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WR with separation

I initially didn’t think that wide receiver was gonna be one of our top meets for the upcoming draft, but after last night’s game, I’m reevaluating. Besides Nico and with the loss of Diggs, our WR weren’t getting enough separation. Tank had a great game, but he couldn’t do it all by himself.

Which wide receivers have sparked your interest in the upcoming draft? I like savvy route runners or guys that are excellent at creating separation.

Anybody have access to statistics on separation numbers?
 
This scouting report has me intrigued.

Jalen Royals- Utah State
“A certified separation god who scored double-digit touchdowns in 2023, Jalen Royals has early-round potential. He moves with eye-catching quickness and foot speed in short areas, and despite his average size, he competes well at the catch with his body control.”

I also know draft analyst Conner Rodgers really likes him.

 
With today’s news on Tank Dell’s recovery I anticipate WR moves to one of our top needs of the draft. These are some day 1/2 guys that I’m going to be watching throughout the draft process:

1. Luther Burden III- “explosive and dynamic run-after-catch threat that excels out of the slot “
2. Emeka Egbuka- “Egbuka should be considered an underneath, chain-moving option at the NFL level who can provide value in 11p-heavy offenses. The Shanahan scheme and all of its branches across the league will likely find ample value in Egbuka’s game on targets that attack the middle of the field.”
3. Jalen Royals- “Royals showcases plucky hands and vertical receiving ability and complements his explosiveness with the ability to run underneath routes that take advantage of the cushion he’s often given.”
4. Jaylin Noel- “Noel has emerged as a nationally feared dynamic force in 2024. At 5’11”, 200 pounds, Noel has the speed and effervescent lateral twitch to stoke terror as a release artist, but his build also makes him a venerable RAC presence.”
5. Xavier Restrepo- “This isn’t a receiver who will blow you away with his physical skill set, but he achieves the two most important roles for a player at his position: he gets open and catches the football.“
 
With today’s news on Tank Dell’s recovery I anticipate WR moves to one of our top needs of the draft. These are some day 1/2 guys that I’m going to be watching throughout the draft process:

1. Luther Burden III- “explosive and dynamic run-after-catch threat that excels out of the slot “
2. Emeka Egbuka- “Egbuka should be considered an underneath, chain-moving option at the NFL level who can provide value in 11p-heavy offenses. The Shanahan scheme and all of its branches across the league will likely find ample value in Egbuka’s game on targets that attack the middle of the field.”
3. Jalen Royals- “Royals showcases plucky hands and vertical receiving ability and complements his explosiveness with the ability to run underneath routes that take advantage of the cushion he’s often given.”
4. Jaylin Noel- “Noel has emerged as a nationally feared dynamic force in 2024. At 5’11”, 200 pounds, Noel has the speed and effervescent lateral twitch to stoke terror as a release artist, but his build also makes him a venerable RAC presence.”
5. Xavier Restrepo- “This isn’t a receiver who will blow you away with his physical skill set, but he achieves the two most important roles for a player at his position: he gets open and catches the football.“
Isaiah Bond if he heals from his ankle injury round one and Tre Harris from Ole Miss along with Restrepo in round two are ones I like. If we got Trey Smith in FA we could look at Bond 1st.

I can see Caserio, Ryans and Stroud interested in Egbuka from Stroud's time at Ohio State. Egbuka seemingly has recovered from his injury last season.
Jaden Higgins from Iowa State looks good round 3 but is he Xavier Hutchinson?
I have my Christmas mock ready to go but want to wait until after the game to post.
 
This scouting report has me intrigued.

Jalen Royals- Utah State
“A certified separation god who scored double-digit touchdowns in 2023, Jalen Royals has early-round potential. He moves with eye-catching quickness and foot speed in short areas, and despite his average size, he competes well at the catch with his body control.”

I also know draft analyst Conner Rodgers really likes him.

I really like this guy, not much media coverage being at Utah St (plus they sucked). Good speed, good and hands and catches in a crowd. Day 2 target for me.
 
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If I couldn't draft Harris at 1-25 or Savion Williams at 2-57, Royals would be a guy I could bet on board drafting. He's the kinda guy, if you put the ball in his hands good things will happen.

I look at Harris as Nico2 and that's too much to pass up even though I know they need a LG in the worst way. Give me

Harris
Donovan Jackson
Mukuba
Helm and I'm happy.

I would trade up using a 3rd to get Jackson at the top of the 2nd.
 
If I couldn't draft Harris at 1-25 or Savion Williams at 2-57, Royals would be a guy I could bet on board drafting. He's the kinda guy, if you put the ball in his hands good things will happen.

I look at Harris as Nico2 and that's too much to pass up even though I know they need a LG in the worst way. Give me

Harris
Donovan Jackson
Mukuba
Helm and I'm happy.

