WR Roster Spots

[ReekofRams]

1) (coop coop) Cooper Kupp
2) Van (the man) Jefferson
3) Tutu ( is well) Atwell
4) Ben (not ironic) Skowronek
5) Puka (bazooka) Nucua
6) Lance ( flyin) McCutcheon
7) Xavier Smith (& wesson)

 

[WestCoastRam]

TuTu is a hopeful projection, he hasn't shown a thing.

I have sympathy for this position but I can't agree. Guy has shown his straight line speed is no joke and he does have pretty good hands. But that's about it. He's just what he is, a limited two-tool WR and I expect that's all he'll be. His main use is a weapon is in play-action where he's able to use a runway to take advantage of his speed and that's what he's shown. But that's pretty much it. (Some use in the screen game but his lack of agility hurts him there).

 

[Corbin]

I have sympathy for this position but I can't agree. Guy has shown his straight line speed is no joke and he does have pretty good hands. But that's about it. He's just what he is, a limited two-tool WR and I expect that's all he'll be. His main use is a weapon is in play-action where he's able to use a runway to take advantage of his speed and that's what he's shown. But that's pretty much it. (Some use in the screen game but his lack of agility hurts him there).

My point is he hasn’t shown anything promising to be here. He hadn’t produced, sure every player on a NFL roster generally has an elite trait or two but this isn’t college. This isn’t a track meet either. Are you a football player and can you produce? The answer to both those things so far is no.

I really think it’s my suspicion with Tutu is correct, i don’t think he has the football IQ to get to that next level.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Let's be honest past our top 3 WR's we aren't that good at WR.

TuTu is a hopeful projection, he hasn't shown a thing.

I see some are high on Xavier Smith which is cool but we don't need 2 Tutu's on our WR corps. At the very least if he replaced Tutu on the roster and returned kicks and punts I'd be ecstatic to at least get some type of return and production.

I'm excited about McCutcheon but can he produce during games? That's the question.

I'm totally floored how we didn't go after any UDFA WR like
Matt Landers Arkansas 6'4 200 lbs 4.37 40 1.51 10 yard Guess who got him? Seattle
Dontay Demus jr. Maryland 6'3 212 lbs 4.57 40 1.55 10 yard Ravens

We picked up as UDFA's

Braxton Burmeister 6'0 205 converted from a QB SDSU
Sam James 5'11 176 WVU Below average Production
Tyler Hudson 6'2 197 Lou No Production
Xavier Smith 5'9 174 FLA&M Great Production, tiny, fast asf, bad competition


I want to know who the fuck is in charge of our UDFA scouting and picking them up? Seriously? The Seagulls are loaded with WR talent and depth and no way in hell should they beat us to the punch on a WR prospect. We are failing on late or UDFA talent and I'm starting to realize the depth of how great Brad Holmes was for us.

I don’t know if Burmeister can catch but he sure can run.

I feel the same as you do about the rest of the UDFAs and Tutu. He was drafted far too early. He seems to be a deep threat and that’s it. Lance McCutcheon can catch and leap, but his problems were needing to learn to run routes better and getting separation.

 

[Corbin]

I don’t know if Burmeister can catch but he sure can run.

I feel the same as you do about the rest of the UDFAs and Tutu. He was drafted far too early. He seems to be a deep threat and that’s it. Lance McCutcheon can catch and leap, but his problems were needing to learn to run routes better and getting separation.

Exactly, here's to hoping, I pray none of our top 3-4 go down or it's going to be a long ass season!

 

[WestCoastRam]

My point is he hasn’t shown anything promising to be here. He hadn’t produced, sure every player on a NFL roster generally has an elite trait or two but this isn’t college. This isn’t a track meet either. Are you a football player and can you produce? The answer to both those things so far is no.

I really think it’s my suspicion with Tutu is correct, i don’t think he has the football IQ to get to that next level.

He did have the one long touchdown last year! It's production... just not anything near what we want.

 

[Corbin]

He did have the one long touchdown last year! It's production... just not anything near what we want.

lol Well if he had 7x that production we wouldn't be having this discussion, you know our FO and coaching staff are going to be having the same conversation as well. NFL = Not For Long

He's a second round pick and people want to hold on only because of that (like Isiah Pead and Brian Quick), if he was a 5th round pick we wouldn't even be having this discussion and I've said it since the first hour, Horrible fucking pick and waste of resources. As you see with Xavier Smith, if you want a gadget specialty project you can get one as a UDFA, you don't pick him as our top pick in the 2nd round. I love me some McVay and Snead but wtf?

