WR Crop Looking Pretty Strong for 2014

[MHS831]

I realize there is another thread about WRs, but it is rather old and ran its course before the season.   I am not an expert and do not begin to pretend to have an eye for WR talent that will convert to the NFL (I thought Jarrett was a steal), but I look for things I never used to care about now.  These things are:

 

1. Can he beat the jam.  This is huge in the NFL.  If you can't beat the jam, you will be jammed every play.  I shall call thee, "Smuckers." (That is a jam company.)

2. Speed after the cut.  It is not measured with a watch so it is hard to analyze, but I look for separation and explosion out of the cut.  The WRs with good explosion tend to get bigger cushions before the snap.  So, a lot of yards is a bit deceiving.  Players who have speed and no real explosion are often played in press man coverage.  These players occasionally burn the CB. 

3. Watch the Safeties.  A good WR is always on the safeties' radar.  The roll toward him a lot.  Problem here is, on TV, you miss this a good bit.

4. Hands.  Can he catch the ball without a bobble.  I do not like body catchers--body catching is OK for some on here, and, at times, it is smart.  But a WR who drops passes in his hands or bobbles them is not going to make it in the NFL.  Body catching is a sign that the WR does not trust his ability to catch the ball cleanly--that is why he does it when he does not have to.

5.  Route running.  Solid route running reflects a knowledge of football as much as it is needed to get open.  It requires patience because timing is critical in the NFL.  Breaking off routes because a WR feels open is a huge mistake because many NFL defenses make you feel open when you are not.  It also causes the QB to rush throws and the WR to catch the ball on the "wrong foot",

 

That is about all I know to look for, and everything above is what I stole from listening to the pros.  Not an original thought up there.  Not one.

 

Here is why I am excited about the WR crop this year:

 

There are 3 WRs who are legit first rounders, which means that there are probably 3 more who will be by the end of the season.  If there are 5 first rounders, we have a legitimate shot to get one in the first.  However, the second round will have some gems too.

 

First Round Locks

Watkins, Clemson.  He is a stud.

Lee, USC,  He could be a very special WR in the NFL--but he hails from the land of Jarrett and Colbert. 

Evans. Tex Tech.  I love this guy.  He is big, has speed, and can move.  Reminds me of Julio. 

 

Others who may become first rounders with solid seasons

Moncrief, Ole Miss.  This player can get vertical.

Matthews, Vandy.  He is nothing special on paper, but everything to Vandy.  He sees double teams and the best DBs in the SEC every week. 

 

Personally, I think there is some talent at Rutgers, Louisville, and scattered throughout the SEC. 

 

I have not shopped around much yet,but these are names I have noticed.  I say, compared to the last few years, this WR crop is a TON better--- We should come away with one or two in the first 4 rounds.

 

My pick?  Moncrief is realistic.  I expect Carolina to be picking around 20, and he should be there.  If any of the top 3 fall, yes.

 

That is all.  Just peeking into the WR jar for next year and thought I would share my enthusiasm.

 

 

 

[stirs]

On one hand, we have guys here that rave about how Cam set all kinds of records in passing his first two seasons.  Then, we turn around and say that WR is our main need.  Where did all the All Pro receivers Cam used in his first two seasons go?  OR, is it something else?

 

I dare say, the OLine is should be our priority.  Have an incredible run game and make people bring 8 in the box, and a ton of WR's will be open.

 

Sorry, you have a good list, but I am still all about the lines,  We did the DLine thing last draft and it seems to be working out.  Now, lets go out and the the same on the OLine.

 

I do understand the Smith is getting a bit older and we will need a number one at some point, but if we don't fix the line, it won't matter.  Remember, Gross is not the youngest thing either

[DaCityKats]

both is needed, OL and WR. every WR not named Steve is a FA this offseason, and it needs some young studs added to the depth to make this team more complete. lets please stop ignoring the fact that  big men allow you to compete, but so do athletic guys on the outside(TD makers) i expect(hope) this team looks at multiple OL and WR next year in the draft.

 

other names

 Brandon Coleman Rutgers

Devante Parker Louisville

Rashad Greene FSU

Marqise Lee USC

Kelvin Benjamin FSU

Devin Smith OSU

Kasen Williams Washington

Paul Richardson Colorado

[MHS831]

On one hand, we have guys here that rave about how Cam set all kinds of records in passing his first two seasons.  Then, we turn around and say that WR is our main need.  Where did all the All Pro receivers Cam used in his first two seasons go?  OR, is it something else?

