An Alpha Receiver? Look to the Future

WR Stedman Bailey from West Virginia is just one receiver the Fins might be interested in for next year’s draft.

I have been thinking of the upcoming draft and our desire to get a number one WR. When I think of a WCO WR, the first guy that pops into my mind (as he should in everyone’s) is Jerry Rice. Let me give my idea of what a WCO WR should be and we will get back to Jerry.

I see a WCO WR as being a WR with a quick first step, shifty, great hands, consistent and precise in his route running. He should have a precise sense of timing. Lastly, this WR absolutely has to be football smart and great at getting YAC. I know what some of you guys are thinking right now.

You think “Every WR is judged on those same criteria,” but that’s not really the case. Your X, Z and Y WR’s all have specific routes and assignments whereas WCO WR’s are moved between the various assignments and need to be able to do themall.

Coming into the NFL, Jerry Rice was initially criticized by NFL scouts because his speed. And, givenhis forty time, this may have been an apt criticism. However, what the scouts failed to realize is that he ran the same speed on his 40 run as he did his 1st. This sustained speed gave him the ability to run precise routes, making his timing consistent throughout the entire game.

<span style=”font-family: ‘Times New Roman’, serif”>He also had great upper body strength and a better-than-average first step, an ability which allowed him to get off of the jam at the line of scrimmage. Rice was also football smart; by watching old game films, any intelligent football fan can clearly see this quality. He would anticipate defensive adjustments before and during a play, a move which allowed him to get free or to tie up his defenders.

A WR who can do the things Jerry Rice did makes a QB’s life (and performance) better. We have two ideal WR’s currently starting for us in Bess and Hartline, but we still need two more. I view Rishard Matthews as a WR who could be a very good WCO WR, but for some reason he has yet to get a chance to hit the field.

We also have two RB’s who are ideally suited for the WCO passing game in Bush and Miller. With all of that said, we still need one or two more WR’s; the big argument is a top tier (and thus possibly unavailable) WR vs. just another good WR. As well as Bess and Hartline have been this year, imagine their production with a stud WR who commands double teams lining up with him.

In the upcoming FA period, some seem to think we may try to pick up Green Bay WR Greg Jennings, but I am not so sure. Despite the recent news story in the Sun Sentinel claiming Ross told Dolphins employees,“The acquisition of a true No. 1 receiver the team’s ‘top offseason priority,’” I see it a bit differently. Tannehill’s progression as a QB and as our team’s leader is more befitting a rookie WR than an established veteran WR who may try to take over the huddle (i.e. Brandon Marshall).

Some WR prospects to keep an eye on in no particular order:

• Keenan Allen, WR, Cal
• DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
• Da’Rick Rodgers, WR, Tennessee Tech
• Stedman Bailey, WR, WVU

Kevin Thomas

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