Ammunition for those wanting WR upgrades... Official Dropped Pass Yardage

[MHS831]

I agree with the fact that our WRs can't catch.  How many of you feel confident when a ball is headed toward Philly or Ginn?  There are a few other facts (probably not available) to consider, if you ask me:

1. How many of the drops were beyond 10 yards?  (Harder to catch longer passes)

2. How many balls (this is the stat I want to change) that would not have been considered drops because they were off the mark, were caught?  (Benjamin did a great job at catching the tough passes that seemed uncatchable, but he dropped easy ones. 

As a former TE in college and high school, I have a microcosm of experience to relate to what a WR goes through.  Catching a ball at the beach or in the backyard is much different than running nearly full speed with a helmet and shoulder pads on and having someone who can run faster trying to decapitate you the second the ball touches your fingers (large fingers and hands, by the way).  One coach told us, "All pass catchers have blind spots."  Due to hand flipping and other things that are unique to each individual.  I never forgot that.  He added, "Some pass catchers have bigger blind spots than others--like cars."  He then threw me a pass and it hit me in the earhole.  Never saw it coming.  (joking, but the rest is interesting). 

[ncfan]

1 hour ago, MHS831 said:

I agree with the fact that our WRs can't catch.  How many of you feel confident when a ball is headed toward Philly or Ginn?  There are a few other facts (probably not available) to consider, if you ask me:

 

Again another reason to get Shepard in the first 2 rounds

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000516197/article/which-top-wide-receiver-prospects-have-best-hands

"The premier set of hands in college football belong to Oklahoma's Sterling Shepard. Shepard has dropped just four passes on 225 targets over his three seasons, including only one drop over his last 162 targets. However, Shepard is more than just a great pair of hands.

In 2014, he was targeted 35.2 percent of the time (a relatively high number, showing the confidence his quarterback had in him) and had a catch of 25 yards or more once every 6.5 targets (Pitt's Tyler Boyd averaged one every 10.5 targets). Shepard's soft hands, elite focus and ability to get open will make him a favorite of NFL scouts."

[KB_fan]

4 minutes ago, ncfan said:

Again another reason to get Shepard in the first 2 rounds

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000516197/article/which-top-wide-receiver-prospects-have-best-hands

"The premier set of hands in college football belong to Oklahoma's Sterling Shepard.

Dang.  Wish people would stop writing about him.  Want him to disappear off of other teams' draft boards.  Sigh....

[cardiackat88.]

On March 1, 2016 at 1:57 PM, Cracka McNasty said:

Yes, these uncatchable "rockets":

 

 

That may have been or is very close to all 457 missed yards...

[Hoenheim]

Yep I think If we draft a reciever this year it should be a dude that has really good hands, in light of being plauged with drops in the 2015 season . 

I think Cotchery had the best hands last season but had a horrible uncharacteristic super bowl drop riddled performance. Philly caught the vast majority of his passes . Funchess had too many drops in the first half of the season but made really good progress and was catching much more often later in the season , had a really good catch in the Super Bowl. 

Kelvin's catching ability at this point is an unknown. He has a lot of drops in 2014 but a lot of great catches too . 

[ncfan]

4 hours ago, KB_fan said:

Dang.  Wish people would stop writing about him.  Want him to disappear off of other teams' draft boards.  Sigh....

And this is why I would be perfectly fine if we got him in the 1st.  I just want a Shepard/Dodd combo or Shepard/Nassib combo.  We need this kid in the 1st or 2nd somehow.

http://www.thebackyardbanter.com/reception-perception-2016-nfl-draft-prospects-results.html

"Sterling Shepard simply broke the system with an 82.8 percent success rate against man coverage, and 91.1 percent against press. Question his size, or a future as “just” a slot receiver, but that is a rare ability to get open. Over a full Reception Perception sample, Shepard posted SRVC numbers akin to that of some of the best wide receivers in the NFL. His advanced and nuanced route-running combined with tangible athletic gifts should make him a lock for a top-three ranking at his position."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000516197/article/which-top-wide-receiver-prospects-have-best-hands

"The premier set of hands in college football belong to Oklahoma's Sterling Shepard. Shepard has dropped just four passes on 225 targets over his three seasons, including only one drop over his last 162 targets. However, Shepard is more than just a great pair of hands."

[MHS831]

4 hours ago, ncfan said:

Again another reason to get Shepard in the first 2 rounds

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000516197/article/which-top-wide-receiver-prospects-have-best-hands

"The premier set of hands in college football belong to Oklahoma's Sterling Shepard. Shepard has dropped just four passes on 225 targets over his three seasons, including only one drop over his last 162 targets. However, Shepard is more than just a great pair of hands.

In 2014, he was targeted 35.2 percent of the time (a relatively high number, showing the confidence his quarterback had in him) and had a catch of 25 yards or more once every 6.5 targets (Pitt's Tyler Boyd averaged one every 10.5 targets). Shepard's soft hands, elite focus and ability to get open will make him a favorite of NFL scouts."

Good stuff--you know, I have not been paying attention to WRs that much-even wondered if we might have an all defensive draft (if we lost Norman and Johnson). 

I am not a fan of Funchess as a #2, assuming that is the plan.  Reason?  I saw him running slants for the most part and digs on occasion--  I know he is raw, but I want to see the other routes.  If he can use his size, he is OK. Can he separate?  Not sure.  After a season, I am not sure what we have there.

I am going to spend more time over the next few days researching WRs.  From a naive perspective, I am under the impression that Dotson and Boyd are also sure handed.  Again, I have not researched.

[mcdougal]

What about Josh Doctson? He reminds me a lot of Kennan Allen. On the college level he absolutely dominated a game. I like WRs that shown an ability to keep producing even when the entire stadium knows that the offense is going to you. And time and time again you produce. 

No in the first round but certainly in the 3rd round or even 2nd.

Sterling Shepard seems more like a boom or bust prospect to me. And I don't like WRs that are on the shorter side...