Post Draft: Who do you want at WR2 / X Receiver?

[skinsnut]

At this point we still don't have a clear answer at WR2 Z receiver

Who would be the best and what are the pros and cons of each?

To aquire:
1. Brandon Aiyuk 28 - headcase risk, injured, possible?
2. Juane Jennings 28 - attitude risk, non separator possible?
3. Deebo Samuel 30- drops, not vertical, gadget, possible?
4. Tyreek Hill 32 - old, injured, legal, headcase risk
5. Keenan Allen 34 - old, mainly slot, wants other team
6. DeAndre Hopinks 33 - old, wants other teams, possible?
7. Stephon Diggs 32 - old, legal, headcase risk

And someone on the Roster?
1. Antonio Williams (drafted) mainly slot, can separate, possible?
2. Luke, mainly slot, non separator
3. Dyami, drops, non separator, limited route tree
4. Jefferson, non separator, catches well, possible?
5. Lane, mainly slot, undeveloped route tree
6. Burks, non separator

[skinsnut]

Clarification: McLauren is obviously our #1 X receiver.
I am asking who you want opposite him as #2 Z receiver.
Sorry about the title, I can't fix it after posting.

[calia]

Originally Posted by skinsnut

At this point we still don't have a clear answer at WR2 Z receiver

Who would be the best and what are the pros and cons of each?

To aquire:
1. Brandon Aiyuk 28 - headcase risk, injured, possible?
2. Juane Jennings 28 - attitude risk, non separator possible?
3. Deebo Samuel 30- drops, not vertical, gadget, possible?
4. Tyreek Hill 32 - old, injured, legal, headcase risk
5. Keenan Allen 34 - old, mainly slot, wants other team
6. DeAndre Hopinks 33 - old, wants other teams, possible?
7. Stephon Diggs 32 - old, legal, headcase risk

And someone on the Roster?
1. Antonio Williams (drafted) mainly slot, can separate, possible?
2. Luke, mainly slot, non separator
3. Dyami, drops, non separator, limited route tree
4. Jefferson, non separator, catches well, possible?
5. Lane, mainly slot, undeveloped route tree
6. Burks, non separator

Not sure I agree that Luke M. isn't a separator. I am pretty sure that some of the analysis of his work pre-injury showed he got good separation but just wasn't being thrown the ball. Dyami also showed, albeit only in flashes in the 2024 playoffs, the ability to get behind a defense. But on the roster, I agree that no one has yet shown the ability to be a go-to WR2 (or, arguably, WR3).

Having said that, I am not a fan of the older retreads identified above with the possible exception of Deebo, who I thought played reasonably well for us last year under less than ideal circumstances.

[GridIron26]

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like we are going to find a true #2 WR this year (barring a surprise trade). Other than Deebo, there is no FA WR that we should look into. I wouldn't oppose to bringing Deebo in for another 1 year deal as he can help us but we shouldn't expect him to lead.

Jauan Jennings has the talents to help us but it doesn't seem like he is a good person in general as there were some cases where some NFL players including Myles Garrett stated that Jennings said some things that are really cruel and disgusting to defense players during games. I definitely do not want that kind of individual on our team. Also, the fact that Jennings is in his prime years and yet 49ers aren't interested in bringing him back should tell us something.

At this point, it seems like Burks and Brown are the only serious contenders to battle for the spot..

[skinsnut]

Regarding Luke, there is a world he gets cut to hopefully make the practice squad, although not likely as he plays teams well. Dyami did play well for his last 3 games for us, but then got his shot and didn't do well, again.
I don't buy the Dyami hype. To me, he only has a 50/50 shot to make the squad at all. Ideal for him is practice squad. The only advantage over Jefferson is he has is exp
erience with Jayden.
If we do nothing more, I'd expect Jefferson to make some noise as he doesn't drop the ball.
And regarding Luke's separation, I agree I saw him open, but as I recall, that was usually in zone, not so much beating man, which is essential when playing outside, otherwise, he's just another zone beating slot guy, which we have covered.

It's pretty clear going with what we have today is a huge risk as we have only one viable threat in Terry. At least last year we had Deebo to fall back on if TerrY got injured. As of right now, no one measures up to Deebo, and look what happened last year when Terry went down. I mean arguably, we should sign 2! Like Aiyuk and Diggs for instance. The problem with that is all these vets are head cases.

