mangenious]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

Yeah Welker is definitely underrated @ 23. I guess it fits his persona, though.

I personally wouldn't take either of the Steelers WR's over him, and they're at 18 & 19. Santonio Holmes had half as many catches as Welker and still got ranked ahead

His numbers are better across the board compared to Evans, Bowe and Driver. I'd put him in the 12-15 range, making an assumption that Marvin Harrison will come back to form after last year.

I think I'd go something like:
1 Moss
2 Wayne
3 A. Johnson
4 Smith
5 Owens
6 Edwards
7 Burress
8 Ocho Cinco
9 Fitzgerald
10 Holt
11 Colston
12 Harrison
13 Welker
14 TJ Housh
15 Jennings
16 Boldin
17 R. Williams
18 Marshall
19 Troy Brown
20 Vincent Brisby

I think your list is fair outisde of 19, 20 and Marshall, Boldin, R. Williams should definately be higher then Welker b/c they are true # 1 type WR. Am I the only one who feels the Welker catch stat is very overrated? To me its similar to Bush catching 88 catches. They threw him so many darn screens how does he not catch close to 100? His YPC indicate that his totals are a product of screens as oppossed to Holmes who I dont think is better then Welker but he does have a way higher YPC total. I just cant see how anyone can put him over true #1 WR in the NFL which Welker definitely is not

 

[Fixit]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

Damn slot bias.

 

[ScottieC]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

I think your list is fair outisde of 19, 20 and Marshall, Boldin, R. Williams should definately be higher then Welker b/c they are true # 1 type WR. Am I the only one who feels the Welker catch stat is very overrated? To me its similar to Bush catching 88 catches. They threw him so many darn screens how does he not catch close to 100? His YPC indicate that his totals are a product of screens as oppossed to Holmes who I dont think is better then Welker but he does have a way higher YPC total. I just cant see how anyone can put him over true #1 WR in the NFL which Welker definitely is not

Yes, you would be the only one. WelkerStatsAreOverRatedville - Population 1, you.

There is something to be said for a slot guy who crossed over the middle and put his body in harms way (by LB's and Safeties), as opposed to a WR who get almost immediately tackled by a CB.

I'm not slighting the WR's - But Wes took some crazy hard shots last year that would make many receivers very nervous to catch the ball while crossing over the middle or running a screen.

His stats are not overrated and in fact based on his performance, underrated at 23.

 

[kolbitr]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

I think your list is fair outisde of 19, 20 and Marshall, Boldin, R. Williams should definately be higher then Welker b/c they are true # 1 type WR. Am I the only one who feels the Welker catch stat is very overrated? To me its similar to Bush catching 88 catches. They threw him so many darn screens how does he not catch close to 100? His YPC indicate that his totals are a product of screens as oppossed to Holmes who I dont think is better then Welker but he does have a way higher YPC total. I just cant see how anyone can put him over true #1 WR in the NFL which Welker definitely is not

This is a good point--such lists have a built-in implication that you would pick these guys in this order were you starting a team from scratch. Welker is not a "true #1" receiver, and his extreme value comes from his having played opposite a game-breaker in Moss. Boldin I think belongs higher, Williams I have not seen enough of. Welker is skilled, tough and smart, though, and that goes a long way in the league.

 

[mangenious]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

Yes, you would be the only one. WelkerStatsAreOverRatedville - Population 1, you.

There is something to be said for a slot guy who crossed over the middle and put his body in harms way (by LB's and Safeties), as opposed to a WR who get almost immediately tackled by a CB.

I'm not slighting the WR's - But Wes took some crazy hard shots last year that would make many receivers very nervous to catch the ball while crossing over the middle or running a screen.

His stats are not overrated and in fact based on his performance, underrated at 23.

