Tag: wide receivers

PFF ranks Saints receiving corps among NFL’s second tier

The New Orleans Saints revamped their wide receiver room, but PFF still ranks their pass-catching unit in the NFL’s second tier. Here’s why, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

Offensive prowess has always been synonymous with the New Orleans Saints. That is, until their passing game ranked last in yardage in 2021. Now, there’s a bit of a renaissance expected in the wide receiver room that could change that fortune heading into this season, getting the offense’s reputation back on track.

However, despite their revamped unit, the Saints placed in the second tier of Pro Football Focus’s receiving corps rankings. These rankings take into consideration not only wideouts, but tight ends as well. The tight end depth chart may be one of most open units on the New Orleans roster. While it’s reasonable to expect a leap from last year’s production, even the new weapons on the outside barely crack PFF’s top-15 landing at 14. Here’s what PFF’s Ben Linsey wrote of the ranking:

“Offseason additions Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry take the Saints’ receiving corps from one of the thinner groups across the NFL to one with promise, particularly if Michael Thomas returns at full strength.

New Orleans secured an excellent prospect-team fit by snagging Olave the first round, even if they paid a premium to move up and get him. He’s a polished route-runner who can separate downfield. That shows in his 12 touchdowns on throws 20-plus yards downfield across his final two seasons at Ohio State (fourth-most in the FBS). That profile is what New Orleans was missing at wide receiver in 2021.”

Let’s be real, the Saints were missing another huge profile at wide receiver in 2021, that of Thomas. Getting him back (head coach Dennis Allen expects Thomas to return for training camp) along with the additions noted above should be a huge boost for the New Orleans offense. But I don’t think this ranking is unwarranted until the team knows where it’s going and what it has at tight end.

If third-year tight end Adam Trautman can take the step forward most are hoping for, that’s a start. More reps for Juwan Johnson, the converted wide receiver, and a pass-catching role for Taysom Hill, the multifaceted quarterback, could add a series of dynamics and versatility hard for any defense to stop.

[pickup_prop id=”24636″]

[listicle id=112974]

Former Longhorn WR Marcus Washington commits to Nebraska

The move to Nebraska reunites Washington with his former Texas quarterback Casey Thompson.

Former Texas wide receiver Marcus Washington is off to Nebraska to join Scott Frost’s program in the Big Ten. Continue reading “Former Longhorn WR Marcus Washington commits to Nebraska”

How have other WRs selected in the top 10 fared as rookies?

NFL Draft History: How have other wide receivers selected in the top 10 fared in their rookie seasons?

When the Atlanta Falcons were on the clock with the eighth overall pick in the 2022 draft, several talented players were still available, including Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton, Georgia’s Jordan Davis and Mississippi State’s Charles Cross.

Ultimately, the Falcons went with USC wide receiver Drake London and filled a major need with a prospect that scouts have compared to four-time Pro Bowl WR Mike Evans. Tampa Bay drafted Evans with the No. 7 pick in 2014 and he would finish with 68 catches for 1,051 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns as a rookie.

So, what should fans expect from London in his first year? Let’s take a look at how other receivers drafted in the top 10 have fared in their rookie seasons.

Saints new ‘big 3’ at WR set to revitalize passing attack

After an injury-riddled 2021 campaign, the Saints now have made big investments in a “big three” at wide receiver set to revive the passing game, via @RossJacksonNOLA;

All offseason the New Orleans Saints have been open about wanting to address and bolster their wide receiver one. Inherently, this was on the horizon with the expected return of All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas. However, New Orleans wisely didn’t rely on just his return to aid what was considered a big need for the team. They also selected Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave in the first-round and most recently signed veteran wideout Jarvis Landry. The signing of Landry is one that was met with much excitement due to his Louisiana roots, but is also a clear benefit to the team when it comes to his leadership and experience on the field.

To help gather information on how Landry might fit together in the Saints’ offense in 2022, I watch each snap of his three most run routes (slant, hitch, and out) in 2020 and 2021. Since he had an abbreviated and injury-riddled 2021, I went back an extra season.