Going with what we've got is not just a gamble, it would be malpractice, far beyond dropping our center with a so so backup. If the idea is to help Jayden, we need to get lucky with a starting center and a starting WR to get cut and for us to scoop them up. Expecting a 1st year coordinator to score as much as kingsbury with 1 viable NFL starting WR is asking for trouble, unless you want to try to win games 20-18 all year with a defense who's goal would to achieve average (giving 24 points per game, not including special teams points)

I mean I'm not trying to be a downer, but in no world is a 3rd rounder going to become a 10 year NFL experienced 1000 yard Stephon Diggs. Not that I like his style, just his production.
Dyami and Luke borderline suck to me, and that is not a viable option for #2.
Otherwise, we are 7-10 at best and hope to work on getting a better WR a year from now.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by GridIron26

At this point, it seems like Burks and Brown are the only serious contenders to battle for the spot..

This comment is terrifying!

Most NFL teams would have these guys #6,7 and on their practice squad., not #2

[MTK]

I'm thinking it will be a bit of a committee approach until we can get Aiyuk. Maybe Jennings is a fall back option.

[skinsfan69]

I have Aiyuk fatigue. Guy hasn't played in two years and it appears he isn't all that interested in playing. Plus he's coming off a major injury. I would not sign him.

They need to do a better job of drafting and also developing players. You have two guys in Lane and Luke. I sorta felt like Luke was starting to come on a little bit. You have Lane and now Williams. Also Dyami.. I feel like one out of the 4 can be a #2. You let them compete and figure it out.

Burks to me is a waste of time. The reason is he will never be able to stay healthy. Every single year he's been in the league he's been hurt.

Just because there isn't a clear cut guy doesn't mean you don't have one on the roster.

[Meks]

For me, we have enough bodies - capable guys that have shown talent. Its time to step up and take a role. Luke & Lane will only get better IMO - i've seen enough to be confident in that.

I've said it before but I am not as concerned with WR, until i see otherwise, as some are. I have faith in what the eye test has proven thus far with the toung guys that doesnt make me NEED to add someone else. But i will take Ayuik on a one year prove it deal if thats an option to see what hes got and how he and JD mesh back together.

Otherwise I think the new offensive scheme, and more under center PA will allow for more separation. Kliffs scheme didnt do the WR TOO many favors in that department if you ask me.

Im cautiously optimistic... But optimistic nonetheless.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by Meks

I've said it before but I am not as concerned with WR, until i see otherwise.

I saw "otherwise" over 17 games last year.
We have Terry and a bunch of meh.
If it weren't for Deebo, who we don't have anymore and Terry goes down again we are in trouble. I don't see a high ceiling for Luke or anyone frankly other than our new draft pick.
Yes you can scheme better to make below average to average, but to win? You need a threat, which is why people would have even drafted Love. It is because of the dearth of firepower on offense.

Here's the deal, our GM is not a mastermind, he is pretty good but leaves major gaps that are obvious even to just fans like us. Last off-season we screamed for pass rushers, it was left undone, result? 12-5 to 5-12. He was a year too late. So he spend this year shoring that up at the expense of offense, which is obviously WR, and now oddly center which at one time was a top 3 lineman for us. He's been a year late before and hes gambling big time, and had an unforced error. I'm not saying I'm not happy with most moves, I am. I also buy into you can't fix everything in one off season too, but he's sitting on a huge wad of cash with a bad overall WR core and suspect CB depth with a questionable starter too. So unless he does a trade with someone like Newton, he is gambling that Sanrisil is miraculously better and is a shut down corner from a first year coordinator AND doesn't get hurt (not to mention his broken leg partner) and he is counting on either a late add Aiyuk or a mainly slot rookie to put up 750+ yards on the outside.

So I would argue, we HAVE seen otherwise with our WR depth chart, we know what it means to have bad or below average depth and no legit #2. We lived it last year and the results sucked

[AnonEmouse]

There's nothing saying Burks can't resurrect his career but I doubt it. For me the WR room will likely look like this (keeping 6 because of ST's):

McLaurin
Williams
McCafferey
Jefferson
Lane

With possibly Aiyuk as #2 or 3 if they want him/he can produce, else Brown or Burks bringing up the rear. Deebo at a push (I do like him), but I think he's going to decline rapidly and everyone else on that list is a headcase, too old or both.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by AnonEmouse

There's nothing saying Burks can't resurrect his career but I doubt it. For me the WR room will likely look like this (keeping 6 because of ST's):

McLaurin
Williams
McCafferey
Jefferson
Lane

With possibly Aiyuk as #2 or 3 if they want him/he can produce, else Brown or Burks bringing up the rear. Deebo at a push (I do like him), but I think he's going to decline rapidly and everyone else on that list is a headcase, too old or both.

Sadly, I agree with your roster list.
Excluding outside help, if we roll with this we are asking for trouble.

I would argue the difference between a double digit loss team and a double digit win team depends on WR2. If we don't get additional help, enjoy a sad Thanksgiving again.

