Like many of you, I am mesmerized by Wan'Dale's flashes of potential that we see. He appears incredibly shifty in space and adept at getting open, especially in shorter and intermediate routes, like the ones run typically from the slot.
Unlike many of you, I am concerned by his lack of production over his first 2 years. I recognize that he tore his ACL in 2022; that it often takes more than 1 year to fully recover; and that our O Line and QB play were terrible last year. Even with all that said, so far the production we've gotten from our 2022 2nd rounder, pick #43 overall, is:
2022: 23 catches for 227 yards and 1 receiving TD
2023: 60 catches for 525 yards and 1 receiving TD; also 9 rushes for 87 yards and 1 rushing TD.
What do we need this year from Wan'Dale to make his draft selection (43 overall) worthwhile? We've already used 2 of his 4 team controlled years.
You point to "two seasons" rather than how much he actually has played. He has played 870 pro snaps (an average full season), much of it recovering from ACL like you point out and much of it on these tiny little dump-offs a few yards beyond the LOS. Nabers is going to stretch the field and he's going to continue to get healthy. Here is compared to a standard Slayton season coming back from injury:
2023 Darius Slayton: 893 snaps, 770 yards, 60 receptions, 4 TDs
Wandale Robinson as a pro: 890 snaps, 753 yards receiving, 83 receptions, 86 yards rushing, 7.8 YPA, 3 TDs
No mental errors…running the proper route or adjustment.
As few drops as possible.
No fumbles.
And good YAC.
The rest is up to DJ getting him the ball and Daboll calling good plays.
Quote:
his lack of production
You point to "two seasons" rather than how much he actually has played. He has played 870 pro snaps (an average full season), much of it recovering from ACL like you point out and much of it on these tiny little dump-offs a few yards beyond the LOS. Nabers is going to stretch the field and he's going to continue to get healthy. Here is compared to a standard Slayton season coming back from injury:
2023 Darius Slayton: 893 snaps, 770 yards, 60 receptions, 4 TDs
Wandale Robinson as a pro: 890 snaps, 753 yards receiving, 83 receptions, 86 yards rushing, 7.8 YPA, 3 TDs
I said "two years," never "two seasons." I was pretty clear, I thought, that the injury impacted the numbers. The reason "two years" is relevant is because you only get 4 cost controlled years for draft picks (in the second round), and we've burned through 2 of them already.
Our QB needs to hit him in stride.
If that happens, 70 catches, 750-800 yards and 5+ TDs is reasonable. Anything less would be a disappointment, IMO.
Our QB needs to hit him in stride.
If that happens, 70 catches, 750-800 yards and 5+ TDs is reasonable. Anything less would be a disappointment, IMO.
The Cole Beasley role (he was 30/31 here).
2019 - 778 yards, 6 TDs, 11.6 YPR, 67 recs
2020 - 967 yards, 4 TDs, 11.8 YPR, 82 recs
Beasley was a bit dinged up and not the full time player Wan'Dale can be.