I would trade up using a 3rd to get Jackson at the top of the 2nd.
Jackson is playing really well. I expect you’re right that he’ll probably go in the top of the 2nd. Maybe 33-45 range.
 
If I couldn't draft Harris at 1-25 or Savion Williams at 2-57, Royals would be a guy I could bet on board drafting. He's the kinda guy, if you put the ball in his hands good things will happen.

I look at Harris as Nico2 and that's too much to pass up even though I know they need a LG in the worst way. Give me

Harris
Donovan Jackson
Mukuba
Helm and I'm happy.

I would trade up using a 3rd to get Jackson at the top of the 2nd.
Is Royal going to prison?
 
My preference is for the Texans to pair Nico with another physical, WCO type receiver. And the guy I like as a WCO WR the most out of this class is Stanford's Elic Ayomanor. Ayomanor played on a crap team with a crap QB. So he hasn't produced big numbers. But take a look at him. Ayomanor looks like a big time NFL WR right now. The size, the strength, the speed. Watch this video of Anyomayer single handedly beating Colorado in 2023 with Heisman winner Travis Hunter. A man amongst boys.

 
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My preference is for the Texans to pair Nico with another physical, WCO type receiver. And they guy I like as a WCO WR the most out of this class is Stanford's Elic Ayomanor. Ayomanor played on a crap team with a crap QB. So he hasn't produced big numbers. But take a look at him. Ayomanor looks like a big time NFL WR right now. The size, the strength, the speed. Watch this video of Anyomayer single handedly beat Colorado in 2023 with Heisman winner Travis Hunter. A man amongst boys.

I just checked this prospect out myself, and he is impressive on paper: size, length, legit long
sprinter speed (10.7 100M).
And he's got an invite to the Senior Bowl, so I'm assuming he'll attend so we can look forward
to his performance in Mobile.
Thanks for the heads up Lucky.
 
My preference is for the Texans to pair Nico with another physical, WCO type receiver. And they guy I like as a WCO WR the most out of this class is Stanford's Elic Ayomanor. Ayomanor played on a crap team with a crap QB. So he hasn't produced big numbers. But take a look at him. Ayomanor looks like a big time NFL WR right now. The size, the strength, the speed. Watch this video of Anyomayer single handedly beat Colorado in 2023 with Heisman winner Travis Hunter. A man amongst boys.

I like Ayomanor, but I didn’t think he’d be available with our pick. But NC has never been hesitant about moving up to get a guy he likes so it still is a possibility.
 
My preference is for the Texans to pair Nico with another physical, WCO type receiver. And they guy I like as a WCO WR the most out of this class is Stanford's Elic Ayomanor. Ayomanor played on a crap team with a crap QB. So he hasn't produced big numbers. But take a look at him. Ayomanor looks like a big time NFL WR right now. The size, the strength, the speed. Watch this video of Anyomayer single handedly beat Colorado in 2023 with Heisman winner Travis Hunter. A man amongst boys.

I like hm a lot too.

He's less proven than Harris, I like Savion Williams more, but Ayomanor is likely to be there in the 2nd. I've got a Christian Watson Comp on both Ayomanor and Williams. Big dudes that can run and have great hands. I like Williams RAC is why I have him rated higher than Ayomanor. Although Ayomanor is good with the RAC.
 
I’ll take a pair of:

WR- Jayden Higgins (Iowa State) 6-4 @ 210 lbs (D-Hop Type)
WR- Dont’e Thornton Jr (Tennessee) 6-5 @ 214 lbs (Nico Type)
 
Give me Golden and Fannin round 3.
No trades : I would be thrilled with
Tre Harris
Fannin Jr
Matthew golden
Difference making weapons there that would set this team up for the next decade.

Go out and sign an ol or 2 and a CB in FA and this team would be set for yrs to come
 
Difference making weapons there that would set this team up for the next decade.

Go out and sign an ol or 2 and a CB in FA and this team would be set for yrs to come
Just looking at what we have on the defense, it just seems like offense is the way we will go in the draft. Believe me, it is hard to pass on players like Emmanwori, Jahdee barron; Walter Nolan, Derrick Harmon, Jack Sawyer or Trey Amos or Alfred Collins. Then there's Nick's draft rotation. Is that a thing or just a coincidence for the last 2 years?

1st objective for 2025 re-assure Stroud that he will not be in danger as he was this season. It is becoming more and more evident the current starters are on the way to accomplishing that objective.

Backups Ledarius Henderson; Austin Deculus, Nick Broeker are young , inexpensive and under contract. Kendrick Green could be back for peanuts.

2nd objective playmaker targets for Stroud. Harris could be OROY.
Fannin and Golden skills should transfer to NFL even if the results are statistically less than college.

