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By Mason Wittner, Staff Writer
I believe Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons is beyond the shadow of a doubt the best wide receiver in the National Football League today.
I’ll start with the statistics.
Jones is currently averaging 113.6 yard per game since the start of the 2013 season. He’s on pace to break the record of yards per game over a three-season stretch, 111.7, held by Calvin Johnson [2011-13].
Jones already set one NFL record this season, as his 34 receptions through the first three games were the most to start any season in NFL history. He is also tied for first in the league in receiving yards with 478 yards, an astounding 171 yards over Odell Beckham Jr.
Jones is a nightmare for defenses across the league because he excels in more than just one aspect of receiving.
Julio’s explosiveness off of the line of scrimmage makes him nearly unstoppable against any opposing defense. In addition to being able to get by defensive backs quickly, Jones has an extremely high football IQ as he is able to run virtually any route asked of him.
“Being able to explode out of a break, explode out of his cut … a lot of guys can run a 4.4 (40-yard dash) north and south,” Falcons wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie told ESPN.com in a recent article. “But can you run a 4.4 north and do the same thing turning to go east? That’s a route. The guys who can go 100 miles per hour that way and then go 100 miles per hour the other way are the guys who can run a route.”
Robiskie added that the Falcons have worked with Jones’ ability to go left and right as fast as he goes straight and that is largely what is paying dividends for him this season.
As Matt Ryan’s favorite target, Jones is playing his role in the restoration of the Falcons program to the top of the NFC South after two dismal seasons. Despite a subpar 6-10 record as an organization a season ago, Jones accumulated a season high 1,598 yards.
Through his first three games Jones is expected to surpass the 2,000 yard milestone, breaking Calvin Johnson’s all-time record of 1,954 in the process.
Odell Beckham Jr. may have set the social media-sphere ablaze with his catch against Dallas last season, but Jones doesn’t shy away from making exciting plays.
From his impeccable snag in the corner of the end zone will draped in coverage against San Francisco, to his left-handed diving grab whilst being interfered against the Jets, and his over-the-head Willie Mays-like catch in the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown against Tampa Bay. Jones has left fans and analysts alike in sheer awe of his pure athleticism.
Although Odell Beckham Jr. is a bright young start with endless potential and great hands, Jones reigns superior in far too many statistical categories to take a back seat to the NFL sophomore.
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By Chris Raimondi, Sports Editor
You might know him for “The Catch,” but there’s a whole lot more to New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. than that one play.
He’s the best wide receiver in the NFL. Better than Julio Jones.
The 22-year old out of Louisiana State University burst into super stardom last season with his infamous one-handed grab against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. That catch was just one of many on his way to a record-setting rookie year.
After sitting out the first four games of his rookie season with a hamstring injury, Beckham entered in week five and played like a veteran the rest of the year. He caught 91 passes for 1305 yards and 12 touchdowns and was named the 2014 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Through the first four games of the 2015 season, Beckham has 24 catches for 307 yards.
For his 16 game total—what would be his first full year in the league—Beckham set the record for receiving yards with 1612. Through 16 games, Beckham is better than Jerry Rice, Michael Irvin, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens; everyone who has played the position.
The most intriguing part about Beckham’s performance is that he has done it, mostly, without fellow wide receiver Victor Cruz on the field.
Cruz, a number one receiver in his own right, only played six games last season, two with Beckham, and he hasn’t played in 2015. With the absence of Cruz, more defenses have had the opportunity to focus heavily on Beckham. He is still showing out.
Many predicted a sophomore slump for Beckham, which is still yet to be seen. He hasn’t dominated quite as much as last season through week four in 2015, but Beckham has two touchdowns in four games and posted a 100-plus yard performance in week two against Atlanta.
Beckham caught seven passes for 146 yards and one touchdown against the Falcons, outplaying Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones, who also managed to haul in over 100 yards himself.
Opposing secondaries are honing in on Beckham more than ever with Cruz still sidelined, and he’s still being productive.
One thing that is also worth mentioning—Beckham isn’t even 6-feet tall. At 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds, Beckham is finding ways to create space and haul in long receptions, as he is averaging 14.3 yards per catch in his career.
Beckham has nearly half as many touchdowns as Jones in his career (Beckham has 14, Jones has 30) and Jones has played 37 more games than Beckham.
There is no question that two of the best receivers in NFL history are playing at the same time right now, but if I had to pick one to roll with, I’m going with the younger, more explosive receiver in Beckham. Numbers don’t lie, and the Giants’ no. 1 wideout is on pace to be the best ever.
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