2019 NFL Draft - Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

[BleedTheClock]

On 12/14/2018 at 10:30 PM, lod01 said:

Butler reminds me of Danario Alexander.

I don't see him as being that explosive. Alexander had very rare speed for a guy his size. Butler is fast for a big dude, but Alexander was freaky fast.

[Broncofan]

40 minutes ago, BleedTheClock said:

I don't see him as being that explosive. Alexander had very rare speed for a guy his size. Butler is fast for a big dude, but Alexander was freaky fast.

Alexander sounds like an insult, but dude was so explosive before the Senior Bowl injury (and had knee issues before them).  He had FIVE surgeries on his left knee by his 2nd year in the pros. If he had the medical technology then that we have now with synthetic gel, stem cells, etc. - and avoided so many early operations, man, what might have been.

[ClutchDJ]

Won’t be shocked at all if Riley Ridley becomes the best WR from this class. Honestly scary how similar he is to Michael Thomas from traits to being extremely underutilized in college. I think if he was in the Big 12, he would be WR1 by a huge margin. Over Metcalf, who I also like a lot. Them 2 + Deebo are the 3 WRs in this draft I will pound the table for the most.

 

 

 

[Oregon Ducks]

Such a deep WR class...sheesh.

[BleedTheClock]

7 hours ago, ClutchDJ said:

Won’t be shocked at all if Riley Ridley becomes the best WR from this class. Honestly scary how similar he is to Michael Thomas from traits to being extremely underutilized in college. I think if he was in the Big 12, he would be WR1 by a huge margin. Over Metcalf, who I also like a lot. Them 2 + Deebo are the 3 WRs in this draft I will pound the table for the most.

I really like Riley Ridley, but he's nowhere near the physical marvel that Metcalf is. Ridley profiles as a really good #2 WR, but he wasn't even the best WR on his college team...that didn't throw the ball very much. It's a wild take to say he would be WR1 by a huge margin if he were in a different conference. He's got some drop issues and still isn't a natural route runner or hands catcher. I am positive he is going to be a productive NFL player, but I wouldn't put him ahead of Metcalf, Hollywood, Harry, or about 5-6 other WR's in this draft. He's a late 3rd round pick right now.

Michael Thomas and Riley Ridley are not similar at all as prospects. Thomas was a natural hands catcher and showed excellent route running savvy at OSU. His QB was a dork and couldn't complete passes, but it wasn't Thomas' fault. Ridley is a better athlete, but he's nowhere near as smooth as Thomas was.

[Tugboat]

On 09/12/2018 at 4:01 AM, Oregon Ducks said:

Someone else compared N'Keal Harry to Jeffery. How would you compare Harry and Harmon?

I think Jeffery is fair for N'Keal Harry too.  Same "type" of receiver really.  I just like pretty much everything about Harry at least a little bit more.  He looks far more fluid and natural to me, more versatile, and a bit more reliable.  Can't really point to anything i think Harmon does better.

 

On 10/12/2018 at 2:38 PM, BrownLeader said:

I can see Jeffrey. He's also something like a late career Anquan Boldin. He's bigger, more sudden laterally and a better open field runner than Harmon. But KH might have a better burst off the line. Both are good blockers and can make the clutch catch. I feel like I've seen Harmon show more concentration lapses though with some bad drops.

Yeah.  I think Harry's noticeably better lateral movement skills are the biggest gap between the two for me.  That, his better open field ability, little bit better feel for creating space for himself in a wider variety of situations, and more trustworthy hands and are going to make him a much more flexible, well-rounded target i think.  

I don't like either guy quite as much as i liked Jeffery as a prospect, but they are both in a similar vein in terms of style/role.  Of the two though, i like Harry's chances of being much more like a Jeffery-type player at the next level on quality.  Whereas Harmon to me, reads like far more of a 1-trick-pony and "niche player".  That big jump ball receiver still has value, but for me it all adds up to the difference between a potential starting outside WR1a/b or WR2 (Harry) and more of a situational/rotational specialist or WR3/4 as a likely ceiling (Harmon).  Big value difference for me.

