=================
SOME THOUGHTS
1) THORNTON had an experience and a speed advantage. With Bourne out, he had an opportunity to show what he had. He worked hard all off-season to get to the point of being part of the future. He had failed to distinguish himself, pure and simple.
2) OSBORN has done as asked. He is a backup (a #3 or #4) in a guaranteed show-me contract. If he does great, he may be re-signed in 2025. I would note that he continues to get lots of reps, so the team seems to have faith in him.
3) IMO, DOUGLAS hasn't done as well as expected. But he is a talent and is part of the future, even if only as a slot WR. Of course, he will be given the opportunity to be much more.
4) POLK had been the surprising rookie star, a fine pick.
5) BOURNE is signed to a long-term contract and is likely part of the future unless he traded as part of deal for a top WR. BTW, Bourne's contract is all about incentives. He is guaranteed nothing past this year's $5.5M.
6) BOUTTE has been on the bubble, and like Thornton was given a chance when Bourne was put on PUP. He had some maturity issues. However, he has done OK with the reps that he has had. He has shown enough to continue to develop and take to 2025 camp.
7) BAKER has been a disappointment. If he weren't a highly drafted player with a high ceiling, he would be being waived in the next week. As it is, I don't expect him to get many reps this year. He is a hope for the future. He should learn a lot this year and compete in camp next year.
Here is my take after watching them all pre-season and every game this year on tape.
Thornton: Can't get off the line, just has no quickness, has no moves, if Devante Adams is the poster child for great releases Thornton is the opposite. He does have some ability to separate late in routes, but it is the NFL even on teams not the Patriots you don't have 4 seconds to wait. I don't see where he's ever going to be a starting NFL receiver. He needs Tyreek Hill treatment, motion and moving at the snap, but they never do this. Also think his hands are not great. Basically he kind of stinks.
Osborn: To me he also kind of stinks. Maybe a #3 receiver in the NFL. Does nothing well, not bad hands, never separates, ok blocker, Meh, Meh, Meh.
Douglas: DD has gotten better as the year goes on, he lacks the Edelman ridiculous ability to cut and go the other way. He's better than Myers but he's at best, good, not great. Has been open quite a bit more as the season has gone on. Thought he was rather weak the first game or 2. Jacoby likes to throw to him because he runs a ton inside and runs his outs to the sideline short. Jacoby likes middle, and short to the outside.
Polk: Probably suffers more from Jacoby playing vs Maye than any other receiver. Many of his plays are deeper in cuts or outside plays, also plays on the left side a bit where Jacoby won't ever throw accurately or often past 5 yards. He's open enough for a #2 receiver. He's currently not a #1 but he also has not has many opportunities to showcase his college ability to make tough tight window catches and jump balls. Tee Higgins is not a great separator but at the point of the catch is phenomenal. Polk needs to get more experience in route running, I wish he'd have more ability for option routes. So many times, he could go one way and get open and the route calls for a different direction. I think he could be a top zone breaking wide receiver but its against man to man he has to show he can win at the point of attack or show the ability to make option routes and not run into the leverage the cb has. Probably not allowed by AVP at this time. I think he's stuck with lower stats as long as the pass rush is getting to the QB and also as long as it is Jacoby.
Bourne: I have no idea if he's the same solid receiver he was before the injury. Patriots have an out on his contract after this year, would be a 2.8 million cap hit in dead money vs almost 8 million. IT is unlikely he gets the 800 yards to make 2.5m of his 2025 salary guaranteed. It's a wait and see with Bourne, veteran leadership, well-liked, has had NFL success, everything is there for him to stick around but until we see how he runs and cuts and separates post injury its really a mystery whether he's on the team past this year. Looks big on tape, got smoked on a run block early in the game. He looked quick and fast in the few reps he had. I noticed on one of the red zone throws Jacoby was almost sacked and got the ball to the outlet, Bourne was open for a TD if he had time. Next play was wide open over middle, Jacoby threw a swing pass for no gain instead. I'm hopeful, he needs to play more because a big target, veteran, if he is back, he's a huge asset.
Boutte: I went and just re-watched every play of his. What he does not have is the speed to run by DB's. He has shown good hands, good releases, good route running. All in limited reps, though many more in the Miami game obviously. I like much of what I see. Not sure if he can reach being a good #2 receiver due to the top end speed issue but he makes up for it in many ways so there is hope. Willing blocker, plays to the whistle every play, is really good at looking for openings on scrambles. I think he is better suited to play with Maye than Jacoby. Does not turn 23 until next year, might be coming into his own, need to let him play and develop.
Baker: Not good that he can't get on the field, between the drops in the pre-season and the "attitude" and whatever they see in practice. He has something the other receivers don't in terms of ability to beat 1 on 1 coverage, just not sure he'll catch it after that. Would love to see him out there and see if the talent can show up and overcome the intangibles. I think he's going to see limited action this year with Kendrick back. He intrigues me, just need to see him play.
So:
Douglas, Polk, Bourne and Boutte, probably in that order are your top 4 receivers. Not even a question. If they can find a more legitimate #1 for next year those guys would fill in nicely behind them. Otherwise, They need development from the younger guys.
KJ and TT should be bye-bye via trade or off-season not resigning. Baker is the developmental receiver. Pretty straightforward and obvious based on the tape. They have 4 younger guys with some promise, so not all bad on the wr front. Hopefully they develop.
