Which rookie WR prospect runs best routes? (1 Viewer)

[Bracie Smathers]

Last year the consensus was Anthony Gonzalez ran the best routes. I believe Bowe was also considered a solid route runner and they both had solid rookie seasons.

I don't know the long history of rookie WR prospects vis-a-vis route running prior to their being selected but their could be a positive correllation.

This crop of WRs isn't viewed as good as last year and wherever the rookies end up will have a big impact yet I think that the best route runners also may hold an edge. I know information on the rookie WR prospects is out there but much of that changes. But for anyone closely following the rookie WRs and who has any insight on the route running capabilities could you please share? And if someone is up on past drafted WRs and how they graded on route running I think their may be something of value here to look into.

 

[jurb26]

I don't know what the "expert" consensus is, but my vote would go to Manningham.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

I don't know what the "expert" consensus is, but my vote would go to Manningham.

He was ranked at/near the top prior to a so-so combine so he should drop off some. So if this checks out where he's viewed up at/near the top in terms of route running then its interesting since I hold a few picks in a rookie draft where he should be available.

 

[prymetyme25]

Jordan Nelson

 

[Thunderchicken]

 

[Raagsreth]

 

[Rodeojones]

 

[draino]

Early Doucet

 

[Orgazmo]

Earl Bennett

 

[FTRWRTR]

According to my draft guide the best rookie wr at route running is donnie avery

 

[msommer]

Last year the consensus was Anthony Gonzalez ran the best routes. I believe Bowe was also considered a solid route runner and they both had solid rookie seasons. I don't know the long history of rookie WR prospects vis-a-vis route running prior to their being selected but their could be a positive correllation.This crop of WRs isn't viewed as good as last year and wherever the rookies end up will have a big impact yet I think that the best route runners also may hold an edge. I know information on the rookie WR prospects is out there but much of that changes. But for anyone closely following the rookie WRs and who has any insight on the route running capabilities could you please share? And if someone is up on past drafted WRs and how they graded on route running I think their may be something of value here to look into.

Not to rain on your parade but wasn't Mark Clayton thought of as the best route runner in his draft - He had a decent career since then but hardly stellar.I think we need more than one year of data on this - Bloom and other Draftniks would have to chip in on this.Good topic!

 

[Toads]

I don't know what the "expert" consensus is, but my vote would go to Manningham.

From Sporting News, where there's an evaluation criteria called "Patterns" for the top eight rated WR's, the comments run the range of:1.) the #8 rated guy: "Closes the cushion on cornerback's quickly."

2.) the #7 rated guy: "Reaches top speed so quickly that defenders are often on their heels the entire game....."

3.) the #6 rated guy: "Is smooth and fluid. Must improve route running...."

4.) the #5 rated guy: "Runs excellent routes to consistently seperate from man-to-man coverage."

5.) the #4 rated guy: "Is at his best on quickhit routes behind, or just beyond, the line of scrimmage."

6.) the #3 rated guy: "Runs sharp routes."

7.) the #2 rated guy: "Is raw but shows the footwork and athleticism to improve."

8.) the #1 rated guy: "Reaches out and catches passes away from his body."

From that analysis, the #3 rated guy seems to have the best route running skill set. Unless, of course, you like the #5 or #7 rated guy's, who seems to also be sharp at that phase of their games.

The #8 rated guy's comments are the best though....you gotta love that he "closes the cushion quickly" on DB's.

To find out which guys are associated with which comments, just knock down a $7.99 + Tax contribution to the magazine mentioned.....bless their descriptive Hearts.

 

[TheOriginalDoubledown]

I don't know what the "expert" consensus is, but my vote would go to Manningham.

From Sporting News, where there's an evaluation criteria called "Patterns" for the top eight rated WR's, the comments run the range of:1.) the #8 rated guy: "Closes the cushion on cornerback's quickly."

2.) the #7 rated guy: "Reaches top speed so quickly that defenders are often on their heels the entire game....."

3.) the #6 rated guy: "Is smooth and fluid. Must improve route running...."

4.) the #5 rated guy: "Runs excellent routes to consistently seperate from man-to-man coverage."

5.) the #4 rated guy: "Is at his best on quickhit routes behind, or just beyond, the line of scrimmage."

6.) the #3 rated guy: "Runs sharp routes."

7.) the #2 rated guy: "Is raw but shows the footwork and athleticism to improve."

8.) the #1 rated guy: "Reaches out and catches passes away from his body."

From that analysis, the #3 rated guy seems to have the best route running skill set. Unless, of course, you like the #5 or #7 rated guy's, who seems to also be sharp at that phase of their games.

The #8 rated guy's comments are the best though....you gotta love that he "closes the cushion quickly" on DB's.

