Wide Receiver Train Full Speed Ahead- CHOO CHOO!

[Mikey152]

6 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

It’s not about rarity. Romeo Doubs makes WAY more than James Cook. 😂😂 The league has deemed WR as significantly more important (no hyperbole there). If they didn’t find the role they play important you wouldn’t pay a role player like Doubs what he makes. Alec Pierce wouldn’t make significantly more than Saquon Barkley. The league values the importance of the position. I really don’t think that’s even arguable. I’m stunned that anyone would try to argue against it.

What is more important...water, or gold?  What is more expensive?

 

Let's play a little game...Lets say that the Bills had to sub you in for a play in a real, live NFL game. where do you think they would stick you?  Because I can already tell you the answer...they would line you up as a split end as far away from the ball as humanly possible.

 

The NFL pays WR for a bunch of reasons, but importance isn't it. They pay them because they play for a long time, they don't get a ton of injuries relative to other positions, they are marketable and popular, and the difference between a good one and a bad one is pretty stark. It also isn't that easy to learn and it is highly specialized so fit matters a lot. All of those have an impact on value of a particular player vs another at the same position.  But if a team had to play shorthanded...theyre dumping WR...that's just how it is. At the end of the day, football is still football. It is still about big dudes slamming into each other.

Edited April 20 by Mikey152

[Kirby Jackson]

8 minutes ago, Mikey152 said:

What is more important...water, or gold?  What is more expensive?

 

Let's play a little game...Lets say that the Bills had to sub you in for a play in a real, live NFL game. where do you think they would stick you?  Because I can already tell you the answer...they would line you up as a split end as far away from the ball as humanly possible.

Well of course they would and I’d be left uncovered with an extra defender now defending the other players and no S on my side of the field (so 2 extra defenders). It’s a power play!! These are some mental gymnastics we are doing here. I’d like to add that the league thinks cornerbacks are more important than ILBs. 

Edited April 20 by Kirby Jackson

[Mikey152]

Just now, Kirby Jackson said:

Well of course they would and I’d be left uncovered with an extra defender now defending the other players and no S on my side of the field (so 2 extra defenders). It’s a power play!! These are some mental gymnastics we are doing here. I’d like to add that he league thinks cornerbacks are more important than ILBs. 

No they don't. Again, you're conflating. 

 

[Kirby Jackson]

Just now, Mikey152 said:

No they don't. Again, you're conflating. 

 

If they deemed them, less important, they’d pay them less money. The water/gold example is irrelevant. Gold is rare, that’s what makes it expensive. There were probably 150+ WRs that played in NFL games last year. There were less RBs and less C’s and less Guards. Lol, this is ridiculous. I’m going to check out of this absurd conversation now. If you want to chalk it up as a “win” go for it. 

[HappyDays]

I would be extremely interested in this but unfortunately there's likely no chance NE would trade him here.

[Mikey152]

5 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

If they deemed them, less important, they’d pay them less money. The water/gold example is irrelevant. Gold is rare, that’s what makes it expensive. There were probably 150+ WRs that played in NFL games last year. There were less RBs and less C’s and less Guards. Lol, this is ridiculous. I’m going to check out of this absurd conversation now. If you want to chalk it up as a “win” go for it. 

You do you.

 

This idea the WR dictates defense more than RB is just insane. A star WR "might" cause a team to shade a safety or have a corner move around the field. A strong running back/running game literally changes formation and personnel on defense. Flip side, an elite corner "might" change where a QB looks on a given play, but the QB will literally call out where the MLB is on a given play because it sets the entire protection.

 

Think of it this way:  If a center/guard whiffs on a block or a RB trips in the backfield, the play is likely dead. If a WR fails, in a similar way, the play likely still has a chance. Conversely, if a guard or RB executes well, the best they can really do is ensure the play isn't bad and the offense stays moving, but if a WR executes well, it might lead to a big play. In other words, important positions set the floor and valuable ones drive the ceiling.

 

Value is mostly based on factors like WAR (see above), marketability and replacement cost.  Performance matters, but so does availability. Importance is measured in things like touches, criticality to a play, etc and assumes average performance.

