Wide receiver
The offensive player specialized in catching passes, usually lined up near the sideline.
The wide receiver is the main target for passes thrown by the quarterback. They typically line up near the sideline and run prescribed routes — short, medium, or deep — to get open against defensive coverage.
The essential qualities are speed, the ability to change direction sharply, and reliable hands at the catch point, even through contact. The best receivers pair those qualities with a sharp read of defensive schemes, adjusting their route mid-play to find open space.
A team usually carries two to four primary wide receivers, each with a different role: one specialized in deep routes, another in short, reliable catches on critical-distance downs.