wide receivers – Page 22 – Syndication Server

News: How many Cowboys will make Hall of Fame, Gregory disgruntled, COVID snitch hotline

In Cowboys news, we look at Randy Gregory’s reinstatement, Michael Gallup’s 3rd-year forecast, and how the defensive front might improve.

Cowboys fans may have been cheated out of seeing their team play the Hall of Fame Game and a couple alums get enshrined in Canton this weekend, but one outlet is forecasting which current Dallas players might just receive bronze busts in the future, when their playing days are done.

In other news, lots of talk about the wideouts as Michael Gallup goes under the microscope entering his third season, Amari Cooper and Co. could hold the key to the team’s success this year, and Ezekiel Elliott dispels the notion that the group’s 1,000-yard-times-three expectations will put a dent in his workload. Randy Gregory is frustrated about his reinstatement status, the defense could be in for a big boost in 2020, and the coronavirus has not only made this year’s practice squad assembly more interesting… it’ll also have players self-policing their own teams anonymously as clubs navigate COVID-19 protocols. That’s all on tap in this edition of News and Notes.

Projecting future Hall of Famers for all 32 NFL teams :: ESPN

On the eve of what was supposed to be Hall of Fame Weekend, Bill Barnwell says Ezekiel Elliott, Zack Martin, and Tyron Smith are “likely” to eventually get gold jackets. Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper are “in the running.” DeMarcus Lawrence, Leighton Vander Esch, and Gerald McCoy could make it to Canton, too.

3 ways Michael Gallup can have his best season yet :: Inside The Star

Michael Gallup took a huge leap in 2019 with over 1,100 receiving yards. With improvement in a few areas and added firepower around him in the form of CeeDee Lamb, he can be even better in 2020.

Building the Cowboys’ practice squad is much more interesting than in the past :: Blogging The Boys

With COVID-19 testing and new rules set in place, the building of practice squad rosters has become more intriguing.

Cowboys DE Randy Gregory vents on being stuck ‘in limbo’ over reinstatement :: Cowboys Wire

The suspended defensive end took to Twitter to voice his frustration over his reinstatement status, blaming “Covid and testing” as the reason he hasn’t been able to prove he’s complying with the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

The NFLPA today sent players a phone number for them to report NFL teams’ violations of the agreed upon COVID-19 protocols, sources say. Players can text the number but they will remain anonymous. The union can file a grievance on players’ behalves for perceived violations.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 5, 2020

Understanding the Cowboys defensive tackle position group and how we could see a surprise :: Blogging The Boys

Limited roster spots have made things interesting when it comes to the question of who will make the Cowboys roster as defensive tackle.

The Dallas Cowboys defensive line better than last season? :: The Landry Hat

The Cowboys beefed up their defensive front by adding veteran help in free agency and young talent in the NFL Draft. These additions could make them even more formidable than they were in 2019.

NFL history says Cowboys will be successful if wide receivers meet expectations :: The Athletic

Amari Cooper thinks the Cowboys can be the sixth team in NFL history with three 1,000-yard receivers. With the previous five teams all finishing with winning records, the odds of success are in the Cowboys’ favor if they achieve this milestone in 2020.

Elliott defiantly rejects idea Cowboys WR trio will steal his touches :: Cowboys Wire

One NFL reporter wondered on social media what three 1,000-yard receivers would mean for Elliott’s workload in 2020. Elliott put a stop to the pot-stirring speculation, tweeting, “We all gonna EAT.”

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Buffalo Bills training camp preview: Wide receiver

2020 Buffalo Bills wide receivers training camp preview

The Buffalo Bills are a few short weeks away from arriving for training camp in Western New York. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the preseason festivities will be diminished; the team will not hold their sessions at St. John Fisher College, their training camp location since 2000.

Nevertheless, the aim of the training camp remains the same. The organization must prepare players for the preseason, which depth players will compete in their final battle for a roster spot.

Training camp could hold greater importance this year, as the trimmed down preseason slate leaves fewer opportunities for players to impress the coaching staff.

