2025 Draft: WRs

[bakes781]

Here in the UK, Thorntons is the name of a quality chocolate brand so I just think about that instead.

Something I'll need to remember for this weekend lol

I'm hardly an expert lol but I'd agree with the others and just remind everyone that we drafted 2 last year. We should give them the chance to see how they respond to new coaching.

I'd try to bring in 1 or 2 in free agency and another in the draft.

When it comes to the quality of this class it's certainly not at the top but it has some decent depth pieces that could be had in the middle rounds. There's always a chance we hit on a late/udfa as well.

 

[Brotherblues]

Question for our scoutheads. We have the tech to measure player speed on the field as they play. We can also measure acceleration just as easily. You see the networks putting up the speed numbers on the field all the time. Why is it then that in scouting there’s such an emphasis on running 40 yards in shorts? Could it be mostly marketing, as the 40 is the star aspect of the combine in terms of drawing the most engagement?

 

[PatsFan2]

I hope we can get Kyle Williams in the 3rd or 4th round. Looks like a dangerous Y receiver.

Not quite a #1 but he should thrive if we ever get that WR1 to open up 1 on 1s for this guy. When Williams makes the first guy miss, he quickly accelerates and becomes a TD threat.

I saw that too he runs by people effortlessly.

 

[bakes781]

As someone said in the comments to that tweet, "holy Calvin Johnson Batman!"

And he has hands like this...

 

[manxman2601]

Question for our scoutheads. We have the tech to measure player speed on the field as they play. We can also measure acceleration just as easily. You see the networks putting up the speed numbers on the field all the time. Why is it then that in scouting there’s such an emphasis on running 40 yards in shorts? Could it be mostly marketing, as the 40 is the star aspect of the combine in terms of drawing the most engagement?

It's so they compare like for like historically

 

[PatsFan2]

Question for our scoutheads. We have the tech to measure player speed on the field as they play. We can also measure acceleration just as easily. You see the networks putting up the speed numbers on the field all the time. Why is it then that in scouting there’s such an emphasis on running 40 yards in shorts? Could it be mostly marketing, as the 40 is the star aspect of the combine in terms of drawing the most engagement?

I like watch the Players 10 yard split and 3 cone I'm Big on quickness and no so much 40 times. We have seen it too many times Fast guys who just can't catch. Not everybody is going to translate regardless: so every Team needs a little luck.

 

[dliverey44]

Question for our scoutheads. We have the tech to measure player speed on the field as they play. We can also measure acceleration just as easily. You see the networks putting up the speed numbers on the field all the time. Why is it then that in scouting there’s such an emphasis on running 40 yards in shorts? Could it be mostly marketing, as the 40 is the star aspect of the combine in terms of drawing the most engagement?

I have been wondering the same for quite awhile, since nextgen started showing numbers.

 

[manxman2601]

I have been wondering the same for quite awhile, since nextgen started showing numbers.

Truth is, they probably do behind the scenes. The forty time is for us draft nerds.

 

[dliverey44]

Truth is, they probably do behind the scenes. The forty time is for us draft nerds.

probably, but the 40 doesn't mean much. The clock starts on 1st movement and most of the people they are not sprinters and not efficient in their starts. Most of these kids spend a large amount of time training for the combine (learning a ****ing track stance for a 1 time use, except for maybe DL. I know people always point to the 40 to show how fast or slow someone is, I do it also. But it means absolutely nothing. Case in point Keon Colemans 40 was **** and his in game stuff pretty athletic.

The older I get the more pissed I get that I waste my time watching it, rest assured I am not going to stop watching it so I have accepted I will be old and pissed. lol

 

[manxman2601]

probably, but the 40 doesn't mean much. The clock starts on 1st movement and most of the people they are not sprinters and not efficient in their starts. Most of these kids spend a large amount of time training for the combine (learning a ****ing track stance for a 1 time use, except for maybe DL. I know people always point to the 40 to show how fast or slow someone is, I do it also. But it means absolutely nothing. Case in point Keon Colemans 40 was **** and his in game stuff pretty athletic.

The older I get the more pissed I get that I waste my time watching it, rest assured I am not going to stop watching it so I have accepted I will be old and pissed. lol

It's a factor at the combine a) because it's what brings people in but B) because you can compare like for like from over the years. That's why the combine format doesn't change.

 

[dliverey44]

It's a factor at the combine a) because it's what brings people in but B) because you can compare like for like from over the years. That's why the combine format doesn't change.

I know, but it doesn't change the fact I am pissed. I'm not really

 

[bakes781]

The 40 is most relevant for the DBs IMO to make sure they are capable of catching up and if they are better suited to play safety.

