An updated statistical analysis of NFL WRs and their draft positions

[tiger7_88]

Assumptions:

1. The WR on the team with the most yards receiving in 2014 was chosen as the #1 WR on the team.

2. If the yardage between two WRs was within 20-30 yards of one another, the WR with the most TDs was prioritized.

3. The numbers in the parentheses correspond to the following: (Round Drafted-Overall Pick, Year Drafted)

4. If the WR was an undrafted free agent ("U"), for statistical purposes that was considered the 8th round.

5. If the WR was an undrafted free agent, the Overall Pick was determined by adding 1 to the last overall pick of the year he was signed.  For example, in 2010 the last player drafted was with the 255th pick.  Undrafted free agents from that year would then be assigned an Overall Pick of 256.

6. Listed for each them is their #1 WR followed by their #2 WR.

7. Year Drafted was supplied only for informational purposes and has nothing to do with the statistical analysis.  I decided to provide that information in case anyone wants to check my data.

8. Average Round Chosen and Average Draft Position were determined by simple addition followed by division to determine the numerical average.  The Rounds Drafted were all added for a total subsequently divided by 32 (players) for the Average Round Drafted.  The Overall PIcks were all added for a total subsequently divided by 32 (players) for the Average Overall Pick.  For the Combined statistics, the totals were divided by 64 (players).

 

Here are the teams #1 and #2 WRs listed in alphabetic team order:

 

1. Arizona - Larry Fitzgerald (1-3, 2004), Michael Floyd (1-13, 2012)

2. Atlanta - Julio Jones (1-6, 2011), Roddy White (1-27, 2005)

3. Baltimore - Steve Smith (3-74, 2001), Marlon Brown (U-255, 2013) 

4. Buffalo - Sammy Watkins (1-4, 2014), Percy Harvin (1-22, 2009)

5. Carolina - Kelvin Benjamin (1-28, 2014), Jerricho Cotchery (4-108, 2004)

6. Chicago - Alshon Jeffrey (2-45, 2012), Eddie Royal (2-42, 2008)

7. Cincinnati - A.J. Green (1-4, 2011), Mohamed Sanu (3-83, 2012)

8. Cleveland - Andrew Hawkins (U-253, 2008), Dwayne Bowe (1-23, 2007)

9. Dallas - Dez Bryant (1-24, 2010), Terrance Williams (3-74, 2013)

10. Denver - Demaryius Thomas (1-22, 2010), Emmanuel Sanders (3-82, 2010)

11. Detroit - Calvin Johnson (1-2, 2007), Golden Tate (2-60, 2010)

12. Green Bay - Jordy Nelson (2-36, 2008), Randall Cobb (2-64, 2011)

13. Houston - Deandre Hopkins (1-27, 2013), Cecil Shorts (4-114, 2011)

14. Indianapolis - T.Y. Hilton (3-92, 2012), Andre Johnson (1-3, 2003)

15. Jacksonville - Marquise Lee (2-39, 2014), Allen Robinson (2-61, 2014)

16. Kansas City - Jeremy Maclin (1-19, 2009), Jason Avant (4-109, 2006)

17. Miami - Greg Jennings (2-52, 2006), Kenny Stills (5-144, 2013)

18. Minnesota - Mike Wallace (3-84, 2009), Charles Johnson (7-216, 2013)

19. New England - Julian Edelman (7-232, 2009), Brandon Lafell (3-78, 2010)

20. New Orleans - Marques Colston (7-252, 2006), Brandin Cooks (1-20, 2014)

21. New York Giants - Odell Beckham (1-12, 2014), Victor Cruz (U-256, 2010)

22. New York Jets - Brandon Marshall (4-119, 2006), Eric Decker (3-87, 2010)

23. Oakland - James Jones (3-78, 2007), Michael Crabtree (1-10, 2009)

24. Philadelphia - Jordan Matthews (2-42, 2014), Riley Cooper (5-159, 2010)

25. Pittsburgh - Antonio Brown (6-195, 2010), Martavis Bryant (4-118, 2014)

26. San Diego - Malcolm Floyd (U-256, 2004), Keenan Allen (3-76, 2013)

27. San Francisco - Torrey Smith (2-58, 2011), Anquan Boldin (2-54, 2003)

28. Seattle - Doug Baldwin (U-255, 2011), Jermaine Kearse (U-254, 2012)

29. St. Louis - Brian Quick (2-33, 2012), Kenny Britt (1-30, 2009)

30. Tampa Bay - Mike Evans (1-7, 2014), Vincent Jackson (2-61, 2005)

31. Tennessee - Kendall Wright (1-20, 2012), Harry Douglas (3-84, 2008)

32. Washington - Desean Jackson (2-49, 2008), Pierre Garcon (6-205, 2008)

 

#1 WRs

Totals - (89, 2422)

Average - (2.8, 75.7)

 

So the average draft position of the #1 WRs in the NFL is the 12th pick of the 3rd round.