Objective 3 is to get at least one backup to lessen the burden of Joe Mixon without hurting the game. This can easily be done on day three of the draft.
 
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I’d say 3rd round, maybe use one of those 7th to move up a few slots. Excellent hands, possession receiver not a separator but will compete for contested catches.
I'm looking for a guy that can separate.

My dream draft would look something like this and then I'll give you an alternative.

1. Tre Harris WR
2. Armand Membou LT/LG
3. Harold Fannin Jr. TE
3. After trading up Golden WR

Alternative draft

1. Harris WR
2. Membou OT/OG
3. Andrew Makuba S
4. Mason Taylor TE LSU
7. Silas Bolden WR Texas
 
I'm looking for a guy that can separate.

My dream draft would look something like this and then I'll give you an alternative.

1. Tre Harris WR
2. Armand Membou LT/LG
3. Harold Fannin Jr. TE
3. After trading up Golden WR

Alternative draft

1. Harris WR
2. Membou OT/OG
3. Andrew Makuba S
4. Mason Taylor TE LSU
7. Silas Bolden WR Texas
Like it but what about RB in one of the deepest RB classes in years?
 
Like it but what about RB in one of the deepest RB classes in years?
Yeah, didn't want to do a mock draft in this thread it will ruin this thread.

The RB that I like in rd.5 or 6 is Kyle Monangai.

Also I'm going to throw out another WR that I like in the 3rd but probably will move up to the late 2nd/early 3rd after the Sr. Bowl/Combine is Arian Smith WR Georgia, a guy with world class speed.
 
I'm looking for a guy that can separate.

My dream draft would look something like this and then I'll give you an alternative.

1. Tre Harris WR
2. Armand Membou LT/LG
3. Harold Fannin Jr. TE
3. After trading up Golden WR

Alternative draft

1. Harris WR
2. Membou OT/OG
3. Andrew Makuba S
4. Mason Taylor TE LSU
7. Silas Bolden WR Texas
Membou is picking up buzz. I like him a lot! But I have heard some late 1st round early 2nd buzz.
 
Bond is all speed, he doesn't know how to vary his speed in man vs zone. He's the type of guy that if he can stay healthy and the coaches can coach him up he could become a difference maker. But the 1st rd Bond talk is crazy. I might draft him late in the 2nd, but he's a 3rd rd pick to me. Golden is a much better player. Comparing him to Worthy makes me SMH. The only thing Worthy and Bond have in common is they both run real fast. Worthy knows how to run routes and very speeds to setup DB's, Bond not so much.
 
He might go before we pick at 25. Although we didn’t meet with him at the combine, so I don’t know if he’s one of our top options.

I'd be pretty thrilled with Golden, Egbuka, or Burden at 25. Not sure any will be there, though. Seeing some rumors that Golden is WR1 for some teams. Don't hate Zabel, Jackson, et al for the Texans either. Only guy i am a firm NO on is Booker. I wouldn't even hate trading down and taking a running back they love with their first pick which I know would be considered pretty darn nuts. Hampton is a stud along with the Ohio State duo. You could target whatever else you want in the 2nd and 3rd. Then again you can probably get quality backs into the 5th in this particular draft.
 
I posted a couple months ago if I remember correctly that I could draft all of our needs round three and be satisfied. The players may have changed a bit but in tankathon round three you have players such as Tre Harris; Bond; Bech; Darien Porter; Jared Ivey; Higgins; Skattebo and Royals. Mukuba and Savion; Restrepo and Noel, Sampson and Charles Grant. Chris Paul and Cobee Bryant.
 
I posted a couple months ago if I remember correctly that I could draft all of our needs round three and be satisfied. The players may have changed a bit but in tankathon round three you have players such as Tre Harris; Bond; Bech; Darien Porter; Jared Ivey; Higgins; Skattebo and Royals. Mukuba and Savion; Restrepo and Noel, Sampson and Charles Grant. Chris Paul and Cobee Bryant.
Are there really any difference makers on your list other Mukuba? There are some solid players, but no real difference makers IMHO. Give me 3 difference makers over 5 solid guys.

Doubtful guys like Porter/Mukuba make it to rd 3.

I dont want to trade down from rd 1, but I'm good with trading down from rd 2.
 
Are there really any difference makers on your list other Mukuba? There are some solid players, but no real difference makers IMHO. Give me 3 difference makers over 5 solid guys.

Doubtful guys like Porter/Mukuba make it to rd 3.

I dont want to trade down from rd 1, but I'm good with trading down from rd 2.
Tre Harris; Restrepo; Skattebo and Dylan Sampson. Perhaps Cobee Bryant and Charles Grant.
 