[Tugboat]

On 14/12/2018 at 12:32 PM, BleedTheClock said:

So DK Metcalf is definitely my new WR #1. I've been doing a lot more research on these guys and as much as I love N'Keal Harry, Metcalf has some serious Josh Gordon/Andre Johnson traits. He's going to be a superstar in the NFL if he can get paired up with a good QB. He's underdeveloped as a route runner, but so are many of the WR's that come into the league and end up dominating. He is so freaking smooth, so freaking strong, so freaking fast, and can make spectacular plays routinely. Not coverable.

Yeah.  Not really privy to enough of the medical information to be confident in that aspect, so that's a bit of a nagging concern.  But on tape...he's pretty comfortably my top WR in this class.  He's got some really freaky traits, and while he's not particularly polished...he seems to have a really good natural feel for space and timing to build on.  Those traits and feel for the game, with refinement, could make him an absolute menace.

As long as i'm getting a reasonably confident green light on the medicals not being a serious risk in the future/chronic lingering issue/etc, i'm all aboard the DK Metcalf train.  He's got all the tools to be a dominating WR in the NFL.

[ClutchDJ]

7 hours ago, BleedTheClock said:

I really like Riley Ridley, but he's nowhere near the physical marvel that Metcalf is. Ridley profiles as a really good #2 WR, but he wasn't even the best WR on his college team...that didn't throw the ball very much. It's a wild take to say he would be WR1 by a huge margin if he were in a different conference. He's got some drop issues and still isn't a natural route runner or hands catcher. I am positive he is going to be a productive NFL player, but I wouldn't put him ahead of Metcalf, Hollywood, Harry, or about 5-6 other WR's in this draft. He's a late 3rd round pick right now.

Michael Thomas and Riley Ridley are not similar at all as prospects. Thomas was a natural hands catcher and showed excellent route running savvy at OSU. His QB was a dork and couldn't complete passes, but it wasn't Thomas' fault. Ridley is a better athlete, but he's nowhere near as smooth as Thomas was.

Riley’s route-running has made major leaps this season, and although Georgia doesn’t throw him the ball nearly enough, Ridley has consistently created windows with his natural gifts and attention to detail. https://twitter.com/BradKelly17/status/1051250790747303936?s=20

He’s not as sudden as his brother Calvin out of his breaks, but his refinement as a route runner is still excellent, selling this corner pattern with his full body before breaking back to the post. Wide open. That’s how you break down off coverage. 

Full speed burst out of the cut. Plucks the ball behind him without breaking stride. He’s not a burner, but he has enough speed to run away from athletic corners on a consistent basis. Greedy Williams found out the hard way last week, when Ridley ran by him with a nifty release and forced DPI. Not many receivers beating Greedy this season.

Ball skills? Contested catch ability? No problem.

https://twitter.com/LedyardNFLDraft/status/1045359924614705152?s=20

https://twitter.com/ftbeard_17/status/1048743598945054722?s=20

 

I think the biggest questions Ridley will face are pertaining to his overall speed (I think it’s fine) and ability to create after the catch. I know he isn’t weak in either area, but how good can he be? He doesn’t have many amazing YAC plays, but he has shown the ability to be elusive with the ball in his hands, make one defender miss and finish behind his pads.

Ridley reminds me of a slightly more raw Michael Thomas, but I think they are on a similar plane as prospects. Thomas was my WR1 in the 2016 class, and has continued to improve every year while ascending to become a top five wide receiver in the NFL. Growth isn’t linear for everyone, but Ridley’s improvement over his time at Georgia is a good indicator that his best may also be yet to come in the NFL.

 

I’m not saying I would take Riley over Metcalf, because I wouldn’t. Metcalf is a athletic specimen & has the highest ceiling in this class. However, I do think Ridley is going to have a great career in the league. When it’s all said & done, I think Metcalf, Riley, & Deebo will be the best WRs from this class.

[ClutchDJ]

KeeSean Johnson is another favorite of mine. Day 3 pick, but arguably has the best hands in the class. Not a burner, but tough & smooth after the catch.

[MrOaktown_56]

I have no idea what to make of this class rn. Seems deep with no clear star at the top, though some guys definitely have some big time upside (metcalf comes to mind). Can someone throw out adjusted pro comps for their general top 10?

By adjusted i mean with a qualifier, e.g. slower alshon jeffery, quicker golden tate, etc.