 

#2 WRs

Totals - (104, 2992)

Average - (3.25, 93.5)

 

So the average draft position of the #2 WRs in the NFL is the 30th pick of the 4th round.

 

Combined #1 and #2 WRs

Totals - (193, 5414)

Average - (3.0, 84.6)

 

So the average draft position of the top 2 WRs for each team in the NFL is the 21st pick of the 3rd round.

[LUUUUUKE]

My momma said that if there's not a link I shouldn't believe what I read on teh interwebz

[LinvilleGorge]

In situations like this, the median tells a lot more than the average.  35 of those guys (54.7% of the total) listed were either 1st or 2nd round picks.  The 11 guys who were 6th round or later picks (17.2% of the total) are really skewing the average downward.

[tiger7_88]

In situations like this, the median tells a lot more than the average.  35 of those guys (54.7% of the total) listed were either 1st or 2nd round picks.  The 11 guys who were 6th round or later picks (17.2% of the total) are really skewing the average downward.

 

Which is why I also averaged Overall Pick position which doesn't take a particular round into account, just where you were chosen from 1-255 (or whatever the last pick was for a particular year).

 

The average Round, as you say, worked out kinda freaky weird.

 

The average Overall Pick?  That's crystal clear and the average pertains to the point at hand perfectly.

[TheWiz]

Assumptions:

1. The WR on the team with the most yards receiving in 2014 was chosen as the #1 WR on the team.

2. If the yardage between two WRs was within 20-30 yards of one another, the WR with the most TDs was prioritized.

3. The numbers in the parentheses correspond to the following: (Round Drafted-Overall Pick, Year Drafted)

4. If the WR was an undrafted free agent ("U"), for statistical purposes that was considered the 8th round.

5. If the WR was an undrafted free agent, the Overall Pick was determined by adding 1 to the last overall pick of the year he was signed.  For example, in 2010 the last player drafted was with the 255th pick.  Undrafted free agents from that year would then be assigned an Overall Pick of 256.

6. Listed for each them is their #1 WR followed by their #2 WR.

7. Year Drafted was supplied only for informational purposes and has nothing to do with the statistical analysis.  I decided to provide that information in case anyone wants to check my data.

8. Average Round Chosen and Average Draft Position were determined by simple addition followed by division to determine the numerical average.  The Rounds Drafted were all added for a total subsequently divided by 32 (players) for the Average Round Drafted.  The Overall PIcks were all added for a total subsequently divided by 32 (players) for the Average Overall Pick.  For the Combined statistics, the totals were divided by 64 (players).

 

Here are the teams #1 and #2 WRs listed in alphabetic team order:

 

