The NFL has become a pass-first league, and with that, wide receivers and tight ends have become more important than ever—not just in west coast style offenses but in all offensive systems. Here we take a look at the current active leaders in receiving yards. Being that most of the guys on this list are nearing the twilight of their respective careers, you shouldn’t use this as part of your fantasy football research. Instead, just read and enjoy…..

1. Isaac Bruce, free agent (15,208)—He doesn’t have the flash or the mouth that some of these other guys have, but it didn’t hurt that Bruce played on those great Kurt Warner/Mike Martz Rams’ teams about a decade ago. And he still has skills, so someone is bound to sign the guy.

2. Terrell Owens, free agent (14,951)—This guy DOES have the mouth but the skills to back it up. I’m kind of surprised he is team-less right now, but that should also change soon.

3. Randy Moss, New England Patriots (14,465)—That season he and Tom Brady put together in 2007 was absolutely ridiculous (1423 yards, NFL record 23 TD catches). And Moss is only 32!

4. Torry Holt, New England Patriots (13,382)—Sure, he’s getting up there in age and fell off a lot numbers-wise in Jacksonville, but he’s still got something left. It should be especially interesting to see Holt and Moss playing in the same offense.

5. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons (11,807)—Arguably the greatest tight end to ever play the game. Gonzo has four seasons with over 1000 yards, almost unheard of for a TE.

6. Muhsin Muhammad, Carolina Panthers (11,438)—Like Bruce and Holt, Muhsin Muhammad has quietly put up numbers for years, and his 2004 season for the Panthers remains his best (1405 yards, 16 scores).

7. Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens (11,089)—All Derrick Mason has ever done in his career with Tennessee and Baltimore is get open. He’s topped 1000 yards three straight seasons on the run-first Ravens, and is the epitome of toughness and durability despite being just 5-10, 190.

8. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers (10,947)—He’s consistently one of the game’s Top ten receivers, but how will he fare with Big Ben out for a few games to start the 2010 season?

9. Joey Galloway, Washington Redskins (10,777)—Galloway resurrected his fine career with Tampa from 2005 to 2007, and is really in the twilight of his career after struggling in Tampa and New England the last two seasons, respectively. Now he’s trying to latch on with the new-look Redskins.

10. Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals (9952)—One of the game’s most animated players is also one of its best receivers year in and year out. And it’s always good to be able to back up the talk.

Source: Pro Football Reference

Jeremy Shockey (5-50) was frustrated after his team’s loss to the Panthers and may have aggravated his groin injury on the first play of the game. He finished with decent numbers, but keep an eye on his status this week…Dante Rosario failed to catch a pass against the Saints…Visanthe Shiancoe (4-68-1) doesn’t bring it every week, but he’s much more of a threat now that there’s a QB in Minny that can hit the open man…With Devin Hester out, look for Greg Olsen (6-74-1) to become even more involved in Chicago’s passing attack…Despite the Chiefs not agreeing to Gonzo’s trade request, the tight end still went out and caught six passes for 97 yards…Bo Scaife (3-48) continues to be the best thing the Titans have going in the passing game.

Tony Gonzalez is in the twilight of his career but he is still one of the top three or four pass-catching tight ends in the game. The Chiefs are surely in the midst (or at the beginning?) of a rebuilding effort, so why would they hold onto Gonzo when there was a third round pick on the table? The Chiefs’ president, Carl Peterson, apparently was holding out for a second round pick. The Packers, Eagles, Giants and Bills all showed interest, but that offer never came, so Gonzalez is still a Chief.

Barring a few slight differences, this scenario is pretty similar to the Brett Favre situation this summer. Both players are All-Pro caliber and both are going to probably play one or two more seasons. The Packers traded Favre for a conditional fourth round pick that will turn into a third round pick if Favre plays at least 50% of the Jets’ snaps. It could turn into a second round pick if Favre plays 70% of his team’s snaps and the Jets make the playoffs.

So the market value for an aging, still productive Pro-Bowler is a second or a third round pick. It’s fine to hold out for a second rounder, but if your team is rebuilding and no one is willing to offer that up, take the third round pick! What good does it do you to have a grumpy Tony Gonzalez on your roster?

Not only that, but it’s a slap in the face of Gonzalez. Peterson deems that extra round more important than allowing the face of your franchise to go somewhere else and have a chance at a title. Everyone in Kansas City realizes that they aren’t going to be making a Super Bowl run in the next two years, so why not let Gonzo have a shot elsewhere?