2017 WR prospect thread

[rossihunter2]

40 minutes ago, Deflated Football said:

Any comparisons for Mike Williams? I'm seeing Plaxico and Mike Evans so far. 

I haven't looked that closely but Mike Evans feels like an ok comp

[CalvinSmoke]

6 hours ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

i personally think evan engram makes a better receiver and i like him the most after those 2, my board has john ross 3rd but thats only because a team would have to commit to him as a WR for me to place him higher and i dont like him as a TE. 

also, i think isaiah ford is incredibly underrated. hes probably the twitchiest and niftiest route runner in the class.

Yea... Ford got locked up by Bama though. 

 

He's certainly shifty. But I'm curious to see how he performs in the big leagues.

[RavensDieHard21]

33 minutes ago, CalvinSmoke said:

Yea... Ford got locked up by Bama though. 

 

He's certainly shifty. But I'm curious to see how he performs in the big leagues.

Bama had the best defense in college football. VT didn't have too many other weapons to rely on so it shouldn't come to much of a surprise. Ford playing with us in the slot would be great. 

[CalvinSmoke]

5 minutes ago, RavensDieHard21 said:

Bama had the best defense in college football. VT didn't have too many other weapons to rely on so it shouldn't come to much of a surprise. Ford playing with us in the slot would be great. 

Though what you said is true, him getting stopped still gas to be counted. Because if he had a good game he'd be the real deal. Not saying he isn't good, it's just data 

[RavensDieHard21]

2 hours ago, CalvinSmoke said:

Though what you said is true, him getting stopped still gas to be counted. Because if he had a good game he'd be the real deal. Not saying he isn't good, it's just data 

Ford did however have a solid game against Clemson🤔

[RaineV1]

Sometimes it's all about the one on one matchups (or two on one in some circumstances). Someone in Alabama's secondary could have matched up really well with Ford, while Ford matched up well against Clemson's DBs. That or Clemson got less pressure which gave Ford a bit more time.

[BmoreBird22]

10 hours ago, CalvinSmoke said:

Yea... Ford got locked up by Bama though. 

 

He's certainly shifty. But I'm curious to see how he performs in the big leagues.

He wasn't at Tech yet... He was a true freshman in '14; that game was in '13.

[BmoreBird22]

10 hours ago, RavensDieHard21 said:

Bama had the best defense in college football. VT didn't have too many other weapons to rely on so it shouldn't come to much of a surprise. Ford playing with us in the slot would be great. 

 

7 hours ago, RaineV1 said:

Sometimes it's all about the one on one matchups (or two on one in some circumstances). Someone in Alabama's secondary could have matched up really well with Ford, while Ford matched up well against Clemson's DBs. That or Clemson got less pressure which gave Ford a bit more time.

Just so we're clear, Ford never faced Alabama. 

Also, Logan Thomas was 5/26 againat Bama, so not really on the receivers as much. Thomas was atrocious.

[CalvinSmoke]

40 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

 

Just so we're clear, Ford never faced Alabama. 

Also, Logan Thomas was 5/26 againat Bama, so not really on the receivers as much. Thomas was atrocious.

Your absolutely right. I'm thinking if John Ross. The Clemson comment confused me lol now it makes sense.

[JoeyFlex5]

3 hours ago, BmoreBird22 said:

 

Just so we're clear, Ford never faced Alabama. 

Also, Logan Thomas was 5/26 againat Bama, so not really on the receivers as much. Thomas was atrocious.

You know better than me so I'm gonna ask your thoughts... do you think VT used ford as a deep threat far too often and didn't let his great route running shine? Because he's real twitchy and nifty and explodes out of his breaks but I don't feel like I've gotten to see him use those traits often enough

[BmoreBird22]

4 hours ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

You know better than me so I'm gonna ask your thoughts... do you think VT used ford as a deep threat far too often and didn't let his great route running shine? Because he's real twitchy and nifty and explodes out of his breaks but I don't feel like I've gotten to see him use those traits often enough

The two play callers are the reason.

Scott Loeffler is a worse college OC than Cameron and Trestman were NFL OC's. I literally cannot explain his thinking half the time while at VT. I think most of Hokie Nation rejoiced when he left because there was usually no rhyme or reason to why he did what he did.

