Scouting Football Talent – Breaking down WR trends

[srrono]

Utter the position “Wide Receiver” and you might get a dozen different definitions and a myriad of all-time great examples. Perhaps no other position on the field allows for such a varied makeup within a club and across the League. Wide Receivers tend to trend more than the Dow Jones Industrials. Remember “The Smurfs” or “The Three Amigos”? They’ve now been replaced with the likes of “Megatron” and “The Natural”.

Effectively and Efficiently
This combination of physical talent is bound to come with an adjoining attitude that General Manager’s can only hope don’t mimic some of the recent divas to pass in and out of the National Football League. When scouting football talent we’ve noted the importance of having a great quarterback in building a successful team, but you better have equally productive receivers on the other end. The NFL is dominated (much to the angst of Dan Dierdorf and Chris Berman) through the air. You can argue all you want about running the football, and that even comes from a former wishbone fullback. But the top teams in professional football are the most efficient passing it. To do this consistently over a 16 game season and into the playoffs, you better have breadth and depth at the Wide Receiver position.

Parameters
Though there isn’t any cookie cutter pattern to the athletic build of wide outs, the League has moved to a much bigger frame; Vincent Jackson, Demaryius Thomas, Andre Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Calvin Johnson…just to name a few. By and large, between 2008-2012, the following parameters have described the average prospect entering the NFL Draft;

Height – 6006
Weight – 202
Arm – 31 7/8
Hand – 9 3/8
Bench – 18
40-yard dash – 4.52
Vertical Jump – 32.9”
Broad Jump – 9’11”
Short Shuttle – 4,26
Long Shuttle – 11.77
3-Cone – 6.91

Full Story

[Insideop]

Good find.

Problem is, in this draft, there are no star WR's (Like AJ, Julio Jones, Megatron, etc..). So who do the Texans go after and when? Allen will be gone before we pick in the 1st and Williams may be there for us, but will the Texans take him or go for an ILB (Minter), DE, or DT? My guess is, if Minter or a DE they covet are there they will bypass WR until later, like they did last year.

[Doppelganger]

Originally Posted by Insideop

Good find.

Problem is, in this draft, there are no star WR's (Like AJ, Julio Jones, Megatron, etc..). So who do the Texans go after and when? Allen will be gone before we pick in the 1st and Williams may be there for us, but will the Texans take him or go for an ILB (Minter), DE, or DT? My guess is, if Minter or a DE they covet are there they will bypass WR until later, like they did last year.

With the extra picks, this may not be a bad year to move up in the second round. Rather than pick late in the round, giving up a 5th to move up 10-12 spots may be a good idea. At that point several good WR prospects like Patterson, Woods, Rogers, Hamilton(possibly even a Hunter or Hopkins) could be available.

[Wolf6151]

Unless there's some unforeseen run on WR's there should be several good ones available to us in the 2nd round. And they're not stars yet, but they might be one day if we choose right.

[srrono]

Originally Posted by Insideop

Good find.

Problem is, in this draft, there are no star WR's (Like AJ, Julio Jones, Megatron, etc..). So who do the Texans go after and when? Allen will be gone before we pick in the 1st and Williams may be there for us, but will the Texans take him or go for an ILB (Minter), DE, or DT? My guess is, if Minter or a DE they covet are there they will bypass WR until later, like they did last year.

I started another thread with this question but if the #1 rated G fell to HOU would you support that pick?

[badboy]

Originally Posted by srrono

I started another thread with this question but if the #1 rated G fell to HOU would you support that pick?

To answer your question OG=no, OT yes. To address other points in other posts: AJ while a very good WR first year he didnot get 1000. Point I am making, you sometimes have to build on player's progress as we all know. If I see what I think is a possible franchise player, I go get. No reason to settle for a later round good player.

Appreciate the link OP.

[76Texan]

I'm at Starbucks near the Tijuana border right this moment; need me to pick up a few amigos?

[powda]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

I'm at Starbucks near the Tijuana border right this moment; need me to pick up a few amigos?

What? No. Senoritas dude!

[Insideop]

Originally Posted by srrono

I started another thread with this question but if the #1 rated G fell to HOU would you support that pick?

No. I wouldn't be happy with that pick and I don't think the Texans are likely to do something like that. They have other pressing needs at ILB, maybe OLB if Barwin leaves, and WR to take an OG in the 1st. Besides, I think they like Jones and Brooks and will continue to develop them and possibly pick an OG up in the later rounds for depth. JMO!

[beerlover]

Texans need to change their WR talent evaluations based off talent & focus more on production.

Let's step back a minute & forget about this draft. Now in the year 2014, playoffs what rookie WR could have the biggest impact going forward?

I would say the safest pick would be Robert Woods, USC. The other one who fits perfectly is Quinton Patton.

Can't wait until the combine to distinguish between the two, both come from different circumstances but one of these young men could really make a difference immediately.

[badboy]

What is 6'4" 200 lbs 4.49 speed, 73/1083 14.8 9TDs and should be available in second round?

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by badboy

What is 6'4" 200 lbs 4.49 speed, 73/1083 14.8 9TDs and should be available in second round?

Justin Hunter?

Although he's only 6'2/6'3 DaRick Rodgers would also fit those parameters.

When is the last time Gary/Rick picked a difference maker at WR?

[aussie_texan]

why is no one talking about patterson. i personally feel he has the biggest upside although he is quite raw

[badboy]

Originally Posted by steelbtexan

Justin Hunter?

Although he's only 6'2/6'3 DaRick Rodgers would also fit those parameters.

When is the last time Gary/Rick picked a difference maker at WR?

ANother Tennessee project but can you see McNair allowing us to pick him?

