Two days after Terrell Owens signed his three-year extension with the Dallas Cowboys, worth about $27 million, oh and a $7 million signing bonus, that got me thinking about who is the best wide receiver for the money...and it's not T.O. or Ocho Cinco.
Looking at the numbers and salaries, two players stand out the most in this argument: Marques Colston of the New Orleans Saints and Brandon Marshall of the Denver Broncos. In 2007, it was reported that Colston made $372,760 against the cap, and Marshall made $471,360.
Let's go to the tale of the tape.
Colston was the seventh-round pick, No. 252, out of Hofstra in 2006. He came in with few expectations from his teammates. Well, it was obvious that Colston had high hopes for himself, and after a trade that sent Donte Stallworth packing, Colston was inserted into the lineup.
In October of his rookie season, he was named Offensive Rookie of the Month, and by Week Nine, he had 54 catches, 869 yards receiving, and seven touchdowns. After missing two games with an ankle injury, he still managed to catch 70 passes for 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns, and he finished third in the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
- B/R Ticket Guide
His second year in the league would be no different, as Colston set a team record for most receptions, 98, tied the team record for most touchdown catches with 11, had 1,202 yards receiving, and set the NFL record for most receptions in a WRs first two seasons with 168.
Brandon Marshall broke into the league as the Denver Broncos' fourth-round pick, No. 119, out of the University of Central Florida in 2006. His first year in the league didn't get started on the right foot as he suffered a slight tear in his PCL and only got into the starting lineup for one game.
However, his sophomore season showed why he was compared to T.O., as he caught 103 passes for 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns. Marshall also placed second in the NFL in yards with 505, first in number of times targeted with 170, and tied for fourth in catches that led to first downs with 70.
So who gets the distinction for having the best hands for the money? In my mind, Marques Colston gets the slight nod as best receiver for the money simply because he's put up solid numbers in both of seasons in the NFL.
Things may change if Marshall has another season with over 100 catches, but for now he'll have to settle for second best WR for the money.
What do you think?
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5 months ago
Great article, I enjoyed reading about two guys that help their team on the field with production and off of it by letting the team get more people. (although they are getting paid lower amounts because they are young and late round draft picks)
5 months ago
Marshall without question. Colston is a great possesion WR but Marshall has big play ability that Colston lacks; plus a thing called speed, which i've figured out through years of analysis helps in the pro game.
5 months ago
Colston without question. He has had a better first 2 years than nearly all the WRs in Canton, and with Brees not even in his prime yet the combo will only get better.
Colston is deceptively fast, with great acceleration. Even though he had a high 4.5s forty time going into the draft, he had the fastest 10 yard dash time of any WR. He has great burst and gets open all the time.
The stats show it too. And his huge reception against the Panthers two years ago showcased his great open field speed.
Bare in mind Marques put up his amazing numbers this past year (98 for 1200, 11 TDs), having played at least 3 games with an injured hand and didn't have 80 yards in a game until week 8.
And all that for the 4th last pick in the draft. Give him all he wants for his next deal, franchise him, whatever it takes.
He will be one of the best.
5 months ago
I'd have to go with Colston - he's had the better two-year numbers thus far. It certainy doesn't hurt Colston to have one of the league's best QBs throwing to him in Drew Brees, but as Jay Cutler improves, so should Marshall.
Both of these guys will be great, though Marshall might need to stop horsing around so he can avoid unnecessary injuries.
5 months ago
Colston's pay is about 75% of the other guy's, but his performance is, let's say, within 10% of the other guy's. Plus, by getting Colston in the 7th round, the Saints were able to get Jahri Evans in the fourth. That would be Jahri Evans, future Pro Bowler offensive guard.
5 months ago
Both are terrific, but Colston's got his head on straight. Didn't Marshall throw himself into a glass table?? Marshall does have better speed but there arent many receivers that run better routes than Colston. He's quick out of his breaks and has the best hands in the league. Either way, get ready to see both in Hawaii for the next 10 years.
5 months ago
Colston is the better receiver so far. His size-speed combination is every coach's dream. He's 6-4, 230 lbs. and he just overpowers most cornerbacks. His routes are crisp and nobody catches him from behind.
5 months ago
i look for colston to get rich real soon ,the saints will throw a lot of cash his way ,before training camp.hope it don't change him.
5 months ago
Brandon Marshall is the man. Colston and marshall are such good players for both teams. I jus gotta give the edge to marshall cuz he can make more big plays and damn that boy can block. Colston has better hands, maybe,, but I look for both to have 100+/1000+/10+
5 months ago
Colston and here's why. Lets start with his rookie campaign--put up those numbers all with missing two games however his last game he got hurt so early that he didnt even catch a pass. So really he put up those numbers in 13 games. Second season production proved he is the real deal. And hands. Best hands i have seen since Chris Carter----Catches with his hands, not body--and catches everything. Already putting up all-time saints numbers even thought they had Joe Horn for all those years. These are the two best steals for sure. But its hard to put up a reasonable argument that marshall is better for the money. He did make more by the way.
5 months ago
I'll take Colston.
Something about tripping over a McDonald's wrapper kinda makes me shy away from Marshall.
5 months ago
I'll take Colston as well. Marshall is way too cocky. He thinks it's all about him, hopefully Cutler can straighten him out because he has potential.
5 months ago
I never even thought this was a true question... Colston all the way.. people saying he has no big play ability.. your joking right. They are both about the same size but Colston is by far the stronger and more gifted receiver in my eyes.
5 months ago
Both recievers are exactly the same size, but I have to give the overall talent t Brandon Marshall. Both were drafted in late rounds, but you can tell that they are the future wen it comes to recieving. Equal in talent, but Marshall is realy the big play reciever with an enormous stride, can get past DB's quickly. Colston is a posession reciever that knows how to run routes beautifully. Both are equal, but i give Marshall a slight edge.
5 months ago
Colston is the man, he will be the best reciever in saints history by far! Brandon Marshall is pretty damn good he does make game changing plays, however Colston is double teamed alot and still comes up with the catch. There both going to be the top recievers in these next years, but i see Colston as a hall of famer! He just catches everything!!GO Saints!!!
3 months ago
Marshall isn't the typical "big target." He has better hands, more speed, more agility and most importantly he breaks tackles for more yards. People aren't calling Colston Baby T.O. they're calling Marshall Baby T.O. In addition, the Saints are a horrible organization with history of ruining good potential. Its easier to flourish in a system that has a good history, sense of pride and knowledge of how to win in the post season.
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