With Fuente, he really liked to keep the boundary receivers on the boundary and keep the slot receivers over the middle. You'll notice this with Hodges this year, too, but they would frequently run hitches, out breaking routes, corner routes, etc. Just anything that had them breaking to the sideline or had them working down the sideline. He also really loved screens to the receivers, so you'll see Ford doing that a lot. 

With Fuente, it was 100% offensive philosophy and with Loeffler... I have no idea what he was thinking. 

[JoeyFlex5]

5 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

The two play callers are the reason.

Scott Loeffler is a worse college OC than Cameron and Trestman were NFL OC's. I literally cannot explain his thinking half the time while at VT. I think most of Hokie Nation rejoiced when he left because there was usually no rhyme or reason to why he did what he did.

With Fuente, he really liked to keep the boundary receivers on the boundary and keep the slot receivers over the middle. You'll notice this with Hodges this year, too, but they would frequently run hitches, out breaking routes, corner routes, etc. Just anything that had them breaking to the sideline or had them working down the sideline. He also really loved screens to the receivers, so you'll see Ford doing that a lot. 

With Fuente, it was 100% offensive philosophy and with Loeffler... I have no idea what he was thinking. 

I've noticed that myself. I actually think we talked about how frustrating it is watching a 6'7" TE who can fly down field and leap out of the stadium running quick outs all day. 

So you're basically saying that yeah, ford was used wrong. I think he would be stellar in a west coast where he gets to break off routes to the inside and gain quick separation and get the ball delivered quick

[BmoreBird22]

13 minutes ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

I've noticed that myself. I actually think we talked about how frustrating it is watching a 6'7" TE who can fly down field and leap out of the stadium running quick outs all day. 

So you're basically saying that yeah, ford was used wrong. I think he would be stellar in a west coast where he gets to break off routes to the inside and gain quick separation and get the ball delivered quick

I don't think he was necessarily used wrong. I think he was extremely capable of running Fuente's offense (if the Ravens want to run great wide receiver screens, he's a receiver to get the ball to); I just think he's most definitely capable of even more.

Hodges, without a doubt, should have been left as a slot tight end who could create inside seam mismatches with safeties and linebackers, but Cam Phillips I guess wasn't a fit for Fuente on the outside.

[Davesta]

Corey Davis shoulder injury.

[hn68wb4]

1 hour ago, Davesta said:

Corey Davis shoulder injury.

That's the reason he gave for not going to the senior bowl, but I doubt it's anything major, probably just decided that the game just isn't worth possibly making it worse. He's already slated to go top 20, there's not really much for him to gain, the risk far exceeds the gain.

[trevorsteadman]

I still think Mike Williams looks like AJ Green. Every highlight reminds me of AJ Green plucking the ball out of the air. Strong hands to snag the ball. One inch shorter and 2 pounds lighter. Would be nice if he became even half of that.

[January J]

3 hours ago, trevorsteadman said:

I still think Mike Williams looks like AJ Green. Every highlight reminds me of AJ Green plucking the ball out of the air. Strong hands to snag the ball. One inch shorter and 2 pounds lighter. Would be nice if he became even half of that.

If he slides to 13 do we make a move  or stand pat?

I do think he has that AJ potential as well but i don't see him as a "can't miss" 

the juice could be worth the squeeze..

[JoeyFlex5]

4 minutes ago, January J said:

If he slides to 13 do we make a move  or stand pat?

I do think he has that AJ potential as well but i don't see him as a "can't miss" 

the juice could be worth the squeeze..

If it takes anything more than a 3rd I wouldn't. I like Mike Williams a lot but I like Corey Davis almost as much, different skill sets and all, but I don't see a big drop off there

[trevorsteadman]

8 minutes ago, January J said:

If he slides to 13 do we make a move  or stand pat?

I do think he has that AJ potential as well but i don't see him as a "can't miss" 

the juice could be worth the squeeze..

Depends on the price and I agree.. Plus his neck injury a couple years ago is still a bit concerning. 

