I can't see a Gettleman round 1 WR this year.

[top dawg]

I'm a WR guy as many of you know. I believe it was @tiger7_88 that called me a WR extremist one time (LOL). Well, this year at least, I just can't see us taking a receiver in the first round (nor should we IMHO). To be honest, I just see more value at other positions in the first round this year. Some of the projected late first/early second guys at other positions appear to be better at what they do, and are more of a need, than clones of what we already have in our receiving corps. 

We have big possession guys and red zone targets (ala Josh Doctson or Laquon Treadwell). We have a speed guy with hand issues that can blow the top off defenses (ala Will Fuller). We have several prospects coming off injury, the PS, or hopefully the routine inactive list. I just think that between the Safety, DE, and DT spots---as well as Derrick and Hunter Henry---and what we already have, a WR will not be the BPA in the first round. Of course hands and route running could trump everything else, but those things can easily be addressed later in the draft.

Days two and three will have some pretty intriguing guys like Sterling Shepard, Hunter Sharp, the upstart Moritz Boehringer, and Tyler Boyd that in their own ways are more exciting than the the receivers expected to be gone on day one. In my opinion, those guys are definitely better potential values. 

 Now that I've said it, Getty will pick a receiver in the first round. So much for jinxing us, because that would be good also, particularly in the mind of the WR extremist [**Vincent Price laugh**]

[Byrdman4real]

I can see Coleman or Shepard being picked sense our pick is late. Picking at 30 is like picking 2nd round grades but can get a steal if someone drop like usually. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

Agree. But we will take a slot WR possibly as early as the second day.

[TheRed]

Not first round, but WR will definitely be addressed I would have to imagine.

Outside of KB, and Funchess. Ginn is an FA after this season, and Corey Brown is becoming rather oft injured.

[TylerVagyler]

Coleman and Shepard are the two guys I like for our offense and situation. 

[MrBubba]

If Doctson fell to 30 , I think might be pick.  Great hands, runs good routes.  

[t96]

If Treadwell falls to us he's the pick. Don't think we'd take any other wideout at 30, and although Treadwell's been falling recently, he very likely won't drop all the way to 30.

[Mr. Scot]

CAM NEEDZ MOR WEAPONZ!!!

[davos]

My bold prediction: Shepard is going to end up this best WR in this draft.  Sure he has a "second round grade" on the websites but I see that kid just going in and contributing somewhere immediately.  I just see it in his play. 

[TheNewStandard]

I really haven't been keeping up with this year's prospects like I have in the past...I've just been too busy.

I could see us drafting a WR but I'm doubting drafting one, as first-rounders generally demand first-round contracts when their rookie contracts are up...considering they play-up to their first-round billing. 

Being at most our 4th or 5th option, this year, means that he won't have much of a role and we should all know that DG wants his first-rounders to be on the field in their first year.

For these reasons, I think we look elsewhere, like DL, with our first pick.

[uscgamecocks]

Shepard or Coleman would absolutely be worth a first round pick and either would instantly be the second best receiver on our roster for the upcoming season.  Funchess has a ton of potential but he's not there yet.  In particular, I'm a huge fan of Sterling Shepard.

Everyone remember Dave gushing about Odell Beckham's route running ability?  Well Shepard is the best route runner to enter the draft since Beckham and he's got a 2% drop rate.  His ability to beat coverage on upwards of 80% of his routes and to consistently catch the ball would set him apart on this team- see the writeup here (excerpt below):

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.

I think it's safe to assume that Dave will pick an elite pass rusher if one falls to us.  But if one doesn't, I can definitely see him picking a dynamic WR like Coleman or Shepard at the end of the first (and I think it's a higher probability than most on here think).  A long term pairing of Benjamin/Funchess/Shepard would be excellent.

[Rags]

As others have said, if Shepard is the pick at 30, I wouldn't be mad. Quite the opposite really.

 

Great route runner, great speed,  great hands. His stock is quietly rising.

 

Imagine throwing screens to not Cotch and having to hold our breath every time we throw a deep ball to a wide open WR

Coleman, Hunter Henry, Conklin if he somehow falls, all would be fine.

Literally anything but that HB from Alabama.

[Woodie]

I agree with you here.  I'd put Coleman slightly above Shepard, but that's just because I think he's a bit more explosive (although Shepard is a better route runner and has better hands).  I'd love either, though.  And while some still try to slot Shepard to our 2nd round pick, he's placed himself in the late 1, early 2 range.  At worst, he'll be gone by the mid 2nd.  Also, Gettleman has his own grades, and I could easily see him grading Shepard as a 1st round value.  Remember, last year most rated Funch as a 2nd-3rd round value, but after the draft, Gettleman said he has a 1st round grade on him. 

Now I don't totally disagree with top dawg either.  I don't think we'll take a receiver just to take a receiver.  We don't need to replicate what we already have with a a guy like Treadwell (if he somehow fell), we would only take a guy the compliments them and would give us something different.  And both Coleman and Shepard fit the bill.  Either can play in the slot, and would give us a dimension that would take our offense to a new level. 

With that said, WR would only be the pick if no pass rushers fall to us or someone unexpected doesn't drop.  And if our interest in Cravens is legit, then he could also be a wildcard.  I really don't think either Henry will be the pick the way some want, neither would give us the impact you want from their positions as first round picks.  Hunter would primarily be a blocker in our offense, and Derrick would only get a handful of touches a game.

 

[MV%doe]

I disagree TD.

If the panthers place a 1st round grade on a few WRs and that's what's leftd....... The past two years have spoiled teams in WR riches. Me personally I only have two WRs as first rounders, but if a run hits DL,OL, and CB. I could easily see the smart value being WR, if draft goes that way. Drafts are very unpredictable and fluid.

Michael Thomas is someone I've warmed up on, he could be a easy late 1st. Teardwell should fall given how slow he is, I believe he will be there at 30. Do I want him or another WR? not really .......... But I'll support what Dave decides, he more than earned that. I'd prefer they follow the green bay & Pittsburgh method on WR, draft one each year. I'm not talking about late rounder either, 1st-5th type of investment. WR spot is unique , it can be ST specialist, carry 4-7 of them, you can place five on them on field, etc etc.