Looking at the WRs dominating the NFL today (limited sample size albeit) do you all suspect we are moving away from the big, tall, ultra-dominant, outside X-Widereceiver? It seems the newfangled archetype is the smaller, but powerfully stocky, slot heavy quicker than fast, demon route running technicians. WR's like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashee Rice even.

Guys that are 5'11-6'0 200lbs not extremely fast or jumpball specialist, but guys that are elite at creating space, short area quickness, separation, strong hands, are physical over the middle, YAC monsters that move like a RB with the ball in their hands.

So my question I ask myself should we be evaluating future WR1 differently? It seems to me the mold is finding guys more like Antonio Brown (who I believe originated that trend in some respects)

All that to say I'm very excited about the potential of Jalen Royals because I really believe he could eventually be used just like JSN and Egbuka. We have two guys on our roster who fits that archetype:Rashee Rice and Jalen Royals. I think our coaching staff also is aware of this trend. What are your thoughts?

8 comments

  1. “moving away from”? When was the last time a huge possession receiver was actually dominant? Megatron ten years ago?

  2. Great question and we should see some very fun takes out of this.

    I think for us a fans of this team, what the Chiefs look for under Andy Reid is different than what other teams search.

    This system requires flexibility, intelligence and sooo many reps due to a) the routes ran on any play change based on the defensive alignment/coverage, b) the need to know every route on every play and c) the ability to play any position is vastly more of importance than taking a guy with raw physical talent and just say go ball on him. I think there’s less opportunities for some types of players the team picks up.

    Now, as for the rest of the league, the game is more dynamic than do a 10 yard in and out work the db. The passing game of the last 10-15 years has really evolved and i think we’re seeing the end of that cycle and defenses are starting to catch up.

  3. Egbuka runs the most basic routes and doesn’t really separate that well.. somehow his rate is non sustainable once Evans and Godwin back cannot see him keeping wr1 but maybe mid 2

  4. JSN, Jefferson, and Egbuka play outside this season. The common thread so far seems to be separation skills, route running and intelligence.

  5. It always looked weird to me the obsession in american sports about wanting super athletic players.

    All players that make it are super athletic, to me what makes the difference is technique and IQ.
    Being extra athletic it’s just a bonus, a mediocre athlete with good technique is much better than a good athlete with mediocre IQ and skills.

  6. Andy Reid has always liked the profile of his WR’s to be on the smaller side. T.O. Is the only relevant bigger WR Andy coveted

  7. Are you trying to suggest that all those guys are small receivers? Puka, JJettas and Emeka are definitely not lol

  8. Ok, but you do need to score in the red zone.  Idk, how St. Brown is doing it, but having a guy who can highpoint and catch a contested ball is super valuable when the field gets condensed. 

    Unless you want to try to also be a great short yardage running team.  There’s only so many fancy trick plays you can run on the goal line before teams have seen them all.

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