Is having a #1 WR overrated in the modern NFL?

[shaqattaq]

I was reading the latest Grill Bill, and this quote stood out to me:

"For what it’s worth, unless we’re talking Julio Jones-like talents, I don’t think Norv Turner needs or even wants a true No. 1 wideout."

http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Grill-Bill-1000-for-Funchess/c151d2fa-98b3-4dfa-ba52-794591bf5d98

I think the general consensus would be that Jones is the best WR in the league, but if he goes down, ATL is fugged! Norv seems to want certain role receivers. We've got 2 RB's who are very different, but both can move the ball on the ground and in the air, a few speedy guys, a big guy, and a 3rd down, move the chains guy. If any 1 guy gets injured, we're not having to resort to troting PS players and special teamers out there for Cam.

[Moo Daeng]

15 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

Money and contracts are a lot more reliable way to tell how a team values a particular player then they are a particular position.

Trai Turner and Jeremiah Sirles both play guard, but there's a pretty big difference in their paychecks.

Likewise, Andrew Norwell just got a huge contract. Does that mean that the league now places a premium value on left guards, or is that because Norwell is that good?

Position value comes into play more in the draft. Hence, why you don't see fullbacks being taken in the first round.

This makes no sense. Go look at a chart for average salaries by position.

[shaqattaq]

23 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

23 hours ago, pantherclaw said:

Does he have a ring?

Terrible argument. Football is probably the ultimate team sport. To knock an individual player, especially a non-QB for lacking a ring is just weak. Julio Jones doesn't have one, Megatron doesn't have one, DeAndre Hopkins doesn't have one. That doesn't mean that they aren't great WRs.

To further pantherclaw's point, Torrey Smith has 2 rings. Does that make him twice as good as Smitty, Jones, Megatron and Hopkins? If so, we're set at WR. The NFL should just forego the season and give us the Lombardi now. Hell, Kyle Love and Kenjon Barner have SB rings!

[MechaZain]

It's a team sport. What's required out pf any given position depends on the quality of play at other positions. Might not need an elite WR if you spread the talent out amongst multiple guys, or have an elite QB, offensive line, RB, etc.

[CPcavedweller]

I think the term "number one receiver" is going the way of the Dodo. Your best best is to have 3 very capable guys, with one who is head and shoulders above the league average player. You target him when you can but he isn't technically a number one receiver. 

[pantherclaw]

Elite receivers are a joy to watch, but having one doesn't automatically improve the odds of winning a Championship at the ultimate team sport. 

[PleaseCutStewart]

I think it depends on what you consider a #1 receiver. If you look at it in terms of elite receivers, like Julio, Brown, Hopkins, Beckham, then I think the answer is no. But if you need a #1 receiver that is consistently able to create separation and move the chains, then I think the answer is yes, unless you have an elite level defense, really good O-line, and elite level QB.
 

The only team I can think of late to win the Superbowl without a true #1 receiver was the Seahawks (who had several solid receivers), and they had an elite defense and strong run game to compensate for it.

[Johnny Rockets]

7 hours ago, PleaseCutStewart said:

I think it depends on what you consider a #1 receiver. If you look at it in terms of elite receivers, like Julio, Brown, Hopkins, Beckham, then I think the answer is no. But if you need a #1 receiver that is consistently able to create separation and move the chains, then I think the answer is yes, unless you have an elite level defense, really good O-line, and elite level QB.
 

The only team I can think of late to win the Superbowl without a true #1 receiver was the Seahawks (who had several solid receivers), and they had an elite defense and strong run game to compensate for it.

What about last year? Who was the Eagles true #1 WR last year? No one on the team had 1,000 yds and Ertz, Alshon, and Agholor all finished within 50 or so yds of one another and had 8/9 TDs. 

People immediately think Alshon but that is not the case. He finished 3rd in receptions. 

[PleaseCutStewart]

11 hours ago, Johnny Rockets said:

What about last year? Who was the Eagles true #1 WR last year? No one on the team had 1,000 yds and Ertz, Alshon, and Agholor all finished within 50 or so yds of one another and had 8/9 TDs. 

People immediately think Alshon but that is not the case. He finished 3rd in receptions. 

Jeffery still commanded a lot of attention from the defense, and Ertz/Wentz had a great connection that took away targets from Jeffery. Jeffery still had 120 targets during the regular season, which was more than Ertz and way more than any other WR. He also had 44 first downs, 2 less than Ertz and more than any other WR.

[AU-panther]

People can't even agree what defines a #1 receiver. 

I don't think you have to have a 1500yrd receiver to win a Super bowl but having a guy that can command extra attention from the defense is a good thing.

 

 

[Khyber53]

A standout #1 WR, top of the heap player, is very expensive. A few mediocre teams have spent big bucks on getting an ace WR at the expense of more important players. And then there are teams like the Steelers who are throwing huge money at WR, RB and QB and while they are showing success on the field right now, they aren't getting the rings you'd expect. The window is closing for them, but they are mortgaging their defense and their future for Brown, Bell and Big Ben.

 

[mc52beast]

If you have an OC who doesn’t have his head up his *** and a qb who can make average players look great you don’t need a true #1.

[Moo Daeng]

On 5/31/2018 at 8:33 AM, Khyber53 said:

A standout #1 WR, top of the heap player, is very expensive. A few mediocre teams have spent big bucks on getting an ace WR at the expense of more important players. And then there are teams like the Steelers who are throwing huge money at WR, RB and QB and while they are showing success on the field right now, they aren't getting the rings you'd expect. The window is closing for them, but they are mortgaging their defense and their future for Brown, Bell and Big Ben.

 

The Steelers were more successful on the  big stagewith defense as their calling card.

[Khyber53]

3 hours ago, Moo Daeng said:

The Steelers were more successful on the  big stagewith defense as their calling card.

Case in point.