Elite Wide Receiver: More than just playmakers
Florian Puth
© Hannes JirgalEvery team has them: its superstars. Whether on offense or defense – as top quarterbacks, dominant pass rushers, or wide receivers. But what truly defines the elite wideouts of this league, and what do they mean to their teams?
The latest example is undoubtedly Aron Cruickshank. The Madrid Bravos superstar broke the 1,000-yard receiving mark already in Week 7 – and did so in just six games. The US import makes it all look easy.
Aron Cruickshank ©Paula Romo
Cruickshank: A Complete Receiver Package
Whether short routes, diving catches, or spin moves – Cruickshank has everything it takes to drive defenders crazy. Add to that his reliability. With 11 receiving touchdowns, 62 catches, and 1,030 yards, the 24-year-old currently leads the ELF in the Triple Crown.
“My style of play is fast and physical. My strengths are that I play bigger than my frame, contested catches are my specialty, and of course, my speed and ability to see holes and attack them,” Cruickshank told the European League of Football.
Read the full interview with Bravos star Cruickshank
Game Changer: How a Receiver Impacts the Entire Offense
As a top receiver, Cruickshank has a much greater impact than just scoring. This was evident in the clear victory over the Hamburg Sea Devils. The German defense aggressively covered him in the first quarter, allowing little room and shutting him down early.
This gave the rest of the receiving corps a chance to shine. Receiver Juan Flores-Calderon scored the first touchdown of the game. Just one drive later, QB Reid Sinnett found Sixten Dragan in the middle wide open. A star receiver draws attention – and makes his teammates better.
The Run Game Opens Up Thanks to Passing Threats
The Madrid Bravos are respected for their high-powered passing offense. This allowed them to establish the run early. Over the course of the game, this led to numerous play-action opportunities – which Cruickshank also benefited from, finishing with over 200 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
After all, it's incredibly hard to contain a superstar receiver for four full quarters.
Watch the Bravos at Sea Devils Highlights here!
Vienna Vikings: A Deep and Dangerous Receiving Corps
A look at Austria and the Vienna Vikings shows a similar effect. In the "Battle of Austria" against the Raiders Tirol, the Vikings – who have one of the deepest receiving rooms in the league – scored five passing touchdowns and secured a big road win.
Two of those scores went to US star Reece Horn, who also racked up 62 receiving yards. Still, he wasn’t even the top scorer. That honor went to tight end Florian Bierbaumer, with three touchdowns and 80 yards.
Watch the Vikings at Raiders Highlights here!
Wideouts Create Opportunities for Tight Ends
Bierbaumer is already known as one of the best receiving TEs. But near the goal line, defending a big-bodied target becomes even harder – especially when defenders are also focused on top receivers like Horn and Offensive Rookie of the Year Noah Touré.
Wideouts once again draw attention and open up the field for sure-handed tight ends. NFL superstar Travis Kelce knows this feeling all too well. Due to injuries, the Kansas City Chiefs were missing many of their top wideouts, leaving Kelce often double-covered and limiting his usual production.
So no – it never hurts to have a superstar wide receiver on your team. Aron Cruickshank and Reece Horn have already proven this in spectacular fashion. And there are so many more talented wide receivers in the European League of Football.