Without going into what took place downstream in ensuing drafts maybe the lesson learned is that drafting physical freaks based on upside is a risky way to spend a top ten pick. That's my only point and Pace seems to have embraced this as well or he may have taken Edmunds in place of Smith.
Players, other than QBs, who are not expected to be Day 1 ready should not IMHO be top ten draft picks at all.
FWIW we've gotten far more production from at WR from players who were never even 1st round picks let alone top ten picks. White was not the 2nd coming of Julio Jones and there a pretty good chance a 7th round pick may even take his job away. Injuries aside White was still somewhat of a risky pick.
And unless White magically turns into that player he was drafted to become and I end up eating crow this is also the end of this discussion about White.
For what its worth...Julio Jones never topped 1000 yards receiving until his last year in college when he had 1100. In fact his sophomore year he had barely over 500 yards receiving.
I won't even go there and neither should you. JJ was a far better prospect.
For what its worth...Julio Jones never topped 1000 yards receiving until his last year in college when he had 1100. In fact his sophomore year he had barely over 500 yards receiving.
I won't even go there and neither should you. JJ was a far better prospect.
Was he? I tend to agree that Jones was highly thought of, but a lot of people thought the Falcons were crazy to give up what they gave up to get him, and he had some questions coming out...including about his route running ability. And you can see from the scouting report below that he was thought of as a mid first round pick, where Kevin White was seen as a top 10 pick. Say what you will...but thats just the facts of the matter.
Jones has the prototypical build to become a No. 1 receiver. A vertical threat due to his height, strength, leaping ability, and speed. Generates big plays after the catch on screens and crossing patterns because of his physicality as a runner. Flashes outstanding hands and ball skills, will make the highlight grabs and haul in passes well outside his frame, but also struggles with bouts of drops. Needs to shore up his hands and route-running to develop into a consistent chain-mover at the next level. Plays aggressively, will go over the middle and block. A foot injury hasn't hindered Jones' upside, and he is projected to be a mid first-round pick.
ANALYSIS STRENGTHS Jones possesses NFL-ideal receiver size. Explodes off the line. Eats up cushions in a hurry. Beats press coverage with his strength and physicality. Can separate vertically and on crossing patterns. Locates soft spots against zone. Shows elite body-control and strong hands on jump balls and poor throws. Can be a load in the open field. Tough and highly-competitive. Good blocker. WEAKNESSES Will drop the routine pass on occasion and body catches at times. Was able to consistently separate in college but still developing as a route-runner. Needs to do a better job setting up defenders and getting out of breaks. Willing to go over the middle but needs to show more consistency catching in traffic.
I won't even go there and neither should you. JJ was a far better prospect.
Was he? I tend to agree that Jones was highly thought of, but a lot of people thought the Falcons were crazy to give up what they gave up to get him, and he had some questions coming out...including about his route running ability. And you can see from the scouting report below that he was thought of as a mid first round pick, where Kevin White was seen as a top 10 pick. Say what you will...but thats just the facts of the matter.
Jones has the prototypical build to become a No. 1 receiver. A vertical threat due to his height, strength, leaping ability, and speed. Generates big plays after the catch on screens and crossing patterns because of his physicality as a runner. Flashes outstanding hands and ball skills, will make the highlight grabs and haul in passes well outside his frame, but also struggles with bouts of drops. Needs to shore up his hands and route-running to develop into a consistent chain-mover at the next level. Plays aggressively, will go over the middle and block. A foot injury hasn't hindered Jones' upside, and he is projected to be a mid first-round pick.
ANALYSIS STRENGTHS Jones possesses NFL-ideal receiver size. Explodes off the line. Eats up cushions in a hurry. Beats press coverage with his strength and physicality. Can separate vertically and on crossing patterns. Locates soft spots against zone. Shows elite body-control and strong hands on jump balls and poor throws. Can be a load in the open field. Tough and highly-competitive. Good blocker. WEAKNESSES Will drop the routine pass on occasion and body catches at times. Was able to consistently separate in college but still developing as a route-runner. Needs to do a better job setting up defenders and getting out of breaks. Willing to go over the middle but needs to show more consistency catching in traffic.
