After working our way through the best quarterbacks and running backs, it’s time to turn our attention to wide receivers in an attempt to rank the 10 best players at the position.

Where does the Dallas Cowboys’ Amari Cooper rank among the league’s best? Let’s find out:

Note: The following is based on who I believe to be the best wide receiver entering 2020, not the best careers or who had the best season in 2019.

1. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

2019 stats: 99 catches for 1,394 yards (14.1 yards per reception) and six TDs on 157 targets; 2.44 yards per route run (fifth in NFL).

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Julio Jones tops this list — he possesses a unique combination of skill, size and athleticism at the position. Listed at 6-3, 220 pounds with 4.39 speed, Jones has the tools to be effective in any situation. This is illustrated by him continually finishing at the top of the league in yards per route run, finishing in the top five each of the past six seasons — first in three of those seasons.

He has the size to win with physicality and at the catch point and has the athleticism to flat out run by defensive backs. He also has skill and route-running ability that make his physical skill set even harder to deal with. Jones has six straight seasons with at least 80 catches and 1,300 receiving yards. He doesn’t quite get the touchdown production his skill set deserves, but he dominates in almost every other area.

2. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

2019 stats: 149 catches for 1,725 yards (11.6 yards per reception) and nine TDs on 185 targets; 2.88 yards per route run (first in NFL).

After setting the NFL record for receptions in a season, many will argue that Michael Thomas deserves the top spot on this list, but he’s just not quite as physically dominant as Jones. It’s splitting hairs, but that’s what’s necessary when ranking the best of the best.

Still, Thomas is an elite route runner who has a unique connection with his quarterback, Drew Brees. Thomas was the most productive receiver on a per-route basis, leading the league in yards per route run (2.88). He is outstanding at winning in the short-to-intermediate zone, using deception, smooth movement patterns, winning at the line of scrimmage and creating separation at the top of his routes.

Thomas is great against press coverage, as his quarterbacks have an insane 140.4 passer rating when targeting him against press, according to The Quant Edge. His impressive route running against all coverages enabled him to consistently get open, which, combined with his quarterback consistently finding him when open, led to Thomas finishing 2019 with 10 games of 100-plus receiving yards — four more than any other receiver. His most productive route is the slant, with which he had 32 of 149 receptions.

He also has some of the most reliable hands in the NFL, which is a big reason why he led all receivers in catch percentage (80.54), according to Next Gen Stats.

3. DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans

2019 stats: 104 catches for 1,165 yards (11.2 yards per reception) and seven TDs on 150 targets; 1.99 yards per route run (21st in NFL).

More so than any other receiver on this list, DeAndre Hopkins wins with physicality. Whether it’s getting off press coverage, at the top of routes or in the blocking game, Hopkins is taking the fight to the defensive back in an effort to create an advantage for himself.

He isn’t a great athlete, which forces him to rely on physicality, pacing and subtle nuance with his route running to create separation.

Hopkins truly separates himself at the catch point, where he takes the “my ball” mentality to another level. Outside of an uncharacteristic three drops in Week 1 of last season, Hopkins had just three other drops in the past two years combined.

Not only is he consistent on throws within his frame, but he also has a knack for making acrobatic catches outside his frame.

4. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers

FILE - Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) tries to break up a pass intended for Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during a game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (Louis DeLuca / Staff Photographer)

2019 stats: 83 catches for 997 yards (12.0 yards per reception) and five TDs on 127 targets; 2.33 yards per route run (sixth in NFL).

Davante Adams is one of the most refined route runners in the NFL today. He has one of the largest libraries of releases, which gives him a tool to defeat every kind of coverage he may see. Adams can run every route with precision, making him extremely difficult to cover and plan for.

Injuries may have forced him to miss four games last season, but Adams was excellent when healthy. In 2019, Adams did his best work in the most pressure-packed situations against the highest caliber of competition, recording at least seven catches for 100-plus yards in four of Green Bay’s last five games, including the playoffs.

Like many of the top wide receivers in the NFL, Adams was dominant against press coverage, posting 10.6 yards per target. Quarterbacks had a 120.7 passer rating when targeting Adams against press.

5. Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns

2019 stats: 74 catches for 1,035 yards (14.0 yards per reception) and four TDs on 133 targets; 1.81 yards per route run (33rd in NFL).

Don’t let a 2019 season in which he was slowed by a sports hernia injury fool you — Odell Beckham Jr. is still one of the best wide receivers in the game. Last season was certainly a disappointment for Beckham, but at just 27 years old, he should be able to return to his usual productivity when healthy.

Even during a down year, Beckham was able to haul in 70-plus receptions for 1,000-plus yards, meaning he’s had at least those numbers in every season other than 2017, when he played in just four games.

When healthy, Beckham is an outstanding athlete who explodes in and out of his breaks as well as any receiver, creating separation like few receivers can. And Cowboys fans don’t need to be reminded of the circus catches Beckham is capable of.

There are reasons why you may not want Beckham on your football team, but none of them have anything to do with skill. He remains one of the best receivers in football.

6. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2019 stats: 86 catches for 1,333 yards (15.5 yards per reception) and nine TDs on 121 targets; 2.24 yards per route run (ninth in NFL).

In-between Jameis Winston’s habit of throwing interceptions, Chris Godwin had a breakout campaign in which he proved to be one of the best receivers in football.