[badboy]

Originally Posted by aussie_texan

why is no one talking about patterson. i personally feel he has the biggest upside although he is quite raw

Because he is rated high first round out of our reach.

[aussie_texan]

Originally Posted by badboy

Because he is rated high first round out of our reach.

really you dont think he'll be available at the end of the 1st. one year player very raw, i think he may fall. teams will prefer allen, williams and austin i think.

his combine could really shoot him up though

[srrono]

I am hoping there is a run of QB picks early at least 4 taken early. This draft may not have the end all #1 player but it sure seems to be a real depp draft of talent across the board. The Texans will have 4 picks in the first 100. FO can't afford any mistakes this year.

[Wolf6151]

Originally Posted by badboy

What is 6'4" 200 lbs 4.49 speed, 73/1083 14.8 9TDs and should be available in second round?

Justin Hunter would look outstanding in a Texans uniform and if this wish came true I'd love this pick. Unfortunately I think after the Combine, Hunter and Patterson will be considered mid 1st round picks and out of our reach. Hunter has the speed, size, and athleticism to be elite in the NFL. Patterson does as well but with only 1 yr. of D1 experience I think Kubiak would shy away and not want to take that risk. And while Patton and Woods have a higher floor in the NFL, Patterson and Hunter have a much higher ceiling. So does Smithiak take a chance on a homerun, Patterson or Hunter, or do they play it safe, Patton or Woods?

Srrono, I think you'll get your wish. I think there will be plenty of QB's taken, there always is, and there will be CB's, OT's, OLB's, DT's, and DE's taken ahead of us that there should be some very good WR talent left for us at #27. Also I agree with you with those 4 picks in the top 100 players there better not be any WTF small school project players, ie: reaches. We need 4 elite/very good/good picks.

Why do I again have very little confidence in Kubiak to make the right picks? This happens every year. I guess there's just been to many Molden, Okoye, T. Johnson, Jacoby Jones, etc... picks made early.

[srrono]

I wanted to look at the past few drafts WR in top 3 rounds

Round Pick# Name Team College
2012
1 5 Justin Blackmon Jaguars Oklahoma State
1 13 Michael Floyd Cardinals Notre Dame
1 20 Kendall Wright Titans Baylor
1 30 A.J. Jenkins 49ers Illinois
2 33 Brian Quick Rams Appalachian State
2 43 Stephen Hill Jets Georgia Tech
2 45 Alshon Jeffery Bears South Carolina
2 54 Ryan Broyles Lions Oklahoma
2 63 Rueben Randle Giants Louisiana State
3 68 Devier Posey Texans Ohio State
3 69 T.J. Graham Bills North Carolina State
3 83 Mohamed Sanu Bengals Rutgers
3 92 T.Y. Hilton Colts Florida International
2011
1 4 A.J. Green Bengals Georgia
1 6 Julio Jones Falcons Alabama
1 26 Jonathan Baldwin Chiefs Pittsburgh
2 44 Titus Young Lions Boise State
2 58 Torrey Smith Ravens Maryland
2 59 Greg Little Browns North Carolina
2 64 Randall Cobb Packers Kentucky
3 78 Austin Pettis Rams Boise State
3 79 Leonard Hankerson Redskins Miami (FL)
3 82 Vincent Brown Chargers San Diego State
3 83 Jerrel Jernigan Giants Troy
2010
1 22 Demaryius Thomas Broncos Georgia Tech
1 24 Dez Bryant Cowboys Oklahoma State
2 39 Arrelious Benn Buccaneers Illinois
2 60 Golden Tate Seahawks Notre Dame
3 77 Damian Williams Titans USC
3 78 Brandon LaFell Panthers Louisiana State
3 82 Emmanuel Sanders Steelers Southern Methodist
3 84 Jordan Shipley Bengals Texas
3 87 Erick Decker Broncos Minnesota
3 88 Andre Roberts Cardinals Citadel
3 89 Armanti Edwards Panthers Appalachian State
3 90 Taylor Price Patriots Ohio
2009
1 7 Darrius Heyward-Bey Raiders Maryland
1 10 Michael Crabtree 49ers Texas Tech
1 19 Jeremy Maclin Eagles Missouri
1 22 Percy Harvin Vikings Florida
1 30 Kenny Britt Titans Rutgers
2 36 Brian Robiskie Browns Ohio State
2 50 Mohammed Massoquoi Browns Georgia
3 82 Derrick Williams Lions Penn State
3 83 Brandon Tate Patriots North Carolina
3 84 Mike Wallace Steelers Mississippi
3 85 Ramses Barden Giants Cal Poly
3 87 Patrick Turner Dolphins USC
3 91 Deon Butler Seahawks Penn State
3 99 Juaquin Iglesias Bears Oklahoma
2008
2 33 Donnie Avery Rams Houston
2 34 Devin Thomas Redskins Michigan State
2 36 Jordy Nelson Packers Kansas State
2 41 James Hardy Bills Indiana
2 42 Eddie Royal Broncos Virginia Tech
2 46 Jerome Simpson Bengals Coastal Carolina
2 49 DeSean Jackson Eagles California
2 51 Malcolm Kelly Redskins Oklahoma
2 53 Limas Sweed Steelers Texas
2 58 Dexter Jackson Buccaneers Appalachian State
3 70 Earl Bennett Bears Vanderbilt
3 81 Early Doucet Cardinals Louisiana State
3 84 Harry Douglas Falcons Louisville
3 95 Mario Manningham Giants Michigan
3 97 Andre Caldwell Bengals Florida

[Wolf6151]

Srrono, if history repeats itself then I feel confident we can get a very good WR in the 2nd round.