WRs in this draft are DEEP

[MHS831]

I have links to back this up, but I will use this one to establish an anchor--I have read so many varying opinions, but all say the WR class is sick.  https://sportstalkline.com/sports/243077/2020-nfl-draft-big-board.html/

Go to "2020 NFL Draft Big Board: Offense" and click "WR" ---

Here, the players are given a grade that aligns their scores to an NFL round equivalent.  While all of these are subjective and debatable, see the big picture.  These ratings are comparable to what many other sites are saying.

Some General Observations:

10 WRs have first round grades (3 from Alabama).

16 WRs have second/third round grades.

Many sources are calling this the best WR class ever.  For example, when the Panthers drafted Moore, he and Ridley were the only two first rounders. If you put them on this rating scale,  they would probably fall in the 7-9 range.

With the WR pool being so deep, teams will go after other needs until a run on WRs takes hold.  It is very likely that a quality WR will be there in the third round.   I see six WRs going in the first round.  If so, I anticipate fewer (3-4) would go in the second round. 

There are 3 WRs I have on my radar for the 3rd round: Bryan Edwards (SC), Kendrick Rogers (TexAM), and Tyler Johnson (Minn).  All are over 6 feet tall, all come from programs that did not feature productive offenses.  (Edwards was on a bad team with a bad QB, but he has 4 solid years of production; Mond at TexAM was disappointing; Tanner Morgan was sacked 30 times due to poor protection but Johnson still managed 1300 yards and 13 TDs).

So why go WR in the third round with so many other needs?  I think we are fooling ourselves if we do not consider WR a need.  Samuel was a bit underwhelming as a #2 this season; I think he needs to be in the slot.  He is a bit fragile too.  Moore is a #1, and a taller talent like the three I mentioned would be nice fits.  They all have 2nd round grades, making them good values.  Consider that one of these three players (ranked 11-13 on this site) is likely to be there in the third round, after we have selected an OL in the first or second, gives us two players that can step in immediately and make an immediate impact.  I think we can get a legit #2 WR in the third round.  The depth of the draft at WR and the fact that these players were hidden in bad offenses.  (I also think Lynn Bowden, KY is a sleeper that could be there in round 4).

I get it that there are several others who might be fits as well, but the WR class is going to strong.  Cam will need an OL and weapons.  Imagine 2 solid, young WRs (Moore and  Tyler Johnson) with Samuel in the slot and CMC in the backfield behind an OL led by LT Thomas (rookie UGA), LG Little, C Paradis or free agent, RG Turner, RT Moton.  2 picks, we get better at 4 positions (LT, LG, WR2, Slot WR).  If we could do that with a first and third rounder, we could use the rest of the draft on D.

I hope you enjoy. 

 

 

[Daddy_Uncle]

Just because there's a lot of them, doesn't mean we need to draft one. We have much bigger holes to fill. Unless they truly draft BPA with each pick and one is a WR. 

[stirs]

Where do you see Claypool going?  4th?

[JawnyBlaze]

I wouldn’t be opposed to a WR in the third or later. First two rounds have to be linemen though

[MHS831]

1 minute ago, Daddy_Uncle said:

Just because there's a lot of them, doesn't mean we need to draft one. We have much bigger holes to fill. Unless they truly draft BPA with each pick and one is a WR. 

I do not recall suggesting that we take one because there are a lot of them, but I present the case for needing to draft one.  The quality and depth of the class suggests that it is likely one will be the BPA in the third round, and I explain how we can get a second-round talent there.  Drafting BPA in a rebuild mode is always the best idea, but you cannot ignore needs.

[MHS831]

2 minutes ago, stirs said:

Where do you see Claypool going?  4th?

Man--good question.  I see him all over day 3--but I have seen him around late third (going from memory).  I kinda like him, so I have been spying day 3 for a sleeper.

[saX man]

Tyler Johnson is a stud. Minnesota actually had a pretty nice offense in place. 2 great wideouts there.

[MHS831]

2 minutes ago, Statelinepanther said:

Love to get Bryan Edward's. Hes big and physical and always productive.  As a Gamecock and Panther fan his play and and physical size is very familiar to Mushim Muhammed.  We need a big strong guy to compliment our smaller wrs.

He is a potential sleeper having been hidden by suspect QB play.   I like him a lot, and see him being a much better pro than college player--he has the tools, just not the production.  But he was solid for 4 years in Columbia.   If you are looking for a good WR after the second round, I always try to look at the WRs whose QBs struggled to get them the ball.  (I was born in Columbia while my dad was playing for the Gamecocks, so I am a bit biased too)

[stirs]

I have been watching this guy for awhile.  Hoping is is around on day 3.  Would make a great red zone target.

 

 

[MHS831]

2 minutes ago, saX man said:

Tyler Johnson is a stud. Minnesota actually had a pretty nice offense in place. 2 great wideouts there.

If he is there in the third--and I think this ranking sells him short--I would be all over that pick.

[Shocker]

Yeah, WRs all over the place in this draft.  A guy like Duvernay is probably day 3 and I really like his speed and toughness as a slot guy.  Loaded class.

[Black&BlueBubba]

If Hurney goes against this grain like he did the last 2 deep IOL drafts I am going to loose it.  For once we need to go with the over value. Which is WR  in this draft.  Doesn’t have to be high.  Just get one.  

[MHS831]

2 minutes ago, Shocker said:

Yeah, WRs all over the place in this draft.  I guy like Duvernay is probably day 3 and I really like his speed and toughness as a slot guy.  Loaded class.

I think we have to consider what fruit the tree has to offer as much as what we need.  If the draft is churning out WRs, value should be there throughout.

[MHS831]

5 minutes ago, stirs said:

I have been watching this guy for awhile.  Hoping is is around on day 3.  Would make a great red zone target.

 

 

Of course, you worry about separation, but he has good hands, body control, and size. If he were there when Funchess was drafted in round 2, I would take him over Funchess.  I never liked that pick.