2025 Draft: WRs

[manxman2601]

I was studying WR stats to find receivers that fit what Vrabel said he's looking in a WR as regards being good on contested catches and YAC and I'll do a seperate post on that but one really intriguing name came up. Now based upon what happened at the Titans, I'm working on the theory that the offense under Vrabel could be one features play action deep passes as a key aspect of the offense so including both of those ideas, we'd be looking for a deep threat receiver who's good on contested catches and gets plenty of yards after the catch.

To that end, here's Deont'e Thornton Jnr of Tennessee. He's 6-5, 214lbs and allegedly runs in the low 4.4s.

First here's what he's not. He's not someone with wiggle or someone who runs a complex route tree or someone who's highly productive (only 26 receptions on 34 targets this season).

What he is, is a dangerous deep threat. He scored 6 TDs from those 26 receptions. He leads all draft eligible receivers on yards per reception with 25.5 and on YAC/RR on 10.7. He's 3rd on y/RR with 3.74 and has a contested catch rate of 75%.

NFL Draft Buzz have him ranked in the 5th round but he could be a combine riser. He's not DK Metcalf but he's similar in how you would play him.

 

[bakes781]

I like the 2 kids from Iowa State.

Higgins is the big target where as Jaylin Noel is the little speedster. Very much like AJ and DeVonta Smith.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Tory Horton Colorado st. He is the perfect replacement for Bourne. Rd 3-5. A do it all lunch pail guy.

Jalen Royals Utah st. Rd 2-3 with possible late rd 1 depending on combine/proday. Mountain West was a fun watch this year. He might be one of the steals of this because frankly, he’s got it all.

Both coming off injuries but Loved what I saw from them last season and what they did up until their injuries this season.

 

[Boomer B]

Can we please get somebody who can create separation instead of contested catch guys?

Not a draft expert but I’m reading Royals, Boyd, Egbuka, and Golden are guys who can consistently separate.

 

[PatsFan2]

Jalen Royals 6-0 210 = Really thick Body for a WR.

Ricky White 6-1 190 = Legitimate X - WR.

 

[PatsFan2]

What's the story on this guy?? Elic Ayemanor 6'2 210

 

[manxman2601]

As Josh McDaniels value blocking from his WRs here are four that grade highly:

Tre Harris
Bru McCoy
Jack Bech
Pat Bryant

All the multi round internet mocks will be mocking Restrepo to the Pats now won't they?

 

[bakes781]

I'll bet Josh would love to get his hands in this specimen...

Savion Williams

Savion Williams Wide Receiver TCU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 84.4 Rank: #12 Forty: 4.48 Raw physical talent jumps off the tape with Williams, particularly in the vertical passing game where his combination of size and acceleration creates cons...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

 

[patman52]

What's the story on this guy?? Elic Ayemanor 6'2 210

I think the neg was that he had back to back knee injuries a while ago.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Can we please get somebody who can create separation instead of contested catch guys?

Not a draft expert but I’m reading Royals, Boyd, Egbuka, and Golden are guys who can consistently separate.

Someone like Ladd McConkey?

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I'll bet Josh would love to get his hands in this specimen...

Savion Williams

Savion Williams Wide Receiver TCU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 84.4 Rank: #12 Forty: 4.48 Raw physical talent jumps off the tape with Williams, particularly in the vertical passing game where his combination of size and acceleration creates cons...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

SO fun to watch. Reminds me of when we had Patterson bouncing between running back, kick returner, and receiver. I'd love to have him on the team in a gadget role, but I don't know if he has enough refinement to be a starting X receiver in his first couple years. He's definitely got the physical profile for it, however. I fear that after the combine he's going to go higher than I'd like to take him (5th round feels like the place to start gambling on high upside).

If you only watches highlights, you'll think he's a first-round superstar. Watch full games, and you'll see some bad drops, he doesn't consistently break tackles, he doesn't run a very complex route, and he often struggles to separate if corners don't fall for one of his abrupt moves. Of course, when they do, he makes them look foolish. Right now he's getting by on athleticism and trickery, not technique and craft. I like his upside a lot, and I would have no complaints at all about bringing him in to try to develop him, but the Combine will definitely over inflate his stock.



His teammate Bech has better route running skills and looks to be a fine number three with upside as a number two. He's more traditional fit for what McDaniels usually looks for IMO. Smooth, can separate, can block, capable of producing YAC, though not the most creative. Solid, hard-nosed, dependable football player. We could use a few of those around here.

