The NFL Draft is a fun and complex process. One of the elements that make it so fun is positional value. Identifying which positions have the most value in certain spots leads to spirited debate from all sides of football.
One of the more interesting ones is the wide receiver position. This summer, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted out an interesting set of facts about receivers drafted in the first three rounds.
While the Pro Bowl isn’t a perfect barometer of success, it does give a good indication. Seeing 12 receivers drafted in Round 2 between 2011-2020, versus eight in the first round, raises an eyebrow. Why are we seeing more success with second-round receivers? The answer comes from contextualizing the group of players.
Each one of the players had something that some would consider a fatal flaw. Davante Adams wasn’t fast or strong enough, DK Metcalf had an abysmal three-cone, and Michael Thomas was too slow and not a natural separator. When you look at those three players and the rest of the list, the focus was more on their flaws. That has become a theme for players in the second round.
This year, there are five receivers that possess a similar deterrent to the above-mentioned players that are projected to be selected in the second round. Will they be the next wide receivers to perform above their draft stock?
Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore
Question mark: Size
Moore is an interesting case study. Coming from the same offense that D’Wayne Eskridge came from last year, the offense is one that is tough to translate. One that relies heavily on RPOs, it can be hard to judge a player based on simple concepts that are designed to get them into space. Moore did a great job leaning into the system. He maximized the RPOs and go routes designed for him to help take the Broncos offense to a new level. At 5’10” and…
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