2012 NFL Draft: Is There a WR Worth a Top 10 Pick?
by Adam Stites on Jan 20, 2012 5:20 PM EST
in 2012 NFL Draft
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PrintDuring my time this week at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl practices I've had the opportunity to speak with some draft analysts and NFL writers that flew out to watch the practices for themselves. Over the course of the week, on more than one occasion I was told by some of these people that there was not a single wide receiver in the 2012 draft class that they felt were worth a top 10 pick.
With the Jaguars at 7th overall and obviously desperate for receiver help, this is a thought that obviously impacts the way the team will draft. In 2004, the Jaguars burned themselves by selecting Reggie Williams 8th overall to fill their need at receiver despite the consensus being that he wasn't worth the pick. If the Jaguars select a receiver in the top 10 this year they could be repeating mistakes of the past.
In the 2011 NFL Draft there were two receivers taken in the top 10: Georgia's A.J. Green to Cincinnati 4th overall and Alabama's Julio Jones two picks later to the Falcons. At 6-4, 211 pounds with 4.48 speed, Green had all the size necessary to be a #1 receiver and Jones made up for being a little over an inch shorter than Green by having 4.34 speed.
The pair had all the athleticism any team could ask for and the hopes that the could become among the top tier receivers in the league with the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson or Calvin Johnson made sense. But are there any receivers like that in this class?
The media consensus #1 receiver is without a doubt, Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon. But at 6-1, 215 he doesn't have the elite size of a #1 receiver and with a projected 40 time in the 4.5 range, he certainly doesn't have the elite speed either. Blackmon has shown ability, no doubt, but has he shown the athleticism necessary to be a Larry, Andre or Calvin? I believe he hasn't.
The rest of the field has some interesting talents as well, but none jump out as elite. There are reports that Kendall Wright of Baylor is the top receiver on several NFL team boards, but at 5-10 there's certainly reason to doubt that he can be a top flight receiver. While Steve Smith has found plenty of success in the NFL at 5-9, he is the only example that comes to mind of a sub-six foot receiver that has proven to be able to be the #1 receiver for a team.
Perhaps there is a #1 receiver in the group, but is there a player that is close enough to a "sure thing" that it's worth using a top 10 pick, or more specifically the 7th pick overall, to have? No. Not this year.
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I agree
there isn’t a single Wide receiver I would take in the top 10. But it’s always a position that gets over mocked.
Shake and Bake
Follow me on Twitter @ J_Pledger904
I guess Vic was wrong
Good WRs are not dime a dozen.
I do agree that there is no “sure thing” WR worthy of a top 10 pick. There are some guys who could make it big… but no sure things.
Good WRs are a dime a dozen
Great WRs are pretty rare. When you add both of those ideas together, you find it extremely risky, and unnecessary to draft a WR in the top 10 unless you know he can be a great one.
Its all about the Qb
an experienced QB with a good arm can make WR look good.
by childintime12 on Jan 20, 2012 7:20 PM EST up reply actions
Like when Brady was throwing to Underwood?
I’d upload the video if I was any good at that stuff…
I agree that there does not appear to be a true #1 elite WR in this draft. I’d certainly rather see the Jags grab a big FA #1. That would give BG even more of a boost. A vet would not have to come in and adjust to NFL speed. There wouldnt need to be much coaching on routes. Not to mention a vet can obviously assist not only BG, but the younger WR’s on the team, about what to be looking for during the game.
Im wondering if you have had a chance to look at potential #2’s at the practices. I’d much rather draft a potential 2. See if Thomas can pull his head out of his arse long enough to be in the slot. Then see what the rest of the WR holdovers can provide.
I agree
I would be very disappointed with taking a receiver at 7, I just don’t see the skill set worthy of the investment. I think people value the position so much that they begin to imagine things that don’t exist. If we trade back to the middle of the first round and take a WR, I’m happy, but I’m hoping that they will pick up a receiver in free agency.
I’m kinda hoping they’ll grab a DE or CB if they hang on to the #7 pick…
Get Dwayne Bowe or another FA 1 dont do it in the draft
SCALP'EM
Jesus is Lord!
by Thunder64 on Jan 20, 2012 5:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Michael Floyd
Could have those measurables
by Guillaume Soquet on Jan 20, 2012 5:37 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Santonio Holmes
Is another guy under 6-0 that I’ve heard someone compare to Wright.I’m big on the kid .You guys are right 7 might be to high for him.I’d certainly trade down (if we can find a trade partner) and grab him somewhere in the teens.His speed and run after the catch abilities are ridiculous. RG3 basically said this guy helped him to get the Hiesman.The kid can flat out play.
by J.James29 on Jan 20, 2012 5:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Pair Wright with someone like Colston,or Bowe and all of a sudden this offense is a handful.
by J.James29 on Jan 20, 2012 5:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Not in conversation of top 10 or first round
but Brian Quick WR Appalachian St is going to the senior bowl, i’ll be excited to see how he makes out against higher talent
It all depends on what we do in Free Agency.