To find out which guys are associated with which comments, just knock down a $7.99 + Tax contribution to the magazine mentioned.....bless their descriptive Hearts.

This is the same magazine that states the NFL Rb that Mcfadden most closely resembles is Steven Jackson. Please by all means reveal the names with the rankings.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

Last year the consensus was Anthony Gonzalez ran the best routes. I believe Bowe was also considered a solid route runner and they both had solid rookie seasons. I don't know the long history of rookie WR prospects vis-a-vis route running prior to their being selected but their could be a positive correllation.This crop of WRs isn't viewed as good as last year and wherever the rookies end up will have a big impact yet I think that the best route runners also may hold an edge. I know information on the rookie WR prospects is out there but much of that changes. But for anyone closely following the rookie WRs and who has any insight on the route running capabilities could you please share? And if someone is up on past drafted WRs and how they graded on route running I think their may be something of value here to look into.

Not to rain on your parade but wasn't Mark Clayton thought of as the best route runner in his draft - He had a decent career since then but hardly stellar.I think we need more than one year of data on this - Bloom and other Draftniks would have to chip in on this.Good topic!

I also remember Chad Jackson being the most polished route running receiver in the 2006 draft... Jury is still 'kind of' out on him I guess though I guess.

 

[dotman]

Last year the consensus was Anthony Gonzalez ran the best routes. I believe Bowe was also considered a solid route runner and they both had solid rookie seasons. I don't know the long history of rookie WR prospects vis-a-vis route running prior to their being selected but their could be a positive correllation.This crop of WRs isn't viewed as good as last year and wherever the rookies end up will have a big impact yet I think that the best route runners also may hold an edge. I know information on the rookie WR prospects is out there but much of that changes. But for anyone closely following the rookie WRs and who has any insight on the route running capabilities could you please share? And if someone is up on past drafted WRs and how they graded on route running I think their may be something of value here to look into.

Not to rain on your parade but wasn't Mark Clayton thought of as the best route runner in his draft - He had a decent career since then but hardly stellar.I think we need more than one year of data on this - Bloom and other Draftniks would have to chip in on this.Good topic!

I think Clayton would have had a much better career right now if he had gone to someone other than the Ravens though. I think the jury is still out on him.

 

[Rev]

Last year the consensus was Anthony Gonzalez ran the best routes. I believe Bowe was also considered a solid route runner and they both had solid rookie seasons. I don't know the long history of rookie WR prospects vis-a-vis route running prior to their being selected but their could be a positive correllation.This crop of WRs isn't viewed as good as last year and wherever the rookies end up will have a big impact yet I think that the best route runners also may hold an edge. I know information on the rookie WR prospects is out there but much of that changes. But for anyone closely following the rookie WRs and who has any insight on the route running capabilities could you please share? And if someone is up on past drafted WRs and how they graded on route running I think their may be something of value here to look into.

Not to rain on your parade but wasn't Mark Clayton thought of as the best route runner in his draft - He had a decent career since then but hardly stellar.I think we need more than one year of data on this - Bloom and other Draftniks would have to chip in on this.Good topic!

I also remember Chad Jackson being the most polished route running receiver in the 2006 draft... Jury is still 'kind of' out on him I guess though I guess.

Not even close. Jackson looked aweful at the combine during route running drills. His measurables overshadowed that, but even the live combine announcers (NFL network) were noting how unbalanced and raw he looked.

 

[Cookiemonster]

Last year the consensus was Anthony Gonzalez ran the best routes. I believe Bowe was also considered a solid route runner and they both had solid rookie seasons. I don't know the long history of rookie WR prospects vis-a-vis route running prior to their being selected but their could be a positive correllation.This crop of WRs isn't viewed as good as last year and wherever the rookies end up will have a big impact yet I think that the best route runners also may hold an edge. I know information on the rookie WR prospects is out there but much of that changes. But for anyone closely following the rookie WRs and who has any insight on the route running capabilities could you please share? And if someone is up on past drafted WRs and how they graded on route running I think their may be something of value here to look into.

Not to rain on your parade but wasn't Mark Clayton thought of as the best route runner in his draft - He had a decent career since then but hardly stellar.I think we need more than one year of data on this - Bloom and other Draftniks would have to chip in on this.Good topic!

I also remember Chad Jackson being the most polished route running receiver in the 2006 draft... Jury is still 'kind of' out on him I guess though I guess.

Not even close. Jackson looked aweful at the combine during route running drills. His measurables overshadowed that, but even the live combine announcers (NFL network) were noting how unbalanced and raw he looked.

Yup. Santonio was concidered the "polished" WR while Chad Jackson was the "upside w/ skills" a lot like Devin Thomas this year.

 

[broncofan13000]

I don't know what the "expert" consensus is, but my vote would go to Manningham.