I think so and he's been able to prove he wasn't "over-drafted". Injuries aside White has never been in JJ's class. Not even close.
I won't even go there and neither should you. JJ was a far better prospect.
Was he? I tend to agree that Jones was highly thought of, but a lot of people thought the Falcons were crazy to give up what they gave up to get him, and he had some questions coming out...including about his route running ability. And you can see from the scouting report below that he was thought of as a mid first round pick, where Kevin White was seen as a top 10 pick. Say what you will...but thats just the facts of the matter.
Jones has the prototypical build to become a No. 1 receiver. A vertical threat due to his height, strength, leaping ability, and speed. Generates big plays after the catch on screens and crossing patterns because of his physicality as a runner. Flashes outstanding hands and ball skills, will make the highlight grabs and haul in passes well outside his frame, but also struggles with bouts of drops. Needs to shore up his hands and route-running to develop into a consistent chain-mover at the next level. Plays aggressively, will go over the middle and block. A foot injury hasn't hindered Jones' upside, and he is projected to be a mid first-round pick.
ANALYSIS STRENGTHS Jones possesses NFL-ideal receiver size. Explodes off the line. Eats up cushions in a hurry. Beats press coverage with his strength and physicality. Can separate vertically and on crossing patterns. Locates soft spots against zone. Shows elite body-control and strong hands on jump balls and poor throws. Can be a load in the open field. Tough and highly-competitive. Good blocker. WEAKNESSES Will drop the routine pass on occasion and body catches at times. Was able to consistently separate in college but still developing as a route-runner. Needs to do a better job setting up defenders and getting out of breaks. Willing to go over the middle but needs to show more consistency catching in traffic.
Hey don't let Facts get in the way of a good story there Butkus. 20/20 vision is always perfect.
Was he? I tend to agree that Jones was highly thought of, but a lot of people thought the Falcons were crazy to give up what they gave up to get him, and he had some questions coming out...including about his route running ability. And you can see from the scouting report below that he was thought of as a mid first round pick, where Kevin White was seen as a top 10 pick. Say what you will...but thats just the facts of the matter.
Jones has the prototypical build to become a No. 1 receiver. A vertical threat due to his height, strength, leaping ability, and speed. Generates big plays after the catch on screens and crossing patterns because of his physicality as a runner. Flashes outstanding hands and ball skills, will make the highlight grabs and haul in passes well outside his frame, but also struggles with bouts of drops. Needs to shore up his hands and route-running to develop into a consistent chain-mover at the next level. Plays aggressively, will go over the middle and block. A foot injury hasn't hindered Jones' upside, and he is projected to be a mid first-round pick.
ANALYSIS STRENGTHS Jones possesses NFL-ideal receiver size. Explodes off the line. Eats up cushions in a hurry. Beats press coverage with his strength and physicality. Can separate vertically and on crossing patterns. Locates soft spots against zone. Shows elite body-control and strong hands on jump balls and poor throws. Can be a load in the open field. Tough and highly-competitive. Good blocker. WEAKNESSES Will drop the routine pass on occasion and body catches at times. Was able to consistently separate in college but still developing as a route-runner. Needs to do a better job setting up defenders and getting out of breaks. Willing to go over the middle but needs to show more consistency catching in traffic.
I think so and he's been able to prove he wasn't "over-drafted". Injuries aside White has never been in JJ's class. Not even close.
Because he's always been hurt. Hard to prove your in anyones class when you can't stay on the field.
I think so and he's been able to prove he wasn't "over-drafted". Injuries aside White has never been in JJ's class. Not even close.
Because he's always been hurt. Hard to prove your in anyones class when you can't stay on the field.
But, but, but.....when he has been did you notice any resemblance? I didn't.
One team made a great pick and one team didn't. That's about how it stacks up so far. If KW all of a sudden becomes what he was expected to be I'll be happy to eat my crow dinner but in the mean time I won't skip any meals.
Was he? I tend to agree that Jones was highly thought of, but a lot of people thought the Falcons were crazy to give up what they gave up to get him, and he had some questions coming out...including about his route running ability. And you can see from the scouting report below that he was thought of as a mid first round pick, where Kevin White was seen as a top 10 pick. Say what you will...but thats just the facts of the matter.
