I think that #1 receiver characteristics have evolved over last ten years with nfl rule changes. I would list the characteristics in priority order as 1. Passion for football, not just means to improve lives of family, 2. Elite speed, 3. Good hands, 4. Large catch radius either from wingspan/height or quickness/leaping ability, and 5. Good route running.
Ten years ago, good route running, good hands, and catch radius were much higher priorities than elite speed - i.e . NY giant receivers such as Burress, Toomer, Nicks, Smith, and Cruz. Compare them to the current KC receivers and other top current pass catchers, many who are not really good route runners but have great-speed-for-size ratios. Even NYG’s Slayton has decent years because of his speed despite his average to poor hands and slight build.
So going into draft and free agency, I would be looking for passion for winning football, speed, and hands.
But I also think the current nfl favors receivers like KC’s Hill who run somewhat rounded routes at great speed rather than precision route runners like Burress, Cruz, and Smith.
The #1 trait that makes a player a WR1 is can they perform those skills when they are double or triple covered. Much smaller sample size emerges when that happens.
You also have a lot of top WR's who are less about passion for football and more about garnering attention.
This is why I wouldnt be opposed to Pitts if Garrett could figure out how to use him properly.
This is why I wouldnt be opposed to Pitts if Garrett could figure out how to use him properly.
That is a valid argument. Most top receivers have a solid support staff with multiple other weapons.
Its rare for a top WR to be the only O weapon.
This is why I wouldnt be opposed to Pitts if Garrett could figure out how to use him properly.
I think exactly the opposite.. Hill brings more to a team than Kelce.. Hill gets the attention of the defense and that leaves the other guys with single coverage.. Now Hill is much more than speed.. he is a good route runner, has quickness and agility.. plus his frame is thick and he is much stronger than a typical speedy reciever.. Kelce is good but defenses are ok with giving up a few yards vs 60 yard bombs to Hill.. Watching a few KC games this year, you can see the type of focus defenses put on Hill..
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is Tyreek Hill a #1 if you remove Kelce? Because as electric as Hill is i don't really see him as having anywhere near the production he's had without Kelce there.
This is why I wouldnt be opposed to Pitts if Garrett could figure out how to use him properly.
I think exactly the opposite.. Hill brings more to a team than Kelce.. Hill gets the attention of the defense and that leaves the other guys with single coverage.. Now Hill is much more than speed.. he is a good route runner, has quickness and agility.. plus his frame is thick and he is much stronger than a typical speedy reciever.. Kelce is good but defenses are ok with giving up a few yards vs 60 yard bombs to Hill.. Watching a few KC games this year, you can see the type of focus defenses put on Hill..
That may be the case, and I dont watch enough KC games to confirm or deny, but from the outside looking in I've always thought Kelce was the main piece of that offense (other than Mahommes obviously). I also have a deep hated for Hill given his pretty disgusting legal history.
2. Ability to beat press coverage - This is a major downfall for a lot of receivers.
3. Ability to track the deep ball - This is where a lot of top WRs shine. WRs that can track deep balls really well also make their QB look a lot better.
4. Ability to create yards after the catch - Almost all the top WRs can do this, either because they can accelerate away from defenders, because they are big and can run through tackles, or because they are shifty.
And we had Homer Jones (who might have invented spiking the ball). Trust me speed was appreciated then just as much as it is now. It was just harder to find.
They are the 2 best in the NFL IMO and have been for some time now. Sure I’d love a Metcalf or Thomas but you can find guys around 6’ who are better at their craft.
Agree. Best I have seen re quickness was Isaac Bruce and no one comes close. Does anyone else here remember watching him cut on his route breaks? He was described as an “arc of electricity” coming out of his breaks as he was able to cut at almost full speed and quickly reaccelerate. He was practically unguardable Re the separation he generated. To put it in perspective, V Cruz pre-injury was very good at his breaks and getting separation on a scale of 1-10 he was about a 7.5/8. Bruce was like an 11. The best I have ever seen.
3. CHARACTER - attention whore showboats inevitably wreck chemistry, destroy drives with penalties. (T.O., OBJ, etc...)
4. SIZE - not just height, but enough weight to win battles against DB's.
5. Intelligence -- 'ability to get open', also plays into knowing how to outsmart individual defenders.
6. SPEED and QUICKNESS - these are what level up #1 receivers to PRO BOWL and HOF receivers.
And we had Homer Jones (who might have invented spiking the ball). Trust me speed was appreciated then just as much as it is now. It was just harder to find.
Most WR's have speed. But elite speed doesn't mean much if you can't catch. Ask John Ross. Look at guys like Willie Gault or Renaldo Nehemiah. Never were great WR's because they had a lot of speed, but not much refinement. Corderelle Patterson too.
Unfortunately, there are limits to this approach, because the single thing that separates excellent performers from JAGs is motivation and the drive to excel. Jerry Rice wasn't the fastest but he was the most driven; his workouts were legendary. He ended up the consensus GOAT at wide receiver but was the 16th pick in the draft. He was the third WR taken, behind Al Toon and Eddie Brown.