 

3 minutes ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

If it takes anything more than a 3rd I wouldn't. I like Mike Williams a lot but I like Corey Davis almost as much, different skill sets and all, but I don't see a big drop off there

I wouldn't for a 3rd. If the Ravens didn't give up a 3rd to move up 2 spots to grab Jalen Ramsey they won't for 3 spots for Mike Williams. But if it is like a 5th or 6th I could see it. The Ravens drafted 12 players in last years draft. There are only 53 roster spots. 

But I do want this type of receiver for Joe. One that plucks the ball out of the air. One that goes up for the ball. One that is a huge target. 

Cooper Kupp reminds me of Doug Baldwin he may be a good pick if there in the 2nd round (which may become more and more unlikely the way he played at the senior bowl and depending on his combine stats). The Ravens need to get taller in both the secondary and at WR in my opinion. 

[January J]

21 hours ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

If it takes anything more than a 3rd I wouldn't. I like Mike Williams a lot but I like Corey Davis almost as much, different skill sets and all, but I don't see a big drop off there

 

21 hours ago, trevorsteadman said:

Depends on the price and I agree.. Plus his neck injury a couple years ago is still a bit concerning. 

 

I wouldn't for a 3rd. If the Ravens didn't give up a 3rd to move up 2 spots to grab Jalen Ramsey they won't for 3 spots for Mike Williams. But if it is like a 5th or 6th I could see it. The Ravens drafted 12 players in last years draft. There are only 53 roster spots. 

But I do want this type of receiver for Joe. One that plucks the ball out of the air. One that goes up for the ball. One that is a huge target. 

Cooper Kupp reminds me of Doug Baldwin he may be a good pick if there in the 2nd round (which may become more and more unlikely the way he played at the senior bowl and depending on his combine stats). The Ravens need to get taller in both the secondary and at WR in my opinion. 

Was just about to say the same thing. I think cooper kupp in the second would be a great move. May not be feasible tho with the way he's been showing out at the SB - he just might sneak into the first. Its a shame too BC before that I think we may have had a real shot to pluck him in the third.. But yeah if he falls to us in the second I say we pull the trigger. He could possibly eventually fill the void left by steve- and he can do it all- inside and out. If he even gets close to us in the second I would consider giving up a 4th or 5th to move up a few spots if we think he's on somebody's radar or think another team may snipe him. We need to find that perfect balance between being aggressive but still being conservative and stacking picks. And our guys are the best in the biz at doing so - so I fully trust them. The only thing is after listening to an interview with decosta I don't think WR is that high on the totum pole of needs. I know alot of smokescreen is used pre draft but what I deciphered from his words were that CB and the OL were equally the top priority followed by pass rushers. After that I think WR comes into play- but then again you just never know with them- they could surprise everybody and easily take a RB round 1... Its anybody's guess. And I get the feeling they are going the FA route with WR unless one falls into our lap. 

[trevorsteadman]

3 minutes ago, January J said:

 

Was just about to say the same thing. I think cooper kupp in the second would be a great move. May not be feasible tho with the way he's been showing out at the SB - he just might sneak into the first. Its a shame too BC before that I think we may have had a real shot to pluck him in the third.. But yeah if he falls to us in the second I say we pull the trigger. He could possibly eventually fill the void left by steve- and he can do it all- inside and out. If he even gets close to us in the second I would consider giving up a 4th or 5th to move up a few spots if we think he's on somebody's radar or think another team may snipe him. We need to find that perfect balance between being aggressive but still being conservative and stacking picks. And our guys are the best in the biz at doing so - so I fully trust them. The only thing is after listening to an interview with decosta I don't think WR is that high on the totum pole of needs. I know alot of smokescreen is used pre draft but what I deciphered from his words were that CB and the OL were equally the top priority followed by pass rushers. After that I think WR comes into play- but then again you just never know with them- they could surprise everybody and easily take a RB round 1... Its anybody's guess. And I get the feeling they are going the FA route with WR unless one falls into our lap. 

I agree completely the FO needs to be aggressive. They like a lot of the players out of last year's draft and they drafted 11 players last year. Only 53 roster spots to go around and you can't fill it with rookies. Trade a pick or two to move up and get guys you think have a better chance of contributing to this team long term. I liked how they traded back last year and got a milion picks and got quite a few players they like, but this is the year they need to be aggressive. 