He played second fiddle to Mike Evans before the season, but Godwin proved to be the No. 1 show in town in 2019. Godwin not only had more receptions, yards and touchdowns than Evans, but he also led him in catch percentage, yards after catch (YAC) per reception, first downs and yards per route run.

Godwin disguises his routes incredibly well because he makes his stems all look the same, preventing defensive backs from gaining early intel on the route that is being run.

With just one drop in 2019, Godwin was one of the league’s most reliable receivers and has proven to be effective in contested-catch situations. He becomes even more dangerous with the ball in his hands, having finished fourth among receivers in YAC per reception (7.1), according to Next Gen Stats.

If Godwin can consistently produce at the levels he did in 2019 — like those ranked higher on this list have done — then don’t be surprised if he climbs into the top five sooner than later.

7. Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys

2019 stats: 79 catches for 1,189 yards (15.1 yards per reception) and eight TDs on 119 targets; 2.29 yards per route run (eighth in NFL).

Amari Cooper — aka the Sluggo Savant, aka the Blaze-Out Bandit — is an outstanding receiver who has made a huge impact since joining the Cowboys. It’s not a coincidence that Dak Prescott showed improvement from the moment Cooper was acquired.

Cooper is magnificent route runner who is especially effective on slants, blaze-outs and double moves. He does a great job of disguising his routes, keeping defensive backs guessing and preventing them from getting a jump on the pass. Cooper’s route-running ability enables him to be effective at every level of the defense.

He does his best work against man coverage, catching 20 of his 21 targets against pure man coverage for a 15.6 yard-per-target average while quarterbacks have an absurd 150.5 passer rating when targeting him against that coverage.

Listed at 6-1, 210 pounds, Cooper has the physicality to produce against contact and the speed to run by defenders. He isn’t often viewed as a preeminent deep threat, but he finished sixth among all receivers in 40-plus yard receptions (six) in 2019, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Cowboys would be unwise to let Cooper walk in free agency. Expecting Michael Gallup or a draft pick to develop into a receiver of Cooper’s caliber is foolish.

8. Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs celebrates after catching a 17-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. The Vikings won, 34-17. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS) (Carlos Gonzalez / TNS)

2019 stats: 63 catches for 1,130 yards (17.9 yards per reception) and six TDs on 94 targets; 2.69 yards per route run (second in NFL).

Stefon Diggs isn’t as precise of a route runner as others on this list, but he’s still one of the most productive receivers in the NFL.

Diggs uses route pacing and deceptive footwork to create reactions from the defensive back he can exploit. Diggs has developed into a terrifying deep threat who can take the top off of a defense.

In 2019, Diggs led receivers in 40-plus-yard receptions (eight), 40-plus-yard touchdowns (four) and had a top-10 average depth of target (15.56 yards), according to PFF. He doesn’t consistently win deep because he has elite deep speed, it’s because he’s mastered creating separation on vertical and deep-breaking routes.

Diggs does a great job of using deceptive footwork with his releases and at the top of routes, which makes him tough to handle in man coverage. His quarterbacks earned a perfect 153.8 passer rating when targeting him against man coverage, according to The Quant Edge.

On a per-route basis, Diggs was the second-most productive receiver in the league in 2019, posting 2.69 yards per route run (behind only Michael Thomas).

9. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2019 stats: 67 catches for 1,157 yards (17.3 yards per reception) and eight TDs on 118 targets; 2.3 yards per route run (seventh in NFL).

At 6-5, 231 pounds, Mike Evans is a big-bodied receiver who is dominant at the catch point.

Evans has proven to be one of the most consistent receivers in the NFL, posting at least 65 catches and 1,000 yards receiving in every season as a pro. Because he isn’t a burner, he uses some physicality at the top of his routes and at the catch point to create separation or make a contested catch.

Don’t get it twisted, though, Evans is a good athlete who has impressive change-of-direction ability for his size. Even when he can’t get separation, his size and leaping ability make him almost impossible to defend above the rim and in contested situations.

With two wide receivers worthy of top-10 status, the Buccaneers have a true embarrassment of riches at the position — now if only could get a quarterback who doesn’t constantly throw it to the wrong-colored jerseys ...

10. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs

2019 stats: 58 catches for 860 yards (14.8 yards per reception) and seven TDs on 89 targets; 2.45 yards per route run (fourth in NFL).

With legitimate 4.2 speed, Tyreek Hill is the No. 1 deep threat in football. Although he missed four games in 2019 and was slowed in others, Hill still finished with six receptions (sixth among receivers) and four touchdowns over 40 yards (first among receivers).

Not only can he stretch the field with speed, but Hill can be effective as a short-to-intermediate option because the suddenness in his breaks and the explosiveness out of his breaks enable him to create separation.

His speed and overall athleticism make him a huge YAC threat every time he receives the ball, as he’s capable of outrunning pursuit angles or making multiple defenders miss.

Good luck pressing Hill at the line of scrimmage, where his quickness and change of direction make him an incredibly hard target to hit. In 2019, quarterbacks had a 152.1 passer rating when targeting Hill against press coverage.

If you press, get ready to get beat deep. Hill’s average depth of target nearly doubles when comparing press to normal man coverage (15.7 yards against press and 8.2 yards against non-press man coverage, according to The Quant Edge).

More position rankings

Find position rankings for QBs, RBs, WRs, DEs and LBs here.