David Newton ranks our receivers (which is very close to my own).

[top dawg]

Well I certainly didn't want my fellow Huddlers to miss or overlook David Newton's rankings of our wide receivers.  Many may not want to hear it, but it's probably a little more realistic than what I've seen on the Huddle.  At the very least it is another one in the pot---some food for thought.

 

Here I will list his rankings, but if you want to read his reasoning, then look here, but I am going to give my own reasoning on his rankings because they are close to my own:

 

1. Kelvin Benjamin -   Speaks for itself

2. Devin Funchess -  Expect the massive frame to meet the massive upside

3. Jerricho Cotchery- Presumptuous to think that this vet WR2 last year won't at least start out as the 3, if not the 2

4. Tedd Ginn Jr -      Seasoned. speedy vet who knows the offense better than the rest

5. Stephen Hill -        His size and speed are a perfect match, and Hill has been coached up and working hard.

6. Jarrett Boykin -     Big, ST ace who put up near 700 yds in 2013 before losing his job in 2014 to Davante Adams

7. Corey Brown -      Young with enough upside to at least fill in when spot duty is required

8. Brenton Bersin -   Right behind Brown, seemingly in a fight to prove himself as an able back-up

9. DeAndre Presley - Maybe the PS again for all he has showed

10. Mike Brown -      Largely mediocre as a Jag in years past, meaning he'll likely be a JAG in camp.

11. Marcus Lucas -  Likely going back to the PS again (but nice size)

12. Damiere Byrd -   The new UDFA on the block (but fastest on the team)

 

Now, like I said, this is David Newton's ranking, but with my reasons.  You probably want to look at his reasons.  To be honest it's probably not even worth debating at this point.  Everyone has an opinion, but I find Newton's rankings to be totally believable 1-4, and though I would probably swap Boykin and Hill based upon real game time production, that's no biggie. I think that we all wish that prototypical Hill on paper will turn into productive Hill on the field.

 

Of course there is fan favorite---maybe Huddle favorite---Corey Brown whose 296 yard and two TD (receiving) performance was OK, but I don't know that that justifies him being any higher than 6 tops, considering the size, upside, special teams ability, blocking ability, and/or production of those who are rated higher. Moreover, I kind of think that Brown is closer to Bersin in status than people think (given the edge because he is legitimately faster), but Bersin's size and ability to catch some key passes may play a role in their little competition.

 

The rest are arguably long shots to make an impact. Perhaps they can land a spot on the PS if nothing else.  I am intrigued by Byrd because he is new and has world class speed which I still believe that the corps needs more of, notwithstanding Ginn.  But unless Byrd comes in like DJax did his rookie year, the only way I see him making the active roster this year is as a return man (or in case of injury). 

 

Lastly, it should not have to be said, but I am going to say it anyway: This is nothing more than a pre-camp ranking. This is food for thought. Who knows what our wide receiving corps will look like come September?  The main thing is that it looks a lot better than last year, as Newton points out.  We actually have a real corps.  What a difference a Funchess makes! 

[London Loves Luke]

I'd like to think, KB, Funchess, Brown and Boykin are capable of being the future.

But KB, Funchess, Ginn and Cotchery is a really similar line up (Boykin = Cotchery, Brown = Ginn) and allows Brown and Boykin to watch and learn for a season.

Hill is the dark horse, Rivera seems to rate him and I'm secretly hoping he gets some play time.

[Carolina Cajun]

I'm not sure about cotchery that high at all, in fact I don't think he makes the final roster. He may be our third best receiver, but I just don't think they will let him block a promising young receiver. I predict we keep 6, and of the top 7, cotchery is the odd man out.

[KendrickPanther]

Is Funchess experiencing raised expectations based on the success of Kelvin? It feels like we are hyping Devin in May when we hyped Kelvin in August. 

 

I think Kelvin's numbers could go down this year. He caught many of his touchdowns late in games when we abandoned the run. He was often the only decent option in the passing game when Greg was on Left Tackle Coach duty. 

 

Then again Kelvin showed up big time in Seattle. 

[London Loves Luke]

Is Funchess experiencing raised expectations based on the success of Kelvin? It feels like we are hyping Devin in May when we hyped Kelvin in August. 

 

I think Kelvin's numbers could go down this year. He caught many of his touchdowns late in games when we abandoned the run. He was often the only decent option in the passing game when Greg was on Left Tackle Coach duty. 

 

Then again Kelvin showed up big time in Seattle. 

 

I don't think its unreasonable (even before last year) to expect a high second round pick to contribute as a WR2. Its definitely early to start doing it before TC, but he has physical attributes and decent college experience on his side. 

 

KB was a victim of his own success and a beneficiary of our lack of WR depth. We had no option but to keep him on the field as a target even when he was being double teamed and was maybe struggling with the mental aspects of his pro season.

