By Eli Cousins, Maroon-News Staff

Antonio Brown is hands-down the best wide receiver in the league. He is far better than his competition, which includes AJ Green, Odell Beckham Jr. and Deandre Hopkins, who all went to big schools and were primed to take over the league. Antonio Brown, who went to Central Michigan and was picked in the sixth round as the 195th pick, wasn’t expected to be much of a force in the NFL, or to make an NFL roster for that matter.

Now, the four-time Pro Bowler is hoping to have another amazing season to add onto his past two great years. In 2014, he led the league in yards, and in 2015, he led the league in receptions, even with Big Ben hurt for part of the season. With a healthy Ben Roethlisberger and an explosive Steelers offense, Brown has the potential to set the record in both categories. He has the quickness, the hands and the brains to be the best receiver for years to come. Even though he stands at a mere 5’10” Brown holds himself higher than that and always uses his outstanding athletic ability to shake cornerbacks out of their cleats.

No matter what defense the Steelers face, Brown finds a way to get it done each week and puts up inconceivable numbers in the process. This week, Brown and the Steelers are going up against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that destroyed the Jets offense with six interceptions. Regardless of the defense, look for Antonio Brown to be twerking in the end zone and climbing goal posts in the near future.

By David Minster, National Sports Editor

The best wide receiver in the league has to be Antonio Brown. He is a defensive coordinator’s worst nightmare. While some might argue that other big names like Odell Beckham Jr. or Deandre Hopkins are number one, both OBJ and Hopkins haven’t been in the league long enough to deserve that title. Antonio Brown has been in the league since 2010, and over the last few years he’s proven himself to be a top wideout. He caught 136 balls last year and 129 the year before, setting the record for most receptions in a two-year span.

With Ben Roethlisberger, who is a top-five QB and future Hall of Famer, Antonio Brown is always a threat to both the receptions and receiving yards records. His speed, hands and nifty footwork make him difficult for cornerbacks to cover, and his ability to change speeds leaves them in the dust. In a high-caliber offense with Roethlisberger and running back Le’Veon Bell, Brown gets more than enough targets and opportunities since the Steelers are always a threat to score, regardless of where they are on the field.

Right now, he’s fourth in the league in receiving yards and tied for the most receptions with Miami’s Jarvis Landry. However, don’t be surprised if Brown rewrites the record books with a historic season of his own.

By Henry Marshall, National Sports Editor

Atlanta Falcons’ wide receiver Julio Jones is arguably one of the best receivers in the NFL, and certainly a top priority for fantasy football players. Currently ranked below Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr., Julio Jones has been a staple for the Falcons offense this season thus far.

The ex-Crimson tide receiver is just three games into his sixth NFL season, currently boasting 188 yards on ten receptions. Jones has averaged 18.8 yards per reception, and has totaled two TD’s. While his two TD’s seem low, Jones has had the biggest impact in first down conversions and big yard gains. Jones put up 106 yards against the Oakland Raiders in week two, averaging 21.2 yards per reception. Although the 27-year-old WR sustained a calf injury against the New Orleans’ Saints, he expects to start Monday night against the red-hot Eagles.

While Jones’ relatively low stats may be deceiving, this is in part due to him leaving the Saints’ game early. With the Falcons’ upcoming games against the Chargers, Packers and Buccaneers, all teams with relatively weak defenses, expect Jones to put up some serious numbers in the month of October.  His size, speed and play-making ability make him a tough wideout to defend. Either way, Jones will remain the driving force behind Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense.