Roster competition

#3 Wide Receiver
Patterson:
CP is an obvious roster lock, and will no doubt get at least some work as the third receiver. But can a guy with a limited route tree and not-always-sticky hands overtake the incumbent, even after his disappointing season?

Roberts: No need to rehash his issues with drops, or the step forward in his development he didn't appear to take after getting people's hopes up in 2015. Still, when he does catch the ball he has above average ability to break free of the man guarding him (non-tackling ass CBs) and sprint for more yardage. His contributions as a blocker are well documented and highly valued. Unlike Patterson's situation, however, there is a possibility...slim as it may be...that should Roberts again fail to show progress (namely in his catching ability), he could not only lose his spot on the depth chart to Patterson, he may also find himself at risk of being bumped entirely by the glut of fellow UDFA WRs accumulating behind him. It's a longshot, but not so long that Seth can risk getting comfortable.


Wide Receivers 4-5 (6?)
Johnny Holton:
He didn't get many opportunities as a pass catcher last season, and was unable to take advantage of the few chances he did get. But, the winner of last preseason's race to secure the final spot on the depth chart did manage to prove himself valuable. Recording 12 tackles on STs gives him a strong claim to a roster spot in 2017, and no doubt an enthusiastic supporter in ST coach Brad Seely. Even if he doesn't take a noteworthy second year leap, his kick & punt coverage prowess will make him extremely hard to cut and may just force is to carry 6 WRs.

K.J. Brent: Coming in last year at 6'3 and 200 pounds, along with respectable 4.5 speed (1.52 split), Brent is likely a guy coaches are especially hopeful emerges as an NFL-ready contributor. I'd imagine he's added around 10 pounds of muscle since then and is ready to give Holton & the boys another run for their money. I made a point of challenging him via Twitter to work his way up the food chain and, specifically, defend his current spot from the influx of new rivals. I also told him that if he can land a killshot on a returner this preseason, that just might punch his ticket. It worked for Terrell Davis, right? He's pretty good about interacting with, and humoring, the fans on Twitter, so that was an amusing exchange.

Jaydon Mickens: The third and final surviving member of last preseason's four man race for one roster spot (The runt of the McCaffrey litter being the fourth and only one to not be kept around on the practice squad), Mickens offers a more explosive option to this competition. At a hair inder 5'10, and weighing just over 170 pounds at his pro day last year, he may be a slot-only receiver. That could hurt his chances. Then again, as the only WR of that sort (I haven't investigated the new guys yet beyond Zamora), being a size/quickness fit for the slot may be his way in.

Isaac Whitney: Here comes the new meat. 6'2, 200+, and runs a 4.3, so he does pique the curiosity. His bio leaves you wanting, though. In eight games at USC, he managed all of eleven catches and two TDs. His 8 3/4" hands don't help matters. This is the definition of a deep sleeper and a project. Can't teach size and speed, though, so he's worth the look. He represents the longest of longshots at the moment.

Keon Hatcher: The inverse of Whitney, Hatcher was his team's leading receiver. Unfortunately, that team was Arkansas; not exactly a top passing offense. Still, he did manage to lead all pass catchers with a cool 743 yards and 8 TDs. Decent size, but that 4.6+ 40 won't win him any medals. Reads like a guy who could make a roster at some point. But, right now, doesn't know what the fuck he's doing. I'm betting on this kid to become a two year staple on the practice squad with depth potential if he's smart and coachable.

Ismael Zamora: Already discussed at length...for all manner of reasons. Blah, blah, Baylor offense. Blah, blah, inconsistent hands. Blah, blah, piss poor excuse for a pet owner. The guy brings a combination of size and athleticism we don't have. He's going to be given every opportunity to succeed here. So, yeah. As others have stated, he looks to have the best chance of making the roster. The question then becomes "At whose expense?"
 
#3 Wide Receiver
Patterson:
CP is an obvious roster lock, and will no doubt get at least some work as the third receiver. But can a guy with a limited route tree and not-always-sticky hands overtake the incumbent, even after his disappointing season?

Roberts: No need to rehash his issues with drops, or the step forward in his development he didn't appear to take after getting people's hopes up in 2015. Still, when he does catch the ball he has above average ability to break free of the man guarding him (non-tackling ass CBs) and sprint for more yardage. His contributions as a blocker are well documented and highly valued. Unlike Patterson's situation, however, there is a possibility...slim as it may be...that should Roberts again fail to show progress (namely in his catching ability), he could not only lose his spot on the depth chart to Patterson, he may also find himself at risk of being bumped entirely by the glut of fellow UDFA WRs accumulating behind him. It's a longshot, but not so long that Seth can risk getting comfortable.


