xwalker
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I think a good way to enhance the slot WR depth is by getting a pass receiving RB.
The Duke Johnson type RB would be good to have on the roster. He could used as a slot WR on some snaps depending on matchups and his ability as a receiver out of the backfield could be used to do some of the things a slot WR does.
Beasley was great in his niche role of owning the short area to move the chains; however, his limitations were often a limitation on the offense. He didn't have the deep speed of some smallish WRs to back defenders off and his quickness was negated one longer routes where defenders have more time to react with the ball in the air and can use their size to reach around/over him.
Using a WR with outside WR ability in the slot allows for more creativity on offense; however, the bigger WRs (Cooper is an exception) often don't have the quickness of Beasley. That's where a quick pass receiving RB can be an asset in the slot or from the backfield but running routes in that same short area where Beasley excelled.
I have not looked at these types of RBs in the draft.
Although I'm a big fan of RB Bryce Love, he was not used much as a receiver. I don't know if that was because he was limited or just because they didn't need that from him.
Tavon Austin can be used as a slot WR with elite speed and quickness but he's not an ideal option to use from the backfield because he can't pass block like some of the short but stout RBs. Lance Dunbar was about the same height but was a very good pass blocker. Dunbar probably outweighed Austin by 25 pounds. Obviously injury issues limited Dunbar just like they've limited Austin in his career.
Summary: In the draft I would focus more on a pass receiving RB than a slot WR.
The Duke Johnson type RB would be good to have on the roster. He could used as a slot WR on some snaps depending on matchups and his ability as a receiver out of the backfield could be used to do some of the things a slot WR does.
Beasley was great in his niche role of owning the short area to move the chains; however, his limitations were often a limitation on the offense. He didn't have the deep speed of some smallish WRs to back defenders off and his quickness was negated one longer routes where defenders have more time to react with the ball in the air and can use their size to reach around/over him.
Using a WR with outside WR ability in the slot allows for more creativity on offense; however, the bigger WRs (Cooper is an exception) often don't have the quickness of Beasley. That's where a quick pass receiving RB can be an asset in the slot or from the backfield but running routes in that same short area where Beasley excelled.
I have not looked at these types of RBs in the draft.
Although I'm a big fan of RB Bryce Love, he was not used much as a receiver. I don't know if that was because he was limited or just because they didn't need that from him.
Tavon Austin can be used as a slot WR with elite speed and quickness but he's not an ideal option to use from the backfield because he can't pass block like some of the short but stout RBs. Lance Dunbar was about the same height but was a very good pass blocker. Dunbar probably outweighed Austin by 25 pounds. Obviously injury issues limited Dunbar just like they've limited Austin in his career.
Summary: In the draft I would focus more on a pass receiving RB than a slot WR.