San Diego Chargers: Keenan Allen, NFL Receptions Leader
In 2015, San Diego Chargers receiver Keenan Allen was on pace for 134 receptions, 1,450 yards, and eight touchdowns.
Unfortunately, the talented young wideout was put on the season-ending injured reserve with a lacerated kidney. However, before this injury, Allen showed exactly how he had advanced throughout his now three-year career.
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Number 13 had games of 15, 12, and 14 receptions, respectively. He was targeted by Philip Rivers ten times or more in five of the eight games in which he played. Additionally, Allen is regarded by some as a possession receiver; a receiver who is going to get a bunch of catches but not many yards after the catch. Allen is so much more than just a possession receiver.
Keenan Allen rivals the NFL’s best in getting off of the line against physical cornerbacks. Furthering this, Allen runs some of the best routes I have ever seen. His footwork and ability to stop on a dime in the middle of a route is second to none.
In the game above, Allen tied San Diego’s franchise record for receptions in a game with 15 catches on 17 targets. At one point, the Chargers were down 21-3 in this game. Then, Allen took over the contest and proceeded to shred the Detroit secondary, particularly Rashean Mathis.
Assuming Keenan Allen plays the entire season in 2016, he will have a marvelous campaign. In 2015, he showed his quarterback that he is capable of becoming that number one receiver that so many teams covet.
Allen’s average catch percentage (receptions divided by targets) between the 2013 and 2014 regular seasons was 65.6 percent; meaning he caught 65.6 percent of passes targeted his way. In 2015, that number sky-rocketed to 75.3 percent.
To put this number into perspective, Antonio Brown had a catch percentage of 70.5 percent and Julio Jones had a catch percentage of 67 percent. Nonetheless, Allen’s season was shortened by injury, yet this is still a large marker of his improvement as a receiver.
Allen has dealt with adversity all throughout his career; beginning with a slip on draft day causing him to become a third round steal for San Diego. Allen then had to fight for a roster spot and eventually playing time with the team. Injuries allowed Allen to show what he could do on the turf, and since then has not looked back.
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In his three-year career, Allen has helped boost this team in the playoffs during his rookie year, become a more solid receiver in his sophomore season, and broke out in what was an injury-shortened 2015. In 2016, with the health finally back and the confidence from Philip Rivers, Keenan Allen will lead the National Football League in receptions.