Bench Wrs Vs. Draft Wrs

[bce086]

Do you guys think the WRs in the 2009 draft (Nicks, Britt, DHB, Harvin, Robiskie.... 1st / 2nd rounders) would be able to make an immediate impact as a starter on our roster?

Are these players really any better than what we have sitting on the bench in Marcus Smith and Demetrius Williams? I know Williams is injury prone, and we haven't gotten to see much of Smith. But both of these receivers are tall and strong receivers.

I'm just looking for how you would compare our potential WR drafted rookie to the rookies sitting on our bench waiting to get their chances.


And I bring up this question, because I dont know what you guys think, but IMO the backup receivers sitting on our bench are > than the backup cornerbacks sitting on our bench. --> Is our need for drafting a CB > than WR???

[justifythegame]

Our bench players are more likely to make an impact because of the team getting used to the new offense and learning the system. Even Mark Clayton was slowly emerging as a deep threat. Unless we manage to draft Crabtree or Maclin, the WRs don't have much potential to make a huge impact as a rookie, it would take them at least a year before they can be of use - especially projects like heyward bey, which is why i don't want us to draft a WR in the first round this year. I think Robiskie in the 2nd round is the most value and will become something special one day.

Our need for a CB and WR have been debated but imo they are equal, which is why it is a tough decision on which to draft first. IMO Derrick is Martin is severely under rated (because he was terrible when playing for the first time 2 yrs ago) and improved a lot last season, he was placed on IR, and will be a pretty good corner next year (he was just resigned). If frank walker can stop pass interfering, he is not as bad as people make him out to be - he was terrible when the season started but he improved towards the end. I think Martin has a chance of being a good #2 corner if given a chance, but competition and depth is still crucial.

Our WRs were improving a lot last year, it just takes time for everyone to adjust to the new offense. With Williams coming back and Smith with 1 more year under his belt i think our offense will only get better. But with Mason getting up there and his contract up in 1 year, it is also crucial to add 1 more reciever. We need to draft the best player on the board this year, whether that be a cb, wr, rt, or de.

[bce086]

I agree with a lot that you said...

Derrick Martin still has not proved himself to be more than a nickelback... in his defense he may just need some more game time to show us what he is capable of. I remember watching him 2 years ago and noting his speed. Walker is ok, but he makes me nervous because of his over aggressive attitude, both physically and verbally haha. Washington scares me with his tackling.

I think if we were to draft a WR, they would fall behind both Williams and Smith in the depth chart, and don't really see the need for us to address that position right now (atleast with the #26 pick).

With the probable loss of Jason Brown, maybe it makes sense to go CB, C, WR, TE/DE/OL....

[raylewislapsu]

As far as I'm concerned Clayton has no business being our number 2 receiver. He had couple nice catches deep downfield last year but they were against Cincinnati and Jacksonville with nothing on the line. Besides being somewhat of a vertical threat he does not make plays and struggles to get open averaging less than 3 receptions a game. Against solid defenses with good DBs he consistantly gets shut down. I feel like he would be best utilized off the bench in a 3 receiver set, especially since Heap has been used more as a blocker than possession receiver. DWilliams has the potential to be earn the 2 spot but is NEVER healthy and we haven't seen enough of Smith on the field to make any kind of judgement. If we draft Nicks or Britt their size and reliable hands would offer an immediate impact. Defenses don't really have to keep any of our receivers from last year honest because physically they are below average. That would change with a big, physical receiver.

[bce086]

Marcus Smith: 6' 1"; 215 lbs
Demetrius Williams: 6'2; 197 lbs

Kenny Britt: 6' 4" 215 lbs
Hakeem Nicks: 6' 2" 210 lbs


Not a huge difference, but I do agree wit hyou on defenses not having to keep our receivers honest. Mason and Clayton are small and not the physical WRs. Smith and Williams dont have the game experience to make plays, or have the opportunity for that matter (whether it be playing time or injuries)