Below is a list of NFL wide receivers that have fallen off over the past few years.
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1. Randy Moss, WR- San Francisco 49ers
Debatably the best wide receiver ever to play the game of football, Randy Moss has jumped from team to team following his three-year reign with the New England Patriots. After a record-breaking season in his first year with New England in 2007, Moss then started a very sharp decline. His return back to home (Minnesota) was short due to the release after off the field issues, he then ventured to Tennessee and is now with the San Francisco 49ers. Randy Moss knows and understands that he was one the best to ever play the game as that has altered his work ethic over his recent years of football. How has such a great player fallen to a persona upon which very few teams would even consider him on their squad?
Best Year: 2007- [New England Patriots] 16 games played and started, 98 receptions, 1,493 yards, 23 touchdowns (NFL single season record).
Worst Year: 2010- [New England Patriots to Minnesota Vikings to Tennessee Titans] 16 games played and 11 started, 28 receptions, 393 yards, 5 touchdowns.
Beyond the obvious drop off that Moss has (and is currently still on), he is still regarded to be one of the best wide receivers in the history of football. Through all of his memorable quotes, arguments with Cris Carter, or spraying the referee with water, Randy Moss will be known for his amazing play and the ability to catch any ball thrown his way. Is it likely that Moss will return to his 2007 form with the 49ers? Most likely not but if he puts work into learning the offense and building chemistry with quarterback Alex Smith, he has the body and knowledge of defenses to produce numbers.
2. Terrell Owens, WR- Seattle Seahawks
In his scheduled 16th season, “T.O.” is coming off a year out of the NFL (due to an injury to his ACL), he tries out for the Seattle Seahawks, then signs in hope that he can beat out Braylon Edwards for the number two spot, assuming Sidney Rice comes back from injuries.
Best Year: 2001- [San Francisco 49ers] 16 games played and started, 93 receptions, 1,412 yards, 16 touchdowns.
Worst Year: 2009- [Buffalo Bills] 16 games played and started, 55 receptions, 829 yards, 5 touchdowns.
Age does not seem to slow down T.O. as much as other players, but off the field issues have always plagued Owens and will forever taint his image as an NFL player. At his prime while on the Eagles and Cowboys, T.O. demanded double coverage as a wide out but as years have passed, questions about his deep game have arisen due to his lost speed and quickness off the edge.
3. Anquan Boldin, WR- Baltimore Ravens
The other half of the amazing duo of wide receivers during his time with the Arizona Cardinals, Boldin teamed up with Fitzgerald to get to the Superbowl during the 2009 season. From then on, Boldin has spent his time on the Baltimore Ravens as their main passing attack. Out of the seven years that Boldin had spent with the Cardinals, he posted 1,000 yards five of those seven years but has yet to post 1,000 yards as a Raven. Was Boldin the product of having an elite wide receiver opposite of him in Arizona (Larry Fitzgerald)? Did Boldin get more catches and produce more by being second on the depth chart and not facing as many double teams?
Best Year: 2005- [Arizona Cardinals] 14 games played and started, 102 receptions, 1402 yards, 7 touchdowns.
Worst Year: 2011- [Baltimore Ravens] 14 games played and started, 57 receptions, 887 yards, 3 touchdowns.
With the signing of Boldin, the Ravens thought they were getting a true number one wide receiver but only gained a mediocre wide receiver, proving Boldin needs another wide out to distract the defense from him. His reception numbers are down due to the amount of drops he encounters possibly due to old age as they have increased with age. With the acquisition of Torrey Smith via the draft, Boldin may become more comfortable with a smaller role for the defense, creating less double teams and opening up Boldin for more catches.
4. Reggie Wayne, WR- Indianapolis Colts
No one’s numbers seem to fall more due to Peyton Manning’s injury then poor Reggie Wayne’s, who had to work with seventh round selection Curtis Painter. There should be a drop in production from going to a future Hall of Famer to a backup with only one year in the system. Reggie Wayne and Peyton Manning have always been praised for their chemistry and now Wayne has Andrew Luck to teach and hopefully trust will begin between them which will bring back the slump of a year Wayne had.
Best Year: 2007- [Indianapolis Colts] 16 games played and started, 104 receptions, 1,510 yards, 10 touchdowns.
Worst Year: 2011- [Indianapolis Colts] 16 games played and started, 75 receptions, 960 yards, 4 touchdowns.
Reggie Wayne touched the ball a lot even in his slump year, he is the proven one wide out in Indianapolis and will be there until the find another. Wayne will be entering his 13th year (all with the Colts) so a replacement will need to be found in the next few years. Wayne has not shown that noticeable of a drop off physical wise but time will tell with all the youngsters on the starting squad.
5. Donald Driver, WR- Green Bay Packers
Donald Driver has always played for the Packers and always will, although his job will be limited on the field, due to age and a very competent replacement in Randall Cobb. Driver’s statistics have been on the decrease over the past two years with the emergence of elite quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his ability to make play makers with his arm on the field. The Packers might have drafted a promising replacement in Randall Cobb but Driver stays around to be a leader in the locker room and the community.
Best Year: 2006- [Green Bay Packers] 16 games played and started, 92 receptions, 1,295 yards, 8 touchdowns.
Worst Year: 2011- [Green Bay Packers] 16 games played and started 15, 37 receptions, 445 yards, 6 touchdowns.
The transition from Driver to Cobb will be apparent this year with fewer touches and less starts as the organization tries to give their 2011 second round pick more experience on the field and with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Driver will always live among memories of the great uprising of the Packers in the NFC division.
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