Wide Receivers 4-5 (6?)
Johnny Holton:
He didn't get many opportunities as a pass catcher last season, and was unable to take advantage of the few chances he did get. But, the winner of last preseason's race to secure the final spot on the depth chart did manage to prove himself valuable. Recording 12 tackles on STs gives him a strong claim to a roster spot in 2017, and no doubt an enthusiastic supporter in ST coach Brad Seely. Even if he doesn't take a noteworthy second year leap, his kick & punt coverage prowess will make him extremely hard to cut and may just force is to carry 6 WRs.

K.J. Brent: Coming in last year at 6'3 and 200 pounds, along with respectable 4.5 speed (1.52 split), Brent is likely a guy coaches are especially hopeful emerges as an NFL-ready contributor. I'd imagine he's added around 10 pounds of muscle since then and is ready to give Holton & the boys another run for their money. I made a point of challenging him via Twitter to work his way up the food chain and, specifically, defend his current spot from the influx of new rivals. I also told him that if he can land a killshot on a returner this preseason, that just might punch his ticket. It worked for Terrell Davis, right? He's pretty good about interacting with, and humoring, the fans on Twitter, so that was an amusing exchange.

Jaydon Mickens: The third and final surviving member of last preseason's four man race for one roster spot (The runt of the McCaffrey litter being the fourth and only one to not be kept around on the practice squad), Mickens offers a more explosive option to this competition. At a hair inder 5'10, and weighing just over 170 pounds at his pro day last year, he may be a slot-only receiver. That could hurt his chances. Then again, as the only WR of that sort (I haven't investigated the new guys yet beyond Zamora), being a size/quickness fit for the slot may be his way in.

Isaac Whitney: Here comes the new meat. 6'2, 200+, and runs a 4.3, so he does pique the curiosity. His bio leaves you wanting, though. In eight games at USC, he managed all of eleven catches and two TDs. His 8 3/4" hands don't help matters. This is the definition of a deep sleeper and a project. Can't teach size and speed, though, so he's worth the look. He represents the longest of longshots at the moment.

Keon Hatcher: The inverse of Whitney, Hatcher was his team's leading receiver. Unfortunately, that team was Arkansas; not exactly a top passing offense. Still, he did manage to lead all pass catchers with a cool 743 yards and 8 TDs. Decent size, but that 4.6+ 40 won't win him any medals. Reads like a guy who could make a roster at some point. But, right now, doesn't know what the fuck he's doing. I'm betting on this kid to become a two year staple on the practice squad with depth potential if he's smart and coachable.

Ismael Zamora: Already discussed at length...for all manner of reasons. Blah, blah, Baylor offense. Blah, blah, inconsistent hands. Blah, blah, piss poor excuse for a pet owner. The guy brings a combination of size and athleticism we don't have. He's going to be given every opportunity to succeed here. So, yeah. As others have stated, he looks to have the best chance of making the roster. The question then becomes "At whose expense?"


Good stuff. Would have to think that Coop, Crabs, Patterson, and Roberts will be the top 4 receivers, with 1 or possibly 2 (if the second can show enough value as a ST contributor and/or a potential red zone threat) of the young prospects making the 53. Roberts does need to step it up from both a hands/drop as well as a gaining separation standpoint, but I think he will stay if for no other reason than to provide comfort / continuity to Carr. Patterson will get plenty of snaps both in the slot and perhaps even as an outside wr opposite of Cooper on occasion to provide another deep threat that the opposition will have to consider which should open things up more for Cooper.

Would be nice to see two (even one) out of Holton, Mickens, Brent, Zamora emerge as potential wr threats even in part time roles.
 
Good stuff. Would have to think that Coop, Crabs, Patterson, and Roberts will be the top 4 receivers, with 1 or possibly 2 (if the second can show enough value as a ST contributor and/or a potential red zone threat) of the young prospects making the 53. Roberts does need to step it up from both a hands/drop as well as a gaining separation standpoint, but I think he will stay if for no other reason than to provide comfort / continuity to Carr. Patterson will get plenty of snaps both in the slot and perhaps even as an outside wr opposite of Cooper on occasion to provide another deep threat that the opposition will have to consider which should open things up more for Cooper.

Would be nice to see two (even one) out of Holton, Mickens, Brent, Zamora emerge as potential wr threats even in part time roles.
This contest for the #5 and #6 WR spots poses more of a threat to TJ's spot on the roster than Washington and Hood (IMO).
 
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This contest for the #5 and #6 WR spots poses more of a threat to TJ's spot on the roster than Washington and Hood (IMO).
I hear ya... but still think with the losses of 3 core ST-ers (Trawick, Bates, Holmes), it will be very tough to cut Jones this year and go with whole new group with zero continuity. And Red (as well as his coaching staff) has shown he likes his ST-ers...
 
If Coradelle plays both ways on ST's, which I think he does, TJ becomes expendable. The dog beating notwithstanding, I'm somewhat intrigued by Zamora. Dude is a load.
 
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