Current WR board

[BobDigital]

I don't talk about or value WRs as much as most. Nor do I think we are drafting one high if at all. But I thought it be good to familiarize myself with the position more and make a "big board" on them.

This will be in flux as about half my work on this group was done today and there is still more to do to have a good grasp of this position. None the less here is my board as of now. A few things surprised me.

#1 Corey Davis - The more I see him the more I am sure he will be the first WR to go and go in the top 10. He is the best offensive player in this draft that is not a RB. Big play waiting to happen in a good sized and physical body. High first talent

#2 John Ross - His speed is going to be the main selling point on him but his quickness is the draw. He moves his feet fast and can make people miss in the open field after which his speed becomes dangerous. Mid first talent.

#3 Cooper Kupp - He is projected to go in round 2 and I wonder why. He does everything you want as well as does it physically. He plays bigger than his size and is not small at 6'1. He is way quicker than you would think though. Low first round talent.

#4 Dede Westbrook - The only reason he is this low is cause he is smaller. Really I saw little difference between him and John Ross except for their weight. I wonder if he can get up to 190 and keep his speed and quickness. High 2nd round pick.

#5 Isaiah Ford - What jumped up to me is his physicality which will probably go under appreciated. He does these pushes and stiff arms and bumps into people to get separation when he needs it (usually people aren't that close to him anyway) but does it in a very smart way. I think he will come out underrated in the combine as that is flag football but he is better at the real thing. Mid 2nd

#6 Mike Williams - This will instantly turn some people off of my list. How can I have a guy many put on the top of his board #6? I will turn around and ask you "why is he near the top of your board"? I didn't see one single thing about his game that popped out. He is more the combined refined mix of a bunch of good things in a prototype body but that isn't worthy of a top pick. I see him as the ideal #2 but not a number 1. - Mid 2nd.

#7 Zay Jones - He surely has quickness off the line but his long speed isn't overly impressive and I don't see him as a slot guy. He will be solid and dependable but i don't think he is a big play marker at the NFL level. However he can get you first downs and that is worth a pick. Low 2nd.

3rd round

Malachi Dupre - I like his physical presence but he needs to stop double catching balls

Juju Smith-Schuster Good route runner and hands but I don't see a ton of YAC potential.

Amara Darboh - Same as above.

NA - Curtis Samuel - Seems more like a RB than WR so I would put him there.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Nice post, @BobDigital . I mostly agree with your rankings, although Westbrook is off my board. Some really bizarre off field stuff with him (couple of kids already, assaulted his girlfriend numerous times including some strange biting and beating episodes, etc).

I might like Zay Jones more highly than you do, but we both have him rated in the exact same spot.

Chris Godwin is a guy I love in the 2nd - 4th rounds. He reminds me of Deandre Hopkins, albeit without the high end production. Underrated player.

Stacy Coley doesn't fit our usual WR profile, but he can fly. He might challenge Ross as the speedy deep threat in this draft. I'm going to keep tabs on his workout numbers this offseason for sure.

Tayawn Taylor is criminally underrated. Antonio Brown clone.

Tons of option in this draft. We'll know more about WR after Amendola and Floyd contract questions are answered. Unless we have a chance at a top-tier receiver (essentially, Davis from a Garoppolo pick), I'd rather wait until the 3rd or later to add some depth and youth at WR.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

Nice work. I have been working on a position by position breakdown, so I will eventually insert mine in to this thread.

One guy you mentioned that I think is a little low on a lot of boards is smith-schuster. He has great size and the necessary athleticsm to take advantage of it. He doesn't have that one thing that wows you out there, but just looks like a really good package with a pretty refined skillset.

Guys like that used to frequently go in the first, but as a potential late second rounder? I think there is value to be had.

Also, by my counting so far, I think he may be the youngest guy in the draft. Pretty impressive resume for someone so young.

 

[Keyser Söze]

Mike Williams is Andre Johnson if he stays healthy and hits his potential.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Mike Williams is Andre Johnson if he stays healthy and hits his potential.

I don't see the speed, refined routes, or elite hands with Williams. He's more like Alshon Jeffery, but I don't think he's quite at that level, either.

