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Ranking the Game's Most Physical Receivers

From most physical to least physical

1. Hines Ward


Makes his living off making the tough catch in traffic and making crushing blocks. Absolutely loves contact, will thorw his hand up in your facemask and will keep his legs driving after the catch. Is basically like a 2nd fullback or third FB/TE...he can make devastating crackback blocks on the linebackers or basically pave the way for the running back in the open field. He always keeps his head up and looks for somebody to block, and he is masterful in traffic.

2. Muhsin Muhammad


This guy is so strong and such a ferocious blocker that you have to wonder why he doesn't have more of a reputation around the league than he does. On crackback blocks, he will just knock you the fuck out. He has explosive pop into contact and he puts his whole body into every block. He's strong, tenacious, and will fight through traffic and go up and shield defenders off the ball. In the short-to-intermediate range, he will snatch it away from you. And that's not to take away from his deep ball abilities, because he's not just a one-dimensional guy, but he certainly excels in this part of the game more than most.

3. Todd Pinkston


The funniest thing is, Eagle fans are always complaining about him being so thin. But it doesn't stop him from being one of the game's most tenacious blockers. He attacks defenders, gets his hands in them, and he understands angles and can turn them out of the play either inside or outside. He isn't afraid of being called for holding. As a pass receiver, once he catches the ball, the stiff-arm is always in his artilary. He's no Jim Brown or Corey Dillon, but when he has the ball in his hands and throws out the stiff-arm, it's a tough task for ANY DB to bring him down.

4. Keyshawn Johnson


The game's ultimate traffic receiver, Johnson takes more hits than Jeff Garcia at the gay bar. He will fight through traffic. Generally, physical implies that he's the one INITIATING contact, so it's a bit hard for me to put him this high knowing that oftentimes it's just a matter of him being TOUGH and playing the ball and not thinking about the hit. But then you watch him block, and watch how he is when a corner does decide to get up on him, and he's very deserving of this spot. He will keep his feet moving and keep his hands inside and punch them, and he will stay with his block all the way down the field.

5. Rod Smith


You won't make it in Denver as a receiver unless you can block. Mike Shannahan won't tolerate it. Smith has certainly exceeded all requirements to become one of the top blocking wideouts of all-time. He times his blocks well, he has a strong hand punch, and he takes perfect angles and sees the whole field so he doesn't just need a guy to be directly in front of him to make a block. On wide plays, he knows how to get away with certain tactics that might be construed as holding, and he can always deliver the big blow when you least expect it. He's not the kind of devastator in that area that Muhammad and Ward are, but he is extremely intelligent and recognizes everything. Of course, scheme has a lot do with this--I doubt Smith would be the same if he were on another team, just because I think Alex Gibbs often trained the wideouts how and where to block, which is why Smith and McCaffrey were both two of the best blocking WRs in football. Anyway, Smith has always been courageous in traffic, and he will jam his hands up into your facemask if necessary before or after the catch. He separates from the jam well using his quick hands off the line.

6. Cedrick Wilson


The best blocking WR in the NFL--unlike Ward, he isn't dirty about it either. He just comes right off the ball and crushes you. He has a huge taste for contact and will fight through traffic every chance he gets. Incredibly strong, he's the first WR I've ever seen who gets more pancakes than MOST LINEMEN. He will drive into you, allow the runner to blow past, and then flatten you into the ground, either with a final shove or by just using a power angle.

7. Eric Moulds


Takes full advantage of his physical tools. A future Hall of Fame receiver who needs to be in a better system...or something. I guess mainly he needs a new quarterback who hasn't totally lost his touch and poise. This is a guy who will not only fight for every last inch after the catch (and is one of the best runners after the catch in NFL history) but is a ferocious blocker. He attacks the defender, uses his size to his fullest advantage, and is just an overwelming, overpowering force. Any coach would love to have this guy on their team--he's the real deal. Always has been. If Buffalo ever finds a way to get solid play at the quarterback position, he will return to his prior status as one of the top 6 or 7 WRs in the NFL.

8. Michael Clayton


Incredibly tough traffic receiver who thinks about nothing but the ball when he's going over the middle. A hyperactive sort of guy--great energy. Very aggressive blocker who leaves his heart on the field in every game. That's the thing separating him from a guy like J.J. Stokes--the heart. He gets the most out of his talent and is able to overcome his weaknesses (i.e., speed and elusiveness, although he's not TOTALLY lacking in the speed area).

9. Anquan Boldin


Incredibly strong, tough football player who has great speed and moves to go with the power and determination. Tenacious blocker who will fight to the whistle, and a guy who will scratch and claw for every last yard if needed. He has that ability to be either finesse or power at any moment, and he runs with a lot of power and determination through traffic every time after he catches the ball.

10. Tai Streets


An outstanding blocker who attacks defenders and has explosive pop on contact. The blocking alone is why he belongs on this list. He's not really physical after the catch or before it either, but when it comes to getting on someone in the running game, he's as willing as it gets. Definately a top 5 blocking WR.