How to improve the WR position

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,821
Lol yeah I was joking. But being good enough at your job to be in position to take those shots with a high probability of success & having the confidence to do so is pretty important.
And, I will add, having job security. Like Belichick. Though I suppose it's possible that even his job security could be on the wane if he takes that kind of shot and it fails.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,821
Then they would have been around the playoffs but not real contenders through the end of the Smith deal, same as they were.

A top QB is the most valuable thing in the sport, the 2nd most is a good QB on a rookie deal, if you don't have one you take shots until you do.

Also, QBs who don't work out (at all) is usually a product of bad scouting and bad coaching. Mahomes didn't have to be MAHOMES to give them a better chance to win, just Alex Smith but cheaper, or ideally better than Alex Smith.

Sure very few shots will work out as well as that one did, but it's the kind of move you make if you want to win. PHI is another good example without the trade up. They knew their QB situation wouldn't cut it so they kept taking shots.


Edit- now, part of this is philosophy, I am looking at it from the perspective that you want to win a ring. Not always true, some GMs are just looking to not get fired, some owners are just looking to win 8-10 games. In that case they choose to settle in for teams they know aren't going to win a title, but will be... okay.
SF did this and traded up for Trey Lance. How's that working out? I mean they are still a good team, but that's in part because they're still getting Alex Smith caliber QB play. But it sure doesn't appear that making that move was a good one for them. At least not right now.

But yeah...I mean, if somehow the Pats could get a stud QB in this draft, I wouldn't be opposed to it.
 

Shelterdog

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Feb 19, 2002
15,375
New York City
Oh. Whoops, my bad!

Well, either way, Trent Dilfer sucked.
You say that but he taught me one important thing about football: Mark Sanchez was definitely going to be a better football player than Stafford or Josh Freeman because if all the first round quarterbacks were going out to dinner they'd give Sanchez the car keys.

I also think that 1999 Dilfer would cost like 20 million a year as a free agent.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
54,247
Juju on why he chose the Patriots:

“To be honest, it was (Bill) Belichick, man,” Smith-Schuster said. “The guy, you know — just the want and the need. And the position that I can fill there really, really caught my attention. And … feeling wanted in a place where I played against, a head coach I have a lot of respect for. And I just think that goes a long way.”
https://nesn.com/2023/03/juju-smith-schuster-reveals-reasons-for-signing-with-patriots/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tl-2023}&utm_content=link2
 

j44thor

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
11,137
JSN clocked between 4.48-4.52 40 at the OSU pro-day. Pro days are typically faster times but anything sub 4.6 was going to be considered successful for him. I doubt he lasts until pick 14 at this point, seems to have cemented himself as the top WR in this class, likely in a tier by himself.
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,975
Dallas
SP’s offense highly utilizes the slot. I’m failing to see why he would want to trade a guy like Jeudy who is versatile and produces. If you blow the doors off them with an offer sure but if I were them I would stick to my guns. A 2 and a 4 would be nice but for one rookie and one somewhat cost controlled year of Jeudy I think the Patriots win that trade.
 

bsj

Renegade Crazed Genius
SoSH Member
Dec 6, 2003
22,801
Central NJ SoSH Chapter
https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/03/22/panthers-first-no-1-draft-pick-decision-young-stroud-qb

Breer says that from what he's hearing the Patriots aren't really in on Hopkins. Might have interest in Jeudy or one of the other DEN WRs if the price gets low enough.
I don't think the Patriots will ever have a top 15 in the league WR again until Belichick retires. Not a complaint, just I think its time to stop hoping. Hopefully BOB can put some together with the 2nd and 3rd tier skills parts we have. He may.
 

ehaz

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 30, 2007
4,977
Breer also said he could see the Pats taking a swing at WR early in the draft and mentioned JSN as a good fit. I had sort of been dismissing JSN since I think he will go before #14 and the Juju signing. But on second thought, Juju probably shouldn't preclude JSN if they feel he's such a great fit and falls to them, right? Juju played plenty of snaps outside of the slot last season, and even if they're not perfectly complementary, it won't be too difficult to move on from Juju in a year if you really need to.
 

