There are two traits that separate the upper echelon receivers of the NFL from the hundreds of other receivers. The first thing is that they’re reliable. Whether that’s their ability to simply stay on the field or winning on the most important down. Everyone in the stadium knows you’re getting the ball but that doesn’t matter. You find a way to win your match-up.
The second trait is a term Matt Harmon coined. A trump card. All the greats have it. Antonio Brown sets up his routes like nobody else. A corner can be draped all over Julio Jones and you’d hardly notice with his concentration.