The Bills Wire will complete a position-by-position analysis of each group on the Bills roster. This edition will focus on the wide receivers position:

Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Players (age)

Cole Beasley (31: 9th year)
John Brown (30: 7th season)
Gabriel Davis (21: Rookie)
Stefon Diggs (26: 6th season)
Nick Easley (23: 2nd season)
Robert Foster (26: 3rd season)
Isaiah Hodgins (21: Rookie)
Ray-Ray McCloud III (23: 3rd season)
Isaiah McKenzie (25: 4th season)
Andre Robers (32: 11th season)
Duke Williams (27: 2nd season)

2019 recap

The wide receiver unit was undoubtedly the group that underwent the biggest reconstruction prior to the start of last season. After a year of largely being the worst position group in the NFL in 2018, the team signed Cole Beasley and John Brown to bring the group into the land of legitimacy.

The signings paid dividends, as the duo gave quarterback Josh Allen reliable and professional receivers as targets. Beasley and Brown combined for 12 TD receptions (6 each), nearly matching the total of the entire roster from the 2018 season (13). Brown capped the season by leading the team with 72 receptions and 1.060 receiving yards while Beasley followed with 67 catches good for 778 yards. Both of those were career-highs for Brown, while Beasley tied his career-high for scores.

Behind those top two, Isaiah McKenzie saw time as a multi-purpose back, catching 27 passes and rushing 16 times last year. Duke Williams played in a limited role as well, including a flashy game against the Titans, catching 12 passes in four games. Robert Foster dropped off in a big way, catching only three passes on the season. After leading Buffalo receivers with 27 catches in 2018, Foster could not make any sort of meaningful connection with Allen.

Unfortunately after five games, the Bills admitted defeat in the Zay Jones experiment. After only seven catches in those five outings, he was traded to the Raiders. In 10 games there, Jones had 20 catches for 147 yards.

Now here’s a rundown of storylines to follow in this position group:

How much of an impact will Stefon Diggs have?

Buffalo didn’t mess around at the start of the NFL calendar year, sending four draft picks to the Minnesota Vikings for wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

Diggs is an explosive player. He blew up last year, as his yards per catch swelled to 17.9 yards per reception. He totaled a career-high 1,130 receiving yards on 63 catches. The number of catches was a drop off from his career-best of 102 receptions in 2018.

Diggs gives the Bills a bonafide No. 1 receiver. He’s a deep threat and a great route runner. While Buffalo showed improvements with Brown and Beasley, the team still did not have a player who could explode at any moment. Brown had his moments as a threat, but he doesn’t pose the threat (or at least perceived threat) that Diggs does.

Even if Diggs regresses with his yards per catch, which is likely, his career average of 11.1 yards per catch in his first four seasons, along with an average of 76 receptions during this time, would be perfectly acceptable for the Bills. He also averaged six touchdown receptions during his first four years in the league.

The addition of Diggs should also produce more one-on-one assignments for other players. Defenses will need to make some choices in their coverage schemes, as Diggs, Brown, and Beasley all can beat man coverage. That will open up space for tight end Dawson Knox as well, who could be the second-biggest winner of the Diggs acquisition (Allen takes the first spot).

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2 Alabama WRs named to Biletnikoff award watch list

Two Alabama WRs, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith have been named to the Biletnikoff award watch list.

Alabama has recently produced some impressive wide receivers that have gone on to the NFL. Names like Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III all call the Crimson Tide their former home.

Of the aforementioned receivers, only two won the Biletnikoff award, the award garners national recognition as college football’s best wide receiver, they are Amari Cooper in 2014 and Jerry Jeudy in 2018.

A preseason watch list was published by the Biletnikoff award’s website, and two members of the 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide team are mentioned.

Jaylen Waddle, a junior, and DeVonta Smith, a senior, were both named on the list along with players from programs all across the country from various conferences.

Waddle finished the 2019 season with 33 catches for 560 yards and six touchdowns. Smith ended his junior season with 68 catches for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Both receivers are expected to declare for the 2021 NFL draft and be selected in the first round.

The watch list is subject to change as the season progresses, but these two receivers will be hard to knock off the list.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on how Waddle and Smith perform in the 2020 season, as well as where they stand on the watch list for the Biletnikoff award!