 

In other words, running back is a more important position than WR because the position is directly involved in FAR more plays than WR is. WR is more valuable because the variance between a good WR and a bad one is far greater than at RB.

 

The positions that seem to marry value and importance the best (outside QB, obviously) are tackle and edge. You should draft lots of those early. WR and corner probably next. The other positions are probably reserved for generational players, bad drafts, later rounds and free agency.

Edited April 20 by Mikey152

[Warriorspikes51]

2 hours ago, HappyDays said:

I would be extremely interested in this but unfortunately there's likely no chance NE would trade him here.

 

 

only 23 

I assume we'd have to pay at least a 2027 2nd 

[Pete]

2 hours ago, HappyDays said:

I would be extremely interested in this but unfortunately there's likely no chance NE would trade him here.

Making a space for AJ Brown

[Pete]

 

Josh is 4-1 when the D gives up 28 or more!  Get Josh a solid #2 WR, stay healthy Offense, Josh will put up 40+ most every game, and be 5-0, undefeated 

No matter if the D is a sieve

[LEBills]

2 minutes ago, Pete said:

 

Josh is 4-1 when the D gives up 28 or more!  Get Josh a solid #2 WR, stay healthy Offense, Josh will put up 40+ most every game, and be 5-0, undefeated 

No matter if the D is a sieve

WR at 26!

[LEBills]

On 4/5/2026 at 3:00 PM, LEBills said:

My personal 2026 WR rankings:

 

#6 Skyler Bell, UConn (round 3-4)

- Transferred to UConn after three years at Wisconsin

- UConn’s first ever consensus All-American

 

What does he do on film?

 

 

- 1:30 inside release, works back to the ball and then a quick transition upfield

 

- 2:26 excellent quickness in his RAC

 

- 3:28 ability to quickly decelerate near the sideline and quickly transition to a runner is some of the best in the class

 

- 3:40 bunch formation, defender jumped the screen but Bell was able to break the tackle for the long touchdown

 

- 5:36 Ahhh the Duke game. One thing I like to look for in prospects are signature games and this was it for Bell where he willed the team to a win. In this frame they start him in the backfield and have him run a wheel route.

 

- 5:49 starts in the slot. Sells he is about to block for the screen and then sneaks in for an open TD

 

- 6:05 defender is all over him riding him out of bounds. Re-establishes himself for the game winning TD fighting for the catch through contact

 

Weaknesses:

- Thin framed

- Will be 24 before the season begins

Had a high drop rate prior to this year

- This year 43% of his routes were crossers and screens

 

Conclusion:

Skyler Bell reminds me so much of Zay Flowers. Flowers best routes are in the short to intermediate where he can use his elite quickness to gain separation and I see the same from Bell. Both are not the most physical player and get their YAC from quickness rather than tackle breaking. Neither is very physical in contested catch situations and so the deeper routes are not their best use, but Zay has been very effective when Lamar goes off script finding open space for Lamar to throw to and I see similar ability to avoid contested catches by Bell.

 

Despite this exciting comp, Bell has several concerns too. First, he will be 24 by the time his rookie season begins. Much of his production in college occurred when he became an upperclassman. Second, Bell had a concerning drop rate prior to this year. From 2022-2024, Bell had a drop rate of over 14% before cutting that to less than 4% this year. Part of the reason why that improved so much is that his aDOT dropped significantly this year. However, when I watch him catch the ball I do think he has good form and has shown the ability to track deeper passes well. Lastly, despite playing over 60% out wide, his numbers vs press likely means he will be moved off ball in the slot or Z.

 

I think Bell is ready to start right away as a playmaker on whatever team drafts him. Any team in need of better efficiency in their short and intermediate offense will reap the most benefit out of him.

 

 

[GunnerBill]

On 4/13/2026 at 11:04 PM, GunnerBill said:

 

Yea I think he is a complimentary receiver. He can make some plays ball in hand but I don't see him as a huge separator personally and his hands remain a question mark. He reminds me very much of Shakir in that he ia much better at finding space after the catch than before it. If you want to draft him and work him into your offense in some packages you can get something out of him. In an offense that needs a starting slot I think he could genuinely contribute early. But he isn't to me a difference maker and he isn't a guy who gives the Bills a facet they don't have. That said he is Brandon Beane's type. I can see him liking him.

