Calvin Johnson has been considered the best wide receiver in the NFL for a couple of seasons now. He has the biggest contract and some of the most eye popping stats, however is he the best? Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas recently got new contracts that are significantly less than what Johnson's contract is worth, so is it really all about the money? Let's dive into some statistics.

Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions):

9^th season

Age: 29

Height: 6'5

Weight: 236lbs

Touchdowns: 74

Yards: 10,405

Receptions: 643

Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys):

6^th Season

Age: 26

Height: 6'2

Weight: 220

Touchdowns: 56

Yards: 5,424

Receptions: 381

Demaryius Thomas (Denver Broncos):

6^th season

Age: 27

Height: 6'3

Weight: 229

Touchdowns: 41

Yards: 5,317

Receptions: 351

Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers):

6^th season

Age: 27

Height: 5-10

Weight: 186

Touchdowns: 28

Yards: 5,259

Receptions: 390

So now that the numbers are out of the way what does it all really mean? Calvin Johnson is significantly older than the other three top wide receivers in the league and has 3 extra years of pro experience. Johnson being the elder statesman gets the top billing, but he also has the edge in height. I don't know of many 6'5 wide receivers but Johnson has definitely earned his nickname Megatron. Johnson's dominance also translates back to the 2007 NFL draft where he was the second player off the board and the first wide receiver taken. The next wide receiver taken after Johnson was Ted Ginn Jr by the Miami Dolphins...yikes. Dwayne Bowe, Robert Meachem, Craig Davis, and Anthony Gonzales were the only wide receivers besides Johnson taken in the first round.  Much to the chagrin of many of those teams Johnson was the only one who broke out as a star and comparatively his draft class was very weak at the wide receiver position, which has made it even easier to call him the best wide receiver in the NFL.

In Dez and Demaryius's draft class they were the only two wide receivers taken in the first round, but they both broke out to become superstars. Antonio Brown was drafted in the sixth round of the 2010 draft. With so many stars emerging and Calvin Johnson dominating the league it becomes easier to see why he is considered the best wide receiver in the NFL. But let's say in a year or two after Johnson is past 30 and not considered the best wide receiver than who will it be. All signs point to Dez, Demaryius and Antonio, with Dez currently leading the pack statistically. They might not be as big but are certainly productive.