 

[manxman2601]

His teammate Bech has better route running skills and looks to be a fine number three with upside as a number two. He's more traditional fit for what McDaniels usually looks for IMO. Smooth, can separate, can block, capable of producing YAC, though not the most creative. Solid, hard-nosed, dependable football player. We could use a few of those around here.

This. did you know that Bech was a move TE at LSU before going to TCU. Suggests he has good positional versatility to play in the slot too. He ticks a lot of boxes.

 

[PatsFan2]

SO fun to watch. Reminds me of when we had Patterson bouncing between running back, kick returner, and receiver. I'd love to have him on the team in a gadget role, but I don't know if he has enough refinement to be a starting X receiver in his first couple years. He's definitely got the physical profile for it, however. I fear that after the combine he's going to go higher than I'd like to take him (5th round feels like the place to start gambling on high upside).

If you only watches highlights, you'll think he's a first-round superstar. Watch full games, and you'll see some bad drops, he doesn't consistently break tackles, he doesn't run a very complex route, and he often struggles to separate if corners don't fall for one of his abrupt moves. Of course, when they do, he makes them look foolish. Right now he's getting by on athleticism and trickery, not technique and craft. I like his upside a lot, and I would have no complaints at all about bringing him in to try to develop him, but the Combine will definitely over inflate his stock.



His teammate Bech has better route running skills and looks to be a fine number three with upside as a number two. He's more traditional fit for what McDaniels usually looks for IMO. Smooth, can separate, can block, capable of producing YAC, though not the most creative. Solid, hard-nosed, dependable football player. We could use a few of those around here.

Horrible Tape 7th Rounder.

 

[Boomer B]

Someone like Ladd McConkey?

He was the guy I was hoping they’d get last year.

 

[oceansizer]

Jalen Royals sounds promising. He has got two crucial abilities as a WR: YAC and he is a good route runner. I like a lot his acceleration with a ball after the catch.

 

[Dec54]

Someone like Ladd McConkey?

Who?

 

[PatsFan2]

SO fun to watch. Reminds me of when we had Patterson bouncing between running back, kick returner, and receiver. I'd love to have him on the team in a gadget role, but I don't know if he has enough refinement to be a starting X receiver in his first couple years. He's definitely got the physical profile for it, however. I fear that after the combine he's going to go higher than I'd like to take him (5th round feels like the place to start gambling on high upside).

If you only watches highlights, you'll think he's a first-round superstar. Watch full games, and you'll see some bad drops, he doesn't consistently break tackles, he doesn't run a very complex route, and he often struggles to separate if corners don't fall for one of his abrupt moves. Of course, when they do, he makes them look foolish. Right now he's getting by on athleticism and trickery, not technique and craft. I like his upside a lot, and I would have no complaints at all about bringing him in to try to develop him, but the Combine will definitely over inflate his stock.



His teammate Bech has better route running skills and looks to be a fine number three with upside as a number two. He's more traditional fit for what McDaniels usually looks for IMO. Smooth, can separate, can block, capable of producing YAC, though not the most creative. Solid, hard-nosed, dependable football player. We could use a few of those around here.

You can tell right off the bat he has a questionable Route Tree: seems very limited no thanks.

 

[Joey007]

I like the 2 kids from Iowa State.

Higgins is the big target where as Jaylin Noel is the little speedster. Very much like AJ and DeVonta Smith.

Can confirm both are awesome. Noel came a long way throughout his college career.

I do think I’ve seen some of our fans that are scared of Higgins just because we’re still shell shocked of any receiver that’s over 6’3

 

[VJCPatriot]

As Josh McDaniels value blocking from his WRs here are four that grade highly:

Tre Harris
Bru McCoy
Jack Bech
Pat Bryant

All the multi round internet mocks will be mocking Restrepo to the Pats now won't they?

A blocking WR who can't catch. Yup that will really ignite this offense...

Blocking is a secondary trait at best for a wideout. Give me some playmakers! Our offense has been starving!

 

[manxman2601]

A blocking WR who can't catch. Yup that will really ignite this offense...

Blocking is a secondary trait at best for a wideout. Give me some playmakers! Our offense has been starving!

How about a playmaker who can catch and block? The two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive.