Cris Carter may not agree, but Calvin Johnson is the best at what he does. Even the NFL Network checked in this week ranking him No. 3 among all NFL players. Here are three reasons that Calvin Johnson is the best receiver in the NFL.

1. Despite double- and sometimes triple coverage he comes down with the ball. His height, strength, concentration and athletic ability put him heads above most everyone else.

2. Johnson remains humble. He says with a straight face that he knows he can get better and puts in the work to make that happen.

3. He’s got a great quarterback in Matthew Stafford to get the ball thrown his way. The best receivers still need someone to get them the ball. This best receiver has one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks throwing to him.

(Until the start of training camp, the Lowdown lists will appear daily, Monday through Friday. Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Email her at Paula.Pasche@oakpress.com.)