Choosing between the Big-4
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 7:49 pm
I always find myself torn between prospects year after year. Last year it was between Mo Claiborne, Matt Kalil and Justin Blackmon. All separate positions but this year my conundrum is between 4 WRs and they are Cordarrelle Patterson, Justin Hunter, DeAndre Hopkins and Keenan Allen. Im going to make my case for all 4 WRs with strengths, comparisons and weaknesses
Cordarrelle Patterson. 6-2/210lbs Tennessee
Strengths
One of the most elusive players i have seen not named Adrian Peterson. Great acceleration and speed to get past defenders. Very good with slants, quick head fake out allows for inside release, strong step forward, body catches to prevent pass breakup. Not afraid to hand fight all the way along the sideline on vertical routes to create a sliver of separation. As versatile as they come. First player to score a TD 4 different ways in the same year.
Weaknesses
Consistently a body catcher, even when it is not necessary. Dropped a few very catchable balls, including easy bucket throws over shoulder. Outside of his short routes the rest of his route running needs alot of work.
Compares to: a taller Percy Harvin . Like Harvin, Patterson is incredibly versatile and elusive. He may be considered raw with his ability to handle physical coverage, but Patterson is one of the more naturally talented pass catchers(And overall football players) to come along in the last few years.
Justin Hunter. 6-4/195lbs Tennessee
Strengths
Ideal size for the position. Great combination of size and speed mixed with incredible leaping ability. Lined up all over the place at Tennessee. He has strong footwork in/out of his breaks with sharp route quickness to sell patterns and create some separation. He tracks the ball beautifully, adjusting with outstanding body control.
Weaknesses
Obvious drop problems. His frame is real thin, could use to add a few pounds to his frame. Not the explosive athlete after the catch like former teammate Patterson is. Lacks the build to break tackles and the elusiveness to get away from tacklers. Durability issues, tore his ACL in 2011 and his lean build again becomes a factor as an injury risk.
Compares to: an inconsistent AJ Green . Like Green he has the size and leaping ability to be a true #1 receiver. BUT he has a major concern with his drops and durability.
DeAndre Hopkins. 6-1/215lbs Clemson
Strengths
Crisp route runner with strong hands with above average body control and focus to highpoint and attack the ball in the air. Tracks the deep ball and shows a second gear to separate at the final moment and finish. Very good short-area burst in his cuts with some beautiful stop-and-go moves and route acceleration to create room. Super productive the past three seasons, leaving with school with numerous school and conference records.
Weaknesses
Will attempt to corral the catch at times instead of using his palms. Lacks track speed and won't be able to leave NFL cornerbacks in his dust on foot speed alone. Showed steady progression each year, but still improving his consistency and is not yet a finished product. Immaturity concerns(Even before the hotel room) Coaches did note that he matured more and more every year.
Compares to: Roddy White
Like White, Hopkins plays alot bigger than his 6-1 frame and utilizes his soft hands and crisp route running to make up for his lack of elite track speed.
Keenan Allen. 6-2/210lbs California
Strenghts
Has a long, narrow build with prototypical height for the position. Very good all-around athlete. Good initial quickness, balance and lateral agility. Is a smooth accelerator with sneaky build-up speed. Attentive downfield blocker. Rarely allows passes to get past his hands and into his chest. Typically snatches passes out of the air. Experienced route-runner who has extensive experience lining up outside and in the slot. Quick hands and feet to slip past press coverage.
Weaknesses
Lacks elite straight-line speed. Is quicker and more agile than he looks but does not possess the elusiveness to consistently make defenders miss. Lingering injury problems hurting his knee in October and just recently being cleared to participate in football related activities.
Compares to: Jordy Nelson
Like Nelson, Allen possesses just enough straight-line speed to beat defenders on the outside, as well as the size, toughness and sure hands to attack over the middle.
As far as which one i want the most I am going to stick to my guns with Cordarrelle Patterson. The kid is lightning in a bottle whenever the ball is in his hands. The vikings could use him to replace Harvin in pretty much every way as a returner, receiver and runner. And with Jennings on the roster as the #1 receiver the vikings wont need to rely on Patterson's play as heavily as they would have if they hadn't signed Jennings(Duh). The situation the vikings are in is ideal for Patterson to go to.