If we land a Number 1 in FA, we should wait and draft a WR with 2nd pick, maybe trade up into the first round and get Wright if he is falling
i think we are F******** stupid if we dont take blackmon and hes there
he is a playmaker and he will be a good player. before he went back for his junior year HE WAS RANKED HIGHER THAN JULIO. people forget that. he was ranked only slightly behind AJ and did absolutely nothing to make anyone believe otherwise (ie didnt pull an alshon) hes going to be a good player i think hes most comparable to percy harvin if percy harvin came out of college as a refined receiver. who wouldnt want that on our team regardless of when we pick?
Cold Blooded
Well, if he was ranked higher than Julio Jones then….
Similar to Percy Harvin? Yes, except for the whole speed thing. Or the size. Or the fact that Harvin wasn’t a Top 10 pick.
they can take it to the house on any play in any situation
only a couple players can do that and harvin is one and blackmon will be one
Cold Blooded
by Jaggaholic82 on Jan 20, 2012 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
harvin?
they arent anything alike not at all IMO. but i have a question for anyone. what were jimmy smith and keenan mccardells measurables? were they fast? were they tall? only been following the team closely since 06. just been curious and i wanna hear it from people who witnessed it thanks
smith was fast mccardell was more of a posesion guy
they didnt have measurables that would shock anybody. jimmy smith was actually pretty much the excact same size as blackmon and kenan was a little lighter both good athletes with good hands but the thing was they were just good football players when they strapped on the pads
Cold Blooded
by Jaggaholic82 on Jan 20, 2012 10:36 PM EST up reply actions
I understand
Scotty Mcghee will always be one of my favorite jaguars, though I was in favor of cutting him. He played with tons of heart and tried so hard, only to fail every time. Hope you’re doing well out there, Scotty, and thanks for the 50-yard, 5 yard return and all the times I’ve replayed it for my friends.
Hey
My favorite jaguar was Hugh Douglass lol
Shake and Bake
Follow me on Twitter @ J_Pledger904
by theMAGICman on Jan 20, 2012 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
Why stop there?
Where my Jerry Porter guys at? Guy had “million dollar” catches, haha.
No on Coples he looks like a Derrick Harvey clone
Shake and Bake
Follow me on Twitter @ J_Pledger904
by theMAGICman on Jan 20, 2012 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
I'm still upset
we didn’t draft Calais Campbell like I wanted. So much for him being lazy like the pundits were suggesting.
Truth is, we could have gone a lot of different ways and done better than Harvey. Surprising how many good players there were in that draft.
Just after Harveyand before Groves there was: Keith Rivers, Jerod Mayo, Ryan Clady, Jonathan Stewart, Brandon Albert, DRC, Flacco, Jeff Otah, Aqib Talib, Chris Johnson, Duane Brown, Antoine Cason, Brandon Flowers, Jordy Nelson, Curtis Lofton, Tracy Porter, Matt Forte, and DeSean Jackson. Imagine how much better this roster would be with any one of those players. We probably would have been in the playoffs at least one more time since then.
(sigh)
That Harvey nonsense really set us back
by Sylvester.The.Jaguar.fan on Jan 21, 2012 9:38 AM EST up reply actions
I Dream
Of Desean Jackson in teal oh so often. Sigh.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
7
Unless blackmon falls to 7 we won’t take a wr. Doubt we take kirkpatrick considering his recent problems,even though he’s a popular mock choice. I can see us going OL because that would be the unpopular choice among fans and that what Gene does. I’d like an LB or DB.
by EZ904 on Jan 20, 2012 7:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
that what Gene does
I love that some people think Gene makes picks based solely on what will piss fans off the most.
Heres the scenario
Can you imagine the fans outrage if Blackmon falls to us at 7 and they pass on him? What if the Jags have him rated low and they pass? That would be hilarious a fter draft day.
Some fans will be raging
But not this guy.
I was soo glad
when we drafted Monroe over Crabtree, not that I was surprised. I thought it was the obvious choice.