 

[Edelmania]

Good work, I like it. Im obsessed with Corey Davis and while its super unlikely and im usually not a big WR guy, I would be super excited if we drafted him.

As for Mike Williams I dont really disagree with you and I dont think he will be that special but I do think he is elite at the jump ball and contested catches, he has that going for him.

 

[Minitron]

As for Mike Williams I dont really disagree with you and I dont think he will be that special but I do think he is elite at the jump ball and contested catches, he has that going for him.

Sounds like a Ravens WR.

 

[manxman2601]

Inspired by this thread I've started looking at WRs. ArDarius Stewart of Alabama is someone I love for the Pats. He's ideal for the shorter possession game with his quickness but catches the contested ball and has the speed to get deep.

 

[PatsFan2]

What's the take on KD Cannon Baylor?? I am impressed with his hand/eye coordination. Big Guy reminds me of Josh Gordon and Michael Floyd.

 

[Gabriel_p94]

looking at receivers right now. What do you guys think of ricky seals jones iut texas a&m? Hes 6'5 and 225 pounds. From what his bio says he should be running a 4.5. Ive gotta watch more tape though.

 

[jboston19]

looking at receivers right now. What do you guys think of ricky seals jones iut texas a&m? Hes 6'5 and 225 pounds. From what his bio says he should be running a 4.5. Ive gotta watch more tape though.

I think he was supposed to be much better than he turned out. I'd love to see a receiver with that size on the Pats.

 

[PatsFan2]

It seem like anybody was playing College QB this year. I see why Jimmy G is going to fetch us a Kings Ransom. It really hard to gauge some of these WR's based on their QB's play. The Combine and Personal workouts is going to be telling.

 

[pats_premi]

I think Chad Hansen is going to move up draft boards after the combine. He seems to be the best deep threat with great burst and run after the catch ability.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

I think Chad Hansen is going to move up draft boards after the combine. He seems to be the best deep threat with great burst and run after the catch ability.

He's got some Odell in him. Really under the radar, but has great hips, hands and burst.

I would think he will be near the top of the Pats board for receiver. If they are taking one in the top 100, I would put him up with Jones and Kupp as most likely Pat draft pick.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

One guy I am higher on than most is Chad Hansen out of Cal.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

I think Chad Hansen is going to move up draft boards after the combine. He seems to be the best deep threat with great burst and run after the catch ability.

beat me to it. I just put him down

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

beat me to it. I just put him down

If you look at our early round prototype receiver, he checks the boxes

6ft plus
200lbs plus
Low 4.4s
Sub 7 3cone
Productive Power 5 conference
Multiple receiver positional versatility

Extra add ins
Undervalued/chip on his shoulder
High level competitor

Areas to work
Route running crispness

 

[WaterfallJumper]

What's the take on KD Cannon Baylor?? I am impressed with his hand/eye coordination. Big Guy reminds me of Josh Gordon and Michael Floyd.

Zamora is the Baylor guy who reminds me most of Gordon. Cannon is a smaller, deep threat type (5'11 185). He's pretty explosive though.

 

[BobDigital]

looking at receivers right now. What do you guys think of ricky seals jones iut texas a&m? Hes 6'5 and 225 pounds. From what his bio says he should be running a 4.5. Ive gotta watch more tape though.

I have not looked at him but will. This gives me a chance to talk about one of the things I think gets too much attention with WRs and that is height. Honestly it is one of the last things I look at. So many guys are drafted over others cause they are taller and usually it doesn't work out when you do that.

For instance I look at Julio Jones and ask myself "if he were 5'11 instead of 6'3 would he still be elite?" If the answer is yes (and it is) then we can start to look at his height and factor that into him being a few slots higher. However if you don't show those elite traits without height you will never show them with it.

Look at the top 20 WRs of all time and you will find just as many guys 6'0 or under than 6'1 or taller. Yes being taller is better of course but If you ever take the taller slightly worse player over the shorter player who he better you are being foolish IMO.

It is only when you rank them equal where height should be a tie breaker.

 

[manxman2601]

Unfortunately no Draft Breakdown videos so here's a not great highlight reel.