[BleedTheClock]

5 hours ago, MrOaktown_56 said:

I have no idea what to make of this class rn. Seems deep with no clear star at the top, though some guys definitely have some big time upside (metcalf comes to mind). Can someone throw out adjusted pro comps for their general top 10?

By adjusted i mean with a qualifier, e.g. slower alshon jeffery, quicker golden tate, etc.

DK Metcalf—Andre Johnson

 

N’Keal Harry—Alshon Jeffery

 

Marquise Brown—TY Hilton

 

Hakeem Butler—Plaxico Burress (stole this 1)

 

Diontae Johnson—Poor Man’s Antonio Brown

 

JJ Arcega-Whiteside—Joe Jurevicious

 

AJ Brown—Roddy White

 

Riley Ridley—Eric Moulds

 

Kelvin Harmon—Antonio Bryant

 

Collin Johnson—Devin Funchess

 

Paris Campbell—Curtis Samuel

 

Emmanuel Hall—Torrey Smith

 

David Sills—Riley Cooper

 

Deebo Samuel—Santonio Holmes

 

Anthony Johnson—Kevin Johnson

 

Jon’Vea Johnson—Kenny Stills

 

Lil’Jordan Humphery—Marques Colston

 

Chase Claypool—Malcolm Kelly

[BrownLeader]

@ClutchDJ Why is Riley Ridley any better than Javon Wims?

@lod01 Denario Alexander?...not bad. I even see some Brandon Marshall, but Braylon Edwards could be the most appropriate. Butler has major issues with drops. It's going to hit his stock by a round or two and he'll be out of the league quick if it doesn't improve.

 

My top 12 comps:

1. Metcalf - very raw Andre Johnson

2. Harry - leaner Anquan Boldin

3. Arcega-Whiteside - Oakland Micheal Crabbtree

4. Hollywood - less gangsta DeSean Jackson

5. A.J. Brown - quicker Mo Sanu

6. L.J. Humphrey - skinny Mike Williams

7. Greg Dortch - John Brown

8. Deebo Samuel - faster Bruce Ellington

9. Paris Campbell - faster Andre Roberts

10. Quartney Davis - RS Soph 6'1 skinny Allen Robinson

11. Damontae Coxie - RS Soph skinny Devante Adams

12. Collin Johnson - taller Tyrell Williams

Edited December 24, 2018 by BrownLeader

[lod01]

Was unaware of the drop issues by Butler. I like the Metcalf comparisons to Andre Johnson by both of you. Hopefully he doesn't end up with a career comprised of hack QBs like AJ did. Would love to see him with Andrew Luck.

[ClutchDJ]

18 hours ago, BrownLeader said:

@ClutchDJ Why is Riley Ridley any better than Javon Wims?

@lod01 Denario Alexander?...not bad. I even see some Brandon Marshall, but Braylon Edwards could be the most appropriate. Butler has major issues with drops. It's going to hit his stock by a round or two and he'll be out of the league quick if it doesn't improve.

 

My top 12 comps:

1. Metcalf - very raw Andre Johnson

2. Harry - leaner Anquan Boldin

3. Arcega-Whiteside - Oakland Micheal Crabbtree

4. Hollywood - less gangsta DeSean Jackson

5. A.J. Brown - quicker Mo Sanu

6. L.J. Humphrey - skinny Mike Williams

7. Greg Dortch - John Brown

8. Deebo Samuel - faster Bruce Ellington

9. Paris Campbell - faster Andre Roberts

10. Quartney Davis - RS Soph 6'1 skinny Allen Robinson

11. Damontae Coxie - RS Soph skinny Devante Adams

12. Collin Johnson - taller Tyrell Williams

Wims only excelled at high pointing. That’s it. He’s not the route runner,  separator at all levels of the field, suddenness out of his breaks, or even YAC-creator(probably Ridley’s weakest era, but then again, I’m not sure if he’s even weak there. Opportunities hasn’t presented itself enough). If anybody is Javon Wims, it’s Collin Johnson.

 

Here’s a good read on Ridley https://thedraftnetwork.com/2018/12/24/contextualizing-production-a-riley-ridley-story/

Edited December 24, 2018 by ClutchDJ

[ClutchDJ]

I also like DaMarkus Lodge over AJ Brown. I think both him & Metcalf have much higher ceilings than Brown.