The ten-best homerun threats in the NFL, according to Bleacher Report.
- Sammie Coates, Steelers
- Sammie Coates, Steelers
- Sammie Coates, Steelers
- Michael Thomas, Saints
- Michael Thomas, Saints
- Michael Thomas, Saints
- Tyrell Williams, Chargers
- Tyrell Williams, Chargers
- Tyrell Williams, Chargers
- LeSean McCoy, Bills
- LeSean McCoy, Bills
- LeSean McCoy, Bills
- Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
- Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
- Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
- Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
- Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
- Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
- Odell Beckham, Giants
- Odell Beckham, Giants
- Odell Beckham, Giants
- T.Y. Hilton, Colts
- T.Y. Hilton, Colts
- T.Y. Hilton, Colts
- DeSean Jackson, Buccaneers
- DeSean Jackson, Buccaneers
- DeSean Jackson, Buccaneers
- Julio Jones, Falcons
- Julio Jones, Falcons
- Julio Jones, Falcons
Few players were better than Mike Evans at finding the end zone in 2016. He scored 12 touchdowns, which were the second-most of any wide receiver in the league. But Evans isn't the prototypical deep threat that many offenses desire.
If there was a void in the Bucs' passing game, the team addressed it this offseason. The team's acquisition of free agent wide receiver DeSean Jackson drew rave reviews, and the move seemed that much better after the team landed tight end O.J. Howard in the first round of the draft.
According to NFL.com’s Next Gen Stats, Jackson was the second-fastest player in the league a year ago, helping him earn a reputation as one of the best deep threats in the league. Bleacher Report’s Mike Tanier agrees, listing Jackson as the NFL's No. 2 "homerun threat."
"DeSean Jackson led the NFL last season with 17.9 yards per reception," Tanier wrote. "It was the third time he led the league and the fifth time he averaged more than 17 yards per catch. He recorded four 50-plus-yard receptions: three long bombs and a catch-and-run against the Bears. Jackson has now caught 57 passes of 40-plus yards in his career.
"But the receptions themselves don't tell the whole story. Jackson drew five pass-interference penalties for 169 yards last season, according to Football Outsiders. So tack five more big plays (including fouls that netted 46 and 50 yards) onto Jackson's numbers."
Defenses will now face the unsavory decision of which player to double-team – Jackson or Evans. At 6-foot-6, Howard may also require an extra body, especially in the red zone. Given the status of the Buccaneers' offense, Jackson's reputation as a productive deep threat appears to be safe.
Coming in at No. 1 was Atlanta's Julio Jones. Indianapolis' T.Y. Hilton was third, followed by New York's Odell Beckham. For the full list, click **HERE**.
