Doug Baldwin

A precise route can be the difference between a game-changing play and an appearance by the punt team. On third down, the top-level receivers carefully gauge each step to ensure their routes finish beyond the first-down marker.

For the second consecutive season, Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl wide receiver RODDY WHITE, who finished first in the NFC and second in the NFL with 100 receptions in 2011, led all receivers on third down with 29 first-down catches.

"Roddy White is one of the strongest, most physical wide receivers that I've ever seen," says Falcons head coach MIKE SMITH. "Roddy's got the ability to take a short completion and turn it into a long completion."

The receivers with the most first-down receptions on third down in 2011: