What Is A Wide Receiver? Top 10 NFL Wide Receivers
Quite possibly of the main positions in American football is wide receiver. One who succeeds at getting passes that the quarterback conveys is known as a wide receiver.
Here at Cleats Hub, we’ll go into great depth about wide receivers, what they do throughout a game, and the abilities they need to succeed.
What is a Wide Receiver?
In football, a wide receiver (WR), once in a while known as a wideout, is a certified receiver. The word wide receiver, an urgent expertise position in the offense, alludes to the player who is fanned out wide (close to the sidelines), farthest from the remainder of the offensive development.
Albeit getting passes from the quarterback is a wide receiver’s significant obligation, they likewise run courses to let loose space for different collectors and block for the running back.
Role of a Wide Receiver
The essential obligation of the wide receiver is to get passes from the quarterback. To do this, players should be deft and quick and have incredible dexterity.
The capacity to peruse the defense and a careful comprehension of the offensive playbook are both expected for wide receivers to have the option to execute exact courses, which is the subsequent need.
Furthermore, wide receivers should be adroit at hindering as well as getting passes. While a running play is called, the wide receiver should have the option to draw in a defensive player and keep them from handling the running back.
Significantly, a wide receiver should be great at blocking in light of the fact that it is a particularly key part.
Skills Required to be a Wide Receiver
To find success as a wide receiver, a player needs different capacities. In any case, we have incorporated a rundown of the basic capacities required for a wide receiver.
Hand-eye Coordination: They must, first and foremost, possess superb hand-eye coordination. Catching a football thrown at high speed requires intense concentration and quick reactions.
To make receptions in confined situations, wide receivers must be able to catch the ball while being surrounded by defenders.
Speed: Speed is yet another crucial trait for a wide receiver. They must be able to sprint rapidly and pick up speed.
A wide receiver’s ability to separate from the defense and make space for a catch depends on their speed.
Agility: An essential quality for a wide receiver is agility. They should have the option to rapidly turn around and execute exact slices to get open.
A wide receiver must be able to change directions and move laterally without losing their balance to be effective.
A wide receiver should likewise be knowledgeable in the guidelines of the game. They should have the option to figure out their place inside the offensive play as well as understand protections.
Types of Routes Run by Wide Receivers
Wide receivers in American football employ a variety of routes to find openings and catch passes from the quarterback. The most popular routes consist of:
- Go route: In a straight-line route, the receiver runs down the field to snatch a long ball while endeavoring to dominate the safeguard.
- Slant route: The receiver sprints diagonally toward the middle of the field to elude the defender and catch the pass in stride.
- Post route: To catch a deep pass over the top of the defense, the receiver runs straight down the field before making an angled cut toward the middle of the field.
- Out route: The receiver runs towards the sideline prior to breaking quickly that way to get a toss along the sideline.
- Curl route: The receiver runs straight down the field to the first-down marker, then goes to confront the quarterback to get a toss.
- Screen route: After the receiver runs a speedy course to the line of scrimmage, the quarterback rapidly hands the ball to him, permitting him to run with the ball behind his blockers.
What is expected from a Wide Receiver in American football?
- Catching ability: The main expertise of a wide receiver is the capacity to get the ball. Receivers must have strong hands and have the option to get balls in different positions and points.
- Route running: To move away from safeguards and open for passes, receivers should have the option to run different courses, as was noted in the earlier reaction.
- Speed and agility: To surpass defenders and make fast slices to open spaces, wide receivers should be speedy and deft.
- Physicality: The capacity to oppose actual contact from defenders, vie for the ball in the air, and block downfield for their partners are prerequisites for receivers.
- Football Intelligence: To be effective in their position, receivers must be able to analyze defenses, comprehend the offensive plan, and make quick changes.
Top Wide Receivers in American Football History
It’s challenging to choose just a few great wide receivers from the history of American football because there have been many of them.
Five of the best wide recipients in NFL history are recorded underneath:
Jerry Rice
Jerry Rice, generally viewed as the best wide receiver ever, set a few standards throughout his 20-year career, including record-breaking marks for catches, receiving yards, and getting touchdowns.
Also, Rice has a few Super Bowl and NFL season finisher records. He took part in eight conference title games and four Super Bowls.
He came out on top for three Super Bowl titles with the 49ers and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player when San Francisco crushed the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII.
In August 2007, Rice was admitted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Randy Moss
Due to his outstanding speed and inclination for making fabulous grabs, Moss ruled the NFL for the entire of his 14-year playing profession. He is one of the most talented wideouts in NFL history and is second all-time in touchdown receptions.
Besides that, he was picked for the NFL 2000s and 1990s All-Decade Teams. He was enlisted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Moss was a four-time First Team All-Pro and a six-time Pro Bowler.
In any case, despite a productive playing profession, Moss couldn’t guarantee a Super Bowl triumph.
Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens was a truly resilient man who used his size and ability to overwhelm rivals. He positions third all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns and was an essential player for a few groups all through his profession.
He got a few honors all through 15 seasons, including six Pro Bowl choices, five First-Team All-Pro selections, and three NFL receiving touchdown-leading titles.
Owens was additionally picked for the NFL 2000 All-Decade Team. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
Don Hutson
One of the main truly outstanding receivers in the NFL was Don Hutson, who contended during the 1930s and 1940s. In one season, he set standards for grabs, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions.
Hutson was an individual from the All-Decade squad during the 1930s and a two-time NFL MVP. He had eight and nine touchdowns, separately, and led the league in receiving yards.
He was also included in the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
Importantly, he won three championships during his illustrious career.
Steve Largent
Steve Largent, one of the top receivers of his time, played for the Seattle Seahawks during the 1980s. He saved the record up until his retirement for catches, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions.
Largent took part in seven Pro Bowls and was once named the First Team All-Pro. He likewise held other receiving records for the NFL, for example, the most career catches for yards and touchdowns.
In addition, he was chosen for the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team. He was additionally accepted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.
Top 10 Wide Receivers With The Most Receiving Yards In NFL History
| Rank | Player | Receiving Yards |
| 1 | Jerry Rice | 22,895 |
| 2 | Larry Fitzgerald | 17,492 |
| 3 | Terrel Owens | 15,934 |
| 4 | Randy Moss | 15,292 |
| 5 | Isaac Bruce | 15,208 |
| 6 | Tony Gonzalez | 15,127 |
| 7 | Tim Brown | 14,934 |
| 8 | Steve Smith | 14,731 |
| 9 | Marvin Harrison | 14,580 |
| 10 | Reggie Wayne | 14,345 |
Conclusion
A wide receiver is the prima donna of the football field, to put it simply. They are the ones that clamor for the ball and celebrate scores as if they have struck it rich.
However, they have the expertise to help it.
Also, they utilize their speed, readiness, and insightful course-running capacities to outsmart rivals.
They increment the power of the game and keep watchers as eager and anxious as can be with each play.
Remember, however, that they are additionally very tough. They stand even after suffering heavy blows.