bsj

Renegade Crazed Genius
SoSH Member
Dec 6, 2003
22,801
Central NJ SoSH Chapter
Breer also said he could see the Pats taking a swing at WR early in the draft and mentioned JSN as a good fit. I had sort of been dismissing JSN since I think he will go before #14 and the Juju signing. But on second thought, Juju probably shouldn't preclude JSN if they feel he's such a great fit and falls to them, right? Juju played plenty of snaps outside of the slot last season, and even if they're not perfectly complementary, it won't be too difficult to move on from Juju in a year if you really need to.
I have very little trust in Belichick when it comes to drafting WRs. If he does draft a WR I suspect he will overthink it and take someone like Rashee Rice in the 1st round after trading down
 

j44thor

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
11,137
JSN is good, but I don’t think he’s worth the 14th pick. Breer is leg-humping him because he went to tOSU.
With the accelerating WR salaries I think 5yrs of JSN is easily worth the 14th pick but I think he goes inside that.
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,954
Lazar thinks JSN is a lock to make 100 receptions as a rookie. I’d take him at #14 if he’s there, which he may not be.
Ah yes, a lock to do something that has been done twice ever, out of hundreds of players.

I like Lazar at times, but that's just the dumbest pre-draft hype nonsense to justify a take.
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,975
Dallas
And this is the guy who thinks he’s qualified to mock Pats fans’ hot takes? Interesting.
Lazar’s draft takes are putrid but… but… JSN is really good and more or less pro ready. He has the highest floor in the draft and imo is going to be a stud. He might cap out at a high end WR2 but I think he’s basically built a ton like Edelman and they have very similar games. 100 receptions as a rookie is a bit much but I’d buy 75+.

Lazar for example argues that Skoronski should be drafted and play OT which imo is just wrong.
 

KingChre

New Member
Jul 31, 2009
130
Lazar thinks JSN is a lock to make 100 receptions as a rookie. I’d take him at #14 if he’s there, which he may not be.
He ran a 4.48 at Ohio State's pro day. People were saying he'd go in the top 15 if he broke 4.6. He's plenty fast enough apparently and that was his only question mark on the field.

As someone who despises Ohio State, it pains me to say this, but he's my number 1 binky in the draft and I would absolutely take him at 14.
 

rodderick

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2009
12,950
Belo Horizonte - Brazil
I love JSN, but after 20 years I'm 100% done projecting productive seasons from rookie Patriots receivers. If he becomes a 1000 yard guy in New England, it'll be in 2025 at the earliest.
 

ehaz

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 30, 2007
4,977
So, assuming the Howe/Allbright reporting is true and the Broncos want a 1st or a high 2nd + a player for Jeudy, what would your best offers be?

I don’t think I’d give up #14. But I’d be fine with a heftier pick package. Like #46 + #135 + next year’s 3rd. Or #46 + next year’s 2nd.
 

bsj

Renegade Crazed Genius
SoSH Member
Dec 6, 2003
22,801
Central NJ SoSH Chapter
So, assuming the Howe/Allbright reporting is true and the Broncos want a 1st or a high 2nd + a player for Jeudy, what would your best offers be?

I don’t think I’d give up #14. But I’d be fine with a heftier pick package. Like #46 + #135 + next year’s 3rd. Or #46 + next year’s 2nd.
Not giving up 14. I'd rather overpay for OBJ than give up 14. #NotMyMoney
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,975
Dallas
Why not just draft JSN instead of trading for Jeudy. I honestly think he’s going to be better than Jeudy anyway and he is a perfect fit for the offense. Zay would be great too. I’d be fine with a 2 and a 4 for Jeudy but I feel like the draft has good enough matches to not need to make that trade.
 

JM3

often quoted
SoSH Member
Dec 14, 2019
15,361
Why not just draft JSN instead of trading for Jeudy. I honestly think he’s going to be better than Jeudy anyway and he is a perfect fit for the offense. Zay would be great too. I’d be fine with a 2 and a 4 for Jeudy but I feel like the draft has good enough matches to not need to make that trade.
Not sure if this is in response to me - my suggestion would be a bet against the Broncos & a chance at a lottery ticket for next year to see if we can't luck into some Caleb Williams.

