Ian Allan

Dwayne Bowe looks good to me.

Big guy. Gets open. Catches passes. Makes plays.

Since the NFL went to a 16-game season in 1978, 104 wide receivers have been selected in the first round. Only two of those guys caught more passes as rookies than Bowe. (All of the first-rounders with 40-plus catches in their first year appear below).

I'm not promising that Bowe will make a huge impact this season. Kansas City looks like it will be pretty bad this season, and the new offensive coordinator there - Chan Gailey - won't necessarily help Bowe. The team should try to focus on the run more, and it also should use more formations with three-receiver sets. And can Brodie Croyle get him the ball? Croyle underthrew him by 5 yards on a deep pass in their preseason opener.

Nevertheless, Bowe's production as a rookie was impressive enough that we'll roll out the rookie numbers and let you have a look at them.

FIRST-ROUND RECEIVERS WITH MOST CATCHES, 1978-2007

Rec
 90  Terry Glenn (1996) Patriots
 80  Michael Clayton (2004) Bucs
 70  Dwayne Bowe (2007) Kansas City
 68  Randy Moss (1998) Vikings
 67  Joey Galloway (1995) Seahawks
 66  Andre Johnson (2003) Texans
 64  Marvin Harrison (1996) Colts
 63  Keyshawn Johnson (1996) Jets
 61  Troy Edwards (1999) Steelers
 58  Larry Fitzgerald (2004) Cardinals
 58  Shawn Collins (1989) Falcons
 58  Art Monk (1980) Redskins
 56  John Jefferson (1978) Chargers
 55  Sterling Sharpe (1988) Packers
 54  Roy Williams (2004) Lions
 54  Eddie Kennison (1996) Rams
 53  Eddie Brown (1985) Bengals
 52  Torry Holt (1999) Rams
 52  Andre Rison (1989) Colts
 51  Peter Warrick (2000) Bengals
 50  Mike Pritchard (1991) Falcons
 49  Santonio Holmes (2006) Steelers
 49  Hart Lee Dykes (1989) Patriots
 49  Jerry Rice (1985) 49ers
 48  Calvin Johnson (2007) Lions
 48  Lee Evans (2004) Bills
 48  Sylvester Morris (2000) Kansas City
 48  Derrick Alexander (1994) Browns
 48  Jerry Butler (1979) Bills
 46  Rod Gardner (2001) Redskins
 46  Al Toon (1985) Jets
 46  James Lofton (1978) Packers
 45  Louis Lipps (1984) Steelers
 44  Mark Clayton (2005) Ravens
 44  Rae Carruth (1997) Panthers
 44  Rob Moore (1990) Jets
 43  Randal Hill (1991) Dolphins (traded to Phoenix)
 43  Tim Brown (1988) Raiders
 42  Donte Stallworth (2002) Saints
 41  Mike Sherrard (1986) Cowboys
 40  David Boston (1999) Cardinals
 40  Willie Gault (1983) Bears

-Ian Allan

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