Wide-Eyed Receivers: Pats Rookie WR Discussion

BigSoxFan

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Given today’s Gordon news, the Pats now have 3 rookie WRs who figure to play important roles down the stretch. Gunner is the PR and emergency Jules slot replacement. Meyers is currently the #4 WR and is pretty quietly coming of age in front of our very eyes, . He and Brady look like they’re starting to get on the same page. Harry has the shine of a first round pick and possesses the talent to make a big impact down the stretch and figures to be the best Gordon replacement on the roster.

While Jules/Dorsett/Sanu figure to be the reliable vets down the stretch, both Meyers and Harry will be needed and we’re one injury away from one of them joining the regular 3 WR sets.

For a team that hasn’t really developed many WRs, I’m pretty intrigued by this group and their long-term promise. Would be incredibly helpful from a team building standpoint if Meyers and Harry can develop into reliable starters.
 

RedOctober3829

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It will be interesting who plays the X while Harry is out. Edelman and Sanu are inside or Z guys, Gunner is slot, Dorsett plays a lot of Z. It looks like Meyers will play a lot of X and I can see them trying Sanu outside too. He is a bigger receiver.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

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It will be interesting who plays the X while Harry is out. Edelman and Sanu are inside or Z guys, Gunner is slot, Dorsett plays a lot of Z. It looks like Meyers will play a lot of X and I can see them trying Sanu outside too. He is a bigger receiver.
I posted it in the Sanu thread but Sanu actually plays far more slot than Edelman. Edelman is about 50% of his snaps in slot over the last two years. Sanu is 80-90%.
 

Super Nomario

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It will be interesting who plays the X while Harry is out. Edelman and Sanu are inside or Z guys, Gunner is slot, Dorsett plays a lot of Z. It looks like Meyers will play a lot of X and I can see them trying Sanu outside too. He is a bigger receiver.
Taylor Kyles suggested Sanu at X, too, and pointed out that they did this previously with Brandon LaFell, who was pretty much a slot guy in Carolina but played predominantly outside with the Patriots.

My impression is also that outside receiver is easier in the Patriots' system, with fewer conversions and site adjustments than the slot. That will likely help Sanu make an impact earlier.
 

Eddie Jurak

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I think Meyers is going to be good at some point. One of their top 3 down the road, and looks able to make a positive contribution this year.
 

Fishercat

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Likewise, I imagine Meyers could be limited in terms of ability to get open frequently enough but all the other skills seem to be there for him to be really valuable especially on those key intermediate routes. Very impressive thus far given his limited opportunities.
 

Saints Rest

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It seems to me that Meyers gets this offense (makes some sense given his QB background) and has great hands. I'm not sure how he would ever do getting open against top-level cover corners, but being a WR3 or WR4 means that he will generally be away from the lock-down guys which will help him a lot.

Unexpected bonus: He seems like a very good blocker.

To me, he seems like a worthy replacement for Malcolm Mitchell. And I think Givens is a great comp.
 

lexrageorge

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Looking back, it took Malcolm Mitchell until Week 9 before he had more than 3 catches or 33 yards receiving.
 

BigSoxFan

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It seems to me that Meyers gets this offense (makes some sense given his QB background) and has great hands. I'm not sure how he would ever do getting open against top-level cover corners, but being a WR3 or WR4 means that he will generally be away from the lock-down guys which will help him a lot.

Unexpected bonus: He seems like a very good blocker.

To me, he seems like a worthy replacement for Malcolm Mitchell. And I think Givens is a great comp.
Yeah, I like the Givens comp. I think Meyers is more athletic and Givens was stronger but their styles are similar. Perfect guy to have as your current #4 WR.
 

Saints Rest

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Looking back, it took Malcolm Mitchell until Week 9 before he had more than 3 catches or 33 yards receiving.
I meant that Meyers seems to be close to as good now as Mitchell was by the time of the Super Bowl -- the last time we really saw him in game action.

I just re-watched the highlights from last week. Here are the plays where Meyers' blocking stood out.
(all times noted reference the YouTube video timing, not game-clock)
  • 0:20 -- Blocks for Edelman sweep left for a first down.
  • 0:42 -- Whams a Safety on Michel's first TD
He's not exactly Hines Ward out there, but he certainly seems to be able to contribute.
 

SMU_Sox

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There's no way Sanu is getting any separation against a competent corner
Not to call you out specifically but I disagree as much as I can with this take. Sanu knows how to use leverage, route running, and his body to box-out corners in lieu of athletic separation. You don't always need to line up your X 100 yards from the LT and have him run go routes. You can have him in a formation which others have covered up thread that enables him to have picks, traffic around routes, etc, that cleans some of that up for him.

Sanu and Meyers are somewhat similar athletically:

26433

Meyers is faster especially under 10 yards and Sanu has better explosion numbers (verts are the same but the broads are different).

To me what matters is the speed and efficiency you get in and out of breaks and both guys from what I have seen are good to above average at that. They also have good hands and can make contested catches.

So yeah maybe a competent corner could smother them 1:1 on 20 yard plus go routes. 1) that's not how you use them, 2) your claim doesn't pass the eye test, and 3) it ignores usage and contested catch situations.
 

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RetractableRoof

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Maybe it is me, but I get a Deion Branch kind of vibe from Meyers. He is a good athlete, but not a great athlete. He seemingly has great hands, and his footwork looks good. He seems to understand where he needs to be, and how to get there. Only time will tell if he can ad lib or adjust consistently to be where Tom expects him to be when the spit hits the fan. He seems comfortable starting outside, and working over the middle. Like I said, the vibe that feels like is Branch.

Edit: And I'm not searching for lofty comparisons for a binky. My last binky was Brian Tyms (and I'm still disappointed he didn't become who I thought he was). Wait... what is he doing now... hmmm?
 

BusRaker

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Not to call you out specifically but I disagree as much as I can with this take. Sanu knows how to use leverage, route running, and his body to box-out corners in lieu of athletic separation.
No worries, that what discussion boards are meant for :) and technically you agreed with me but explained why athletic separation (i.e. speed and cutting) is not the whole story.