Why Passing on a WR in the first might not be a option

[SCP]

I think people are also forgetting how close we were to 12-4 or 11-5. I know your record is your record. But I don't think we are as far off as people think we are. We've made solid signings in free agency and we have the draft. Cam being in his 3rd year is gonna help a lot. He looked like a 5 year veteran the last 8 games.

I'm back and forth on my optimism. We do have pieces in place but then you look at our schedule and our coaching staff....

[TheRumGone]

I'm back and forth on my optimism. We do have pieces in place but then you look at our schedule and our coaching staff....

That's just fans always wanting better and wanting the best out of the players. I was very concerned until we signed Dwan back, because our line would have been atrocious. I feel very optimistic about the season.

[SauceBoss]

Ain't nobody got time for this

[DaCityKats]

What about the route running and not being able to read coverages? Do those not count when calling a player raw?

it was already dispelled that his route running is not as bad but you ignored to look at what Evan Silva said about that. most college WRs come into the league with raw route running, and reading coverages will come with reps. he had 1 year of major college football so it is expect but he will get better at this.

[DaCityKats]

again i will say this, most of us are saying that bpa will be the pick. but if the chance to draft a top WR comes, then the Panthers will not wait any longer to draft a WR. hence why we worked out so many top WR prospects this spring.

[koolkatluke]

it was already dispelled that his route running is not as bad but you ignored to look at what Evan Silva said about that. most college WRs come into the league with raw route running, and reading coverages will come with reps. he had 1 year of major college football so it is expect but he will get better at this.

Silva isn't the be all in scouting and their is a different opinion shared by Kevin Weidel, Mcshay, and others about his route running and his ability to handle a lot of information. You choose not to see that like you did last year with Stephen Hill.

[carpanfan96]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/cordarrelle-patterson?id=2540145

BOTTOM LINE

He may be considered raw with his ability to handle physical coverage, but Patterson is one of the more naturally talented pass catchers to come along in the last few years. He only has one year of tape against FBS level of competition, but from the first game Patterson showed his versatility by making plays from a variety of alignments. If the Vol can start using his hands to release off the line and tighten up some technique issues, he should be one of this class' top playmakers. He should be a first-round selection and could be the first receiver off the board.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1996183

STRENGTHS: Patterson has a solidly-built frame with good height and length. He is a fluid athlete with good initial burst and strength to release to the inside and gain separation in single coverage. Patterson knows how to create with excellent vision, controlled footwork and speed, showing excellent change of direction and a strong plant foot to make elusive, sharp cuts.

He has a natural feel with the ball in his hands, making defenders miss with quickness to weave through defenses. Patterson is tough, confident ballcarrier and runs with the belief that no one can tackle him, powering through arm tackles and allowing defenders to slide off of him.

He has very good strength for the position to use his body, box out defenders and make contested grabs, out-muscling defensive backs. Patterson has quick hands and natural adjustment skills to make impressive catches on off-target throws. His coaches rave about his football intelligence and his competitive nature, playing focused and fiery

He's one of the more gifted WR's to come out in the last few drafts and he's not worth the pick by some on here because of route running??? Route running can be taught, the physical abilities that Patterson has can't. Add to that he's got a high football IQ and the route running becomes even less of a problem.

[MHS831]

I have a feeling that this will become clearer by the middle of April.

[koolkatluke]

Overall Football Traits

Production 1 Hutchinson C.C. 2010: Receiving 52-908-9 KOR/PRs 21-645-3Hutchinson C.C. 2011: Receiving 61-924-15 Rushing: 32-379-6 KORs: 10-482-3Tennessee 2012: (12/12) Receiving: 46-778-5. Rushing: 25-308-3. KORs: 24-671-1 PRs: 4-101-1. 1,858 all-purpose yards (school single-season record) Height-Weight-Speed 1 Freakishly gifted athlete. Has ideal height and adequate bulk. Can continue to get stronger. Top-end speed appears on tape to be elite for size. Durability 2 Started all 12 games during only season at UT. Missed practice time in summer of 2012 with a shoulder sprain. Intangibles 4 First name pronounced: CORE-dare-uhl. From Rock Hill, SC and went to Northwestern High School, where he won D-II state championship as a senior in 2008. Spent 2009 at North Carolina Tech but did not play football. Two-time NFCAA All-American at Hutchinson Community College (KS) before transferring to Tennessee in 2012. No off-the-field incidents that would raise red flag. Academics have always been a challenge and NFL scouts are closely studying his ability to retain information. Is a bit shy and introverted. Ideally, he will be drafted by a team with good leadership on the offensive side of the ball.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

