I've already admitted that a few of the above names DO Fit the criteria.
Here are some guys I consider #1 material TODAY (I keep mentioning TODAY and people keep bringing up player's history).
#1 Moss
#2 TO (I'll acquiesce to the fact that he isn't faster than Edwards, probably equal)
#3 Harrison (don't know his speed but he's fast)
#4 Andre Johnson (definitely fits the ideal mold)
#5 Hines Ward (probably slower than 4.4)
#6 Torry Holt (Runs 4.4)
#7 Javon Walker (up and coming #1 receiver, I think he's fast but obviously I've been wrong before)
#8 Roy Williams (a beast, don't know his 40)
#9 Chad Johnson (slower than 4.4)
#10 Muhsin Muhammed (slower than Braylon)
#11 Joe Horn (He's a notch below in my book)
#12 Steve Smith (Just really like this guy, blazing speed)
I don't respect Moulds as a legitimate #1 even though he's played in that role. Too inconsistent - look at his annual stats. As you see Horn is just outside my top 10.
So a little less than half of the guys are faster than Edwards. Well, I think this has DISPROVED my theory. There were a few guys that I thought were faster than they actually are.
Considering this info, I wouldn't not take Edwards based on speed.
Yeah, look at that, I can actually admit being wrong when facts are presented. Thanks guys, I love being more knowledgeable.
I don't know that its even fair to say that Terrell Owens is as fast as Braylon, because I think Braylon is faster. He certainly runs a faster 40 than TO, that much we ABSOLUTELY know for certain. And, once you start talking about "2nd gear" and stuff, you are getting away from your point and talking about game speed vs. straight line speed. Anquan Boldin runs slower than Mike Williams, but has great "game speed" or as you might call it "2nd gear"
Here's your list with corrections for these guys ACTUAL speed in relation to Braylon Edwards...
#1. Moss. Faster than Braylon
#2. Owens. Slower than Braylon. Period.
#3. Harrison. Probably just as fast as Braylon. NOT a burner.
#4. Andre Johnson. Yes, faster than Braylon.
#5. Hines Ward. Same speed as Braylon.
#6. Torry Holt. Legitimately faster than Braylon.
#7. Javon Walker. No faster than Braylon, may be slower, or may be just as fast.
#8. Roy Williams. Faster than Braylon Edwards.
#9. Chad Johnson. Slower than Braylon Edwards.
#10. Muhsin Muhammad. Slower than Braylon. Much slower.
#11. Joe Horn. He could be a half notch faster than Braylon actually, on a good day.
#12. Steve Smith. Definitely faster.
Now, here's who I would actually call the top 12 WRs in the league.
#1. Randy Moss
#2. Terrell Owens
#3. Torry Holt
#4. Marvin Harrison
#5. Joe Horn
#6. Hines Ward
#7. Javon Walker
#8. Chad Johnson
#9. Michael Clayton
#10. Andre Johnson
#11. Muhsin Muhammad
#12. Isaac Bruce
And in any given year, Derrick Mason, Darrell Jackson, Rod Smith, Deion Branch, Steve Smith, Santana Moss, Marty Booker, Anquan Boldin, Jerry Porter, Plaxico Burress, Jimmy Smith, Reggie Wayne, Drew Bennett, Eric Moulds, Laveraneous Coles, Amani Toomer, and Chris Chambers may overtake any one of the guys listed above, except for the top 4, Moss, Owens, Holt, and Harrison. I consider those four names to be the premier WRs in the NFL today for their consistency and game-changing ability.
Overall I feel it's not best to rank these guys, because their situations all change so often, and its hard to get through all that to get a consistent ranking. I think you can group these guys. The top group would definitely have Moss, Owens, Holt, and Harrison, if you asked me. Then after that, I would have a group of about 20 to 25 guys that in any given year may rank highly depending on their situation.
Note: Of the 29 guys I've listed, I would have only Moss, Holt, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Santana Moss, Laveraneous Coles, Jerry Porter, and Chris Chambers as definitely faster than Braylon Edwards.