tynimiller
Cheesehead
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- May 2, 2012
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I always try to ignore the noise of folks using only hindsight to attack draft decisions OR the never ending onslaught of "DRAFT A RECEIVER" every year regardless of any rhyme or reason.
That said, one thing I've noticed of late is we are in a time period where it seems finding middle round type offensive weapons has never been more of a thing to my memory than before. Of course if you have a pick in the top 12 or so picks, the odds are greatly in your favor to get a MASSIVE needle moving WR but check out these observations of late:
2020 Draft:
Yards Leaders - There are SIX in the top ten in receiving yards that were NOT first rounders. Of those you have three WRs outside of even Day 2 (Mooney 5th / G Davis 4th / Jauan Jennings 7th).
TD Leaders - There are SIX in the top ten and not the same as above. KJ Osborn a 5th rounder is in there, Jennings is just outside of it, Gabe Davis is fourth...
Yds/Catch - Seven of the top ten leaders are outside first round
2021 Draft:
Yards - Six out of the top ten leaders, three of which were 3rd or later round guys.
TD Leaders - Again six, with four of the top ten being 3rd round or later this time.
Yds/Catch - If you remove a six catch guy (7th round Mike Strachan) there is seven of the top ten guys out of first round and six of those were 3rd round or later guys.
2022 Draft:
Yards - Five of top ten outside day1, two of those beyond even Day2 (Doubs is one of those).
TD Leaders - Five of top ten outside day 1, three of those are 3rd round or later (Doubs, TOlbert, Shakir)
Yds/Catch - Six of top ten outside Day1, four of those outside of day 2 even.
2023 Draft:
Yards - Six of top ten outside Day1, Four are 3rd rounders or later.
TD Leaders - Six of top ten again, four are 3rd or later (Wicks is tenth on the list
Yds/Catch - Ignoring AT PERRY leading the group as he only has 12 catches (he is a 6th rounder though fyi) there are nine out of the top ten are outside of Day1 guys, seven of those are 3rd round or later type guys.
2024 Draft:
Yards - Four of top ten outside Day1, two were 3rd rounders or later
TD Leaders - Four of top ten outside Day1, two again 3rd round or later
Yds/Catch - Seven out of top ten outside Day1, five of those 3rd or later
I don't say all this to make it seem it is a better idea to avoid a REALLY good WR, but truth be told with the advancements of athletic training at the college level and such, it is becoming more and more prevalent in the league to produce high level production from guys outside the first round or even the first couple.
I was actually shocked by this as I did not expect especially as you got closer to now, that the last two drafts would lean heavier to higher drafted guys but it just wasn't the case.
That said, one thing I've noticed of late is we are in a time period where it seems finding middle round type offensive weapons has never been more of a thing to my memory than before. Of course if you have a pick in the top 12 or so picks, the odds are greatly in your favor to get a MASSIVE needle moving WR but check out these observations of late:
2020 Draft:
Yards Leaders - There are SIX in the top ten in receiving yards that were NOT first rounders. Of those you have three WRs outside of even Day 2 (Mooney 5th / G Davis 4th / Jauan Jennings 7th).
TD Leaders - There are SIX in the top ten and not the same as above. KJ Osborn a 5th rounder is in there, Jennings is just outside of it, Gabe Davis is fourth...
Yds/Catch - Seven of the top ten leaders are outside first round
2021 Draft:
Yards - Six out of the top ten leaders, three of which were 3rd or later round guys.
TD Leaders - Again six, with four of the top ten being 3rd round or later this time.
Yds/Catch - If you remove a six catch guy (7th round Mike Strachan) there is seven of the top ten guys out of first round and six of those were 3rd round or later guys.
2022 Draft:
Yards - Five of top ten outside day1, two of those beyond even Day2 (Doubs is one of those).
TD Leaders - Five of top ten outside day 1, three of those are 3rd round or later (Doubs, TOlbert, Shakir)
Yds/Catch - Six of top ten outside Day1, four of those outside of day 2 even.
2023 Draft:
Yards - Six of top ten outside Day1, Four are 3rd rounders or later.
TD Leaders - Six of top ten again, four are 3rd or later (Wicks is tenth on the list
Yds/Catch - Ignoring AT PERRY leading the group as he only has 12 catches (he is a 6th rounder though fyi) there are nine out of the top ten are outside of Day1 guys, seven of those are 3rd round or later type guys.
2024 Draft:
Yards - Four of top ten outside Day1, two were 3rd rounders or later
TD Leaders - Four of top ten outside Day1, two again 3rd round or later
Yds/Catch - Seven out of top ten outside Day1, five of those 3rd or later
I don't say all this to make it seem it is a better idea to avoid a REALLY good WR, but truth be told with the advancements of athletic training at the college level and such, it is becoming more and more prevalent in the league to produce high level production from guys outside the first round or even the first couple.
I was actually shocked by this as I did not expect especially as you got closer to now, that the last two drafts would lean heavier to higher drafted guys but it just wasn't the case.
