On the Clock: Remember first-round receivers?

[Wolf]

http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story...0813162&ATT=23

If the 1996 NFL Draft — one that netted Keyshawn Johnson, Terrell Owens, Muhsin Muhammad, Joe Horn, Amani Toomer, Terry Glenn, Marvin Harrison and Bobby Engram — was the "Year of the Receiver," the 2008 NFL Draft was the "Year of No Receivers."


OK, so that's not fair, really. Rookies DeSean Jackson and Eddie Royal — all second-round selections — each turned out fantastic first-year campaigns. Jackson and Royal were two of the more dangerous wideouts in the league.

But as far as how the NFL Draft went last April? Well, not a single receiver was taken in the first round. Compared with the nearly half-dozen defensive backs scooped up by teams hungry for corners and safeties, it was a sad day for the wideout position.

Was the lack of receiver love just a one-year fluke? Or was it a sign of the times; a precursor for years to come?

With recent first-round draft busts like Charles Rogers, Mike Williams, Troy Williamson and Matt Jones polluting rosters across the league and "diva" first-roundekirs killing locker rooms, perhaps waiting until the second round to grab a Anquan Boldin or Chad Johnson has simply become the better play. Heck, perhaps waiting until the second day to snag a Marques Colston or Brandon Marshall is the even wiser strategy.

I didn't know he was so big

Patrick Turner, USC: Let me start off with an open letter on Turner's behalf. Dear NFL scouts, please don't pin the collective failure of former Trojan receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Mike Williams on Patrick Turner. Whereas quarterbacks and linebackers get the benefit of the doubt coming out of USC, scouts and pundits seem to be a little sour on USC receivers. Turner may have never lived up to the potential he had coming out of high school, but the kid is a baller. Catching 49 passes for 741 yards during his senior season won't raise any eyebrows from the stat-loving football public, but 10 touchdowns might. And at 6-5, 220 pounds, he's more than just statistics. He's limitless potential.

[TimeKiller]

There's a few really big guys at WR this draft. Another is Cal Poly's Ramses Barden at 6'6'' 229. There are a few other 6'3''/6'4'' guys too.

[threetoedpete]

Well it's pretty simplistic...but it basically boils down to get the QB....DE's and the tweener linebackers, OLBs/DTs with a pass rush. Protect the QB....offensive left tackles....you're spending 45 to 80....100 million on the QBs...makes sense.
Defend the QB....lock down corners. Problem with lock down corners is there are very few of them.

The problem with the WR's even the elite WRs coming out in any given class....there is a learning curve with them ....all of them. People tend to forget how much trouble Andre Johnson had when he came in. Or how much of a risk he was at the #3 position. He worked on his hands and the balls quit bouncing off of him. Now he's arguably one of the top five if not the top pro receiver(s) in the game.

So even when you have an Elite guy Like a Calvin Johnson...he's going to struggle on the next level. All of them. So it's kinda a developmental pick. You better love the guy if you're going to pay him 50 million. Most coaches must find starters not projects. I think the over all talent in the class among receivers is down a little bit....What drives them down the board is the glut of them and the needs at other positions. Look how long it took Detroit to hit one. JMHO.

[Spled]

It's probably not fair to have Matt Jones on that list of busts. He's received for over 2100 yards in his career. Maybe Houston should bring him in for a look now that he's a free agent.

[V3rm0nt3r]

Originally Posted by Spled

It's probably not fair to have Matt Jones on that list of busts. He's received for over 2100 yards in his career. Maybe Houston should bring him in for a look now that he's a free agent.

hell to the mother ******* no thank you. sorry but i don't want coke heads on my nfl roster.

[The1ApplePie]

Its basically gone from WRs that have no business going in the first round to pass rushers that have no business going in the first round.

Certain positions always get inflated. OT is the new hot position that sees less talented guys going early.