Here’s a look at the SEC’s best receivers from each school and how they rank

This 3rd installment in our Gators Wire original series will attempt to rank the likely No. 1 wide receiver for every member school in fall.

After previously examining each Southeastern Conference program’s projected quarterback and lead tailback entering the 2020 season, this third installment in our Gators Wire original series will attempt to rank the likely No. 1 wide receiver for every member school this fall.

Featuring high-powered offenses throughout the league’s 14 teams, the conference had nine wideouts selected in the 2020 National Football League Draft, meaning there will be some big names to replace and opportunities for returning players to step into larger roles.

The Florida Gators had three receivers chosen in the draft, the most of any SEC program, with Van Jefferson coming off the board at No. 57 to the Los Angeles Rams, Freddie Swain at No. 214 to the Seattle Seahawks, and Tyrie Cleveland at No. 252 to the Denver Broncos, the fourth-to-last overall selection.

Three of the league’s wideouts went in the first-round, headed by Alabama Crimson Tide standout Henry Ruggs III to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 12. His teammate, Jerry Jeudy, followed shortly behind, selected by the Broncos at No. 15, and Justin Jefferson of the LSU Tigers was plucked by the Minnesota Vikings at No. 22.

NEXT: No. 14 Josh Ali – Kentucky Wildcats

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Ranking the top-10 WRs in the AFC South

Who are the top 10 WRs in the division?

With the departure of DeAndre Hopkins in March, this division lost its most talented receiver. While the move was good news for the Colts, Jaguars and Titans, it did raise a lot of questions as to who would take the top spot.

The 2020 season will be a “prove it” year for a lot of receivers either on new teams or fighting for another contract.

Here are the top 10 wide receivers in the AFC South entering the 2020 season:

10. Michael Pittman Jr.

The addition of Pittman in Indianapolis is highly anticipated and he is expected to be an immediate part of this offense. With a rare combination of size and speed, he creates a matchup problem for many corners around the league. It should be an exciting 2020 for this reformed Colts offense.

9. Chris Conley

Conley did well with a change of scenery in Jacksonville last season. With 775 yards and five touchdowns in 2019, Conley proved he is a valuable target. Alongside Chark, these two will be a solid duo for Gardner Minshew this upcoming season.

8. Kenny Stills

Stills has quietly been one of the league’s most consistent receivers the past few seasons. He has proven to be a solid deep ball threat but has failed to really impress and take over a game. With a now crowded receiving corps in Houston, Stills will have a lot to prove in 2020.

7. Corey Davis

Another guy who has a lot to prove in a contract year, Davis has not seen the success in Tennessee that was originally anticipated. With A.J. Brown emerging as the No. 1 target for the Titans, Davis will have to find his role before he is given another deal.

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Packers pre-training camp 53-man roster predictions: Wide receivers

Predicting which wide receivers the Packers will keep on the initial 53-man roster to start the 2020 season.

With training camp scheduled to open in late July, Packers Wire will be spending the next month attempting to predict how Matt LaFleur, Brian Gutekunst and the Packers will construct their initial 53-man roster entering the 2020 season.

Up next is the wide receivers, where the Packers have plenty of returning experience but few verified playmakers:

Players

Davante Adams
Allen Lazard
Devin Funchess
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Jake Kumerow
Equanimeous St. Brown
Darrius Shepherd
Malik Taylor
Reggie Begelton
Darrell Stewart

Number kept to start 2019

Six. The Packers kept Trevor Davis, Jake Kumerow and Darrius Shepherd behind presumed starters Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Geronimo Allison. Allen Lazard was among those released, while Equanimeous St. Brown was placed on injured reserve.

Roster prediction (6)

1. Davante Adams: The three-time Pro Bowler nearly eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards despite missing four games in 2019. He’s one of the NFL’s elite receivers and the clear No. 1 target for Aaron Rodgers.

2. Allen Lazard: The analytics say his 2019 season was really, really good. Can he build on his breakout year and become a true No. 2? The Packers are really banking on it happening.