1. Arizona - Larry Fitzgerald (1-3, 2004), Michael Floyd (1-13, 2012)

2. Atlanta - Julio Jones (1-6, 2011), Roddy White (1-27, 2005)

3. Baltimore - Steve Smith (3-74, 2001), Marlon Brown (U-255, 2013) 

4. Buffalo - Sammy Watkins (1-4, 2014), Percy Harvin (1-22, 2009)

5. Carolina - Kelvin Benjamin (1-28, 2014), Jerricho Cotchery (4-108, 2004)

6. Chicago - Alshon Jeffrey (2-45, 2012), Eddie Royal (2-42, 2008)

7. Cincinnati - A.J. Green (1-4, 2011), Mohamed Sanu (3-83, 2012)

8. Cleveland - Andrew Hawkins (U-253, 2008), Dwayne Bowe (1-23, 2007)

9. Dallas - Dez Bryant (1-24, 2010), Terrance Williams (3-74, 2013)

10. Denver - Demaryius Thomas (1-22, 2010), Emmanuel Sanders (3-82, 2010)

11. Detroit - Calvin Johnson (1-2, 2007), Golden Tate (2-60, 2010)

12. Green Bay - Jordy Nelson (2-36, 2008), Randall Cobb (2-64, 2011)

13. Houston - Deandre Hopkins (1-27, 2013), Cecil Shorts (4-114, 2011)

14. Indianapolis - T.Y. Hilton (3-92, 2012), Andre Johnson (1-3, 2003)

15. Jacksonville - Marquise Lee (2-39, 2014), Allen Robinson (2-61, 2014)

16. Kansas City - Jeremy Maclin (1-19, 2009), Jason Avant (4-109, 2006)

17. Miami - Greg Jennings (2-52, 2006), Kenny Stills (5-144, 2013)

18. Minnesota - Mike Wallace (3-84, 2009), Charles Johnson (7-216, 2013)

19. New England - Julian Edelman (7-232, 2009), Brandon Lafell (3-78, 2010)

20. New Orleans - Marques Colston (7-252, 2006), Brandin Cooks (1-20, 2014)

21. New York Giants - Odell Beckham (1-12, 2014), Victor Cruz (U-256, 2010)

22. New York Jets - Brandon Marshall (4-119, 2006), Eric Decker (3-87, 2010)

23. Oakland - James Jones (3-78, 2007), Michael Crabtree (1-10, 2009)

24. Philadelphia - Jordan Matthews (2-42, 2014), Riley Cooper (5-159, 2010)

25. Pittsburgh - Antonio Brown (6-195, 2010), Martavis Bryant (4-118, 2014)

26. San Diego - Malcolm Floyd (U-256, 2004), Keenan Allen (3-76, 2013)

27. San Francisco - Torrey Smith (2-58, 2011), Anquan Boldin (2-54, 2003)

28. Seattle - Doug Baldwin (U-255, 2011), Jermaine Kearse (U-254, 2012)

29. St. Louis - Brian Quick (2-33, 2012), Kenny Britt (1-30, 2009)

30. Tampa Bay - Mike Evans (1-7, 2014), Vincent Jackson (2-61, 2005)

31. Tennessee - Kendall Wright (1-20, 2012), Harry Douglas (3-84, 2008)

32. Washington - Desean Jackson (2-49, 2008), Pierre Garcon (6-205, 2008)

 

#1 WRs

Totals - (89, 2422)

Average - (2.8, 75.7)

 

So the average draft position of the #1 WRs in the NFL is the 12th pick of the 3rd round.

 

#2 WRs

Totals - (104, 2992)

Average - (3.25, 93.5)

 

So the average draft position of the #2 WRs in the NFL is the 30th pick of the 4th round.

 

Combined #1 and #2 WRs

Totals - (193, 5414)

Average - (3.0, 84.6)

 

So the average draft position of the top 2 WRs for each team in the NFL is the 21st pick of the 3rd round.

couldn't help it. lol

[LinvilleGorge]

The average Overall Pick?  That's crystal clear and the average pertains to the point at hand perfectly.

 

Has nothing to do with round or overall pick.  Less than 20% of the starting WRs in the NFL were late round picks or UFAs.  Over half were 1st or 2nd round picks. 

 

The full breakdown is as follows:

1st round:  21 (32.8%)

2nd round:  13 (20.3%)

3rd round:  10 (15.6%)

4th round:  5 (7.8%)

5th round:  2 (3.1%)

6th round:  2 (3.1%)

7th round:  3 (4.7%)

UFA:  6 (9.4%)

 

That only adds up to 62 total players, so obviously I've missed two somewhere in my quick count, but I'm too lazy to go back through and figure out exactly where.  Still, even with me missing two, we're dealing with 97% of the field so I'm willing to go with that.

 

I'm telling you, man.  You really want to use median here.  Most people who don't work with statistics very often commonly just jump to using the mean when often it's the median that gives you the more accurate picture.  A few extremes can greatly skew a mean while not impacting the median. 

 

These numbers will also change after the draft.  Several of those late rounders who are currently "starters" will likely be supplanted by high draft pick rookies.

[KSpan]

Interesting analysis, and I'd perhaps be more interested to know draft position vs. performance tier (average pick of Top 5 performing WR, Top 10, etc.). Someone has to be the top-producng WR on the Chiefs, for example, but that doesn't mean they would be anywhere else.

The rabbit hole really has no end.