 

We have more flexibility with Funchess and KB next season, we could use Funchess to open the field more for KB, or split the load more evenly between them. Either way, total receiving numbers between the #1 and #2 WR should increase. 

[top dawg]

Is Funchess experiencing raised expectations based on the success of Kelvin? It feels like we are hyping Devin in May when we hyped Kelvin in August. 

 

I think Kelvin's numbers could go down this year. He caught many of his touchdowns late in games when we abandoned the run. He was often the only decent option in the passing game when Greg was on Left Tackle Coach duty. 

 

Then again Kelvin showed up big time in Seattle. 

 

I am sure that Benjamin's success has something to do with it, and as far as I'm concerned it is understandable considering that Funchess is arguably within the same class.  If you look at the measurables, Funchess may have even more upside. But that's hardly worth debating at this point as KB has a year under his belt. Even if KB's numbers go down a little, and DFunch's numbers don't match KB's last year, the offense will likely be much more efficient at season's end than last season. That's all I am expecting (provided Cam isn't running for his life). Just the threat of DFunch alone should help the entire offense.

 

By the way, after the rookie minicamp, expectation's for Benjamin were on the rise because he didn't drop a single pass.  I believe that was when he made the catch where Proehl's jaw is on the ground in the background.

[scarface]

How dare you bad mouth Philly Brown.

[MHS831]

When I read the headline to this thread, I ranked them myself to see how similar we are (note:  I stopped at the WRs I thought have a legit shot at making the roster):
 

Kelvin Benjamin--Not the #1 WR, but the top bookend WR.

Devin Funchess--The more I learn about him, the more I like him

Jerricho Cotchery--Experience is something that shows itself in big games. Lotta Huddlers think he is lower.  Heck, he might not make the roster, but if he does not, who is the "possession WR?"

Corey Brown--I like him, but how good is he if we have options? 

Stephen Hill--The "what if...." player of the team.  What if the light comes on and the hands improve?

Ted Ginn--I do not see him breaking into the top six at WR unless it is an "active roster" thing due to his special teams play

Jarrett Boykin-- He is going to need a good camp

Brenson Bersin-The new theme this year?  If you ain't starting, you will be a stud on special teams.

Damiere Byrd-PS Bound unless he can return better than Ginn.  Has not shown that ability in college.  The slot?  Scary.

 

Imagine Benjamin, Funchess, Boykin, Bersin, and Hill on the same WR corps.  It could easily happen.  Boykin, at 6' 2" would be the shortest--heck, Cotchery is 6;1"....OK, Cam.  You have weapons now, let's see what you got.

 

QUESTION:  DOES CAM NOW HAVE WEAPONS?  

 

I think they have tailored the WR corps to complement his style of play, and I think he has some talent.  IF Stephen Hill ever reaches his potential, we are going to be scary.

[teeray]

I hope Stephen Hill can pan out. His size and speed are rare.

I am a big fan of Philly Brown, I think he is higher up that list than Newton has him.

I still think Cotchery may get cut after TC. We have been moving toward youth and/or speed and unfortunately he has neither. Then again he is a great locker room guy so maybe not.

[tondi]

What's the cap impact of cutting Cotchery this year?

[Frank Hollywood]

Swap Boykin and hill.

Move cotchery all the way down past Corey brown.

Many people use brown's 300 receiving yards as a measurement of his success and forget he was behind avant until halfway through the season. Also, if I recall correctly, he missed a game or two due to injury. He could have easily racked up 600-700 yards as a rookie.

[Frank Hollywood]

What's the cap impact of cutting Cotchery this year?

It looks like we save 100k if we cut him.

[KendrickPanther]

I am sure that Benjamin's success has something to do with it, and as far as I'm concerned it is understandable considering that Funchess is arguably within the same class.  If you look at the measurables, Funchess may have even more upside. But that's hardly worth debating at this point as KB has a year under his belt. Even if KB's numbers go down a little, and DFunch's numbers don't match KB's last year, the offense will likely be much more efficient at season's end than last season. That's all I am expecting (provided Cam isn't running for his life). Just the threat of DFunch alone should help the entire offense.

 

By the way, after the rookie minicamp, expectation's for Benjamin were on the rise because he didn't drop a single pass.  I believe that was when he made the catch where Proehl's jaw is on the ground in the background.

 

Yeah I do think Funchess has more explosiveness and more elusiveness and that gives him a chance to develop into a better WR than Kelvin. 

 

One of the things that surprised be about Kelvin is how well he got off the jam and used his hands to his advantage on jump balls. Not every receiver can do that Week 1 but he could. So with Funchess I'd like to see how well he gets off the jam, uses his hands, and uses leverage. 

[KendrickPanther]

I think Cotchery makes the team unless he's absolutely horrendous. I don't see the Panthers going into the season with Ted Ginn as the veteran presence.