Agreed. I think Manningham is the most polished route runner in this class. I'm thinking with his relatively poor running at the combine, he'll slip to the 3rd or 4th WR taken in rookie drafts, which will represent great value. I'd be happy to get him in the 2nd round of all my rookie drafts.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Last year the consensus was Anthony Gonzalez ran the best routes. I believe Bowe was also considered a solid route runner and they both had solid rookie seasons.

I don't know the long history of rookie WR prospects vis-a-vis route running prior to their being selected but their could be a positive correllation.

This crop of WRs isn't viewed as good as last year and wherever the rookies end up will have a big impact yet I think that the best route runners also may hold an edge. I know information on the rookie WR prospects is out there but much of that changes. But for anyone closely following the rookie WRs and who has any insight on the route running capabilities could you please share? And if someone is up on past drafted WRs and how they graded on route running I think their may be something of value here to look into.

Not to rain on your parade but wasn't Mark Clayton thought of as the best route runner in his draft - He had a decent career since then but hardly stellar.I think we need more than one year of data on this - Bloom and other Draftniks would have to chip in on this.

Good topic!

I also remember Chad Jackson being the most polished route running receiver in the 2006 draft... Jury is still 'kind of' out on him I guess though I guess.

Not even close. Jackson looked aweful at the combine during route running drills. His measurables overshadowed that, but even the live combine announcers (NFL network) were noting how unbalanced and raw he looked.

Yup. Santonio was concidered the "polished" WR while Chad Jackson was the "upside w/ skills" a lot like Devin Thomas this year.

Correct, and it was Santonio Holmes and Greg Jennings being praised as the best route runners in that class. Interesting development so far. But Brandon Marshall was not a great route runner, just a man among boys and he's doing fine too. This year is more complicated than the last couple years.

Manningham and DeSean Jackson run the best deep routes. Jackson is way more than just a speed guy. He runs some of the most wicked deep routes I have seen. He has several gears and his change of speed and direction is incredible. He is polished. I defended Ginn as a route runner last year, and I believe camp proved that true. DeSean is better. Manningham has Harrison's double move down pat. The one that embarrassed Deion? Yeah, Mario has that, and he adjusts to the ball like Holt. I'm growing confident that Manningham will be the most productive WR in this class, but his great route running is limited to the deeper downfield stuff. He's a little loose on the intermediate routes, but great after the catch. He fixed the Combine with a 4.43 - 4.38 at his pro day.

Earl Bennett and Keenan Burton run razor sharp short and intermediate routes and manage to separate almost at will. Burton is quicker and more dynamic. Both of them beat double teams consistently every time I watched them (and Burton was healthy). Bennett is stronger and can use his body in traffic. I commented about a month ago that I won't be shocked if these two end up being the best in this class. I was thinking about Jennings' success and the way these guys run routes when I made the comment.

Of the big guys, the Marshall like men among boys, I think Hardy is way underrated as a route runner. He is quick for his size and runs very square ins and outs. He's got a lot of Plaxico in him. Kelly is great at finding the seam and getting open. He doesn't separate like Sweed or cut like Hardy, but he's the best rac player of them and has great hands. Sweed gets sloppy with his routes but makes great adjustments to poor throws. These three are a headache but their size and production apparently has them at the top of the class. Marcus Monk is back to full health, once ranked higher than any of them, and may just be the biggest surprise of the big guys as he ran nice routes back when he was at full strength and just zipped a 4.41.

Devin Thomas is a bit of a mystery to me.

 

[travdogg]

Manningham and Doucet are likely to be drafted higher, but I believe the best route-runner is Andre Caldwell.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Manningham and Doucet are likely to be drafted higher, but I believe the best route-runner is Andre Caldwell.

Neither of these guys change direction well or get in and out of breaks very impressively. With Caldwell, it's a pretty big negative. He's powerful, explosive, blazing fast, but stiff in the hips, lacks general flexibility and the ability to torque low on cuts and accelerate out. Early is just a little slow, has trouble getting separation, a one gear guy, but has nice athleticism. Great strength and very solid, but even the most basic scouting reports report his route running needs work.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

Last year the consensus was Anthony Gonzalez ran the best routes. I believe Bowe was also considered a solid route runner and they both had solid rookie seasons. I don't know the long history of rookie WR prospects vis-a-vis route running prior to their being selected but their could be a positive correllation.This crop of WRs isn't viewed as good as last year and wherever the rookies end up will have a big impact yet I think that the best route runners also may hold an edge. I know information on the rookie WR prospects is out there but much of that changes. But for anyone closely following the rookie WRs and who has any insight on the route running capabilities could you please share? And if someone is up on past drafted WRs and how they graded on route running I think their may be something of value here to look into.