[h0llywood]

 

Assumptions:

1. The WR on the team with the most yards receiving in 2014 was chosen as the #1 WR on the team.

2. If the yardage between two WRs was within 20-30 yards of one another, the WR with the most TDs was prioritized.

3. The numbers in the parentheses correspond to the following: (Round Drafted-Overall Pick, Year Drafted)

4. If the WR was an undrafted free agent ("U"), for statistical purposes that was considered the 8th round.

5. If the WR was an undrafted free agent, the Overall Pick was determined by adding 1 to the last overall pick of the year he was signed.  For example, in 2010 the last player drafted was with the 255th pick.  Undrafted free agents from that year would then be assigned an Overall Pick of 256.

6. Listed for each them is their #1 WR followed by their #2 WR.

7. Year Drafted was supplied only for informational purposes and has nothing to do with the statistical analysis.  I decided to provide that information in case anyone wants to check my data.

8. Average Round Chosen and Average Draft Position were determined by simple addition followed by division to determine the numerical average.  The Rounds Drafted were all added for a total subsequently divided by 32 (players) for the Average Round Drafted.  The Overall PIcks were all added for a total subsequently divided by 32 (players) for the Average Overall Pick.  For the Combined statistics, the totals were divided by 64 (players).

 

Here are the teams #1 and #2 WRs listed in alphabetic team order:

 

1. Arizona - Larry Fitzgerald (1-3, 2004), Michael Floyd (1-13, 2012)

2. Atlanta - Julio Jones (1-6, 2011), Roddy White (1-27, 2005)

3. Baltimore - Steve Smith (3-74, 2001), Marlon Brown (U-255, 2013) 

4. Buffalo - Sammy Watkins (1-4, 2014), Percy Harvin (1-22, 2009)

5. Carolina - Kelvin Benjamin (1-28, 2014), Jerricho Cotchery (4-108, 2004)

6. Chicago - Alshon Jeffrey (2-45, 2012), Eddie Royal (2-42, 2008)

7. Cincinnati - A.J. Green (1-4, 2011), Mohamed Sanu (3-83, 2012)

8. Cleveland - Andrew Hawkins (U-253, 2008), Dwayne Bowe (1-23, 2007)

9. Dallas - Dez Bryant (1-24, 2010), Terrance Williams (3-74, 2013)

10. Denver - Demaryius Thomas (1-22, 2010), Emmanuel Sanders (3-82, 2010)

11. Detroit - Calvin Johnson (1-2, 2007), Golden Tate (2-60, 2010)

12. Green Bay - Jordy Nelson (2-36, 2008), Randall Cobb (2-64, 2011)

13. Houston - Deandre Hopkins (1-27, 2013), Cecil Shorts (4-114, 2011)

14. Indianapolis - T.Y. Hilton (3-92, 2012), Andre Johnson (1-3, 2003)

15. Jacksonville - Marquise Lee (2-39, 2014), Allen Robinson (2-61, 2014)

16. Kansas City - Jeremy Maclin (1-19, 2009), Jason Avant (4-109, 2006)

17. Miami - Greg Jennings (2-52, 2006), Kenny Stills (5-144, 2013)

18. Minnesota - Mike Wallace (3-84, 2009), Charles Johnson (7-216, 2013)

19. New England - Julian Edelman (7-232, 2009), Brandon Lafell (3-78, 2010)

20. New Orleans - Marques Colston (7-252, 2006), Brandin Cooks (1-20, 2014)

21. New York Giants - Odell Beckham (1-12, 2014), Victor Cruz (U-256, 2010)

22. New York Jets - Brandon Marshall (4-119, 2006), Eric Decker (3-87, 2010)

23. Oakland - James Jones (3-78, 2007), Michael Crabtree (1-10, 2009)

24. Philadelphia - Jordan Matthews (2-42, 2014), Riley Cooper (5-159, 2010)

25. Pittsburgh - Antonio Brown (6-195, 2010), Martavis Bryant (4-118, 2014)

26. San Diego - Malcolm Floyd (U-256, 2004), Keenan Allen (3-76, 2013)

27. San Francisco - Torrey Smith (2-58, 2011), Anquan Boldin (2-54, 2003)

28. Seattle - Doug Baldwin (U-255, 2011), Jermaine Kearse (U-254, 2012)

29. St. Louis - Brian Quick (2-33, 2012), Kenny Britt (1-30, 2009)

30. Tampa Bay - Mike Evans (1-7, 2014), Vincent Jackson (2-61, 2005)

31. Tennessee - Kendall Wright (1-20, 2012), Harry Douglas (3-84, 2008)

32. Washington - Desean Jackson (2-49, 2008), Pierre Garcon (6-205, 2008)

 

#1 WRs

Totals - (89, 2422)

Average - (2.8, 75.7)

 

So the average draft position of the #1 WRs in the NFL is the 12th pick of the 3rd round.

