Sunday’s Titans/Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium will feature two of the top rookie receivers in the NFL: Kenny Britt and Austin Collie.
In fact, Collie, a fourth-round pick, leads all rookies in receptions (43). Britt, ranks fourth (33), but he ranks ahead of Collie in receiving yards (521 to 483).
Could this be a prominent AFC South matchup heading into the next decade?
It appears so. Peyton Manning invested 1-on-1 time with Collie and other newcomers to his offense, making sure they kept the ball rolling in the post-Marvin Harrison era.
Britt hasn’t had as much bonding time with Titans QB Vince Young, who became a starter again and has led the Titans to five consecutive victories. But you couldn’t tell they lacked chemistry with their game-winning throw-and-catch as time expired last Sunday against Arizona.
Britt is the Titans’ first WR selected in the first round since Kevin Dyson in 1998. He was also the sixth WR selected in the 2009 draft. Collie was the 19th WR selected in the draft.
Collie had one of his better games of the season during the October meeting against the Titans, catching eight passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-9 rout at LP Field.
Here’s a list of how the top rookie WRs are handling their first NFL season.
Most receptions by NFL rookies in 2009:
- 1. Austin Collie, Ind. 43 rec., 483 yards, 11.2 avg., 4 TDs
- 2. Percy Harvin, Min. 42 rec., 602 yards 14.3 avg., 5 TDs
- 2. Jeremy Maclin, Phi. 42 rec., 540 yards 12.9 avg., 4 TDs
- 4. Kenny Britt, Ten. 33 rec., 521 yards 15.8 avg., 2 TDs
- 4. Johnny Knox, Chi. 33 rec., 400 yards 12.1 v 4 TDs
- 6. Hakeem Nicks, NY-G 32 rec., 538 yards 16.8 avg., 4 TDs
- 7. Brandon Pettigrew, Det. (TE) 30 rec., 346 yards 11.5 avg., 2 TDs
- 8. Mike Thomas, Jax. 29 rec., 285 yards 9.8 avg., 0 TDs
- 9. Mike Wallace, Pit. 28 rec., 500 yards 17.9 avg., 3 TDs