I still believe firmly it was a panic pick once Eskridge was off the board, this is why I'm starting to think Holmes was always prepared and had 2a, 2b,2c, 2d, 2e options for every pick because the first year he was gone 2021 and 2022 was some sloppy fucking drafting. This year we are finally back on point. That SB hang over and celebration is real.

 

[WestCoastRam]

lol Well if he had 7x that production we wouldn't be having this discussion, you know our FO and coaching staff are going to be having the same conversation as well. NFL = Not For Long

He's a second round pick and people want to hold on only because of that (like Isiah Pead and Brian Quick), if he was a 5th round pick we wouldn't even be having this discussion and I've said it since the first hour, Horrible fucking pick and waste of resources. As you see with Xavier Smith, if you want a gadget specialty project you can get one as a UDFA, you don't pick him as our top pick in the 2nd round. I love me some McVay and Snead but wtf?

I still believe firmly it was a panic pick once Eskridge was off the board, this is why I'm starting to think Holmes was always prepared and had 2a, 2b,2c, 2d, 2e options for every pick because the first year he was gone 2021 and 2022 was some sloppy fucking drafting. This year we are finally back on point. That SB hang over and celebration is real.

TBF, I kinda throw 2021 out as that was the pandemic year. A lot of teams shat the bed that year when their draft process got screwed. Last year they barely had picks from the trades that got us a Superbowl. This year will be illustrative, I don't love this draft and the strategy of trading back as much as they did for what may amount to a bunch of jags but we'll see. This is the first year since the last three that I'll be not grading the draft on a curve.

 

[Corbin]

TBF, I kinda throw 2021 out as that was the pandemic year. A lot of teams shat the bed that year when their draft process got screwed. Last year they barely had picks from the trades that got us a Superbowl. This year will be illustrative, I don't love this draft and the strategy of trading back as much as they did for what may amount to a bunch of jags but we'll see. This is the first year since the last three that I'll be not grading the draft on a curve.

I wonder if Frank Reich used the 2020/2021 Covid excuse with Jim Irsay and wonder if it worked?

 

[Memphis Ram]

Gee. If Allen Robinson was a poor fit, it's hard to imagine Lance McCutcheon fitting any better.

 

[Merlin]

Good point about the TE room. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Y receiver considered in NFL offenses the in-line TE. X is the on the line receiver. F, the off the line receiver and Slot the slot.

I'm used to slot being referred to as Y but God knows what they call it now lol. F we used for our move TE, the guy in that backfield role.

Either way whatever McVay uses we seem to be pretty solid to 6. I like the WR group overall just would like it more if there was a speed option on the depth chart.

If Jefferson can have a breakout season boy would that have a trickle down effect on the pass game as a whole. It would be similar to what we saw once Odell got in there. Most defenses simply are not gonna be able to deal with Kupp plus a real secondary threat on that other side of the alignment. Tutu could perhaps give us the same effect I suppose, but I expect he's going to be doing end arounds and gadget type usage or running go routes to create space. He's similar to Kupp in that if you stick him next to a sideline you're gonna limit what he can do, and that's assuming he's ready to impact the offense which of course may not be the case.

But it feels like Jefferson is going to be key for us. Hope he's ready to go. And by now surely Tutu is gonna be able to help us. Boy's got great talent, great coaching, and a great QB back there dealing that ball.

 

[oldnotdead]

I think it unwise to sleep on Xavier Smith.

ESPN:
"He's an advanced route runner with speed, quickness and the ability to set up defenders," one scout told ESPN. "He consistently gets open and has ball skills. Whoever takes him on Day 3 or as an undrafted free agent will get a tremendous playmaker."

Lance Zierlein NFL.com:
Whether he is drafted or not, Smith’s return ability and speed will gain him entry into a camp and give him a chance to find a home on a roster.

Tutu better watch out. Smith comes in more ready to contribute than he was. Smith timed in the 4.3 range twice on his Pro Day. I think Smith makes the roster as a returner.

 

[Loyal]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bfyS-S-IJs
@CGI_Ram

 

[WestCoastRam]

I wonder if Frank Reich used the 2020/2021 Covid excuse with Jim Irsay and wonder if it worked?

Sounds like my response made you anxious.

 

[Cjcinec]

I think our tight end/wide receiver/running back room is split 3/7/4. Personally, I’d cut Hopkins, but they could very well cut/trade Higbee to save cap. I don’t think McCutcheon is in danger of losing his spot unless he underperforms. That leaves the UDFAs competing for that seventh spot, most likely a returner. Trammell is the incumbent, but he’s not nearly dynamic enough as a returner.