 

#2 WRs

Totals - (104, 2992)

Average - (3.25, 93.5)

 

So the average draft position of the #2 WRs in the NFL is the 30th pick of the 4th round.

 

Combined #1 and #2 WRs

Totals - (193, 5414)

Average - (3.0, 84.6)

 

So the average draft position of the top 2 WRs for each team in the NFL is the 21st pick of the 3rd round.

 

 

 

Has nothing to do with round or overall pick.  Less than 20% of the starting WRs in the NFL were late round picks or UFAs.  Over half were 1st or 2nd round picks. 

 

The full breakdown is as follows:

1st round:  21 (32.8%)

2nd round:  13 (20.3%)

3rd round:  10 (15.6%)

4th round:  5 (7.8%)

5th round:  2 (3.1%)

6th round:  2 (3.1%)

7th round:  3 (4.7%)

UFA:  6 (9.4%)

 

That only adds up to 62 total players, so obviously I've missed two somewhere in my quick count, but I'm too lazy to go back through and figure out exactly where.  Still, even with me missing two, we're dealing with 97% of the field so I'm willing to go with that.

 

I'm telling you, man.  You really want to use median here.  Most people who don't work with statistics very often commonly just jump to using the mean when often it's the median that gives you the more accurate picture.  A few extremes can greatly skew a mean while not impacting the median. 

 

These numbers will also change after the draft.  Several of those late rounders who are currently "starters" will likely be supplanted by high draft pick rookies.

 

 

Good analysis by the both of you

[LinvilleGorge]

Interesting analysis, and I'd perhaps be more interested to know draft position vs. performance tier (average pick of Top 5 performing WR, Top 10, etc.). Someone has to be the top-producng WR on the Chiefs, for example, but that doesn't mean they would be anywhere else.

The rabbit hole really has no end.

 

Exactly.  That's why I pointed out that this list will look differently after the draft and it will likely skew upward. 

 

It would be fairly easy to see any of the following teams to add a starting WR in the draft this year:

 

Baltimore, Carolina, Cleveland, KC, Minnesota, New England, Philadelphia, Seattle, St. Louis

[tiger7_88]

Exactly.  That's why I pointed out that this list will look differently after the draft and it will likely skew upward. 

 

It would be fairly easy to see any of the following teams to add a starting WR in the draft this year:

 

Baltimore, Carolina, Cleveland, KC, Minnesota, New England, Philadelphia, Seattle, St. Louis

 

Again, as I stated before, I understand your position about Round Picked.

 

But, I repeat, I think the more accurate data point is the Overall Pick number, which accurately reflects the point utilizing the average.  Each Pick number is an INDIVIDUAL data point, whereas the Round itself reflects (at minimum) 32 separate data points.

 

Which is why, when I said the average draft position of the #1 WRs is the 12th pick of the 3rd round, that reflected the average of the Overall Pick for the #1s (75.7 = 76 = 32 (round 1) + 32 (Round 2) + 12).

 

As to your point that the quality of the WRs will skew upward after the draft, that's a debatable point since that means you are counting on the adequate performance of the drafted player without them ever having played a down.  

 

I don't know if you remember, but 2 years ago in this forum, I did the same analysis.  The average draft position for #1 WRs two years ago?  Upper half of the 3rd round.  This year?  Upper half of the 3rd round.  Since you can see several quality draft selections in my WR list in the OP since two years ago (drafted or signed in 2013 and 2014) why didn't the average draft position go up since then?  Why did it stay virtually the same? 

 

The answer lies in your assumption that current #1 WRs will all continue to produce at their current rate of performance, whereas some (at times many) will not.  Some may retire.  Some draft picks will make vital contributions to their team.  Many won't.  Your "Take what I've got now, freeze it, add new WRs and assume positive performance" assumption is a faulty one.

 

In addition, not only will some current #1s and #2s performance change, after this year some will likely retire, then they have to be replaced.  Which is why I think my average of Overall Pick is a more reliable statistic than your median of the Round Chosen.  It seems to have stayed virtually the same over the last two years even considering a fresh influx of WR talent over those last two years that are performing rather well.

