T.Y. Hilton of the Indianapolis Colts enjoyed the best season of his five-year career in 2016 when he led the league in receiving yards with 1,448.
It was the first time Hilton had cracked the top 10, never mind win the category. Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons was second at 1,409 and Odell Beckham was third at 1,367. Calvin Johnson, who has since retired, holds the record of 1,964 yards which he set in 2012 with the Detroit Lions.
So, which receiver will claim the title with the most receiving yards in 2017? Let’s take a look at Beckham and some other top contenders (odds provided by bovada.lv).
| Player To Record The Most Receiving Yards |  |
 |
|
It’s hard to believe the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver was a sixth-round pick out of Central Michigan in 2010. He has been among the best receivers in the game after his rookie season. In his last four seasons, the 29-year-old posted 481 catches for 6,315 yards and 43 touchdowns. In total receiving yards per season, No. 84 was fifth in 2016, the leader in 2014 and 2015, and second in 2013.
Brown can strengthen his legacy with a fifth consecutive 100-reception season, which has never been done in the National Football League.
The Atlanta Falcons gave up a bunch of picks to move up in the 2011 draft and grab Julio Jones with the sixth selection overall. The 28-year-old has turned into a franchise player and one of the biggest reasons the Falcons reached the Super Bowl last season for the first time since 1999.
Jones continues to post All-Pro numbers every year, finishing second in 2015 and 2016 in total receiving yards. In the last three seasons, No. 11 has 323 catches for 4,873 yards and 20 touchdowns. Those are Antonio Brown-like numbers.
The New York Giants made Beckham the 12th overall pick in the 2014 draft.
That selection has paid off handsomely ever since. In all three seasons he has played, Beckham has averaged at least 91 catches, 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns. And he’s only 24. He had 101 catches for 1,367 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2016 on 169 targets. The Giants have added another top receiver this year in Brandon Marshall. Another target for quarterback Eli Manning just may open the field up for Beckham, as he often draws extra attention on his routes.
Last year was a special season for the Indianapolis Colts’ second-round draft pick in 2012. He led the league in receiving yards. He also had a career high in yards per game at 90.5 and he caught 28 balls of 20 yards or more. As the Colts look to improve off an 8-8 season, Hilton will certainly be quarterback Andrew Luck’s favorite target. The AFC South team has also missed the playoffs the last two seasons, so both Hilton and Luck need to have big years.
Here’s another impressive receiver who just keeps getting better and better. In 2016, the seventh overall pick in the 2014 draft set career highs in receptions, total receiving yards and yards per game. He tied his career high in touchdowns with 12.
At six-foot-five and 230 pounds, Evans uses his size and strength to overpower defenders. He’s one of the reasons the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to surge in the standings every year. The NFC South team was 9-7 in 2016, their first winning season in six years.
BABB's Pick — Will Beckham record the most receiving yards in 2017? Of course, it’s possible. But don’t bet against Brown. He is the standard of excellence in this league.
Category : Betting Picks
Tag : antonio brown , nfl , NFL receiving leaders , NFL receptions , odell beckham , t.y. hilton
More articles...