Tre Harris; Restrepo; Skattebo and Dylan Sampson. Perhaps Cobee Bryant and Charles Grant.
Good players, but not true difference makers. Maybe Sampson and Bryant could be true difference makers. I doubt Harris makes it to the 3rd rd. I'm needing difference makers like Mukuba, Henderson, any number of DL etc... that will be available in the 2nd, but not in the 3rd. Look out for the Iowa St. WR's in the 2nd rd.
 
I'm looking for a guy that can separate.

My dream draft would look something like this and then I'll give you an alternative.

1. Tre Harris WR
2. Armand Membou LT/LG
3. Harold Fannin Jr. TE
3. After trading up Golden WR

Alternative draft

1. Harris WR
2. Membou OT/OG
3. Andrew Makuba S
4. Mason Taylor TE LSU
7. Silas Bolden WR Texas

Are we talking about the same Tre Harris that just ran a 4.54 sec 40 with a 1.56 sec 10 yard split (one of the slowest 40's of any wide receiver). The same Tre Harris that ran slower than Defensive Ends. That Tre Harris. Don't worry about him be gone by the time we pick in the 1st. I am pretty sure he will be available in the draft MUCH latter than the 1st, with that 40 time.

Maybe like the 7th or even un-drafted.
 
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Are we talking about the same Tre Harris that just ran a 4.54 sec 40 with a 1.56 sec 10 yard split (one of the slowest 40's of any wide receiver). The same Tre Harris that ran slower than Defensive Ends. That Tre Harris. Don't worry about him be gone by the time we pick in the 1st. I am pretty sure he will be available in the draft MUCH latter than the 1st, with that 40 time.

Maybe like the 7th or even un-drafted.
I looked back on that and he's probably going late 2nd/early 3rd..

Membou has moved up into the early/mid 1st rd.

Fannin will go in the 4th/5th rd range IMHO

Mukuba and Taylor are probably 2nd rd picks.
 
Are we talking about the same Tre Harris that just ran a 4.54 sec 40 with a 1.56 sec 10 yard split (one of the slowest 40's of any wide receiver). The same Tre Harris that ran slower than Defensive Ends. That Tre Harris. Don't worry about him be gone by the time we pick in the 1st. I am pretty sure he will be available in the draft MUCH latter than the 1st, with that 40 time.

Maybe like the 7th or even un-drafted.
6'2 205 and that’s not a bad 40. Tre will be a very good wide receiver and I hope he falls to the 7th round if we can get him there. He should be a second rounder
 
6'2 205 and that’s not a bad 40. Tre will be a very good wide receiver and I hope he falls to the 7th round if we can get him there. He should be a second rounder

I think it's the 10-yard split time that will push him down the draft board (my guess is mid to late 3rd round). Just like the thread title, you want your possession receivers to get separation in their short and mid routes. If you look at the criticism that Lassiter got last year over his 40-time, he also led all CBs in the three-cone time. Being fairly slow and not-quick will rely on pure physicality and scheme to get open, though he could be a great red-zone target.
 
6'2 205 and that’s not a bad 40. Tre will be a very good wide receiver and I hope he falls to the 7th round if we can get him there. He should be a second rounder
Look, I know you like the guy, but running a 4.54 40 is slow at any size. I just did a quick count on the NFL Combine data (NFL.com) site, and I see 7 WRs who are over 6'2" and over 205 Lbs who ran the 40 in the 4.4s or 4.3s.

Maybe he just ran a bad time, but they let them run the 40 twice if they choose to. Your 40 time really matters for WRs, it is the most important metric. Why would he let that time stand if he could do better?

Unhitch the wagon Tre, and try again.
 
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Are we talking about the same Tre Harris that just ran a 4.54 sec 40 with a 1.56 sec 10 yard split (one of the slowest 40's of any wide receiver). The same Tre Harris that ran slower than Defensive Ends. That Tre Harris. Don't worry about him be gone by the time we pick in the 1st. I am pretty sure he will be available in the draft MUCH latter than the 1st, with that 40 time.

Maybe like the 7th or even un-drafted.

Look, I know you like the guy, but running a 4.54 40 is slow at any size. I just did a quick count on the NFL Combine data (NFL.com) site, and I see 7 WRs who are over 6'2" and over 205 Lbs who ran 40 in the 4.4s or 4.3s.

Maybe he just ran a bad time, but they let them run the 40 twice if they choose to. Your 40 time really matters for WRs, it is the most important metric. Why would he let that time stand if he could do better?

Unhitch the wagon Tre, and try again.
For slot, I look at the 3 cone drill, need that quick whip more than the deep speed
 
For slot, I look at the 3 cone drill, need that quick whip more than the deep speed
Tre Harris is 6' 2" and 205 lbs.

He is not a nimble little slot guy. He is a big wideout, that you might stick in the slot depending on play design.

He needs blazing speed, but does not have it. There lies the problem..
 
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