Elite NFC West Wide Receivers

We are moving forward with our All-Star team, and we are up to the wide receiver position. Instead of running down each individual player, (since that would take forever) I will break them down in groups based on their teams. At this point I haven’t made any picks in this category, but I’m pretty sure there won’t be any Rams making the cut for the team. If you disagree, let me know.

St. Louis Rams-Donnie Avery, Laurent Robinson, Mardy Gilyard

My Take: The Rams receiving corps is not good. I have never been a big fan of Avery, although I think he could take a step forward this season if he really did bulk up and add some strength. Robinson looked good at the start of last season, but an injury stopped his momentum. Once again, I think there is some potential here, but I want I want him to prove it over a full season. As far as Gilyard goes, we have to wait and see on the rookie. I liked what he did in college, and he could add a playmaking dimension to this team, but I can’t even consider putting a rookie on the All-Star squad.

Arizona Cardinals-Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston, Early Doucet

My Take: I think this is easily the best group in our division, and Fitz is one of the top guys in the league. I love Breaston, but it remains to be seen if he can step up as a 2 after the departure of Anquan Boldin. The talent is there, and I think he has a chance to be a very nice NFL receiver. Doucet could be one of the top sleepers in the league this season for you fantasy buffs, as he did some nice things last season. If Breaston steps up, I really like what Doucet could do in 2010.

Seattle Seahawks-TJ Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch, Deon Butler

My Take: This group isn’t as bad as the Rams, but it’s close. Whosyomamma has been a bit of a disappointment since he moved to Seattle, and he isn’t getting any younger. Branch falls into pretty much the same group, as he is over-the-hill and not an All-Star option anymore. Butler is one of the more intriguing guys on this list, but he hasn’t done nearly enough to warrant consideration. Housh could make this team only because of the lack of quality, but he isn’t the player he was in Cincy.

San Fran 49ers-Michael Crabtree, Ted Ginn Jr, Jason Hill/Josh Morgan

My Take: Chalk me up as a big fan of Crabtree. The man is a beast, and I think he could develop into one of the top players in this division. I love the ability, and as he matures he should be able to put it all together. Ginn Jr. has the athletic ability, but he hasn’t proven himself to be the legit NFL wideout some people in Miami thought he could be. Maybe a new home is what he needs, but based on what he has done, he isn’t going to make this team. Hill and Morgan are both guys who could turn into solid players, but they aren’t on an All-Star level at this point.

My Picks: We get to pick three guys here, and my top 2 are Fitz and Crabtree. Fitz is a lock, and I’ve seen enough from Crabtree to give him a spot on this team. As for the final spot, it is really up in the air. Avery gets some consideration, and I would put him in a group with Housh and Breaston as the next tier. I have some questions about how Breaston will transition to his new role this season, but I think he is my pick. Avery and Housh are close, but the nod goes to Stevie. Let me know what you think in the comments section. This would have been much easier if Boldin were still in the division.