Top NFL Wide Receiver Trios To Watch in 2014
By Erik Lambert
Dec 1, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) celebrates with wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) after catching a touchdown pass during the second half against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. The Bengals won 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
People always talk about duos in the NFL but lately it’s been about the best trios. Which wide receivers have formed the most interesting groups?
Washington Redskins
Pierre Garcon
DeSean Jackson
Andre Roberts
More than ever the NFL is a passing league and one of the more established trends for offenses is to use sets with three wide receivers instead of two. That has meant collecting three solid pass catchers to put on the field together. Several teams have looked into that trend, starting with the Washington Redskins. Already have underrated Pierre Garcon in place, the team looked to free agency to add Pro Bowler DeSean Jackson and breakout slot man Andre Roberts. The element that intrigues people about this group is speed and will be worth watching as they get in tune with Robert Griffin III.
San Francisco 49ers
Anquan Boldin
Michael Crabtree
Steve Johnson
After watching the NFC championship game, it became clear that the San Francisco 49ers lacked another receiving option beyond veteran Anquan Boldin and sure-handed Michael Crabtree. So the team executed a daring trade with Buffalo for the right to Steve Johnson who posted over 1,000 yards in three of the past four seasons. It’s a trio rich with playmaking history, but it remains to be seen if their general lack of imposing size or speed will matter.
Chicago Bears
Brandon Marshall
Alshon Jeffery
Marquess Wilson
As wide receiver duos go in the NFL, there was probably none more intimidating and dominant in 2013 than Pro Bowlers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery who combined for over 2,700 yards and 19 touchdowns. Such is the product of being good athletes who stand 6’3″ or taller. So to add another young talent in Marquess Wilson who is 6’4″ doesn’t really seem fair. It should give the Chicago Bears the tallest wide receiving corps in football and make them that much harder to stop.
Indianapolis Colts
Reggie Wayne
T.Y. Hilton
Hakeem Nicks
Over the past few years the Indianapolis Colts have built a reputation of quiet roster upgrades that yield big results They may have pulled it off again when they brought in Hakeem Nicks via free agency to team with veteran Reggie Wayne and rising star T.Y. Hilton. Quarterback Andrew Luck has a knack for getting the most out of his receivers and Nicks, aside from bringing a championship pedigree, is used to playing with a top quarterback. Provided he and Wayne can stay healthy, this group could really surprise.
Cincinnati Bengals
A.J. Green
Mohamed Sanu
Marvin Jones
The last time the Cincinnati Bengals featured a trio of talented receivers names like Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh were being dropped. It took some time for the team recover after their losses, but it seems things are on the upswing. Of course A.J. Green is one of the best in the NFL, but now he has two wing mates who are improving quickly themselves. Mohamed Sanu possesses intriguing physical traits and improved in his second season while Marvin Jones was a pleasant surprise, scoring 10 touchdowns and posting over 700 yards. If they continue to improve, Cincinnati chili won’t be the only thing that’s hot in town/