Wide receiver value declining

[Stash]

It would be stupid to draft Ridley.

We need defense.

WRs in this offense are taken away too easy. I’m tired of using resources at WR when we are fine with just taking what the defense gives.

We spend more money then anyone at the position. It’s time to change the philosophy.

Strong run game, strong defense. The pass game with Garrett isn’t good enough to sink resources into outside of QB.

To say nothing of the valid question:

No matter who you get, is your quarterback capable of maximizing your investment?

This team's entire passing game tanked, across the board. It wasn't simply Dez Bryant. Nobody had a good year.

 

[Ren]

All I want is someone who catches balls that hit them in the hands

 

[3rd_n_inches]

The FO brought in enough WR’s to have a slight clue on a decent player at the most efficient pick. I don’t think it’s the first pick.

 

[3rd_n_inches]

To say nothing of the valid question:

No matter who you get, is your quarterback capable of maximizing your investment?

This team's entire passing game tanked, across the board. It wasn't simply Dez Bryant. Nobody had a good year.

Very true the whole offense took a dive even the line. We need something different this season for a scheme.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Not a popular opinion, but I think Moore may have a higher upside than Ridley.

I agree. Very different prospects -- Ridley has a higher floor, and Moore has a higher ceiling.

 

[nightrain]

I think the entire cap analysis of a roster is going to create fluctuations for different positions as their cap value rises and falls respective to other positions. The one position that will likely not experience much fluctuation is the QB position.

 

[erod]

I agree. Very different prospects -- Ridley has a higher floor, and Moore has a higher ceiling.

I think Christian Kirk will be better than both of them.

 

[GMO415]

Sammy Watkins signed for $16 million.....so NO

 

[erod]

Sammy Watkins signed for $16 million.....so NO

He's young, and he was the can't-miss guy the year he was drafted. Injuries and terrible quarterbacks held him back.

The exception. Receivers aren't panning out.

Teams are winning Super Bowls without #1 receivers.

 

[Section446]

I think Christian Kirk will be better than both of them.

I wouldn't hate it if we drafted Kirk.

 

[Section446]

I'm looking at the recent return on investment with first round receivers. It's simply not there. Especially if they're not considered sure thing #1 receivers the way that Beckham, Green, and Julio Jones were.

If you're using your #19 pick on a guy that has questions to fill a need that you yourself just created, you're reaching. And making a huge mistake.

If you're drafting for need, then you're failing no matter how you swing it. But, if one of the WR's happens to be the highest player left on the their board (which I'm sure they will be at #19), then you have to take one.

 

[Proof]

I'm looking at the recent return on investment with first round receivers. It's simply not there. Especially if they're not considered sure thing #1 receivers the way that Beckham, Green, and Julio Jones were.

If you're using your #19 pick on a guy that has questions to fill a need that you yourself just created, you're reaching. And making a huge mistake.

It’s weird because receivers seemed to shoot up im cost for some non straight-forward reasons.

First 2 were Calvin and Fitz 100 mil deals. They’re both generational players, and marquee guys for teams devoid of identities.

2nd teams like the broncos, saints, Steelers and packers with qbs who put up video game numbers and made the game very exciting. And everyone had to scramble to grab their guys.

Market went berserk but it doesn’t and hasn’t really bore out any necessity or correlating success. You’d think that the patriots success with plug and play journeymen would really shift the dynamic, along with the recent fizzling of early guys but it hasn’t and is pretty strange.

 

[dallasdave]

Given the money being handed out in free agency for receivers lately, it looks to me like the position is alive and well.

In fact, many of the receivers signed this year were overpaid.

Well overpaid.

 

[Stash]

If you're drafting for need, then you're failing no matter how you swing it. But, if one of the WR's happens to be the highest player left on the their board (which I'm sure they will be at #19), then you have to take one.

I'd consider that a messed up board.

If I see a receiver taken at #19, I'm viewing it as a reach.

 

[DFWJC]

Are wide receivers about to drop in value?

For years, running backs have seen their worth devalued, while wide receivers rocketed up the draft boards. The already diva nature were blown up even larger, and they seemed to rule the league and all the attention.

But look at the last three drafts. First-round receivers are bustin' likes grapes. Then there's the Odell Beckham drama. The Jarvis Landry drama. The Dez Bryant drama. On and on. You know the names.

Now, RBs are re-finding their value.

Perhaps teams should focus on the nuts and bolts more....linemen and linebackers. It's hard to be bad when you are good in the trenches.