What you mentioned has nothing to do with his YPC. Welker average any where from 2 yards less to 5.3 yards less per catch then the 10 receivers who had more yards then him last year. Its not hard to lead the NFL in receptions when A) your good B0)You have Brady throwing you the ball C) you catch 6 screens a game and D) have Moss opposite you. This almost the exact same scenario when all Saints fans where screaming how phenomenal Reggie Bush was for catching 73 balls, but averaged a pathetic 5.7 yards per catch. Im not trying to diminish him b/c he is a tough SOB and I think Welker is a really good WR, but not in the class of a Wayne, Holt, Fitz, Plax, T.O., Edwards, R. Williams, Moss, Smith, Johnson, Marshall, or Colston. i already said earlier Welker is definitely better then 23

 

[unoriginal]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

Welker and Brady kept that offense on the field last year. No way Moss gets all those touchdowns if Welker doesn't move the chains. It was not a one-way street, there were serious reciprocal benefits.

This is a guy that caught 60+ passes for the goddamn Miami Dolphins out of the slot. He wouldn't disappear in a Tom Brady offense without Moss.

 

[ALP]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

i think welker should be ranked higher...

as a number one roy williams isnt very good...

boldin is only OK

jennings i would put ahead of welker

i have no idea why driver, holmes, ward would be ahead of welker...

and welker is defenetely better then TJ

 

[Fixit]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

What you mentioned has nothing to do with his YPC. Welker average any where from 2 yards less to 5.3 yards less per catch then the 10 receivers who had more yards then him last year. Its not hard to lead the NFL in receptions when A) your good B0)You have Brady throwing you the ball C) you catch 6 screens a game and D) have Moss opposite you. This almost the exact same scenario when all Saints fans where screaming how phenomenal Reggie Bush was for catching 73 balls, but averaged a pathetic 5.7 yards per catch. Im not trying to diminish him b/c he is a tough SOB and I think Welker is a really good WR, but not in the class of a Wayne, Holt, Fitz, Plax, T.O., Edwards, R. Williams, Moss, Smith, Johnson, Marshall, or Colston. i already said earlier Welker is definitely better then 23

1) I don't think Welker caught a whole lot of screens this year
2) Didn't he lead the AFC (second in the NFL behind Westbrook) in YAC?

You seriously undervalue what he did this year.

 

[tedylb]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

Welker and Brady kept that offense on the field last year. No way Moss gets all those touchdowns if Welker doesn't move the chains. It was not a one-way street, there were serious reciprocal benefits.

This is a guy that caught 60+ passes for the goddamn Miami Dolphins out of the slot. He wouldn't disappear in a Tom Brady offense without Moss.

Good points. Moss and Welker did have a a symbiotic mojo. And none of the Pats' opponents could shut him down. He kept moving the chains.

 

[signbabybrady]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

Good points. Moss and Welker did have a a symbiotic mojo. And none of the Pats' opponents could shut him down. He kept moving the chains.

Symbiotic Mojo = Tom Brady

 

[ScottieC]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

What you mentioned has nothing to do with his YPC. Welker average any where from 2 yards less to 5.3 yards less per catch then the 10 receivers who had more yards then him last year. Its not hard to lead the NFL in receptions when A) your good B0)You have Brady throwing you the ball C) you catch 6 screens a game and D) have Moss opposite you. This almost the exact same scenario when all Saints fans where screaming how phenomenal Reggie Bush was for catching 73 balls, but averaged a pathetic 5.7 yards per catch. Im not trying to diminish him b/c he is a tough SOB and I think Welker is a really good WR, but not in the class of a Wayne, Holt, Fitz, Plax, T.O., Edwards, R. Williams, Moss, Smith, Johnson, Marshall, or Colston. i already said earlier Welker is definitely better then 23

Yea, I know. You're coment was "Am I the only one who feels the Welker catch stat is very overrated?" - I disagreed and gave IMO support to my claim.

So I agree with you on a few things, my comment had nothing to do with YPC - and I did not intend to to be about YPC - Welker is better than 23 and Reggie bush is pathetic.

 

[tedylb]

Re: NFL's Top 64 WRs - Moss and Welker ranked...

Symbiotic Mojo = Tom Brady

You're rght. Brady goes without saying in the Mojo symbiosis. In a region that leads the league in negativity, do we realize how lucky we are to have these three? In the history of the league, there have been few who belong in the same conversation with our QB and # 1 & 2 WR's.