3-Wide: Who's the best QB/WR duo entering the 2015 NFL season?
3-Wide is a weekly feature in which theScore's NFL editors debate the hot topics around the league. Grab a cold towel and brace for hot takes.
Who's the best QB/WR duo entering the 2015 NFL season?
Arun Srinivasan: After Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas both signed five-year contracts reportedly worth $70 million this week, it's never been more necessary to possess a top-notch wide receiver. On that basis alone, Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown represent the best quarterback/wide receiver duo in the league, with Brown's 129 catches for 1,698 yards leading the league. Given Roethlisberger's propensity to extend plays by evading players in the pocket and standing tall, Brown's unrivaled downfield speed becomes all the more valuable. Until proven otherwise, it's Roethlisberger and Brown.
Dan Wilkins: A dominant running game will continue to get the majority of the attention in Dallas, but the Cowboys also boast the league's top quarterback/wide receiver combo in Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. For as much criticism as he's received over the course of his career, Romo has always been a top-tier passer. Combining that consistent production with arguably the league's best wide receiver in Bryant, who is likely only now entering his prime, gives the Cowboys a tandem that is nearly impossible for any defense to slow down.
Caitlyn Holroyd: Looking at last season's stats alone, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Jordy Nelson are certainly among the best in the game right now. Rodgers had the second-best QBR rating in the NFL last season at 82.6 and finished in the top 10 in completion percentage, passing yards, and touchdowns. Nelson, meanwhile, finished fourth with 1,519 receiving yards and tied for second with 13 receiving touchdowns. He's also arguably the most dangerous deep threat in the NFL. If both players can stay healthy, there's no reason the pair can't improve upon those numbers this season.
Which player still seeking a new contract deserves to be taken care of next?
Wilkins: After two of the game's top receivers landed long-term deals earlier this week, the next player in line for an extension should be Atlanta Falcons wideout Julio Jones. The matching five-year, $70-million deals for Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas have now set the market for his value, likely putting him in line to land a similar contract at some point before training camp gets underway. The quarterbacks clearly deserve their new deals, but the Falcons should be jumping at the chance to sign Jones as soon as possible.
Holroyd: Andrew Luck is in a prime position to become the NFL's highest-paid quarterback, and maybe even the highest-paid player. The Indianapolis Colts were coming off a 2-14 season when they drafted Luck in 2012 and have gone 11-5 in each the three seasons since. Yes, that success came within a weak AFC South division, but the Colts have also advanced one round further in the playoffs each season, which gives them ample reason to trust Luck down the road.
Srinivasan: Although the Seahawks' top-rated scoring defense gets the majority of credit, Russell Wilson elevated Seattle to unmatched heights in its franchise history and should be paid handsomely. Wilson recorded the most career quarterback wins for any player in his first three seasons, and is an errant pass away from back-to-back Super Bowl victories. The league's best rushing quarterback is a force whose contributions are belied by traditional metrics. He also throws one of the best deep balls. Wilson deserves all the money he can extract from the organization.
Should the NFL give a developmental league another shot?
Holroyd: Former New York Giants head coach Jim Fassel hinted recently at the NFL introducing a "very good spring league" in 2016, which suggests a developmental league may be in the works. If done right, a D-league could be a great thing for the NFL. There are only so many jobs to go around, and introducing a league where fringe players could hone their skills would only benefit the NFL in the long run. It would also give those looking to avoid the NCAA and a traditional college experience an opportunity to train in an environment focused solely on football. A D-league would cost some money to start up, but the NFL can definitely afford it.
Srinivasan: If the ineffectiveness of the inaugural NFL veteran combine was indicative of the talent pool that exists, the NFL ought not to explore a developmental league. It's a great idea in principle but it would be hard to implement with the overwhelming majority of undrafted players getting cut almost immediately. Competitive balance problems arise as well, when considering the difficulty of allocating a developmental franchise for every NFL team. It's always good to see new job opportunities but this project doesn't appear to be feasible.
Wilkins: A developmental football league is significantly more difficult to put together than that of nearly any other sport, but the NFL would certainly be wise to give the idea another chance in the future. With so many young players on the outside looking in, not having many other options if they can't land a 53-man roster spot, providing them with further opportunities to develop their skill sets under the guidance of professional coaching would benefit the game's overall talent quality. Such a league could also allow teams to call up players in the event of injuries rather than be forced to sign free agents.