Most will agree that Julio Jones is the top receiver playing in Super Bowl LI, and the safest bet for the No. 2 is Julian Edelman. Yes Chris Hogan was much bigger in the Patriots offense a week ago, but if you're in a competition where you're starting three wideouts, Jones and Edelman look like the clear top-2 options.
The question is, who is No. 3?
Their final regular-season numbers were pretty similar. The three show up within 16 spots of each other in yardage at the position. Hogan caught 38 passes for 680 yards and 4 TDs, Sanu 59-653-4, Gabriel 35-579-6.
Hogan's huge game last week has him at 13-275-2 in the playoffs, while Sanu is at 9-96-2 and Gabriel very quiet (6-95-0). Most will probably favor Hogan; gotta respect the hot hand.
Over the last eight games (including the playoffs) for each player, here's how the numbers shake out.
| SANU, LAST EIGHT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No | Tgt | Yds | TD |
| 2 | 2 | 14 | 0 |
| 8 | 8 | 65 | 0 |
| 2 | 3 | 26 | 0 |
| 3 | 3 | 44 | 0 |
| 3 | 4 | 56 | 0 |
| 4 | 4 | 32 | 1 |
| 5 | 7 | 52 | 1 |
| 4 | 5 | 44 | 1 |
| 31 | 36 | 333 | 3 |
| GABRIEL, LAST EIGHT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No | Tgt | Yds | TD |
| 1 | 5 | 76 | 1 |
| 4 | 5 | 75 | 2 |
| 5 | 6 | 44 | 0 |
| 3 | 6 | 82 | 1 |
| 3 | 6 | 60 | 1 |
| 3 | 4 | 15 | 0 |
| 2 | 3 | 24 | 0 |
| 4 | 6 | 71 | 0 |
| 25 | 41 | 447 | 5 |
| HOGAN, LAST EIGHT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No | Tgt | Yds | TD |
| 4 | 5 | 70 | 0 |
| 4 | 5 | 23 | 1 |
| 5 | 7 | 129 | 1 |
| 1 | 2 | 18 | 0 |
| 1 | 5 | 22 | 0 |
| 4 | 4 | 27 | 0 |
| 4 | 4 | 95 | 0 |
| 9 | 12 | 180 | 2 |
| 32 | 44 | 564 | 4 |
Major takeaway is that Gabriel -- though he can sneak free for a big play at any time -- looks like the No. 3. None of his touchdowns have come in the last three, and he's been over 25 yards in just one of those. Gabriel does have a rushing score and is the best bet for one of those kinds of plays, but seems a notch behind the others, especially in PPR formats.
In contrast, Sanu and Hogan have each caught 4 balls in three straight games, Sanu has scored in three straight, and Hogan has gone over 90 yards twice.
Looks like Sanu has the highest floor, especially against a defense that will likely focus on trying to contain Jones. Seems a lock for plenty of targets and catches. Hogan has the hot hand and a higher ceiling.
Think I'll have it Hogan-Sanu-Gabriel in Standard, maybe Sanu higher in PPR (or at least very close).