Wide receiver Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons’s receiver Julio Jones are the two biggest favorites by oddsmakers everywhere to finish this season as the players with most receiving yards during the regular season.
Brown benefits greatly from having Ben Roethlisberger as quarterback, undoubtedly one of the best in the league during the last few years. Despite his durability and age becoming an issue, Roethlisberger’s accuracy and big play skills greatly benefit Brown.
The problem with the Steelers receiving corps is that they have little else other than Brown. Not only has tight end Heath Miller retired after playing for 11 seasons with them, but no other receivers have stepped up and competed with Brown in any category. The clearest proof of that is that Brown once for the last two seasons led the Steelers in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. No surprise then that Brown has been the most prolific and one of the best-ranked wide receivers of the entire league for the last few years.
Of course, Brown’s own skills are another reason why he is the slight favorite to finish with the most receiving yards in the entire league. He is probably the best at route running, he has some of the quickest feet for a WR and is great slipping past defenders. All these attributes make Brown a threat to not only score week after week, but to finish as the WR with the most yards in the game. Those reasons will keep him among the receiving leaders week in and week out.
Julio Jones will probably be the main man to give Brown a good run for his money, as he has transformed himself into one of the most dominant wide receivers since entering the league in 2011.
Jones topped the league last year in yards, times thrown to (204) and receptions (136, tied with Brown).
Jones is a receiver with many athletic abilities that make him a constant threat. He has proven to be extremely fast, has a very good vertical jump and is constantly making acrobatic catches to come down with the ball.
Like the Steelers, the Falcons have little else in wide receivers and that should provide Jones with huge opportunities to see balls throw his way and once again dominate both the Falcons and the league statistically.
If he and quarterback Matt Ryan (age 34) stay healthy, Jones should again be among the best in the league in every category.
Antonio Brown +240
Julio Jones +250
A.J Green +700
Deandre Hopkin +700
