Top Rated Rookie Wr's at last years draft.. (1 Viewer)

[THE UNDERCOVER BROTHA]

How do the masses feel about them now, especially with so many of the second tier guys performing NOW.

At draft time these guys here were the HOT names. Do the most of you still feel STRONGLY about there prospects, Still would rather have them over the Avery's/DeSean's and Royal's in the dynasty setups??

I know the same can be said of McFadden/Mendenhall/Stewert types as well. Just curious since i never here anyone mention the top drafted rookie wr's at all to much on here.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Much rather have Royal and Desean as both have proven they can play at this level. Jury's still out on Avery. That said i think Devin's going to be a player. The rest im not so sure about.

 

[awesomeness]

The only name of those 4 who drops in ranking significantly is Sweed.

I still think Devin Thomas will be the best WR of this past draft. Eddie Royal would probably be ranked 2nd, having Cutler throwing him the ball helps his ranking immensely, he just needs to work on fumble problems and he should be great for a while. Then i would put James Hardy at 3rd. I compare his style to Plaxico Burress, who also struggled in his first year in the NFL.

Not to sure what to do at 4-5-6 with Kelly, DeSean, and Avery as of yet.

 

[r0llin_game]

James Hardy- Still very unpolished. Will be a solid WR3 in fantasy within the next couple years with room to shine up to WR2

Malcolm Kelly/Devin Thomas- Both have had nagging injuries but finally appear to be healthy. Might take injuries to Santana and Randle El until they are much of a factor.

Limas Sweed- As of right now you can label him bust. Hasn't been able to work his way up, and when he's gotten reps, has looked like he's been out there not having a clue.

DeSean Jackson- This is who I truly thought would be the best WR coming out of this past NFL draft. Being drafted by Philly and all the injuries forced him right into playing time. At Cal he showed the ability to make plays, even being small.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

I thought Earl Bennett was a good pick, but apparently he couldn't get PT even among Chicago's so-so corps.

 

[FUBAR]

I thought Earl Bennett was a good pick, but apparently he couldn't get PT even among Chicago's so-so corps.

He's been my biggest disappointment to date. I know he wasn't as highly rated as some, and his upside isn't as high, but I thought for sure he would have seen the field more by now and could be a contributor as a rookie. FWIW, I'm going to attempt to acquire Thomas and Hardy this off season. Shouldn't cost more than their original draft pick, right?

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

James Hardy- Still very unpolished. Will be a solid WR3 in fantasy within the next couple years with room to shine up to WR2 Malcolm Kelly/Devin Thomas- Both have had nagging injuries but finally appear to be healthy. Might take injuries to Santana and Randle El until they are much of a factor.Limas Sweed- As of right now you can label him bust. Hasn't been able to work his way up, and when he's gotten reps, has looked like he's been out there not having a clue.DeSean Jackson- This is who I truly thought would be the best WR coming out of this past NFL draft. Being drafted by Philly and all the injuries forced him right into playing time. At Cal he showed the ability to make plays, even being small.

Kelly's knees may be shot for the long haul. I have my doubts about him for sure. I drafted DeSean in every dynasty league I play in, all 7 of them. I was dumb enough to trade him in one league for Limas Sweed straight up, but I still own him in 6 leagues. I think Devin Thomas will be very good long term. I have my doubts about Hardy's character, but he could fool me and do very well. I'm not sure about Sweed yet. I want him to do well because I have him in many leagues, but the jury is still out on him, as it is with all these WRs. There are no busts at this time. You don't label someone a bust after their rookie year, especially a WR.

 

[MAC_32]

-Hardy is a project, those who thought he was going to be something this year were foolish

-Devin Thomas and Limas Sweed were my two biggest bust candidates

-Malcom Kelly has enormous potential, and a potentially chronic knee problem...if he can beat the knee issue, watch out

My top WR's Jordy Nelson and DeSean Jackson are looking good.

Definitely missed the Eddie Royal boat though.

