Ranking the NFL’s 5 best deep-ball wide receivers

4. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles

40+ Yard Receptions in 2017: 9
Percentage to Total Targets: 5.17

Embattled Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson would prefer to make these types of headlines rather than the bizarre anti-Semitic ones he made as of late, rest assured.

In early July, Jackson shared some offensive remarks about people of the Jewish faith. He has since backtracked and repented.

Controversy notwithstanding, the man has been a maniac in plucking deep balls from the sky during his 12-year career. Interestingly, no player in NFL history has caught more 60+ yard touchdowns than Jackson. In 2018, he hauled in a 60-yard touchdown catch with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from quarterback Jameis Winston. The catch placed him ahead of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for most 60+ yard touchdown catches of all-time with 24.

So, the man has a documented reputation of deep-ball success. That has not changed or diminished all that much in the last three seasons. In stops with the Bucs and Eagles, Jackson has caught nine balls of 40 yards or more. This is especially exemplary as the receptions have come from a hodgepodge of quarterbacks: Ryan Fitzpatrick (four), Jameis Winston (two), and Carson Wentz (two).

If Jackson succeeds in weathering his recent public relations storm, he will look to rack up more deep-balls from Carson Wentz this season–who is starving for healthy receiving corps options. Last season, the Eagles were beset by an infirmary-laden set of happenings to its wide receiver room.