Not going to lie
I really wanted them to draft Crabtree… I’m so glad they didn’t.
by Sylvester.The.Jaguar.fan on Jan 21, 2012 9:42 AM EST up reply actions
If we want to go WR i think the best rk
SCALP'EM
Jesus is Lord!
by Thunder64 on Jan 20, 2012 8:17 PM EST via mobile reply actions
If we want to go WR i think the best route is trading back
If we can get to 15-20 and add a 2 then we can grab Wright or any other worthy prospect and pair them with Bowe or Colston
SCALP'EM
Jesus is Lord!
by Thunder64 on Jan 20, 2012 8:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Trading back
Only works if there is a team who wants to trade up, right now who is going to be available at 7 that is worth trading up for?
Shake and Bake
Follow me on Twitter @ J_Pledger904
by theMAGICman on Jan 20, 2012 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe Richardson or a OT
SCALP'EM
Jesus is Lord!
by Thunder64 on Jan 21, 2012 12:38 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
7
Or the outrage/confusion when we drafted Alualu. I was hoping for Earl Thomas then.. Think 7s to early for kuechly upshaw or barron? Dream senario would be RG3 falling and some team wanting to trade up to 7 to get him.
by EZ904 on Jan 20, 2012 8:35 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I was an Earl Thomas
fan back then too. But I was actually a bigger fan of Devin McCourty. In the end, I think the obvious choice should have been JPP, who I was very weary of. On the bright side, I was HUGE fan of Aldon Smith, not that we had a chance of drafting him.
I'll admit that I was Very, very skeptical of JPP
But he has done very very well in NY. But I think he has benefited some with not having to start right away and being able to be a rusher on passing downs and having Osi and Tuck rushing on the other side. I’m not in anyway saying he wouldn’t have had success here but I have been very happy with Alualu. All things considered he’s played very well, especially through injury, and I’m excited to see him with his knee rehabilitated.
by Jags85 on Jan 21, 2012 11:36 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think...
Alualu is going to turn out to be a beast, should he be able to completely get over his knee problem. I think it has been hampering his explosion off the line, so he hasn’t been able to be as disruptive as he could be. He has really violent hands and I think that once he’s able to get his explosion back, he’ll be a handful for any guard or center he’s up against. More similar to how he was in his rookie year as opposed to his sophmore season.
Ain't happenin'
I know everyone talks about WR free agency, but you really believe Vincent Jackson, Desean Jackson, Dwayne Bowe wont be resigned. You just don’t let talent like that walk away. We will at least get a good #2 free agent WR though.
by nationalmediacansuckit on Jan 21, 2012 6:26 AM EST via mobile reply actions
He also plays primarily in the slot and benefits because the Patriots have so many weapons and are so dynamic, therefore you can’t roll coverage to him.
I think once we get talent Thomas could some what be a Welker type
Probably not quite the same production but he definitely will benefit once Jax acquires more talent offensively
by Jags85 on Jan 21, 2012 11:43 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Don’t start that, please. Let Thomas do something before he becomes the “next X”. We really need to stop crowning players prematurely.
I'm not trying to "crown"anyone
I’m just saying we know he can be productive, he did it in ‘10 and he could be productive with some more help. I didn’t mean he will be a Welker “clone”
by Jags85 on Jan 21, 2012 11:56 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Do we know he can be productive? He had 820 yards with the ball forced to him on underneath routes. That’s not really anything noteworthy and rather pedestrian.
820 yards is better than what we've had here in some time
I’m not crowning him or calling him the next break-out player. 820 yards would be rather pedestrian on another team but in Jax thats one of the better seasons for a WR since the likes of a Jimmy Smith. Should and do we deserve better? Absolutely, but All im saying is HE COULD be productive, im not fortelling the future saying he’ll be the “x” player. I don’t know if Thomas will be better with more help, thats why I say he Could be more productive, not the He Absolutely Will.
by Jags85 on Jan 21, 2012 12:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
depends on who we land in free agency
If we get a stud WR in free agency. Example lets say we land V Jackson or Reggie Wayne we can use our first round pick like a OL or even CB and then get a WR in the 2nd round. If we get D Bowe then i think we should invest in our first round pick in A. Jeffery. By the way i really dug Matt Jones and Reggie Williams, Matt was a reach at first round but if we would have kept him after his second run in with the law i feel he would still be on the team. When he was a Jag he was my fav player.
Kendal Wright??
So I keep hearing about this wide out Wright from baylor is the guy any good?? I haven’t seen any highlights on him but just curious. Well we shouldn’t take a wide out in the first round because we have had some really bad choices in the past lol. I say we go with the safe pick and choose either a OL or DE first pic overall or trade back and aquire a few more picks. Does anyone think wide out Wright from Baylor is worth a 7 pick overall in the draft by us??
by jagsfan30302011 on Jan 21, 2012 12:55 PM EST reply actions
Safe and take a DE?