There's also no guarantee JSN would be available. But we probably have pretty similar values on Jeudy - I wouldn't actually do a 2 & a 4 unless I'm getting like a 5 back.
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,975
Dallas
Not sure if this is in response to me - my suggestion would be a bet against the Broncos & a chance at a lottery ticket for next year to see if we can't luck into some Caleb Williams.

There's also no guarantee JSN would be available. But we probably have pretty similar values on Jeudy - I wouldn't actually do a 2 & a 4 unless I'm getting like a 5 back.
No not you. Just in general with the Jeudy talk. An alternative.
 

radsoxfan

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 9, 2009
13,759
I feel like not many people talk about Thornton's potential this season (maybe with good reason?).

Obviously he had the clavicle fracture and it just a weird offensive season for the team in general.

But would be nice if he turns into something useful...that alone would be a nice improvement in the WR group.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

posts way less than 18% useful shit
SoSH Member
Nov 17, 2010
14,488
Why not just draft JSN instead of trading for Jeudy. I honestly think he’s going to be better than Jeudy anyway and he is a perfect fit for the offense. Zay would be great too. I’d be fine with a 2 and a 4 for Jeudy but I feel like the draft has good enough matches to not need to make that trade.
I didn't think JSN was a field stretcher like Jeudy. A number one X holds more value than a slot, no?
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,975
Dallas
JSN isn’t a field stretched but neither was Welker or Edelman and that’s largely who JSN is. An Edelman type with better hands and even better route running. (Coming out//early on)
 

radsoxfan

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 9, 2009
13,759
JSN isn’t a field stretched but neither was Welker or Edelman and that’s largely who JSN is. An Edelman type with better hands and even better route running. (Coming out//early on)
A taller faster Edelman works for me at #14.
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,975
Dallas
A taller faster Edelman works for me at #14.
I think they have similar speeds but JSN did just run a 4.48 at his pro day and even if you adjust that it’s still a tick over 4.5 which is perfectly good speed to play outside. He isn’t a burner by any means but he can win vertically if that makes sense.
 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,975
Dallas
My only worry with JSN is that they just signed Juju who will play a similar role. But don’t let a good player stop you from drafting a potentially great one. If they do want more speed than it’s Zay Flowers. You can also find some quality guys later on like A.T. Perry. There isn’t a true WR stud in this class. The only guy I hope they avoid like the plague is Quentin Johnston. Not a good route runner. Inconsistent ball tracking. Bad hands and a body catcher.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

posts way less than 18% useful shit
SoSH Member
Nov 17, 2010
14,488
Jeudy is a slot and a flanker though. He isn’t an X.
Wow. Not sure how I missed that. Not sure how he does against press, but feels like a bit of a duplication of Juju.

Just another notch on my "trade for Hopkins" arrow. PFF has him as a top 10 WR over the last 2 years against press. Man can definitely fill the X role were missing.
 

Super Nomario

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 5, 2000
14,024
Mansfield MA
Why not just draft JSN instead of trading for Jeudy. I honestly think he’s going to be better than Jeudy anyway and he is a perfect fit for the offense. Zay would be great too. I’d be fine with a 2 and a 4 for Jeudy but I feel like the draft has good enough matches to not need to make that trade.
JSN would take 14, right? So there's an opportunity cost with him where you might not be able to address OT, for instance.
 

Mystic Merlin

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 21, 2007
47,081
Hartford, CT
I’d much prefer taking a preferred corner or OT at 14 (or if they drop a few picks, there) and grabbing Flowers at 46 (or, more likely given his combine performance, around pick 30-35 after a trade up).
 

Old Fart Tree

the maven of meat
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2001
14,146
Boulder, CO
Why not just draft JSN instead of trading for Jeudy. I honestly think he’s going to be better than Jeudy anyway and he is a perfect fit for the offense. Zay would be great too. I’d be fine with a 2 and a 4 for Jeudy but I feel like the draft has good enough matches to not need to make that trade.
Agreed.