Liking the potential in my deep sleepers, Harry Douglas and Keenan Burton. Not so much Will Franklin though. Not ready to write Jerome Simpson off just yet.

 

[JPeso]

UCB mentions the tiers, but I think those tiers were seemingly de facto. It was very tough to separate this WR class. All else equal, I think the masses gravitate toward those with prototypical size, as opposed to the smaller WRs. The top tier was supply and demand for a WR on your dynasty squad. If you needed an RB at the end of the 1st, most would have taken Slaton, Charles, or even Torain. However, if you needed a WR, most of us gravitated toward those who had the prototypical size/strength/etc.

 

[JPeso]

Kelly's knees may be shot for the long haul. I have my doubts about him for sure. I drafted DeSean in every dynasty league I play in, all 7 of them. I was dumb enough to trade him in one league for Limas Sweed straight up, but I still own him in 6 leagues. I think Devin Thomas will be very good long term. I have my doubts about Hardy's character, but he could fool me and do very well. I'm not sure about Sweed yet. I want him to do well because I have him in many leagues, but the jury is still out on him, as it is with all these WRs. There are no busts at this time. You don't label someone a bust after their rookie year, especially a WR.

Agree 100% with this statement. The guys able to make an instant impact were those who could see the field based on speed and playmaking ability. Avery/DeSean are not polished WRs, but with their speed and instant playmaking ability, they have been able to produce. I think you would have seen Avery produce similar to DeSean if in the same situation. On the flipside, Thomas/Sweed/Hardy are not as polished, nor does they possess the speed/strength to produce without honing skills and route-running ability.

Royal, on the other hand, is seemingly unguardable. He comes out of routes as quick as anyone I can remember. I was in awe on that first MNF and still have not stopped mancrushing.

 

[r0llin_game]

-Hardy is a project, those who thought he was going to be something this year were foolish-Devin Thomas and Limas Sweed were my two biggest bust candidates-Malcom Kelly has enormous potential, and a potentially chronic knee problem...if he can beat the knee issue, watch outMy top WR's Jordy Nelson and DeSean Jackson are looking good.Definitely missed the Eddie Royal boat though.Liking the potential in my deep sleepers, Harry Douglas and Keenan Burton. Not so much Will Franklin though. Not ready to write Jerome Simpson off just yet.

What I kept saying on Hardy was the biggest impact he'd make this season, if one was made was that it'd definitely be in the red zone. So far he's been solid for a rookie around there. Just was I was most cautious about him was that he didn't have the ability to beat the double team when teams like Wisconsin and Oklahoma State played v. him. Speaking of Oklahoma State, what's everyone thoughts on Dez Bryant. I didn't get to see much of him this season, mostly since I work on Saturdays, but when I did watch him in their bowl game v. IU, he just looked like he had potential stud written all over him, just needs to adjust his attitude a little bit.

 

[Burning Sensation]

I dont think Avery was a 2nd tier guy, he was the first WR drafted in 2008. Actually, this draft was nothing but 2nd tier guys, so it doesnt suprise me to see Royal, Avery and Jackson outplaying Hardy, Thomas, and Kelly.

Right now, i think the top 5 going forward are:

1. Royal

2. Avery

3. Jackson

4. Hardy

5. Morgan

 

[T Bell]

As a 'Skins fan, I can only say that I know little more about Thomas and Kelly now than I did the day they were drafted. Injuries have greatly slowed them down, but Thomas still looks like a good raw physical specimen who needs to work a lot on his route running and learning the offense to get polished, and Kelly looks like an athletic, tall WR with leaping ability who should be good on sideline fades, intermediate routes and in the red zone . . . if he stays healthy.

The good news is that the 'Skins desperately need one or both of them to emerge to take attention away from Moss and Cooley in the passing game. I also wouldn't worry about Randle El getting in the way - if either guy shows he's capable of playing in the NFL, they'll quickly push Randle El to the WR3 position in the slot, which is where he belongs anyway.

