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Bucky Brooks and the case against receivers in the first

top dawg

By top dawg,
in Carolina Panthers

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top dawg Grand Master

top dawg

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I told you a few weeks ago that after a cursory look I didn't see any receivers in this draft class worth a first round pick,  except maybe for Calvin Ridley.  Bucky Brooks agrees, and he expounds upon why things haven't worked out for day one receivers lately,  inasmuch as the expectation is for them to have an immediate impact. 

I certainly think the entire piece is worth reading,  but here are a few key excerpts:

 

"'You can find wide receivers anywhere,' an NFC scout told me. 'Just look at how many second- and third-round guys have come in and made plays right away. Why would you even think about using a first-round pick on a wide receiver?'

"I can't argue that point, based on the recent results of first-round receivers. Since 2015, there have been 13 wideouts taken on Day 1, but only one (Amari Cooper) has emerged as a Pro Bowl player. Look at the list:

2017: Corey Davis (No. 5 overall), Mike Williams (No. 7), John Ross (No. 9).

2016: Corey Coleman (No. 15), Will Fuller (No. 21), Josh Doctson (No. 22), Laquon Treadwell(No. 23).

2015: Amari Cooper (No. 4), Kevin White (No. 7), DeVante Parker (No. 14), Nelson Agholor(No. 20), Breshad Perriman (No. 26), Phillip Dorsett (No. 29)."

 

 

"Reviewing that list of picks from 2015 to '17, you could make the argument that injuries have played a major role in the group's underachievement, but I think the issue extends beyond that. Scouts (myself included) place a greater emphasis on traits (size, speed, athleticism) over skill (route running and pass catching) in the evaluation process. Evaluators fall in love with NFL Scouting Combine and pro day workouts and don't spend enough time studying the tape to see if the prospects' games were polished enough to make an immediate impact on Sundays."

 

 

"Given that sentiment, I believe craftsmen should be valued over explosive athletes despite the spectacle feel to the draft. Evaluators should look long and hard at the tape to see if the wide receivers win with skill over pure speed and explosiveness in routes. Moreover, scouts should pay close attention to how well they separate from defenders, particularly against press coverage. Artistry is required to win against some of the physical tactics employed by NFL defenders, which gives skilled receivers a nod over athletes in my mind."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000918425/article/nfl-draft-trend-emerging-with-receivers-blake-bortles-contract

 

 

As much as I love my wide receivers, and believe that they are vital to the overall production of the offense on many levels,  the fact is that perhaps the position is being overvalued on day one like Brooks is saying. You just never know what you're going to get, and you're likely not going to get much of anything the first year, at least not enough to gamble picking a receiver over a more sure player at another position in the first round. 

And if fit and knowing how to put players in a position to maximize their skill set should be given higher priority ,  like was the case with Cooper Kupp (89's pick last year ) and Juju Smith-Schuster, then in theory we should be good with day two picks because Norv Turner will do exactly that.  

Now of course I'm not saying pass up the next receiver like Julio Jones or Calvin Johnson---the guy who appears to have it all,  but that guy comes few and far between, and that receiver isn't in this year's crop.  Perhaps the next Smitty (I know,  there is only one),  Antonio Brown, TY Hilton,  or a healthy version of Stefon Diggs is in this group and we will be lucky enough to identify him and really maximize our day two or three draft capital (and drafted capital overall,  considering that we won't be reaching on day one, but others will). 

I know that I'm really considering moving the needle more toward artistry and craftsmanship than measurables when scrutinizing these guys.  

At the very least,  it's something to seriously think about. 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000918425/article/nfl-draft-trend-emerging-with-receivers-blake-bortles-contract

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ncfan Grand Master

ncfan

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You can make the exact same case for OT and a couple other positions as well.

It all depends on fit, coaching, the team thats around them, injuries, etc.

A WR in the first can still develop into a day 1 help on offense

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WOW!! Grand Master

WOW!!

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Rivera had already said a few things that should quiet the drafting WR thing...

The room is really young. 

Wanting a exp. Vet presents..

This says that FA is where they want to find WR help not add another young guy to a already young room..

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d-dave Veteran

d-dave

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7 minutes ago, WOW!! said:

Rivera had already said a few things that should quiet the drafting WR thing...

The room is really young. 

Wanting a exp. Vet presents..

This says that FA is where they want to find WR help not add another young guy to a already young room..

I think you have it right.

I love college WRs.  It's like shopping for expensive cars you'll never buy.  They are so impressive, but you'll always try to find a better deal on something more practical.

It will be interesting to see which FA WRs are in play.

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