Of the outsiders list: the only ones I see making a strong difference:
1. Stephon Diggs (he is good, yet troubled)
2. Brandon Aiyuk (he was good, yet confused, but unavailable perhaps til Sept)

If we want to make the playoffs, we MUST sign one.
I hope I am wrong, but with our schedule, an average defense we must average 25 points plus a game, consistsantly, likely with 1 or two fewer drives this year.
Clutch receivers are needed when you slow down the game, run and do play action.
BTW, old farts can definitely get open with play action.

We cannot roll with what we currently have and be successful in my opinion

[Meks]

Originally Posted by skinsnut

I saw "otherwise" over 17 games last year.
We have Terry and a bunch of meh.
If it weren't for Deebo, who we don't have anymore and Terry goes down again we are in trouble. I don't see a high ceiling for Luke or anyone frankly other than our new draft pick.
Yes you can scheme better to make below average to average, but to win? You need a threat, which is why people would have even drafted Love. It is because of the dearth of firepower on offense.

Here's the deal, our GM is not a mastermind, he is pretty good but leaves major gaps that are obvious even to just fans like us. Last off-season we screamed for pass rushers, it was left undone, result? 12-5 to 5-12. He was a year too late. So he spend this year shoring that up at the expense of offense, which is obviously WR, and now oddly center which at one time was a top 3 lineman for us. He's been a year late before and hes gambling big time, and had an unforced error. I'm not saying I'm not happy with most moves, I am. I also buy into you can't fix everything in one off season too, but he's sitting on a huge wad of cash with a bad overall WR core and suspect CB depth with a questionable starter too. So unless he does a trade with someone like Newton, he is gambling that Sanrisil is miraculously better and is a shut down corner from a first year coordinator AND doesn't get hurt (not to mention his broken leg partner) and he is counting on either a late add Aiyuk or a mainly slot rookie to put up 750+ yards on the outside.

So I would argue, we HAVE seen otherwise with our WR depth chart, we know what it means to have bad or below average depth and no legit #2. We lived it last year and the results sucked

I firmly believe in Lane & Luke taking step forward. That is the main basis of where my confidence comes from... But more slot as you mentioned - But would definitely add BA if the chance comes and give Lane a shot at stretching the field opposite of Terry.

Plenty of valid points - especially when youre talking about a #2 - Brown will end up there most likely, which eh, you'd hope he's still improving but... remains to be seen for sure.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by Meks

I firmly believe in Lane & Luke taking step forward. That is the main basis of where my confidence comes from... But more slot as you mentioned - But would definitely add BA if the chance comes and give Lane a shot at stretching the field opposite of Terry.

Plenty of valid points - especially when youre talking about a #2 - Brown will end up there most likely, which eh, you'd hope he's still improving but... remains to be seen for sure.

I do not understand where your firm belief in Lane and Luke is coming from as it is certainly not from production or field time even in a heavily wounded year.
We are all fans and I get that, but hard evidence is lacking.
This sounds more like wishful thinking, hope or best case scenario to me.

Arguably, you can take any roster's 4 or 5 who returns kicks and have the same production here. The reason they are on the roster is the kicking game, not to be a primary receiving threat. I wish it weren't true but dang, Terry goes down an all you have is a single catch per game? That doesn't exactly screen productivity to me.
Ask yourself this question, would you rather have Deebo's production or these two?
They are on the roster because they are cheap, play teams and maybe could develop into some sort of backup receiver role. Unfortunately they didn't do the receiver part that well last year. We definitely have a Skins bias, but it is possible, but not likely, one could be cut because our rookie returns kicks too. That only happens if we sign 2 free agent receivers, which I would argue would be better for the team this year. If we could have them on the practice squad, we should, but that would be stolen.
If your WR are on the roster only to avoid being stolen on a practice squad, it tells you your WR room is crappy.
Saying all that, there is a world where Luke or Lane spent the off-season with a WR guru teaching them how to separate. That is the only way I see them click and moving up from w wr 4 and wr 5.
The rookie is likely already ahead of them in that category and in the NFL (ask Terry) route running is what separates starters from backups.

Ya gotta make life a little easier on your first year OC, and add the fact that Jayden has to learn life under center and you have enough learning curve challenges. I wish we had two Terrys. Diggs would be a game changer for me. Let our coach manage his personality. Gibbs did this all the time and won superbowls

[MTK]

Let's not forget about Chig Okonkwo, I think we can pencil him in for 60+ catches. Also JD made an average cast outside of Terry look pretty good in his rookie year. Ultimately they're not done, when Aiyuk becomes available it just makes too much sense not to take a shot on him.