3. Devin Funchess: For next to nothing, the Packers took a flier on a big, physical receiver with much-needed experience. He can work in the red zone and the middle of the field, but drops and efficiency have been past issues. More than likely, Funchess will be an upgrade on Geronimo Allison.

4. Marquez Valdes-Scantling: MVS might be a one-trick pony, but his one trick – separating downfield – is a valuable one, especially in this scheme. If he can take a developmental step and stay healthy, he’ll re-establish himself as an important part of the offense.

5. Jake Kumerow: He’ll be back on the roster bubble to start another camp, but Kumerow has a lot of things going for him. The quarterback loves him, the coach wants to get him more opportunities in the passing game, he’s a great blocker in the run game and a willing special teams player.

6. Equanimeous St. Brown: Missing the entire 2019 season makes St. Brown a little bit of a mystery, but as a rookie, he flashed an ability to both separate and block – two important traits for a Matt LaFleur receiver. He’s big and athletic and can play from the slot, giving him a clear edge for the sixth spot.

Cut (4)

1. Darrius Shepherd: He could make a run at a roster spot if he really improves in the passing game in Year 2 or Tyler Ervin – the primary returner – gets injured. Stashing him back on the practice squad makes sense.

2. Malik Taylor: He’ll be more comfortable in the offense after spending all of last year on the practice squad, but he might need another year before he’s ready to compete for a roster spot.

3. Reggie Begelton: The former CFL star put up big numbers in Canada, but he’ll probably have to beat out St. Brown – who is younger and far more athletic – for a spot on the roster. He’ll have to prove he can produce against NFL competition.

4. Darrell Stewart: He could be a summer surprise if he can consistently catch the football during camp. Drops were an issue in college, but he’s tough, experienced in the slot and crafty enough as a route-runner to get open.

Updating roster prediction

QB (3): Aaron Rodgers, Tim Boyle, Jordan Love
RB (4): Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, A.J. Dillon, Tyler Ervin
WR (6): Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Devin Funchess, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Kumerow, Equanimeous St. Brown

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CBS Sports top-10 NFL WRs for 2020 list includes former Tide standouts

Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have recently become popular for producing high-talent wide receivers that are not only able to stand out at the collegiate level, but to carry that elite talent to the NFL. In the 2020 NFL draft Henry Ruggs …

In the 2020 NFL draft Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy were the first two receivers selected. However, the two receivers mentioned by CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin as being “top-10 in the NFL for 2020” are from years past.

Here’s where the former Crimson Tide pass catchers ended up:

6. Amari Cooper

Amari Cooper-Dallas Cowboys-Alabama football — Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Biletnikoff-winning receiver was the No. 4 overall selection in the 2015 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders. He has since been traded to the Dallas Cowboys, where he has thrived has the lead wide receiver. Overall, he has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times in his five NFL seasons.

“Cooper’s sporadic injury issues have affected him only slightly since being traded to the Cowboys, and his once sky-high drop rate has fallen from 6.4 percent in Oakland to 4.6 percent in Dallas,” says Dubin. “It also seems far more likely that the strange home-road splits Cooper has exhibited in Dallas are the result of a small sample than something we should expect to continue into the future, considering he did not display the same splits during his time with the Raiders. (Those splits are also affected by the fact that he played only three snaps in one of his 12 Dallas road games. They’re not quite as dramatic if you take that game out of the equation.)

Cooper’s arrival also hastened the breakout of Michael Gallup, who has been able to take advantage of opposing No. 2 corners while working opposite his star teammate. Gallup is more of a pure X receiver than Cooper, who has the flexibility to move around, and he’s benefitted from having someone to draw attention away from the boundary.”

2. Julio Jones

Jones has an NFL resume that backs up the No. 2 ranking. after being the No. 6 overall selection in the 2011 NFL draft, he has been a seven-time Pro Bowler, two-time first team All Pro and a two -time receiving yards leader.

Dubin has high praise for Jones’ elite skills as a receiver.

“Even during the three seasons since his last First Team All-Pro appearance (2017 through 2019) he leads the NFL in yards per route run, with a 2.80 average,” says Dubin. “His per-16-games average during that time is 102-1,537-6, with a 63 percent catch rate. (He’s played 47 of 48 games.) The ridiculous touchdown concerns should have been written off immediately when they first surfaced, considering he he scored eight, 10, six, eight, and six times during his first five healthy seasons, but hopefully his 14 scores over the past two years put them to bed for good.