[January J]

2 minutes ago, trevorsteadman said:

I agree completely the FO needs to be aggressive. They like a lot of the players out of last year's draft and they drafted 11 players last year. Only 53 roster spots to go around and you can't fill it with rookies. Trade a pick or two to move up and get guys you think have a better chance of contributing to this team long term. I liked how they traded back last year and got a milion picks and got quite a few players they like, but this is the year they need to be aggressive. 

It's important to have depth and the chance at finding starters are better the more picks you have- but like you said theres only 53 spots. And do we wants starters or stars? That's why we just need to walk that line and balance out with a little bit of both. Stack some picks but don't hesitate to package them and move right back up if there's a guy there we really covet go after him!

[rmw10]

10 minutes ago, trevorsteadman said:

I agree completely the FO needs to be aggressive. They like a lot of the players out of last year's draft and they drafted 11 players last year. Only 53 roster spots to go around and you can't fill it with rookies. Trade a pick or two to move up and get guys you think have a better chance of contributing to this team long term. I liked how they traded back last year and got a milion picks and got quite a few players they like, but this is the year they need to be aggressive. 

I would love for the FO to be aggressive and go get a guy, but at the same time, this team needs some serious depth as well.  They need playmakers and backups to the playmakers and that's where the conundrum is right now.

[rossihunter2]

im really struggling to evaluate all of the wide receivers in this class - especially when you get beyond davis, williams, kupp, ross, juju, zay jones - i just have no idea where all these guys fit in round wise

[ravensnation5220]

58 minutes ago, rossihunter2 said:

im really struggling to evaluate all of the wide receivers in this class - especially when you get beyond davis, williams, kupp, ross, juju, zay jones - i just have no idea where all these guys fit in round wise

I'm not sure I've seen a player in this entire draft class that would have a grade lower than the 5th round. It's a very deep class. A lot of players that can do some things very well and could contribute in a certain system. 

[rossihunter2]

36 minutes ago, ravensnation5220 said:

I'm not sure I've seen a player in this entire draft class that would have a grade lower than the 5th round. It's a very deep class. A lot of players that can do some things very well and could contribute in a certain system. 

but that's been my problem so far - differentiating because after the top 5 or so it's all a muddle and i can't work out who will go where and who I want where - they are all so different and good at different things and have different flaws - for example i have no idea where dede westbrook will go compared to someone like chris godwin or isaiah ford... it's just unsettling for me because in previous years i've found it much easier and this year at other positions it's been a lot easier

in my eyes its a mess of different talents and i couldnt point at one and say 'he's gonna succeed because of this and we should take him here'

[ravensnation5220]

36 minutes ago, rossihunter2 said:

but that's been my problem so far - differentiating because after the top 5 or so it's all a muddle and i can't work out who will go where and who I want where - they are all so different and good at different things and have different flaws - for example i have no idea where dede westbrook will go compared to someone like chris godwin or isaiah ford... it's just unsettling for me because in previous years i've found it much easier and this year at other positions it's been a lot easier

in my eyes its a mess of different talents and i couldnt point at one and say 'he's gonna succeed because of this and we should take him here'

Dede westbrook won't be on our board with the 2 DV cases against him but I know what you mean. Other than the top guys it's hard to tell where everyone else falls into place. I guess that's a good problem to have. It's all a matter of preference 

[rossihunter2]

37 minutes ago, ravensnation5220 said:

Dede westbrook won't be on our board with the 2 DV cases against him but I know what you mean. Other than the top guys it's hard to tell where everyone else falls into place. I guess that's a good problem to have. It's all a matter of preference 

i guess it all depends on how much you trust your wr scouting abilities as a team...

[ravensnation5220]

7 minutes ago, rossihunter2 said:

i guess it all depends on how much you trust your wr scouting abilities as a team...

True...very true. Well since we're looking for a possession receiver I feel pretty good about the ones in the draft. 

[Ravens8383]

Chad Hansen in late round. How does everyone feel about that?