[LinvilleGorge]

Again, as I stated before, I understand your position about Round Picked.

 

But, I repeat, I think the more accurate data point is the Overall Pick number, which accurately reflects the point utilizing the average.  Each Pick number is an INDIVIDUAL data point, whereas the Round itself reflects (at minimum) 32 separate data points.

 

Which is why, when I said the average draft position of the #1 WRs is the 12th pick of the 3rd round, that reflected the average of the Overall Pick for the #1s (75.7 = 76 = 32 (round 1) + 32 (Round 2) + 12).

 

As to your point that the quality of the WRs will skew upward after the draft, that's a debatable point since that means you are counting on the adequate performance of the drafted player without them ever having played a down.  

 

I don't know if you remember, but 2 years ago in this forum, I did the same analysis.  The average draft position for #1 WRs two years ago?  Upper half of the 3rd round.  This year?  Upper half of the 3rd round.  Since you can see several quality draft selections in my WR list in the OP since two years ago (drafted or signed in 2013 and 2014) why didn't the average draft position go up since then?  Why did it stay virtually the same? 

 

The answer lies in your assumption that current #1 WRs will all continue to produce at their current rate of performance, whereas some (at times many) will not.  Some may retire.  Some draft picks will make vital contributions to their team.  Many won't.  Your "Take what I've got now, freeze it, add new WRs and assume positive performance" assumption is a faulty one.

 

In addition, not only will some current #1s and #2s performance change, after this year some will likely retire, then they have to be replaced.  Which is why I think my average of Overall Pick is a more reliable statistic than your median of the Round Chosen.  It seems to have stayed virtually the same over the last two years even considering a fresh influx of WR talent over those last two years that are performing rather well.

 

You're not understanding my argument against your analysis at all.  Whether you're using the round or the individual pick as your data point, the outliers are heavily skewing your data.  The outliers in this data set are heavily skewed toward the low end.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

Yeah, but what is the kurtosis of that bitch.  No way that poo is evenly distributed.  Gonna come up in here acting like your dealing with a normal curve distribution.......

[tiger7_88]

You're not understanding my argument against your analysis at all.  Whether you're using the round or the individual pick as your data point, the outliers are heavily skewing your data.  The outliers in this data set are heavily skewed toward the low end.

 

I disagree with your presumption of "outliers".

 

As an example, if a WR was picked with the first pick of each round (excluding compensatory picks), the Overall Picks of those WRs would be 1 (1st overall pick) + 33 (1st pick of the 2nd round) + 65 (1st pick of the 3rd round) + 97 (1st pick of the 4th round) + 129 (1st pick of the 5th round) + 161 (1st pick of the 6th round) + 193 (1st pick of the 7th round) = 679, so the average Overall Pick would be 679/7 = 97 (top of the 4th round).  The fact that you want to throw out the lower numbers to move the result toward the top is convenient to your case, sure, but leaving them in is not "skewing" the data... it is using ALL of the *available* data. 

 

Each of those lower drafted or undrafted WRs *are* actually playing in games and *are* performing as those teams #1s and/or #2s.  You can't just pretend they don't exist or pretend they weren't picked where they were picked because they are unhelpful to your point.

[LinvilleGorge]

I disagree with your presumption of "outliers".

 

As an example, if a WR was picked with the first pick of each round (excluding compensatory picks), the Overall Picks of those WRs would be 1 (1st overall pick) + 33 (1st pick of the 2nd round) + 65 (1st pick of the 3rd round) + 97 (1st pick of the 4th round) + 129 (1st pick of the 5th round) + 161 (1st pick of the 6th round) + 193 (1st pick of the 7th round) = 679, so the average Overall Pick would be 679/7 = 97 (top of the 4th round).  The fact that you want to throw out the lower numbers to move the result toward the top is convenient to your case, sure, but leaving them in is not "skewing" the data... it is using ALL of the *available* data. 

 

Each of those lower drafted or undrafted WRs *are* actually playing in games and *are* performing as those teams #1s and/or #2s.  You can't just pretend they don't exist or pretend they weren't picked where they were picked because they are unhelpful to your point.

 

Yikes.  Have you ever taken a statistics class?  You're incredibly obsessed with mean values and you're completely missing the value of the median.