Not to rain on your parade but wasn't Mark Clayton thought of as the best route runner in his draft - He had a decent career since then but hardly stellar.I think we need more than one year of data on this - Bloom and other Draftniks would have to chip in on this.Good topic!

I also remember Chad Jackson being the most polished route running receiver in the 2006 draft... Jury is still 'kind of' out on him I guess though I guess.

Not even close. Jackson looked aweful at the combine during route running drills. His measurables overshadowed that, but even the live combine announcers (NFL network) were noting how unbalanced and raw he looked.

Yup. Santonio was concidered the "polished" WR while Chad Jackson was the "upside w/ skills" a lot like Devin Thomas this year.

Interesting, I was going off of something that Torry Holt said during the broadcast of the draft. I must either be remembering it wrong or Holt got the wrong guy. Either way, thanks for correction...

 

[kremenull]

DeSean Jackson.....And he's been working very diligently with the G.O.A.T., Jerry Rice himself. From the few workout session clips that I've seen, but this guy is ultra-quick in and out of his breaks and he runs very crisp, sharp routes.......

I've seen pretty much the other WRs workout clips, and none of them are even that close to this guy as far as running routes. Manningham is also pretty good, too. Sets up DBs very well from what I've seen on film, but we'll see if he can get the separation at the next level....Jackson certainly will

 

[Warhogs]

It's an interesting angle to look at but I think opportunity plays a very big role in this success. Bowe had a pretty clear path to a starting job and did well with it. AGonzo looked to be a slot receiver but then got a lot of opportunity with the Harrison injury.

Some receivers looked to have a good opportunity after the draft but it did not happen for whatever reason. Meachem had some injuries and fell behind. Sidney Rice did not get a lot of chances early, then had some success, then had some injuries of his own.

Looking back at a guy like Chad Jackson he has had a lot of injury issues that have killed his chances.

I am starting to believe that you are best off trying to peg who will be given the greatest opportunity. If you like someone's talent better you can probably trade the guy who had opportunity earlier in his career for a better talent later and get more value.

I have not dug deep into this either but a lot of playing time early on will sure bring up a rookie WR in value.

 

[ditka85]

 

[Bracie Smathers]

It's an interesting angle to look at but I think opportunity plays a very big role in this success. Bowe had a pretty clear path to a starting job and did well with it. AGonzo looked to be a slot receiver but then got a lot of opportunity with the Harrison injury. Some receivers looked to have a good opportunity after the draft but it did not happen for whatever reason. Meachem had some injuries and fell behind. Sidney Rice did not get a lot of chances early, then had some success, then had some injuries of his own.Looking back at a guy like Chad Jackson he has had a lot of injury issues that have killed his chances.I am starting to believe that you are best off trying to peg who will be given the greatest opportunity. If you like someone's talent better you can probably trade the guy who had opportunity earlier in his career for a better talent later and get more value.I have not dug deep into this either but a lot of playing time early on will sure bring up a rookie WR in value.

True dat. Which team selects a player will determine things that are out of his control so that has to be considered when that happens. Also injury is another thing that can't be controlled. Things we can take into account at this time are, measurables, charactor issues, present/past injury history, but I believe route running holds a significance that possibly has not been weighted as heavily as it should have been if past top route runners turned out as solid starters even if they were not in the best situations. Example, Mark Clayton still hasn't worked with a top QB or had a top WR to take heat off of him nor a decent OC or offensive system and he didn't enter the league with the greatest measurables. At this time many teams/scouting departments/coaching staffs, are looking out into the future. They see potential thinking that, in the case of WRs, the guy will develop route running to go with, a big frame/hands/leaping ability/speed/strength etc et el. I think the nuts and bolts of the WR position is hands but that route running is right there and gets overlooked, especially at this time of the year when a guy with great measurables will be tauted as the next great thing which could very well be true. However a guy without the great size or speed or flash who runs precision routes may very well turn into a solid WR and could come at a reasonable price.

 

[Warhogs]

I think I agree with you Bracie. I just think the examples you selected last year were due more because of opportunity than route running skills. In my mind, give me a guy who I feel is a better WR than a guy who has a great frame and athletic ability. I personally like guys like Manningham and Doucet over some of the guys who are the physical specimens that people are moving up their boards quickly.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

I think I agree with you Bracie. I just think the examples you selected last year were due more because of opportunity than route running skills. In my mind, give me a guy who I feel is a better WR than a guy who has a great frame and athletic ability. I personally like guys like Manningham and Doucet over some of the guys who are the physical specimens that people are moving up their boards quickly.

I agree that opportunity is imperative but think that is out of a prospects control. Also I wasn't suggesting route runing should take precidence over other aspects but feel their could be a value-play if a precision route runner can be spotted who lacks measurables. Then opportunity/situation obvious would kick in.