 

[MAC_32]

-Hardy is a project, those who thought he was going to be something this year were foolish

-Devin Thomas and Limas Sweed were my two biggest bust candidates

-Malcom Kelly has enormous potential, and a potentially chronic knee problem...if he can beat the knee issue, watch out

My top WR's Jordy Nelson and DeSean Jackson are looking good.

Definitely missed the Eddie Royal boat though.

Liking the potential in my deep sleepers, Harry Douglas and Keenan Burton. Not so much Will Franklin though. Not ready to write Jerome Simpson off just yet.

What I kept saying on Hardy was the biggest impact he'd make this season, if one was made was that it'd definitely be in the red zone. So far he's been solid for a rookie around there. Just was I was most cautious about him was that he didn't have the ability to beat the double team when teams like Wisconsin and Oklahoma State played v. him. Speaking of Oklahoma State, what's everyone thoughts on Dez Bryant. I didn't get to see much of him this season, mostly since I work on Saturdays, but when I did watch him in their bowl game v. IU, he just looked like he had potential stud written all over him, just needs to adjust his attitude a little bit.

Could be the #1 WR off the board in 010.

 

[BeTheMatch]

I'm glad I trusted my eyes when it came to Desean Jackson. Unfortunately, I didn't when it came to Slaton. I bought into the he's-too-small hype and passed on him.

Knew nothing about Eddie Royal until the first time I saw him play for the Broncos. If I had ever seen him play, can't believe I would've passed on him. His skills seem impossible to ignore. How did the masses miss out on him??? I suppose he was too small too.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

Kelly's knees may be shot for the long haul. I have my doubts about him for sure. I drafted DeSean in every dynasty league I play in, all 7 of them. I was dumb enough to trade him in one league for Limas Sweed straight up, but I still own him in 6 leagues. I think Devin Thomas will be very good long term. I have my doubts about Hardy's character, but he could fool me and do very well. I'm not sure about Sweed yet. I want him to do well because I have him in many leagues, but the jury is still out on him, as it is with all these WRs. There are no busts at this time. You don't label someone a bust after their rookie year, especially a WR.

Agree 100% with this statement. The guys able to make an instant impact were those who could see the field based on speed and playmaking ability. Avery/DeSean are not polished WRs, but with their speed and instant playmaking ability, they have been able to produce. I think you would have seen Avery produce similar to DeSean if in the same situation. On the flipside, Thomas/Sweed/Hardy are not as polished, nor does they possess the speed/strength to produce without honing skills and route-running ability.

Royal, on the other hand, is seemingly unguardable. He comes out of routes as quick as anyone I can remember. I was in awe on that first MNF and still have not stopped mancrushing.

I agree with most of what you said, but you are wrong about DeSean Jackson not being polished. He's not just a speed guy, and was known to be a good route runner in college.

 

[Native]

Where does Davone Bess deserve to get mentioned in this conversation? He was undrafted but has been the leading WR in Miami for several weeks now.

 

[Mikey16x]

Yeah, I was all about DeSean at Cal... and Hoss_Cartwright is correct, he's not just a burner.. get runs great routes. If I had to guess that class going forward value wise.. I would probably say

1. Royal

2. DJax

3. Avery (I'm thinking Holt gets released or moved this off-season)

4. Josh Morgan (Thinking he's the clear-cut #1/2 next year considering Bryant Johnson only signed a 1yr deal and has done nothing to suggest a long term extension as well as the ever so aging Isaac Bruce)

 

[-OZ-]

I'm glad I trusted my eyes when it came to Desean Jackson. Unfortunately, I didn't when it came to Slaton. I bought into the he's-too-small hype and passed on him.

Knew nothing about Eddie Royal until the first time I saw him play for the Broncos. If I had ever seen him play, can't believe I would've passed on him. His skills seem impossible to ignore. How did the masses miss out on him??? I suppose he was too small too.

