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Jarvis Landry: Paramaters for a top receiver

By Jairo C.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 27: Jarvis Landry #14 of the Miami Dolphins makes a one handed catch during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sun Life Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 27: Jarvis Landry #14 of the Miami Dolphins makes a one handed catch during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sun Life Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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There have been a lot of discussions about Jarvis Landry, a contract extension, and his future with the Miami Dolphins, but I’d like to first figure out what constitutes a top receiver?

What are the parameters that make for a top flight wide receiver?

First we need to establish what are the characteristics that make for a top receiver. These characteristics can vary from player to player, team to team, and person to person (anyone reading this). I’ve compiled the traits that I think make for a top receiver in the NFL, in no particular order:

  • Physical dimensions

Above average height, weight, or speed. Generally you can take a look at the top receivers in the league and they possess 1 or all of these traits.

  • Blocking

Effectiveness in run blocking and blocking in general.

  • Hands

Sure-handed and high points the ball.

  • Route Running

Coming in and out of breaks without losing speed. Fighting through jams at the line of scrimmage.

  • Football IQ

Setting up their defender to run the proper routes. Reading defensive coverages.

  • Double Coverage

Ability to shield and win in double coverage.

  • Intangibles

Clutch, leader, “energy guy”, role that the receiver plays on the team, etc…

I think once these parameters are established, we can begin the discussion that Dolphin fans are having… Jarvis Landry and the Miami Dolphins. As fans we want to keep the players that are “ours”. Drafted, trained, learned, grew, part of the family. As fans we also understand the NFL is a business where salary caps exist and certain positions have become synonymous with high cap hits. Finding the middle ground is where logically you want to end up. But that doesn’t always happen and no matter how you slice it, there will be those left unhappy.

So where does Jarvis Landry land for you? Does Landry meet the requirements for you as a top receiver in the NFL, therefore the top money that accompanies it? Have you considered what happens if you move on from Landry? The message it would send to the team? Say you do pay him, is the contract now the new benchmark for receivers on your roster?

It’s not enough to say “pay him” or don’t”. There’s more to it. It’s deeper than that.

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