 

Well he did like him....

[LEBills]

36 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Well he did like him....

Even I can admit that with the Bills he is going to be mostly a backup to Moore and Shakir this season. He could be on the field in 11 sets with a TE and Moore on the line. Maybe Brady will surprise me and figure out some creative ways to include him in other ways.
 

For what was left at WR at the time we drafted, he was far and away the best available for me. As we have discussed before, he fits this type of move receiver that has found success recently. I’m excited we have a lottery ticket at WR this year to pin those hopes to.

Edited April 26 by LEBills

[GunnerBill]

7 hours ago, LEBills said:

Even I can admit that with the Bills he is going to be mostly a backup to Moore and Shakir this season. He could be on the field in 11 sets with a TE and Moore on the line. Maybe Brady will surprise me and figure out some creative ways to include him in other ways.
 

For what was left at WR at the time we drafted, he was far and away the best available for me. As we have discussed before, he fits this type of move receiver that has found success recently. I’m excited we have a lottery ticket at WR this year to pin those hopes to.

 

He was the best receiver left on my board too, he was my 5th best remaining player when we picked. I just think what would make more difference to this offense is legit boundary guys. Even if they are only the 3rd or 4th guy in terms of targets. Someone who makes teams get out of the shallow and narrow defenses that have found some success against us the last two years. 

[LEBills]

3 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He was the best receiver left on my board too, he was my 5th best remaining player when we picked. I just think what would make more difference to this offense is legit boundary guys. Even if they are only the 3rd or 4th guy in terms of targets. Someone who makes teams get out of the shallow and narrow defenses that have found some success against us the last two years. 

I agree we are still missing that. Unfortunately, our chance at those evaporated when we took TJ (who I was pretty high on as an Edge prospect) and IGN. There were no guys left by round 4 that could be a true boundary guy.
 

DJ is going to have to be that guy for us (unless Keon or Palmer someone become good) which is a shame and may cause another trade deadline scramble by Beane. Like we saw what Jakobi Meyers did for the Jags. He isn’t amazing, but he is a guy they could rely on to run the digs and other deeper routes with consistency. They acquired him and that then allowed room for Parker Washington et al to breakout in the middle of field routes. 
 

Doubs isn’t anything special but he runs his assignment well and keeps the structure of the offense to the tune of $17 million per year.

 

It’s Beane’s major folly not doing right by the receiver room there. But I still think Bell may look like a wise pick in another year of having an unconventional offense.

[SCBills]

3 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He was the best receiver left on my board too, he was my 5th best remaining player when we picked. I just think what would make more difference to this offense is legit boundary guys. Even if they are only the 3rd or 4th guy in terms of targets. Someone who makes teams get out of the shallow and narrow defenses that have found some success against us the last two years. 

This is where I’m at. 
 

I like the pick, don’t get me wrong, but all these people saying Bell is exactly what we needed .. why?

 

The one skillset we still don’t have is elite speed burner on the outside.  Moore, Palmer and Bell have the speed/stacking to win deep but none are take the top off types.  Perhaps it doesn’t matter so much as long as those guys can threaten a few times a game. 
 

Bell seems a lot like Shakir’s usage last year. 
 

I will say his intermediate deceleration on out-breaking routes looks sick.   Josh Allen should be able to eat with those. 

[LLCoolCy]

No stone left unturned…

Burton is a 1st rd talent if he matured. Getting cut by the Bengals should be a focus wake up call.

 

 

[NewEra]

3 minutes ago, LLCoolCy said:

No stone left unturned…

Burton is a 1st rd talent if he matured. Getting cut by the Bengals should be a focus wake up call.

 

 

I always figured that his 2nd or 3rd team would have a chance to get something out of him.  Great guy to bring in imo.  I’m not expecting anything, but all these guys are lottery tickets and Burton has a higher potential payout than most.  

[NeverOutNick]

12 minutes ago, LLCoolCy said:

No stone left unturned…

Burton is a 1st rd talent if he matured. Getting cut by the Bengals should be a focus wake up call.

 

 

I LOVE this! Dude is a beast if he could just get his character issues under control