 

I dare say, the OLine is should be our priority.  Have an incredible run game and make people bring 8 in the box, and a ton of WR's will be open.

 

Sorry, you have a good list, but I am still all about the lines,  We did the DLine thing last draft and it seems to be working out.  Now, lets go out and the the same on the OLine.

 

I do understand the Smith is getting a bit older and we will need a number one at some point, but if we don't fix the line, it won't matter.  Remember, Gross is not the youngest thing either

 

I could not agree with you more, but here is my thinking on WR:

Lafell, Edwards, Hixon, Ginn--all are in contract years.  I do not see anyone other than Ginn getting a long-term deal unless they surprise everyone.

Smitty is 34.  He should have hit the wall already.  WRs take time to develop.

 

If a stud LT is there in the first round, you take the OT.  LTs are more "rare" that WRs.  In addition, the WRs usually take a year or two to develop, so maybe free agency is the best place to find a WR---however, #1 WRs in free agency are rare,

 

I think we could find some talent in the second round at WR-- I think, by the time the dust settles this year, there will be 10-12 WRs gone in the first 2 days.  I would say that nearly all of them will be better than what we had to pick from this season.

[MHS831]

both is needed, OL and WR. every WR not named Steve is a FA this offseason, and it needs some young studs added to the depth to make this team more complete. lets please stop ignoring the fact that  big men allow you to compete, but so do athletic guys on the outside(TD makers) i expect(hope) this team looks at multiple OL and WR next year in the draft.

 

other names

 Brandon Coleman Rutgers

Devante Parker Louisville

Rashad Greene FSU

Marqise Lee USC

Kelvin Benjamin FSU

Devin Smith OSU

Kasen Williams Washington

Paul Richardson Colorado

 

Yes.  I did not read this before responding to Stirs, but your list (I scratched Lee because he was mentioned as the third best WR in my post)  Shows that there are several WRs who will go in the first 2 rounds. A dozen is my guess--if that happens, 19% of the picks would be WR.  Since I expect at least 5 tackles and 5 QBs taken during that time, I am suggesting that the draft at WR will be deep--extending into the third round with quality players.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Thinking more about and I actually wouldn't mind double dipping on WR in rounds 1 and 2 if the cards fell that way. One way or another it is imperative we get Cam more weapons and take the necessary steps to protect him this off-season. I believe this draft will be offense, offense, offense. 

[DaCityKats]

Yes.  I did not read this before responding to Stirs, but your list (I scratched Lee because he was mentioned as the third best WR in my post)  Shows that there are several WRs who will go in the first 2 rounds. A dozen is my guess--if that happens, 19% of the picks would be WR.  Since I expect at least 5 tackles and 5 QBs taken during that time, I am suggesting that the draft at WR will be deep--extending into the third round with quality players.

 

if the JRs come out, this class could be very top heavy.

[DaCityKats]

Evans is not the same as Julio, agree with PR more of a Vincent Jackson.

[ZackAttack23]

Mike Evans went to Texas A&M, not Tech.

[SazmoRanger]

Watkins- I'm really high on this kid. Great hands and speed. I would say if we go 9-7 to 7-9 we could have a chance of him falling to us until the combine. He should blow it up. Top 10 pick

 

Lee- This guy is good too. Very big and physical receiver. To me he's a young, faster Bolden. Another top 10 pick.

 

Evans- I watched the Bama game yesterday and he dominated. He's a HUGE WR. Something like 6'6 250. The only thing against him is his speed. If you go back and watch the Bama game he made all the catches but always had a db all over him. While it was awesome for him to still make the catches, I don't see him making all of those, much less the majority against NFL starting dbs. I'd loved to see if he could translate into a TE though. Late first round pick. 

[Jaxel]

I want and Oline and Evans on the team next year.

[JawnyBlaze]

So about that Watkins guy. He looks pretty good and it's looking more and more likely we'll be in position to take him. That's my September draft pick. Maybe I'll get lucky and have my way early picks get realized two years in a row (Star) :)

[JawnyBlaze]

2nd round - OT, 3rd - CB or another WR.

[davos]

At the rate we're at, I'm thinking yet again our pick will be around the 8-12 area.  I'd like to think at least 1 of Lee, Watkins, Evans would be there for us.  If not, I'm looking at Matthews, Coleman, Robinson, Moncrief who all would start over LaFell their first game.  We need to position ourselves for at the very least a WR2 upgrade.  Maybe go after a shifty slot guy as well.  

 

If the top-3 are gone, I'd consider Seferian-Jenkins at TE.  Amazing athleticism and a Graham-esque ceiling