Q: Jacksonville drafted three rookie wide receivers and has another youngster in Mike Walker on the roster. Who has stood out so far this offseason?
Koetter: All of them have had their days where they've looked good. I'll start with Walker -- I'm a big Mike Walker fan, and I don't think any of us could ever fully comprehend how tough of a year Mike had last year. He came off a 100-yard-plus game against the Steelers, feeling like he's coming into his own, and then he hurts that knee and gets that fluke staph infection. All of a sudden, he's in the hospital and they say he's out for four weeks. Then his best friend passes, then his father passes, just an unbelievable string of events. Right now Mike looks confident and healthy, and I think he's going to do some good things for us.
The rookies have all had their moments and they all have different strengths.
Mike Thomas is the compact, strong, explosive in a short field type. I think his effectiveness will carry over into pads.
Tiquan Underwood, I had him graded as a fourth- or fifth-round receiver, so when he was still there in the seventh, it was great. Everybody was watching Rutgers film because they had some other players like Kenny Britt, but Tyquan stood out. I like him a lot, and Tyquan has legitimate speed. He looks skinny, but not in his uniform. I mean, you look at his body weight and you go 'Man, this guy's got to be tiny.' But he plays strong and he plays fast. He tweaked his ankle on the last day of our OTAs, so he might be on the shelf for these last few practices, but he's really stood out and flashed here.
Jarett Dillard has really impressed me. I watched his college film; you have to love what Rice University does on offense throwing it all over the yard, but you have to wonder how it would translate over to the NFL. He has surprised me every day. He has a real natural feel for football. His timing, getting in seams, running option routes, showing great hands. He's exceeded my personal expectations after his college film. He's been working in the slot. Personally, I was somewhat leery because Underwood and Thomas played a lot more slot in college, so I was not necessarily envisioning Dillard there, but some other people in our organization were, and they were right -- he's looked good in the slot.
The great thing about all three of them is that they have great attitudes. They all have come in here and just worked their tails off.
Q:Is it safe to say that if any of these guys keep it up and have a great camp and preseason that you'll find playing time for them this year?
Koetter: I think that's safe to say. One thing I've learned in my short time in the NFL at the receiver position more than any other position is that we better not get too excited while we're practicing in shorts. You're not seeing any press coverage in OTAs, but when you get into those preseason games where you're going up against players that are pressing us, if we're still as excited then, it's safe to say those guys have a chance to get some playing time.
