Please Define A "True Number One" Receiver

Andre Johnson the last 2 years. I feel he is the true definition of a #1 wideout.

A true number one receiver must be highly effective in all areas of the field and on all routes, with an added emphasis on vertical concepts. He must also catch 64%, IMO, of passes intended for him.

Just two criteria.

The obvious must beat a CB one on one.
Must not be one-dimensional. Be great at at the #1, 2 or slot position.
Not afraid to go over the middle. Fast enough to stretch defenses. Great run blocker. Run all out even when playing decoy. Good at running reverses and taking hand offs on running plays. Physical player, not afraid to mix it up with bigger players.
A great combination of speed and power.
Biggest one of all is being in incredible synch with his QB. They could complete a pass in the pitch black darkness. Meaning, they know exactly where they are going to be and the ball is thrown before the receiver makes the cut.
Incredible hands.
On a side note, I agree with Jamf, thomas and Kelly have not done squat.
Their time is running out and they better come in hitting on all cylinders in 2010. They need to do more thatn just catch a handful passes in a game. They need to start to show signs of dominating their opponents, something that has been seriously lacking and is worrisome for me as a Redskin fan.

I think the criterion set forth in just the few posts already pretty much define a true #1 WR.

Where I strongly differ in opinion is our WR corp in that we have NOT had a #1 WR under the Snyder era. Moss has great hands part of the time, good hands most of the time, and downright awful hands the other part of the time. Specifically in our last playoff appearance Moss couldn't catch a cold, but truth is he gets the dropsies at least a few games every season. True #1 WRs miss a ball here and there but overall they have to be very dependable. Also a true #1 WR, like GTripp said, must be able to make plays running a variety of routes. Moss rarely makes a catch in heavy traffic, partly due to his size but then you look at Steve Smith about the same size and see him making huge leaping grabs. Moss for all his speed doesn't seem to have much burst to get in the air and fight for the ball.

So the lesson is w/o a #1 WR it's very hard to have a dominant offense. Moss never has been and never will be that guy, though working out of the slot I could see him lead the team in catches and have his best season ever. But for that to happen Thomas or Kelly have to emerge as the #1 possession WR. Based on sheer ability Thomas easily has the edge but he has to become a student of the game and master his routes to really breakout. I wonder if he's working w/ any of the greats during the off-season?

A go to guy whom you can rely on making the big catch or a play with the ball in his hands; a guy who will catch pretty much any ball no matter where it is.

Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitz, ect...you can probably throw Marshall in that mix...but I'd take those 3 ahead of him. And pretty soon to be AJ Green and Julio Jones in that mix...next years draft will have 2 great WR's in it.

Can make big plays
Can run all of the routes
If he's single covered the announcers ask why the safety missed his assignment or the D play call was wrong
Very consistent catcher

my idea is an Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald. These guys can get open even if the D knows they are the #1 guys and try to double, try to play one under/one over. We haven't had that since Gary Clark. I have said for years Santana is NOT a #1 receiver in the NFL. He is a decent #2, but with our talent at WR now, Thomas, Kelly, Mitchel, I would trade his ass. I think we could get something for him. Someone still sees some value in him. We haven't won a damn thing with him, so i'd get rid of him and let the younger guys play and develop. This obviously isn't a one year fix, he isn't in our future plans so I'd get something now

You have to demand the ball, insist on a new contract in the midst of your current contract, show creativity an excess in your touchdown celebrations and have your own reality show, otherwise don't talk to me

You have to demand the ball, insist on a new contract in the midst of your current contract, show creativity an excess in your touchdown celebrations and have your own reality show, otherwise don't talk to me

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