I then went through the Saints’ 2021 receiving group to find similar routes, patterns, and concepts. This allowed me to evaluate the receiver’s route-running, their spacing relative to other receivers, and ability to finish plays. What this shows us is that a lot of what the Saints young pass-catchers struggled with last year, shouldn’t be an issue for the revamped wideout room. Let’s explore:

14 wide receivers for Packers to target on Day 2 of 2022 NFL draft

The Packers didn’t draft a wide receiver in the first round. Oh well. There is still a lot of talent left at the position. Here are 14 Day 2 options for the Packers.

Surprise, surprise. The Green Bay Packers exited the first round of the 2022 NFL draft without taking a wide receiver. After a run on receivers in the middle of the first round, general manager Brian Gutekunst stayed put and picked Georgia linebacker Quay Walker at No. 22 overall and Georgia defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt at No. 28 overall.

The Packers defense could be terrific in 2022. But what about wide receiver, the team’s biggest need position? Fortunately for the Packers, the draft is seven rounds long, and both the general manager and quarterback are confident the team can find quality options on Day 2.

“There are some really good receivers left in this draft,” Brian Gutekunst said late Thursday night.

While talking with “The Pat McAfee Show,” Aaron Rodgers mentioned the team’s past success in finding receivers in the second and third rounds.

Both are right. There are at least 14 receiver options for the Packers to target in the second and third rounds on Friday. Don’t be surprised if Gutekunst selects one or two of the names from this list.

How do Jameson Williams, John Metchie rank among WRs in 2022 NFL draft class

See where they rank when compared to others in the 2022 NFL draft class!

Former Alabama players are set to enter the 2022 NFL draft, which will begin in just a few days. [autotag]Jameson Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]John Metchie[/autotag] are two former Crimson Tide wide receivers who will soon figure out where they will start their NFL careers.

Both wide receivers suffered devastating knee injuries in the postseason, which may have hurt their original projected landing spots. Regardless of the injuries, they are likely to be drafted in the first and second round, respectively.

Luke Easterling of the Draft Wire revealed his rankings for the wide receivers in this 2022 class. Williams and Metchie are ranked highly in the group.

First … Jameson Williams 

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Will Packers snag a smaller wide receiver in the 2022 draft?

The 2022 draft is filled with smaller receivers, but smaller receivers are producing at top levels in the NFL. Will the Packers draft a receiver under 200 pounds?

The 2022 NFL draft has a type at wide receiver, and it’s a growing type across the league. Small and fast is in. Will the Green Bay Packers find their next great wide receiver in a smaller body type?

Consider this: Of Dane Brugler’s top 20 wide receivers, 14 are under 200 pounds. Of the 35 with draftable grades, 21 are under 200 pounds. This is a draft of lanky or undersized receivers who can run like the wind. It’s one of the fastest classes of receivers ever, but also probably one of the smallest, at least weight-wise.

The Packers generally like bigger receivers. General manager Brian Gutekunst has drafted four wide receivers, and all four were over 200 pounds. Davante Adams, the team’s last top-60 pick at receiver, is 215 pounds. Height also factors in; the team simply hasn’t drafted many receivers 5-11 or under.

But here’s the good news for the 2022 draft class: smaller wide receivers are increasingly producing at top levels in the NFL.

Eleven wide receivers weighing under 200 pounds produced at least 1,000 receiving yards during the 2021 season. Eight weighed 185 or less.

Wide receiver Weight Receiving yards
Justin Jefferson 195 1,616
Tyreek Hill 185 1,239
Stefon Diggs 191 1,225
Tyler Lockett 182 1,175
Diontae Johnson 183 1,161
CeeDee Lamb 189 1,102
Darnell Mooney 173 1,055
Hunter Renfrow 185 1,038
Brandin Cooks 183 1,037
Jaylen Waddle 182 1,015
Marquise Brown 180 1,008

The draft class is filled with similar body types. Five potential first-round picks – Garrett Wilson (183), Jameson Williams (179), Chris Olave (187), Jahan Dotson (178) and George Pickens (195) – are under 200 pounds. Skyy Moore (195), Jalen Tolbert (194), John Metchie (187), Khalil Shakir (196), Danny Gray (186), Tyquan Thornton (181), Bo Melton (189) and Kyle Philips (189) are mid-round options under 200 pounds.