Sam James and Xavier Smith are the main ones, but I wouldn’t sleep on Braxton Burmeister; he’s a blazing-fast former quarterback whose GPS exceeded Gurley’s (Burmeister reached 22 mph). If Burmeister proves he can return, we could see him crack this roster.

McCutcheon was a fan favorite in the preseason but he really struggled when he got his opportunity. He better be hitting the weight room because little CB’s were jamming him up at the line of scrimmage before he got injured. He definitely is no lock to make the 53. He’s a big guy but if you can’t get off the line of scrimmage then your size is worthless. I liked McCutcheon but his performance in the regular season was very weak.

 

[Cjcinec]

lol Well if he had 7x that production we wouldn't be having this discussion, you know our FO and coaching staff are going to be having the same conversation as well. NFL = Not For Long

He's a second round pick and people want to hold on only because of that (like Isiah Pead and Brian Quick), if he was a 5th round pick we wouldn't even be having this discussion and I've said it since the first hour, Horrible fucking pick and waste of resources. As you see with Xavier Smith, if you want a gadget specialty project you can get one as a UDFA, you don't pick him as our top pick in the 2nd round. I love me some McVay and Snead but wtf?

I still believe firmly it was a panic pick once Eskridge was off the board, this is why I'm starting to think Holmes was always prepared and had 2a, 2b,2c, 2d, 2e options for every pick because the first year he was gone 2021 and 2022 was some sloppy fucking drafting. This year we are finally back on point. That SB hang over and celebration is real.

Eskridge has been a complete bust in Seattle. I doubt he makes the team now that they have a first round WR along with Lockett and DK.

 

[Ram Ts]

I feel TuTu gets a bit of unfair treatment by fans due to his draft spot and Creed. None of that should matter at this point. It’s the player and his skills and can he be a player for this team. I feel a bit like if TuTu was a 5-7th round pick, people would be going on about his speed, skills and potential. Heck, look how people kept talking about McCluth as an example…or some of the UDFA guys (this year and years past).

 

[Neil039]

Camp cuts will boost the WR Corps. “Come home Booby Trees and OBJ”~ @Loyal

 

[blackbart]

Kupp, Van, Skoronek are safe I’m not sure after that.

Atwell hasn’t shown he’s all that valuable at this point. McCutch might bring more value as a RZ target. Someone has to return kicks and that ain’t gonna be Atwell.

Great battles in camp this year and this group won’t be excluded.

 

[dang]

Last season had a very weak TE room. This year it's still iffy but better I think and that might affect the WR totals depending on who is slated for which role. Basically in McVay's offense if you have receivers running backfield shit and lead blocking out of motion (Skow being the current example), much of which is that F type TE role, that is going to factor in to the final cuts.

I think starting out you have three guys who are really important for this season in Kupp, Jefferson, and Atwell. Ideally they're your top 3 guys. Of the three Kupp logs a ton of snaps in the slot. I think he can play all three WR spots, because he's about impossible to jam, but if he's on the sideline as an X it's going to cut down his route options. As effective as he is inside it's hard to move him basically. So let's say he's in that slot (Y) role.

This means the other role that can be moved around and is off the LOS has to be used for Atwell (Z) to help him avoid being jammed up. And by process of elimination that means Jefferson needs to be in our X role, while McVay can move Kupp & Atwell around as needed for whatever he's cooking up. From there the depth is sort of obvious too I think, again with Z & Y being interchangeable.

So I'm thinking...

X: Jefferson / McCutcheon
Y: Kupp / Nacua
Z: Atwell / Skow

Looking at that six what we lack is speed on the depth chart. Not the worst thing, I mean it's a solid group led by a HoF slot weapon. And Kupp specifically can play all over I think as well, which gives you some more flexibility. So any of these depth types who can show well in preseason and bring some speed and shakes for the depth will have a good chance, seeing as how the above still might have a spot open.

But returner is gonna factor in too. So ideally whoever wins that role also shows some speed for us outside. But regardless I think returner wins that seventh role, if it's gonna be seven for the group which, who knows.

The position most up for grabs among that primary depth is McCutcheon's spot. He's the guy being gunned for here I think, for many of these guys. So Hudson for example, who is going to compete for that spot due to his talents, plus you'll have guys like James and Burmeister trying to show they can get off that LOS outside because that's their best ticket onto the team.

I hope I’m wrong but I don’t see a solid WR2 in that group. Perhaps Jefferson takes a big step up or McCutch is more than another in a long line of pre season all pros. If no one comes shining through heavy and hard then fuck WR2 - I’ll bet a WR1B stud to complement Kupp will be near the top of the list for 2024 acquisitions.