Those who don't watch college ball are missing the boat IMO. I was lucky enough to see Royal in the bowl game (ROCK CHALK) and he impressed me enough to draft him in the 2nd round. I'm thankful that I took my own opinion in last year's draft and netted DJax and Royal both in the 2nd and Bess in the late 6th (around pick #100 overall) those 3 could have been a huge part of my team for the future, but I ended up trading DJax for Lynch, Royal along with Evans for Randy Moss and Kirk Morrisson (incidentally, both deals were with the same team). I'm not sorry about those deals, they still seem fair and provide some idea of what these two are worth. (FWIW, along with CJ3 in the 1st, I'll be living large off this draft for awhile)Bess should be a PPR beast (well, WR2/3 anyway) and shows that speed isn't always necessary.

Royal shows the value of quickness and he has good speed

Jackson shares those attributes and shows that size isn't vital.

IMO these 3 help demonstrate that there isn't a particular size/speed that is necessary for success in the NFL and the value of actually watching these prospects instead of assuming the GMs know better than we do. (they usually will, but not always)

 

[-OZ-]

Where does Davone Bess deserve to get mentioned in this conversation? He was undrafted but has been the leading WR in Miami for several weeks now.

Davone Bess can set the all-time record for the most receptions by an undrafted rookie receiver by catching 27 passes in Miami's last three games.Analysis: He's a virtual lock to pass ex-Colt Terrence Wilkins (42 in 1999) for second place on the list but probably won't overtake Wayne Chrebet, who established the mark. Chrebet caught 66 passes as the Jets' No. 1 receiver in 1995.

FWIW, he's been a top 20 WR the past few weeks in PPR leagues. I don't know if he'll keep it up next year, but you have to like his performance so far.

 

[twr]

generally smaller WR's just cant make it in the NFL because of the physical corners....

the only two that were thought to be too small were desean and avery. with avery getting dogged alot because he played for UH.

royal on the other had never had really outstanding stats at vtech, so thats why most people couldnt figure him out. royal reminds me alot of steve smith(car). if you can get your hands on him i would.

i really thought that devin thomas would make a impact for the skins this year, but now i think hes more of a roddy white / braylon edwards type.... he will start producing in year 2/3. i still have high hopes for him... and iv never been too high on hardy.

 

[EBF]

There's no one in the bunch that I'll be actively pursuing in the offseason. If I had to choose, I would lean towards the guys that I liked around draft time: Kelly, Thomas, Caldwell, and Nelson. They should offer pretty decent risk/reward at their ADP. Josh Morgan has impressed me enough to warrant some consideration, but he's not a lock for success by any means.

Harry Douglas has also moved up my board this season. He's made the most of his opportunities and Ryan is looking like a star at QB. If Douglas can somehow wrestle the WR2 job away from Jenkins and Robinson, he could have some value in that offense.

 

[comfortably numb]

Any love for Doucet?

I think he could have one of the better situations entering his 2nd/3rd year.

 

[-OZ-]

Any love for Doucet?I think he could have one of the better situations entering his 2nd/3rd year.

If Warner is around much longer, you're right. The #3 in Arizona has done fairly well - if Boldin leaves, Doucet could be a decent WR3/4 type. Breaston is the future #2.

 

[BusMan]

The only name of those 4 who drops in ranking significantly is Sweed.

I still think Devin Thomas will be the best WR of this past draft. Eddie Royal would probably be ranked 2nd, having Cutler throwing him the ball helps his ranking immensely, he just needs to work on fumble problems and he should be great for a while. Then i would put James Hardy at 3rd. I compare his style to Plaxico Burress, who also struggled in his first year in the NFL.

Not to sure what to do at 4-5-6 with Kelly, DeSean, and Avery as of yet.

What?

 

[Sabertooth]

Dynasty virgin who was just knocked out of the playoffs last night. In other words :sehorn:

 

[Anthony Borbely]

I still think Devin Thomas will wind up being the best WR in that draft class. He only started one year in college and was less polished than the others, but you can see the playmaking ability a mile away.

In general, buying low on the underachieving rookies after their rookie season can yield great results.