2021 RECEIVER RANKINGS
As we wait for training camp to begin, it’s time for teams to audit their rosters and prepare for the preseason. We’re going to do the same. Over the next few weeks, we are going to review and rank the different position groups for the Giants, Jets, and Eagles followed by an ultimate power ranking going into training camp. This deep dive into the position groups is designed to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each team to help predict which prop bets may be smart picks for this upcoming season.
This week we will dig into the pass-catchers on the offensive side of the ball for each team. This will include both wide receivers and tight ends as the lines continue to blur between the two positions. All three teams have some new faces from this offseason and look improved from last year.
New York Giants (#1)
Key Players: Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, Kadarius Toney, Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, Kyle Rudolph
Daniel Jones has a revamped set of weapons around him for the 2021 season. The Giants’ biggest offseason splash was the acquisition of star WR Kenny Golladay in free agency. Golladay is the prototypical in-line receiver who can use his size and athleticism to get open and make contested catches. He has battled injuries throughout his career and has had some problems with focus drops, but fills a role that the Giants were desperately missing. The selection of Kadarius Toney in the first round of the NFL draft, following a trade back after the Eagles’ selection of DeVonta Smith, added another playmaker to the fold in New York. The concerns for the Giants are around the redundancy of slot receivers between Slayton, Toney, and Shepard as well as the continuing disappointment of Evan Engram. Engram, who enters every year with high expectations, failed to deliver in a season when he pulled in only 63 receptions on 109 targets. Darius Slayton remains a player to watch who has flashed early in his career and could benefit from top corners covering Golladay.
Philadelphia Eagles (#2)
Key Players: DeVonta Smith, Travis Fulgham, Jalen Reagor, Dallas Goedart, Zach Ertz?
The Eagles enter the 2021 season as one of only two teams without a vested veteran in their wide receiver room. The group is extremely young, inexperienced and has a ton of potential. DeVonta Smith was a first-round selection in April coming off his Heisman season at Alabama. Jalen Reagor is dynamic after the catch and hopes to benefit from more snaps in the slot in a west coast offense. Travis Fulgham led the NFL in receiving yards over a four-week span in 2020 before disappearing near the end of the season. Dallas Goedart is expected to be the main tight end going into this season as he takes over for Zach Ertz, who is surprisingly still on the roster. The biggest questions are around the development of the young wide receivers and Travis Fulgham’s consistency. Fulgham is the Eagles’ best possession receiver, but if he fades like last season, Philadelphia will be lacking a receiver who can beat press coverage.
New York Jets (#3)
Key Players: Corey Davis, Denzel Mims, Jamison Crowder, Elijah Moore, Chris Herndon
The Jets have a very nice selection of #2 receivers and lack a true go-to weapon for Zach Wilson to have as his primary target. Denzel Mims has the best chance of emerging as the team’s top receiver if he is able to make some major improvement from a decent rookie season. Corey Davis was paid like a top receiver in the offseason and has struggled when asked to play that role earlier in his career. Davis’ NFL career so far has reflected his time in college from the sense that he takes advantage of lesser competition but struggles when facing the better competition on the opposing side. If Mims is able to draw opposing teams’ top cornerbacks, it will mean better results for the Jets’ offense. The Jets also boast one of the most exciting pairs of slot receivers in veteran Jamison Crowder and rookie Elijah Moore. Expect the Jets to spread their offense out laterally and give Wilson some quick completions early in his career. Chris Herndon is not expected to be a factor and Ryan Griffin could take over as the starter by the end of the season.