Who's the last big-name diva receiver to win a championship?

Exactly. The Demarious Thomas contract was a bust. The Dez contract was a bust. This is a common theme with too much money at that position.

Personally, I think this is good for football. The true value in terms of winning is found at other positions.

Last year's class is hard to judge this early (and with the huge early injuries) but it has been an ugly 2-3 years...lol

WR seems to be, other than QB at times, the position teams reach for the most in a draft.
That would imply overvalued vs undervalued. Maybe, as you say, this will swing the pendulum the other way. I kind of doubt it, but we'll see in a few years.

Not sure this year will tell much as there's only one unanimously projected 1st rounder and then 2-3 others that could slip in there depending on various teams preferences.
Then rounds 2-4 will be full of them.

 

[Stash]

It’s weird because receivers seemed to shoot up im cost for some non straight-forward reasons.

Maybe those recent misses have played a part in that?

Maybe these first rounders not doing anything has forced teams to overpay for guys like Donte Moncrief or Paul Richardson? If I had to guess why it was done, that's the best one I can come up with.

First 2 were Calvin and Fitz 100 mil deals. They’re both generational players, and marquee guys for teams devoid of identities.

2nd teams like the broncos, saints, Steelers and packers with qbs who put up video game numbers and made the game very exciting. And everyone had to scramble to grab their guys.

Market went berserk but it doesn’t and hasn’t really bore out any necessity or correlating success. You’d think that the patriots success with plug and play journeymen would really shift the dynamic, along with the recent fizzling of early guys but it hasn’t and is pretty strange.

I think the Patriots are a complete anomaly. The exception and never the rule. Nobody can replicate what they have repeatedly been able to do. They simply don't have any of the other required pieces in place to emulate the Patriots.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

I honestly thought WR's have been trending lower like RBs did. Most of the elite in both positions seem to be a little overpaid. IMO

Now I see why Bell is trying to get paid.

 

[Proof]

Maybe those recent misses have played a part in that?

Maybe these first rounders not doing anything has forced teams to overpay for guys like Donte Moncrief or Paul Richardson? If I had to guess why it was done, that's the best one I can come up with.

Yeah I’m sure, and I think I’m ok with that especially on shorter deals. More asking about on the high end. You’d almost think (due to the disparity in costs ) that the game breaking tight ends would be targeted more.


[/QUOTE]

I think the Patriots are a complete anomaly. The exception and never the rule. Nobody can replicate what they have repeatedly been able to do. They simply don't have any of the other required pieces in place to emulate the Patriots.[/QUOTE]

No one can emulate them, but you’d think it would have some trickle down. Along with the fact that the elite receivers just haven’t gotten anyone over the hump. Closest you can really point to is the falcons, and they have a really nice defense and running game and spread the ball around on top of Julio.

Along with not having won anything lol

 

[Bleu Star]

Are wide receivers about to drop in value?

For years, running backs have seen their worth devalued, while wide receivers rocketed up the draft boards. The already diva nature were blown up even larger, and they seemed to rule the league and all the attention.

But look at the last three drafts. First-round receivers are bustin' likes grapes. Then there's the Odell Beckham drama. The Jarvis Landry drama. The Dez Bryant drama. On and on. You know the names.

Now, RBs are re-finding their value.

Perhaps teams should focus on the nuts and bolts more....linemen and linebackers. It's hard to be bad when you are good in the trenches.

Who's the last big-name diva receiver to win a championship?

Exactly. The Demarious Thomas contract was a bust. The Dez contract was a bust. This is a common theme with too much money at that position.

Personally, I think this is good for football. The true value in terms of winning is found at other positions.

Great post.

When we took Zeke at #4 I was thinking ok RBs are back. Then all we have done since is continue to build that line with road graders.

This offense will go as Zeke goes. Not Dak. Not any other WR that will remain unnamed because I say his name too much. It goes where Zeke goes.

That's why it killed me to see Zeke sabotaging his own career early on grabbing things that he shouldn't be grabbing in public. We've got soooooooo much invested in that guy and it goes beyond money.

I'm looking for him to really come out like gang busters this year behind an improved line. He has plenty to prove after last year and having a player of that caliber with a chip on his shoulder is just icing on the cake.

 

[RS12]

A 40 Y/O Brady was a strip sack away from putting up 40 plus and over 500 yards on one of the best defenses in the league last SB. Yeah he is great and has Gronk, but what other world beaters is he throwing to?