With NFL Training Camp just days away, lets take a look at how the 2017 season will start in terms of player performance and rankings.
In the AFC West, the wide receiver position is in good hands, and there are a few young targets poised to do big things.
[divider]AFC West Rankings: QB | RB
AFC South: WR[divider]
5. Tyrell Williams — Los Angeles
69 REC, 1,059 YDS, 7 TD
Williams exploded in Year 2 providing a deep threat and outside target with size for Philip Rivers. Williams will have company this fall with draftee Mike Williams joining the receiving corps to go with tight ends Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry.[divider]
4. Michael Crabtree — Oakland
89 REC, 1,003 YDS, 8 TD
Crabtree is one of the better No. 2 WRs in football and at times was Derek Carr's go-to. He was more of a possession option, averaging just 11.3 yards per catch and 10 receptions of 20 yards or more, but did tally eight scores.
3. Demaryius Thomas — Denver
90 REC, 1,083 YDS, 5 TD
Thomas, similarly to Crabtree, caught a lot of balls but didn't produce as many big plays. Thomas averaged 12 yards per receptions — just 10 of 20 yards or more — and scored just five times. But the Broncos QB situation isn't exactly comparable to the others in the division, would may contribute to the lack of down-field shots. Thomas, still, is one of the best in the division.
2. Emmanuel Sanders — Denver
79 REC, 1,032 YDS, 5TD
Sanders is a terrific slot option, but is also a deep target and can take a screen and make something big out of it. He and Thomas are interchangeable on this list and the numbers produced likely depend largely on the QBs comfort with routes and certain targets.
1. Amari Cooper — Oakland
83 REC, 1,153 YDS, 5 TD
Cooper didn't put up the best numbers but he's the best wide receiver in the AFC West. He caught 21 balls for 20 yards or more and is stronger at high-point than he may look. Cooper is poised for a huge 2017 with a healthy Carr, a quality partner across the field in Crabtree and a potentially more consistent running game that added Marshawn Lynch.
Here are Cooper's NFL rankings in three significant categories:
Chance to Break Into the Top 5 in 2017: Mike Williams — Los Angeles; Tyreek Hill — Kansas City.
