NFC North rankings: 5 best wide receivers

The NFC North as always is loaded with wide receiver talent, and these are the five best wide-outs in the division.

The best wide-out in the NFC North over the past few years, Calvin Johnson, has retired. But that doesn’t mean the division is suddenly bereft of talent at the position.

On the contrary, the North is still a haven for good wide receivers. These in my estimation are the five best.

5. Stefon Diggs – Minnesota Vikings

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Where would the Vikings have been last year without Stefon Diggs? I don’t even want to think about it. After starting the season on the bench, Diggs came in against Denver and commenced taking the league by storm. Okay, so his production tailed off later in the year, but a lot of that had to do with teams game-planning to take him away. If Laquon Treadwell can establish himself early and give defenses someone else to account for, Diggs could find a lot more room to operate, and big plays should follow.

4. Jordy Nelson – Green Bay Packers

Losing Jordy Nelson had a huge impact on the Packers offense and QB Aaron Rodgers. With Nelson coming back, the Packers and Rodgers are expected to return to their old form. If Nelson can stay healthy, and Green Bay can get back to running the ball consistently, the Packers should once again have the most high-powered offense in the division.

3. Golden Tate – Detroit Lions

Tate was a productive player for the Lions last year but can he maintain that level with Calvin Johnson no longer around commanding tons of defensive attention? Tate is a good player but it remains to be seen if he can perform as a #1 receiver for Detroit. The Lions brought in Marvin Jones as a free agent, so that should help a little.

2. Alshon Jeffery – Chicago Bears

Injuries limited Jeffery’s production in 2015 but there’s every reason to believe he will come back and have a huge year for the Bears in 2016. With Calvin Johnson now retired, Jeffery is the top deep threat in the division. The question for the Bears is whether they can find more weapons to complement Jeffery.

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1. Randall Cobb – Green Bay Packers

Jordy Nelson’s return should benefit Randall Cobb. Last year without Nelson, Cobb still managed 829 yards on 79 receptions with six TDs. Cobb is the most talented receiver in the division and this year, if Green Bay can get certain things squared away, he could eclipse his epic 2014 numbers.