Since when was a DE a safe pick? Derrick Harvey comes to mind immediately
DE is Hardly ever a safe pick, plus there really isn't a DE at #7
As much as I want one to be. People will throw out the name Coples but I don’t think he’s worth that pick, especially at #7
by Jags85 on Jan 21, 2012 2:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
what a catch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkBtsOuM300&NR=1&feature=endscreen see if we had a receiver like this that can catch WOW then Blaine could be more effective
by jagsfan30302011 on Jan 21, 2012 1:47 PM EST reply actions
Sanu worth a 7 pick overall?
Is Sanu from Rutgers worth a 7 pick overall or trade down and if we trade down can we still get him?
by jagsfan30302011 on Jan 21, 2012 2:25 PM EST reply actions
If we trade down we could be targeting another position other than OL
But then again trading down is very hard not only bc of trying to find a trade partner but also bc of trying to get what you think is fare compensation and to make sure wherever you slide back in the draft the player you are targeting will still be there
by Jags85 on Jan 21, 2012 2:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
If blackmon is there, u take him
He may not have the measurables bit is a playmaker. Heay not be calvin or andre, but I still think hes a reggie wayne type. He is definitely an upgrade over all our wr.
by caneman4 on Jan 21, 2012 2:49 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Jeffery/Quick
We could get one at 7th and the other in the second round or trade the pick and still try to get them. I like the way Jeffery can catch the ball in doble and tight coverage and I think that gives him a first round pick not to mention his Johnson like size and pure fight for the completion. He wont allow as an interception. In the past we got Pascos and Roth in FA . I think we can fill our OF line by FA. Pittsburge went after WR today and I think the FA WR talent pool will be week.
Jeffery does look like he would be a good wide out! What if we got him and blackmon? Or we targeted Dwight Jones in the 2nd and then the lower rounds upgrade on OL?
by jagsfan30302011 on Jan 21, 2012 4:54 PM EST reply actions
I am really liking SANU from the Rutgers only cause he makes unbelievable catches and Murlarkey could use him as a wide out or for some trick plays! The kid has skills
by jagsfan30302011 on Jan 21, 2012 4:57 PM EST reply actions
Lol yes you can but i dont know too much about the other wide outs like Wright other than he seems very fast! Let's just hope the Jags really address wide outs in draft
by jagsfan30302011 on Jan 21, 2012 5:57 PM EST up reply actions
Draft or free agency.
Doesn’t matter how Gene decides to address it, as long as the position is upgraded.
Wright
kind of reminds me of Jerome Simpson. Both can make huge plays, but it might take him a while before he realizes his potential. I think his mental makeup will make or break his career, because he has all of the ability you want from the position.
Blackmon is good, but enough of trading up and giving up 2nd round picks. There’s talent out there just as good as Blackmon. Gene and the scouts are paid to find these players. So find him and use the 2nd round on a stud for a change.
by nationalmediacansuckit on Jan 21, 2012 7:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions
That' not how...
you go about it. You don’t predetermine what you are and aren’t going to do before the draft. You let things unfold as they will and you adapt accordingly. I’m sure Gene and his staff are going to do their due diligence and be prepared for whatever happens. Also, just because they keep their second round doesn’t gurantee that the player selected will be a stud. Not every player selected in the first round will turn out to be a stud. At the least, we should want a player that can come in and be productive right away
That is how
It’s called percentages. There are players as good or better than Blackmon in the draft. They just have to go find them. Find that gem and keep the 2nd for another possible gem. I’d rather have two players than one. Unless he is a homerun. The only reason Blackmon is a homerun to you people is b/c ESPN told you he is. And if ESPN said it…………..
by nationalmediacansuckit on Jan 21, 2012 8:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions
you be suprised how little jacksonville fans listen to espn...
If we did, we’d have abandoned this team long ago because it’s doomed to moved to LA.
by jagzfan4life on Jan 21, 2012 11:04 PM EST up reply actions
Great Point
Although Jag fans do listen to the cheap shots talking heads make at Jax daily. That’s why there is zero room for error anymore. It’s time to make the Jags a consistent winner year after year for one make these robots shut the he’ll up but more importantly get Jax excited and enthusiastic about Jaguar football again.
by nationalmediacansuckit on Jan 22, 2012 5:17 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Great Point
Although Jag fans do listen to the cheap shots talking heads make at Jax daily. That’s why there is zero room for error anymore. It’s time to make the Jags a consistent winner year after year for one make these robots shut the he’ll up but more importantly get Jax excited and enthusiastic about Jaguar football again.
by nationalmediacansuckit on Jan 22, 2012 5:18 AM EST via mobile reply actions
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