Wide Receiver Specific Traits

Separation Skills 3 Outstanding size-speed combination gives him natural separation ability. But raw as a route runner. Rarely gains separation due to savvy or crispness of route. Can look lost at times versus zone coverage. Has a lot to learn about the NFL passing game, especially reading coverages and making site adjustments. Must also improve hand usage versus press. Struggles to get a clean release and takes too many false steps getting off the line. Ball Skills 2 Excellent natural hand-eye coordination. Shows very good body control and ability to adjust to the ball while elevated. Long arms, big hands and can make the difficult catch over his head. Suffers occasional lapse in focus, usually when trying to get up the field before securing the ball. Dropped a sure-fire TD versus Georgia. Big play ability 1 Elite combination of size, fluidity and top-end speed. More dangerous with ball in hands than as a vertical route runner, but can still take the top off a defense. Accelerates quickly when getting up the field after catch, and shows a big-league extra gear. Absolute pursuit-angle killer. Can stick his foot in ground and accelerate like a running back. Has very good lateral agility. Competitiveness 4 Hungry and competitive when the ball is in his hands but very questionable effort otherwise. Does not show fear going over the middle. Ran hard when UT put him in backfield. Versatile athlete that can contribute in many different areas receiver, runner, return specialist. Also has a surprisingly strong/accurate arm. However, he does not run routes with same desire every time. Is clearly coasting from time to time. Does not work hard enough in preparation and does not pay attention to detail. Blocking effort is spotty. Doesn't shy away from contact but not a physical player, either.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

[koolkatluke]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/cordarrelle-patterson?id=2540145

Weaknesses

Consistently a body catcher, even when it is not necessary. Was not frequently asked to go up and get the football at its highest point. Large number of his snaps start while off the line of scrimmage, allows for a better release. Doesn't use his hands enough against a jam, tries to dip or side step rather than slap or push. Tends to throttle down in his breaks.Burst after the catch or return is only adequate but does accelerate quickly. Tries to do too much when the ball is in his hands at times. Dropped a few very catchable balls, including easy bucket throw over shoulder. Inconsistent blocking effort.

[koolkatluke]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1996183

WEAKNESSES: Patterson is still developing as a route-runner and will tip his patterns at times. He is a natural hands-catcher, but will have some concentration lapses and drop some easy ones, running before securing the reception.

Patterson needs to scale back his physicality downfield, often extending his arms downfield against tight coverage and getting away with some push-offs. He has a bad habit of stopping his feet when running room isn't there, always searching for the home run instead of taking what's there.

Patterson has made some mistakes on punt returns, allowing the ball to go over his head or catching the punt too close to the goal line. He has just one year of experience at the FBS-level, albeit a productive one season.

COMPARES TO: Mix of Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs and Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions - Patterson has a similar frame and physical downfield nature as Bowe with the speed and quickness of Burleson to contribute as a return man.

[carpanfan96]

I already posted both of those and the NFL profile is the one that says he's one of the most physically gifted WR's of the past few drafts with a high football IQ, his route running is easily fixable. He had a extremely high catch percentage while at UT, so those mental lapses are few and far between. Everyone knows that his route running isn't great, but that's fixable. His size and speed isn't teachable.

[koolkatluke]

If your going to post his strengths also post his weaknesses. Let's be a little unbiased.

[ZackAttack23]

I say draft Austin at 14 and trade down from the 2nd round pick.