NFL’s Best Receiving Corps for 2009

Over the last few seasons, the National Football League has taken on a decidedly passing approach. We all remember New England and Tom Brady throwing their way to a record-setting 2007 season; a year later, New Orleans’ Drew Brees became only the second QB ever to throw for over 5,000 yards.

These numbers, of course, are not just indicative of stellar play behind center. The guys catching passes – the wide receivers – are of the utmost importance. So who’s got the best receiving targets heading into 2009? Let’s take a look:

Green Bay
QB – Aaron Rodgers
WRs – Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones

Jennings and Driver are the keys to this unit, as both hauled in over 1000 receiving yards a season ago (Jennings had 1292; Driver 1012). But it’s the depth at the position that makes the Packers so dangerous. Nelson had an outstanding rookie campaign in 2008 – the former Kansas State standout had 33 catches for 366 yards and two scores. Blazing speedster Jones only played in 10 games, but still managed a 13.7 yards-per-catch average, the second-best amongst the group.

New Orleans
QB – Drew Brees
WRs – Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Marques Colston, Reggie Bush

Last year was a coming-out party for Moore, who hauled in 10 TDs and 928 receiving yards. But to pin the unit’s success solely on him would be wrong. This is one of the most dynamic and versatile units in pro football. Over five players – Moore, Colston, Bush, Billy Miller and Jeremy Shockey – each caught 45 passes or more a season ago. And then there’s long-distance threat Henderson who, while only catching 32 passes last year, had 793 receiving yards. He also led the team with 24.8 yards-per-catch average. Henderson caught an amazing six passes of 50 yards or more last year, including an 84-yard TD bomb in Week 1.

Arizona Cardinals
QB – Kurt Warner
WRs – Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston

The Cardinals were the only team from a year ago to boast three 1000-yard receivers, so they’re clearly qualified for this list. While Breaston emerged as a nice third option last season, it was clear that this team goes as the two studs – Fitzgerald and Boldin – go. The two combined for some staggering stats in 2008: 185 catches, 2469 yards and 23 TDs.

New England Patriots
QB – Tom Brady
WRs – Randy Moss, Wes Welker

While it lacks the depth of some other units, the Patriots wide receiving group is a force to be reckoned with. Moss and Welker are the perfect one-two compliment; Moss the constant big-play deep threat, Welker the one making tough catches over the middle. Welker finished second in the NFL last year with 111 catches while Moss tied for third in touchdown receptions with 11. Not content with relying on just Moss-Welker, the Pats added 15-year veteran Joey Galloway this offseason. This could put the Pats’ passing game over the top for 2009.