It is amazing to me that using 6th and 7th round picks on Smelter/McBride can even create so much controversy. In essence those picks are priority UDFA signings that certainly won't break the draft. If said players end up on the roster post camp they were already a success.
It's not so much taking big WR's late. I'm not opposed to them taking a flyer on one or UDFA's for camp competition. I'm sure we will, but we've got 2 WR's who had over 900 yds rec. and are signed. One's the feature outside guy, others a solt guy. We also have the best TE in football and another TE who is basically a hybrid. Both are also signed for next season. Dobson and Hoo-man are also signed. Tyms will more than likely be tendered. Slater is our gunner who just got extended.
Now, by all accounts, Amendola won't be here next year. L. Blount, although signed, I don't really see fielding kickoffs anymore. Our 100 catch a year slot guy is also our PR. He'll be 29, has had injury and concussion history. Don't get me wrong, he's the best PR we've had since Troy, but he's getting some miles on him. Danny fielded half our kickoffs and a third or so of our punt returns.
To give you an idea of where I'm coming from I'll break down some numbers:The big 4 of our recieving core had 274 catches this year. Danny added 27. Vereen, who I really hope we retain, had 55 out of the backfield. The remaing backs and Hoo-man had 27.
That leaves 14 catches by the other 3 WR's, or 3.6%. What I'm seeing is a big hole in the form of a backup slot/return guy. Catches out of the backfield are also a critical part of how this offense is constructed. If Vereen leaves for greener pastures, that would put alot on 2nd year guy White. Another potential big hole.
Since this thread is on WR's I'm more focused on the slot/return spot since that's where I think the need will be. I know many here subscribe to theory that BB only takes the BPA. I don't belive that's true at all. I think it's also a combination of need as well. Maturity and other factors are of course accounted for also.
The cream of the crop I see in that regard right now is Tyler Lockett (and yes, I
have watched some film on him). Great production and solid bloodlines as well. JJ Nelson, although skinny as a rail, has lit it up too, albeit aginst lesser competition. Kaelin Clay, apart from the gaffe against Oregon, is a UDFA type I could see.
Lockett strikes me as an Emmanuel Sanders type and if we don't snap him up in the 2nd he won't be there at the end of the 3rd IMO. I've got him penciled in at #64 in my mock right now.