Cordarrelle Patterson. 6-2/210lbs Tennessee
Strengths
One of the most elusive players i have seen not named Adrian Peterson. Great acceleration and speed to get past defenders. Very good with slants, quick head fake out allows for inside release, strong step forward, body catches to prevent pass breakup. Not afraid to hand fight all the way along the sideline on vertical routes to create a sliver of separation. As versatile as they come. First player to score a TD 4 different ways in the same year.
Weaknesses
Consistently a body catcher, even when it is not necessary. Dropped a few very catchable balls, including easy bucket throws over shoulder. Outside of his short routes the rest of his route running needs alot of work.
Compares to: a taller Percy Harvin . Like Harvin, Patterson is incredibly versatile and elusive. He may be considered raw with his ability to handle physical coverage, but Patterson is one of the more naturally talented pass catchers(And overall football players) to come along in the last few years.
Justin Hunter. 6-4/195lbs Tennessee
Strengths
Ideal size for the position. Great combination of size and speed mixed with incredible leaping ability. Lined up all over the place at Tennessee. He has strong footwork in/out of his breaks with sharp route quickness to sell patterns and create some separation. He tracks the ball beautifully, adjusting with outstanding body control.
Weaknesses
Obvious drop problems. His frame is real thin, could use to add a few pounds to his frame. Not the explosive athlete after the catch like former teammate Patterson is. Lacks the build to break tackles and the elusiveness to get away from tacklers. Durability issues, tore his ACL in 2011 and his lean build again becomes a factor as an injury risk.
Compares to: an inconsistent AJ Green . Like Green he has the size and leaping ability to be a true #1 receiver. BUT he has a major concern with his drops and durability.
DeAndre Hopkins. 6-1/215lbs Clemson
Strengths
Crisp route runner with strong hands with above average body control and focus to highpoint and attack the ball in the air. Tracks the deep ball and shows a second gear to separate at the final moment and finish. Very good short-area burst in his cuts with some beautiful stop-and-go moves and route acceleration to create room. Super productive the past three seasons, leaving with school with numerous school and conference records.
Weaknesses
Will attempt to corral the catch at times instead of using his palms. Lacks track speed and won't be able to leave NFL cornerbacks in his dust on foot speed alone. Showed steady progression each year, but still improving his consistency and is not yet a finished product. Immaturity concerns(Even before the hotel room) Coaches did note that he matured more and more every year.
Compares to: Roddy White
Like White, Hopkins plays alot bigger than his 6-1 frame and utilizes his soft hands and crisp route running to make up for his lack of elite track speed.
Keenan Allen. 6-2/210lbs California
Strenghts
Has a long, narrow build with prototypical height for the position. Very good all-around athlete. Good initial quickness, balance and lateral agility. Is a smooth accelerator with sneaky build-up speed. Attentive downfield blocker. Rarely allows passes to get past his hands and into his chest. Typically snatches passes out of the air. Experienced route-runner who has extensive experience lining up outside and in the slot. Quick hands and feet to slip past press coverage.
Weaknesses
Lacks elite straight-line speed. Is quicker and more agile than he looks but does not possess the elusiveness to consistently make defenders miss. Lingering injury problems hurting his knee in October and just recently being cleared to participate in football related activities.
Compares to: Jordy Nelson
Like Nelson, Allen possesses just enough straight-line speed to beat defenders on the outside, as well as the size, toughness and sure hands to attack over the middle.
As far as which one i want the most I am going to stick to my guns with Cordarrelle Patterson. The kid is lightning in a bottle whenever the ball is in his hands. The vikings could use him to replace Harvin in pretty much every way as a returner, receiver and runner. And with Jennings on the roster as the #1 receiver the vikings wont need to rely on Patterson's play as heavily as they would have if they hadn't signed Jennings(Duh). The situation the vikings are in is ideal for Patterson to go to.