By PSH Wide Receiver Rating Team
Published: November 21, 2008
Updated: November 21, 2008 PrintEmail
Pigskinheaven Wide Receiver Rating System
Through Week 11
In an effort to bring more original content to the site, behold the inaugural PSH Wide Receiver Ratings. This is a collaborative effort by the some of the sharpest minds at Pigskinheaven. As the weeks go by, there will likely be more positions put under the microscope. Also, if anybody has any ideas of what they would like to see (within reason), feel free to ask.
The accepted method of measuring a Quarterback’s production and efficiency is with the ‘Passer Rating’ formula. When we set out on this project, we wanted to come up with a system that would work similarly to the Passer Rating system, except, in this case, it will be for Wide Receivers.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh accounted for 46% of the Bengals total receiving yards through Week 11
So, what makes a good NFL wide receiver? Well sure, there’s the tri-fecta of receptions, yards and TD’s. But there are other factors that separate the great from the merely good, and the good from the mediocre. How good is your receiver at converting 3rd downs into 1st downs and keeping the offense where it belongs, on the field. Ball control is important as well, drops and inopportune fumbles can kill that potential game winning drive. How many big plays is your receiver making?
Rookie Calvin Johnson is tied for the league lead in receptions > 25 yards
Following are the variables utilized to arrive at the ‘Receiver Rating’ system and an explanation of why they are included:
1) Receptions – Does he know how to get open? 2) Yards – Can he be the catalyst that drives his offense? 3) Receiving TD’s – Does he know how to find the end zone? 4) Big Catches > 25 yards – Is he a drive-maker? 5) Yards After Catch – What can he do with the ball after he gets it? 6) Dropped Passes – Does he have good hands? 7) 1st down catches on 3rd downs – Is he clutch? Can he keep drives going? 8) Fumbles per reception – Does he have ball control? 9) Receiving TD’s as a % of team’s total – Is he just lucky to be on a pass-happy team with a great QB or is he 'the' guy in their passing game? 10) Receiving Yards as a % of team’s total – See #9
Notes:
--To qualify, the receiver had to play in at least 60% of the teams’ games --Any receiver with less than 10 receptions on the season was excluded --Roy Williams was excluded due to playing for 2 different teams during the season --Variables were adjusted to a ‘per game’ statistic to adjust for injuries, suspensions, etc. Therefore, the numbers reflect the player’s rating when they’re actually on the field.
This list will have some surprises. A breakout season is being had by a receiver led by a rookie quarterback, as Roddy White is currently the 2nd highest ranked receiver in the NFL. Another breakout season is being had by a receiver who has caught passes from four different quarterbacks, that being the Lions’ Calvin Johnson. The question of the best wide receiver duo is not one, as Arizona’s tandem is the only one in which each ranked in the Top 10.
Braylon Edwards Leads The NFL in Dropped Passes
Some superstar receivers actually rank below less than heralded receivers. For example, Donnie Avery has a higher rating than Laveranues Coles, even though Coles has more receptions and more yards. In the passer rating system, a QB who may complete a lot of passes for a lot of yards will still take a hit to his rating if he throws a lot of INT’s. Similarly, in our Receiver Rating system, if a receiver has very few big catches, is not running for enough Yards after the catch, is not catching enough 1st downs for his team, or fumbles the ball, his rating will also go down.
Without further ado, PSH is proud to present what we feel is now the preeminent Receiver Rating system for the NFL.
