In recent weeks, we've heard the cries of the need for a number one wide receiver.  The argument is that it would cure our red zone woes, and that although Desean Jackson has been great, he isn't the true number one wide receiver we have been looking for.  I am hear not to argue against acquiring one of these big, physical wide receivers.  Rather, I am hear to question whether or not we should be saying we need a true number one...looking at the stats, it's possible to conclude we have one already.  The most definite conclusion though is that we need more time to determine if our wonderboy rookie has what it takes to be a number one. 

First, lets get some ground rule set.  I took each players stats from their "breakout season" as I saw it.  for some, it was their rookie year, for others it was second, and for housh, it was his 4th.  here are the players and their respective breakout seasons

Jackson-rookie year

Smith- second year

Owens- second year

Boldin-rookie

Fitzgerald-rookie

Houshmandzahdeh-4th

Moss-rookie

Harrison-rookie

all of them started at least 11 games in their breakout season, except for jerry rice who apparently started four (according to pro-football-reference.com) but still had monstrous stats.

So lets check out their distribution in total yards...

As can be seen...Jackson's rookie campaign in terms of total yards is some pretty good company.  Steve Smith, who is the same size receiver, had a few less yards, but a similar breakout campaign.  Noteably, Jackson beat our boldin and harrison and was narrowly beat by owens, rice and housh.  boldin and moss were clearly etter in their rookie campaigns, but jackson undoubtedly has nice breakout season company. 

Next, let's take a look at receptions in their breakout seasons. 

Jackson inches out smith, owens, fitz, and rice, and is in the same neighborhood as moss and harrison.  boldin once again is high and above, but jackson isn't doing too bad in his company. 

Now let's look at something Desean really needs to do better on if he is to be considered a number one receiver:  TDS

Jackson is at the bottom of that list, but isn't out of range of smith, rice and housh.  don't forget also this isn't always a rookie campaign as a breakout campaign.  This is something that needs to be worked on if he wants to satisfy the role as a number one receiver, but looking at jerry rice, who is known as one of the best WRs of all time, improved to 15 TDs the next year.  With this in mind, lets remember jackson has plenty of time to grow.  

Finally, lets look at yards/reception

Once again, jackson is in the range of some good company.  He beat boldin, fitz, housh, and harrison, and is in the range of owens and smith.  

So all together, we have the makings of an excellent receiver on our hands...potentially.  It goes without saying that jackson could and should improve from his rookie campaign, but players can also take a step back.  Looking at the numbers, I think we can all say that we have an excellent young WR who is in the company of some of the greats in the league.  If there is one thing he needs to work on it's definately his TD numbers, but hopefully that will come with time.  Once again, the point of this post is not to suggest that we dont' need a big, physical wide receiver.  It's to question whether or not we have a number one already.  Number one doesn't always mean a big guy.  I'm hoping he develops next year into the one of the best in the league.  His small size will be a disadvantage to him, but obviously, he has all the tools required to be a force to reckon with.