They do psych tests, Wonderlic tests, interviews — none of that fully predicts who will thrive at the NFL level.
Unfortunately, there are limits to this approach, because the single thing that separates excellent performers from JAGs is motivation and the drive to excel. Jerry Rice wasn't the fastest but he was the most driven; his workouts were legendary. He ended up the consensus GOAT at wide receiver but was the 16th pick in the draft. He was the third WR taken, behind Al Toon and Eddie Brown.
They do psych tests, Wonderlic tests, interviews — none of that fully predicts who will thrive at the NFL level.
but that just isn't completely true. Motivation and drive can help, but that's assuming two players have the same talent. LT was one of the laziest players off the field in terms of honing his craft. Meanwhile, there are reports every year of a bottom of the roster guy busting his ass.
Antonio Brown is known as a guy who isn't a workout maniac. Randy Moss regrets not working harder and now has camps to help kids in that area, but his overall career probably didn't suffer too much.
It's mostly about talent and staying healthy. Look at Nicks. Guy was a decently hard worker, but he gets injured, his production tails off and some Giant fans called him out for being lazy and dogging it. When the real truth is that any WR who loses his advantage goes from elite to pedestrian very quickly - through no fault of his workout regime or dedication. Victor Cruz busted his ass to return.
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In comment 15120877 Everyone Relax said:
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is Tyreek Hill a #1 if you remove Kelce? Because as electric as Hill is i don't really see him as having anywhere near the production he's had without Kelce there.
This is why I wouldnt be opposed to Pitts if Garrett could figure out how to use him properly.
I think exactly the opposite.. Hill brings more to a team than Kelce.. Hill gets the attention of the defense and that leaves the other guys with single coverage.. Now Hill is much more than speed.. he is a good route runner, has quickness and agility.. plus his frame is thick and he is much stronger than a typical speedy reciever.. Kelce is good but defenses are ok with giving up a few yards vs 60 yard bombs to Hill.. Watching a few KC games this year, you can see the type of focus defenses put on Hill..
That may be the case, and I dont watch enough KC games to confirm or deny, but from the outside looking in I've always thought Kelce was the main piece of that offense (other than Mahommes obviously). I also have a deep hated for Hill given his pretty disgusting legal history.
They are the 2 best in the NFL IMO and have been for some time now. Sure I’d love a Metcalf or Thomas but you can find guys around 6’ who are better at their craft.
+1
I was wondering when someone would make this argument. The top WRs in the game aren't about speed so much as they are about hands, route running and catch radius/ability to win contested catches.
Your point that "10 years ago xxxx was more valued" is nonsense.
In 10 drafts where yiu can pick ANY WR in the NFL, playing real football (not Madden) Tyreek Hill isn't the #1 guy off the board once. Not if real NFL GMs were making the choice.
His gifts were indeed G-d given to a degree that's almost never seen in WNY sport.
Maybe Joe Louis or Mike Tyson as a boxer... Not sure I can think of any others like him.
His gifts were indeed G-d given to a degree that's almost never seen in WNY sport.
Maybe Joe Louis or Mike Tyson as a boxer... Not sure I can think of any others like him.
Mike Tyson? Tyson was a bully in a weak heavy weight field. Yes devastating punch. But back when Ali was champ there were several boxers with Tyson's power who likely would have defeated him. You think Mike Tysom defeats George Foreman?
A true No. 1 for me is a guy that can attack every level on the field. The can make plays on short routes, intermediate routes, and deep routes. A guy that isn’t afraid to take a bubble route, or crossing route in the middle of the field with a safety bearing down on him.
This is why I wouldnt be opposed to Pitts if Garrett could figure out how to use him properly.
A better question is if Hill completes some of these slow developing routes with out a line that gives Mahomes the time to let him run it. That O line for KC is and has been legit among the best in football for years.
A true No. 1 for me is a guy that can attack every level on the field. The can make plays on short routes, intermediate routes, and deep routes. A guy that isn’t afraid to take a bubble route, or crossing route in the middle of the field with a safety bearing down on him.
Also, this is a better definition for number 1 receiver. This was Steve Smith, Fitzgerald, Nicks, Julio....its part of why I love the Curtis Samuel idea.
Ball awareness
positional awareness
situational awareness
Some examples...
running your route to the sticks and not short of them at critical times
On sideline routes, leaving yourself and your QB room for the over the shoulder throw
Coming back to the ball depending upon where the defenders are positioned once the ball is released or to create that separation and angle needed to complete the pass
High pointing the ball with your hands and not relying on the ball to hit you in the chest.
Knowing when to alter the route based upon the defensive alignment.
Understanding how and when to get a CB to turn his hips when YOU want him to.
I could go on...
Thanks for clarifying. I was thinking - almost never seen in western NY? Ok.
If they had a +/- stat in football, he would surely be -
I cringe every time the ball is thrown his way.