The AFC South features a few big-name wide receivers, as well as one of the most underrated receivers in all of the NFL. But who is the best pass-catcher in the division at the position?
RELATED: AFC South Quarterback Rankings: Andrew Luck, Marcus Mariota Lead The Field
MORE: AFC South Running Back Rankings: DeMarco Murray, Lamar Miller Shine
Here's a look at the best receivers in the division (stats are from the 2016 season):
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Rookies to watch:
Corey Davis, Tennessee
Taywan Taylor, Tennessee
Dede Westbrook, Jacksonville
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Next 5 out:
Marqise Lee, Jacksonville: 63 rec., 851 yards, 3 TD
Phillip Dorsett, Indianapolis: 33 rec., 528 yards, 2 TD
Tajae Sharpe, Tennessee: 41 rec., 522 yards, 2 TD
Will Fuller, Houston: 47 rec., 635 yards, 2 TD
Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis: 30 rec., 307 yards, 7 TD
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5. Allen Hurns, Jacksonville
35 rec., 477 yards, 3 TD
Hurns just barely earns the No. 5 spot ahead of Donte Moncrief and his teammate Marqise Lee, mainly because it appears his drop in production in 2015 was mostly a function of missing five games and an apparent offensive philosophy change to throw the ball down the field less.
Jacksonville didn't attack down field like they did in 2015 when Hurns caught 64 passes for 1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns. Blake Bortles was probably playing closer to what he actually is in 2016, which is a mediocre quarterback.
Hurns showed us in 2015 that he can be a big-play wide receiver. He needs to improve his catch rate (46.1 percent in 2016 after 68.7 percent in 2015) but he's worthy of mention among the best receivers in the division.
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4. Rishard Matthews, Tennessee
65 rec., 945 yards, 9 TD
The top wideout for Tennessee last year, Matthews put together solid numbers in his first season with the Titans. He broke 700 yards for the first time in his career and caught more than four touchdowns for the first time, as well. He was targeted 108 times last season and clearly became Marcus Mariota's go-to guy outside of Delanie Walker.
With the addition of Corey Davis, Matthews could see even more opportunities this fall as opposing defenses have another weapon to look out for.
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3. Allen Robinson, Jacksonville
73 rec, 883 yards, 6 TD
Allen Robinson had a disappointing 2016 considering how god a 2015 campaign he put together (sorry, Fantasy Football players). After catching 80 passes for 1,400 yards and 14 scores in 2015, Robinson's yardage and touchdown numbers tanked last fall even though he only caught seven fewer passes.
Part of that, as we discussed above, is that the Jaguars just didn't throw the ball down the field as much in 2016 as they did in 2015. Part is also, as we discussed, that Blake Bortles is probably not a very good quarterback.
Regardless of the downturn in production, Robinson remains one of the top receiving threats in the division.
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2. T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis
91 rec., 1,448 yards, 6 TD
The NFL's leading receiver in 2016 in terms of yards (1,448), Hilton was also the best deep threat in the NFL, leading the league with 28 receptions of 20 yards or more. He only scored six touchdowns, but set the Colts up to score a lot of points.
At just 5-foot-10, Hilton is a slippery receiver in the open field and a burner if you give him a running lane. He's reeled off four straight 1,000-yard seasons since totaling 861 yards in his rookie year in 2012. He's registered a touchdown of at least 60-yards in each of his five years in the league, and has become Andrew Luck's favorite target in the Colts' offense.
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1. DeAndre Hopkins, Houston
78 rec., 954 yards, 4 TD
Heading into his fifth season in the NFL, DeAndre Hopkins might be the most underrated wide receiver in the league. That's because he hasn't exactly played with a great crop of quarterbacks — he's caught passes from Matt Schaub, T.J. Yates, Case Keenum, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mallett, Bryan Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, Tom Savage, and Brock Osweiler. That's nine quarterbacks in four seasons, and you can expect a 10th guy this year with Deshaun Watson.
Hopkins' reception, yardage and touchdown numbers grew in each of his first three seasons before falling off last year under Osweiler's watch. He caught 127 passes for 1,521 yards in 2015, but saw that diminish to 78 catches for 954 yards last season.
Anyone who watches the Texans knows just how good Hopkins is. His catch radius is huge, he attacks the ball at the high point, and he can make some moves in the open field. He's one of the most fun players to watch in the league.