There are bigger receivers in the class. Think Drake London (219), Treylon Burks (225), Christian Watson (208), Alec Pierce (211) and David Bell (212).  But they are in the minority.

The Packers need to get at least two wide receivers in this draft. It’s possible the team drafts a combination like Burks and Watson or Pierce, continuning the trend of bigger receivers in Green Bay. But it’s also likely the Packers will take a receiver weighing under 200 pounds from this class.

This is a small draft class at receiver, but smaller pass-catchers can still produce big numbers at the NFL level, especially in today’s pass-heavy game designed with rules protecting smaller players from big hits and over-physical play. If there was ever a year for the Packers to sway a bit from their comfort zone and grab a smaller playmaking receiver, this might be it.

[listicle id=80050]

Potential WR prospects for Saints in each round of the 2022 NFL draft

There isn’t a question about New Orleans’ top draft need; it’s about when they’ll add a wide receiver. Prospects for the Saints in each round of the 2022 NFL draft:

There isn’t a question about the most pressing need for the New Orleans Saints in the 2022 NFL draft: it’s wide receiver. There are lesser needs at quarterback and left tackle, sure, but a rookie passer isn’t unseating Jameis Winston and James Hurst has shown he can hold down the left side of the line. Maybe the Saints go looking for a safety early on to replace Marcus Williams, but they should be able to wait and address that later.

Whether Michael Thomas returns to form or not, he could use a stronger supporting cast, and the Saints aren’t doing young players like Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harty any favors by asking them to compete with the best cover corners in the NFL each week. Making some upgrades to the depth chart has to be a major priority, and the Saints have done a good job preparing for it by trading with the Philadelphia Eagles for another first round pick.

But which prospects could they be targeting? There will be options in every round of this year’s draft, and it’s good to have an idea of which players could be available once New Orleans is on the clock. So here’s your round-by-round preview of the 2022 wide receivers class:

Alabama Football History: The top 20 all-time leading receivers

Check out the all-time leading receivers in Alabama Football history!

Alabama football has seen some of the greatest college wide receivers come through Tuscaloosa. The program has also been able to produce top-tier talent in the NFL ranks. Overall, there is a rich history of fine wide receiver play within the Crimson Tide program.

Whether it be numerous first-round picks, Biletnikoff Awards or a Heisman winner, Alabama’s wide receivers are nationally recognized and respected as one of the strongest units year after year.

Let’s take a look back at some of the Crimson Tide’s top receivers of all time based on how many total receiving yards they had in their time at Alabama.

What the departure of Agiye Hall means for Alabama’s WR unit

With Agiye Hall not likely to return, how are Alabama’s remaining WRs impacted?

Just a few days ago, Alabama football head coach Nick Saban announced that rising sophomore wide receiver [autotag]Agiye Hall[/autotag] was suspended from the program for a violation of team rules. Less than 24 hours later, Hall entered the NCAA transfer portal.

As a true freshman in 2021, Hall’s contributions were minimal. He reeled in two receptions for 52 yards in the national championship. It was understandably difficult to see the field in his first year, seeing as he played below future NFL draft picks.

Those starters are now gone, as [autotag]Jameson Williams[/autotag], [autotag]John Metchie[/autotag] and [autotag]Slade Bolden[/autotag] have all left the program to enter the 2022 NFL draft. Now, it’s time for a new-look Crimson Tide wide receiving unit.

Hall was not expected to open the upcoming 2022 season as a starter, but was definitely going to get more playing time and likely be in the mix to take over starting role with a good performance.

Now that he is in the transfer portal and is not likely to return, it’s key to see how this move impacts Alabama’s wide receiver corps.