Jones is a massive target at 6-3, 220 pounds and is still an excellent downfield threat, and it’s really only his decline in yards per reception (17.0 -> 16.4 -> 14.8 -> 14.1) and per target (10.9 -> 9.8 -> 9.9 -> 8.9) over the past several years that keeps him out of the No. 1 spot.”

Roll Tide wire will keep you updated on former Alabama players as the 2020 NFL season gets closer!

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Henry Ruggs III, Jerry Jeudy projected to be among most productive rookie WRs in 2020

Alabama’s former WRs Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy are projected to be among high production rookie Was across the NFL.

Alabama lost two of their strongest offensive weapons to the 2020 NFL draft in Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy. The Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos, respectively, have a lot riding on the former Alabama receivers.

Both Ruggs and Jeudy are expected to have big impacts on their teams in their first season.

Cynthia Frelund of NFL.com ranked her top ten rookie receivers that she believes could be the most productive for the 2020 NFL season.

The full list:

CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
Henry Ruggs III, Las vegas Raiders
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Denzel Mims, New York Jets
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Laviska Shenault Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles

Ruggs and Jeudy both make the top-5, but Frelund also offers her explanation as to why the players are ranked in this order.

On Henry Ruggs III:

“Ruggs could have more fantasy upside with the Raiders than Lamb does with the Cowboys, but there could also be a lot more potential downside with Ruggs than with many of the receivers ranked lower on this list,” said Frelund. “Ruggs lined up wide in 80 percent of his Alabama snaps and last season earned 10.5 yards after the catch per reception (third-most in the SEC among those with 30-plus targets, per PFF). Ruggs is a riskier pick, because while his physical attributes (he’s fast, if you haven’t heard) project for a lot of opportunity and have driven success in past offenses run by Raiders coach Jon Gruden, other key high-value metrics, like route-running aptitude (computer vision shows he hasn’t run the full route tree as often or as precisely as other receivers in this class), are unknown and therefore introduce fantasy risk. Preseason performance will likely help refine Ruggs’ projection more than it will for any other rookie wideout. Ruggs is currently my No. 42 WR overall.”

On Jerry Jeudy:

“Projecting a rookie wide receiver who will be working with a second-year pro at quarterback (Drew Lock) on a team that has invested heavily at the running back position presents some challenges,” says Frelund. “Jeudy’s Alabama resume showed alignment versatility. Computer vision route-running tracking shows his route-running and precision to be high. PFF shows Jeudy gained the fifth-most receiving yards on deep targets in the SEC last season (320). It seems that Jeudy’s ability to line up and be used anywhere is what will help him earn in fantasy, as the Broncos’ top receiver, Courtland Sutton, accounted for the highest percentage of the team’s air yards in 2019 (42.9%, per NGS). Jeudy’s ranking is currently No. 48 in my model.”

Frelund has high praise for both receivers, highlights their strengths as athletes and points out what makes them so unique.

Roll Tide Wire will be keeping you updated on Ruggs and Jeudy as they get closer to entering their first season in the NFL!

The five best wide receivers in the Big 12 this season

Who did the Dallas Morning News list as the top returning wide receiver in the Big 12 this season?

There is no shortage of talent at wide receiver when it comes to the Big 12.

Continue reading “The five best wide receivers in the Big 12 this season”

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Notre Dame Football: Ten Best Jump Ball Catches Ever

Notre Dame has been playing football a very long time and have had some incredible jump ball catches for touchdowns. See the top ten here!

Notre Dame’s advanced media team has been cranking out top ten lists all spring and summer long, helping us get at least some of the sports content we so desperately crave with so few live sports taking place.

They recently released the “Top Ten Jump Ball Catches” in Notre Dame football history, complete with highlights for all. As always, let’s first watch the ten they chose before briefly discussing them on the next page (to avoid any spoilers).

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACcg9WCvcXo&w=560&h=315]

My thoughts…

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