Jones has the prototypical build to become a No. 1 receiver. A vertical threat due to his height, strength, leaping ability, and speed. Generates big plays after the catch on screens and crossing patterns because of his physicality as a runner. Flashes outstanding hands and ball skills, will make the highlight grabs and haul in passes well outside his frame, but also struggles with bouts of drops. Needs to shore up his hands and route-running to develop into a consistent chain-mover at the next level. Plays aggressively, will go over the middle and block. A foot injury hasn't hindered Jones' upside, and he is projected to be a mid first-round pick.
ANALYSIS STRENGTHS Jones possesses NFL-ideal receiver size. Explodes off the line. Eats up cushions in a hurry. Beats press coverage with his strength and physicality. Can separate vertically and on crossing patterns. Locates soft spots against zone. Shows elite body-control and strong hands on jump balls and poor throws. Can be a load in the open field. Tough and highly-competitive. Good blocker. WEAKNESSES Will drop the routine pass on occasion and body catches at times. Was able to consistently separate in college but still developing as a route-runner. Needs to do a better job setting up defenders and getting out of breaks. Willing to go over the middle but needs to show more consistency catching in traffic.
Hey don't let Facts get in the way of a good story there Butkus. 20/20 vision is always perfect.
Because he's always been hurt. Hard to prove your in anyones class when you can't stay on the field.
But, but, but.....when he has been did you notice any resemblance? I didn't.
One team made a great pick and one team didn't. That's about how it stacks up so far. If KW all of a sudden becomes what he was expected to be I'll be happy to eat my crow dinner but in the mean time I won't skip any meals.
5 games scattered throughout 3 seasons with very little on field time to hone his craft...gets a big incomplete grade from me. If you can judge a talent, at their current level, and what they'll be in the future based off that...well...good for you. I'm not serving any meals...but I sure as heck wouldn't eat one based off the facts of the matter. This is an unwinnable argument. We'll never know what White could have been...but I presented to you what people who do this for a living thought of both he and Jones pre-draft.
But, but, but.....when he has been did you notice any resemblance? I didn't.
One team made a great pick and one team didn't. That's about how it stacks up so far. If KW all of a sudden becomes what he was expected to be I'll be happy to eat my crow dinner but in the mean time I won't skip any meals.
5 games scattered throughout 3 seasons with very little on field time to hone his craft...gets a big incomplete grade from me. If you can judge a talent, at their current level, and what they'll be in the future based off that...well...good for you. I'm not serving any meals...but I sure as heck wouldn't eat one based off the facts of the matter. This is an unwinnable argument. We'll never know what White could have been...but I presented to you what people who do this for a living thought of both he and Jones pre-draft.
I understand that but we both know those people make mistakes too or no top draft pick would ever fail. Atlanta guessed right and we guessed wrong. Injuries aside I do recall a poster on DaBears site who was familiar with White and said we'd be sorry for the very reason we've all seen when he was healthy enough to play.
He had a very limited understanding of the route tree and was far from being an NFL ready WR. Furthermore he wasn't extremely bright or a quick learner so in college he only lined up on one side of the field and only ran a handful of routes. The coaching staff depended entirely on him winning with his size and speed.
We can't deny that was what some saw in him that boosted his draft status as well but even Pace had to know that his physical traits alone wouldn't be enough. Yes, injuries hurt his development but IMHO #7 overall was a huge reach for a kid with only one year of college production who needed as much development as he did.
It's as simple as that for me. The kid does have some incredible physical traits but I see him as another looks like Tarzan plays like Jane type with less on the ball than Cheetah as far as his football IQ goes. I hope he proves me wrong but for now I feel safe enough in my evaluation that he's gonna have to do that before I change it.
EDIT: I might add that it's possible the Bears experience with White maybe what has pushed some of this years WRs and others like Edmunds and Davenport down a bit. Teams have four years to make hay with these kids while they're still playing cheap so other than QBs team may be looking far more at players who are more NFL ready and passing on ones with more upside. Edmunds and Davenport may both end up as studs but Smith was a far safer and NFL ready pick.