 

[dliverey44]

The 40 is most relevant for the DBs IMO to make sure they are capable of catching up and if they are better suited to play safety.

Thats a good point

 

[Dec54]

Hunter is arguably the best CB in the draft and a legitimate case to be one of the top 5 WRs. He'll likely be one of the best athletes in the class, has plus character and excellent instincts. Don't overthink it, there's a reason he's a consensus top 2 prospect in this draft.

Wasn't MHJ meant to be "the best athlete" in the class too. Still waiting on that one.

 

[manxman2601]

Wasn't MHJ meant to be "the best athlete" in the class too. Still waiting on that one.

Maybe he will, maybe he won't. Not every prospect hits but if you get cold feet every time a prospect fails, you end up drafting nobody. It's not as though Hunter doesn't have film to back up his athleticism.

 

[VJCPatriot]

probably, but the 40 doesn't mean much. The clock starts on 1st movement and most of the people they are not sprinters and not efficient in their starts. Most of these kids spend a large amount of time training for the combine (learning a ****ing track stance for a 1 time use, except for maybe DL. I know people always point to the 40 to show how fast or slow someone is, I do it also. But it means absolutely nothing. Case in point Keon Colemans 40 was **** and his in game stuff pretty athletic.

The older I get the more pissed I get that I waste my time watching it, rest assured I am not going to stop watching it so I have accepted I will be old and pissed. lol

Here's the thing. The speed in pads matters the most. But sometimes the guys who blaze the 40 turn out to be incredible wide receivers so it's not something you can just ignore.

For example Malik Nabers ran a super quick 4.35 at his Pro Day.

That speed has translated to the next level. 1200 yards and 7 TD catches as a rookie is incredible.

nabers pro day:

Malik Nabers stuns with unofficial 4.35 40-yard dash, 42-inch vertical at LSU pro day

Malik Nabers was the star of the show at LSU's pro day.

sports.yahoo.com

nfl reference nabers:

Malik Nabers Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Malik Nabers. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

So is 40 yard time overrated? It can be. But it's also still a factor you can't overlook. Tyreek Hill blazed a 4.29 40 at his combine and has turned out to be one of the most dangerous WRs in the NFL. Nabers a 4.35 at his pro day and had a scorching rookie season.

Why does it seem we always miss out on these studs though? If only Nabers was available this year, what a great target he'd be for Drake Maye!

 

[Joey007]

0 drops in two seasons at Arkansas.

Funny enough, Iowa State was recruiting after him and couldn’t land him.

The guy they ended up bringing in instead? Jayden Higgins

 

[manxman2601]

Question for our scoutheads. We have the tech to measure player speed on the field as they play. We can also measure acceleration just as easily. You see the networks putting up the speed numbers on the field all the time. Why is it then that in scouting there’s such an emphasis on running 40 yards in shorts? Could it be mostly marketing, as the 40 is the star aspect of the combine in terms of drawing the most engagement?

I have been wondering the same for quite awhile, since nextgen started showing numbers.

According this study, the 40 time does have a predictive element to NFL success

The current study found an overlying importance of the forty-yard dash as a significant predictor of future NFL success, much like previous research has (Kuzmits & Adams, 2008; Lyons et al., 2011; McGee & Burkett, 2003; Mulholland & Jensen, 2014; Sierer et al., 2008).

It particularly finds a correlation between 40 time and success for OL, in conjunction with the shuttle, running backs and defensive backs, in conjunction with the 3-cone. Also 3-cones for linebackers.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/downloads/1z40kt64t

 

[dliverey44]

According this study, the 40 time does have a predictive element to NFL success



It particularly finds a correlation between 40 time and success for OL, in conjunction with the shuttle, running backs and defensive backs, in conjunction with the 3-cone. Also 3-cones for linebackers.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/downloads/1z40kt64t

Great info thank you. I have another guy I would like opinions on, Andrew Armstrong from Arkansas.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

According this study, the 40 time does have a predictive element to NFL success



It particularly finds a correlation between 40 time and success for OL, in conjunction with the shuttle, running backs and defensive backs, in conjunction with the 3-cone. Also 3-cones for linebackers.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/downloads/1z40kt64t

He didn't look at any player that didn't complete the full set of tests, so most WRs got excluded as they didn't perform the bench press.
But overall the results were pretty minimal - statistically significant yes, but not a big effect.

For QBs (and some DBs) there are now sophisticated mental tests - stuff like a series of colored dots moving around the screen and you have to be able to recall them.