News: Thinking WR? Might Be Best to Wait
The Sporting News shot the warning flares off on receivers and why it might be best to completely avoid them in the first round. Citing their attitudes as a hindrance and the lack of significant difference in talent levels as the cause, Florio advises against taking a WR early.
There’s a fundamental problem with wide receivers. The position attracts divas, and thus when it’s time to consider them for employment, they often have red flags (due to the whole diva thing).
Last year, no receiver was deemed worthy of a first-round pick, possibly because some of them (DeSean Jackson and Devin Thomas, for example) were viewed as the typical high-maintenance pass-catchers.
This year, there could be as few as two and as many as six receivers taken in round one. But it’s almost as if being taken in the first round makes a rookie receiver even more of a prancing and preening pain in the posterior.
The smart thing to do is wait until round two or later; that’s where a team can get a guy like Brian Robiskie, who might end up being better than any of the guys who are expected to be picked in round one.
Thoughts a hop, click, and a jump away…
I completely agree with Florio here. Outside of Crabtree and Maclin, I don’t believe any other receiver is a true must-have with the top pick. Receivers have been climbing and falling on draft boards over the last three months, and I’m convinced the reason is simple: none of them stand out as elite.
It comes down to your expectations of a first round draft pick. Do you want a serviceable starter? Or someone every team has to gameplan against?
Given the Jets needs, I’m convinced our answer lies with the latter.
Florio also has a very stern warning for those infatuated with Heyward-Bey.
Four years ago, a receiver whose stats raised no eyebrows became a hot draft prospect because he could run 40 yards quickly while wearing underwear.
He became the seventh overall pick, and his NFL career has been forgettable.
And so it’s Troy Williamson’s name that comes to mind when considering Darrius Heyward-Bey, the Maryland receiver who has a chance of being the seventh overall selection, too.
It’s the perfect case study in the placement of physical measurements over production. If Heyward-Bey were a truly great receiver, he would have done great things at Maryland.
And please spare me the explanation that the Maryland offense didn’t utilize his skills. If he were a truly great player, coach Ralph Friedgen would have found a way to get the ball in Heyward-Bey’s hands as often as possible.
So buyer beware. Heyward-Bey might run really fast and get wide open • just in time for the ball to bounce off his face mask.
Preach, my brother! Preach!
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[...] Bassett of SNY’s TheJetsBlog.com, who I am excited to be joining again to cover the draft this weekend, brings us this article from [...]
I totally agree with what everybody just said. Everybody from Florio to Navedo make perfect points about this up and down process of picking the right receiver. Just wait and see what you get in the second. Too risky after crabtree and maclin in the first. Love Harvin, but the height doesn’t do it for me. Robiske is a nice pick in the second round and to be quite honest, a player who has a father in the NFL coaching ranks is a plus in my book. This makes him a luxary to have because I’m sure his intangables out weigh those of any other receiver in the draft due to that one fact.
Joey Clinkscales (Jets’ scouting director) said the same thing about WR divas and the value of taking them in later rounds in his presser. I’ve cited the transcript before. IMO, you can forget a 1st round WR for the Jets.
Rather draft a football player than a track star. JMO though.
i would totally agree that the crab and maclin are the only ones worth a consideration.
i think the JETS go Defense with the first pick at this point. everette brown or tyson jackson
Please no 1st round WR…something huge is going to happen..ie, Sanchez, Boldin, etc. The one element that seems to be a priority for woody is getting a big name to sell PSLs. What I mean is this will factor into all the decision making. Last season it was getting Farve…the next move should at least equal the farve move. I am a season tik holder and have been following the psl sales for obvious reasons, and they are not selling like the Giants are. Woody’s first priority is going to be to fill the new stadium…at all cost.
I confess- I have no idea what the Jets will do, and don’t beleive anybody else truly does. I agree about the WRs, don’t think they can get a QB who will be ready soon enough, can’t imagine they would take TE Pettigrew after taking Keller last year, and don’t really think they can afford to use their 1st rounder on defense after this offseason. Trade the pick? Sure. To whom? Move up or move down? In order to draft which player? I have no clue.
I like Ramses Barden in the 3rd or 4th.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/04/24/mock/index.html?eref=T1
Peter King posted this mock draft and has the Jets taking this guy who I think has only recently shot up draft boards but I remember the guys on NFL Network talking about him nonstop at the combine. He played tight end for 2 years and then switched to defense (or maybe it was defense first and then TE), so he could almost fill two needs at once. I’d rather they take him then Heyward Bey or Harvin. Though now it seems Heyward Bey may go to Oakland at 7 instead of Maclin…
peter king has proven time and time again he knows nothing about the jets, so i would take his mock with a grain of salt.
I also dont want DHB. With that said Mike Florio could be the most annoying human being on earth. His absolute stubbornness combined with his hatred for the jets has caused me to not be able to tolerate him. His tone of voice and ignorate nature infuriate me. When the jets spend too much he complains how you cant buy a super bowl. When we dont get a free agent he says were not dedicated to winning. Mike Florio is a pain in the ass. I do check his website because despite the fact that he has no inside information on the NFL he does slave to find articles and rumors OTHERS have posted. When checking his website i am cautious to make sure i ignore his childish opinions and attempt to find facts. Dont even get me started on his pathetic videos, which prove his intense lack of skill.
peter king absolutely LOVED Jason Campbell last summer. ’nuff said.
Friday, July 25, Washington Redskins camp
ASHBURN, Va. — Some teams you watch and you say: This team is better than people think. The Redskins are one of those teams.
Now, I caution you — I watched only one practice. But they’re responding to Jim Zorn, whose offense is better for Jason Campbell than the encyclopedic one devised by Al Saunders. Campbell looked terrific, accurate and sure of himself. His weapons, assuming the rookie receivers can stay healthy, will be as good as any offensive skill-player set in the division.
D’oh!…I think I just threw up in my mouth!
Joe A. – I’m with you, leather…
(or something like that)
:-)