In the last several drafts there have been a large number of WR prospects entering the NFL. College is passing more and more. The NFL is also using college concepts more and more, expanding the various roles for prospects, thus making the transition for WR prospects easier than in the past. Old guys remember many times it took a WR 2-3 years to make an impact. At the same time the dam on WR salaries has broken. I am seeing two schools of thought now in the NFL. One is the devaluation of WRs much like happened with RB. Some teams seem to think paying a WR $20-25 million is not necessary. Enough WR are entering the NFL annually to give you a chance to replace a player when he becomes to expensive. These teams are believing their QB or their system is making the player successful and the player can be replaced. Teams taking this approach include GB, Pit, KC, Bal, TN(drafted identical type WR) and certainly teams cap situations have at times been a major part of these decisions. Conversely, Miami, Panthers, Eagles, Raiders, Arizona, Chargers, Bills are examples of some teams teams willing to pay highly for WR talents. The Jets appeared willing to pay the high acquisition cost for Tyreeke Hill but I wonder if after being involved on Debo if they may pivot to the more "modern" approach? It certainly seems Douglas had a walk away position and likely got there.
I personally have no idea how anyone could look at the NFL in the year 2022 and think that wide receiver isnt a premium position that you should use a high draft pick on, use assets to acquire and spend money on acquiring. I’m personally thrilled that Joe Douglas seems to realize that because I was a little bit worried given his two stops before this. Neither team put an emphasis on receiver and at the time maybe that was the right move. Clearly there has been a shift.
It changed within the past 5-6 years and probably should’ve happened sooner than it did (as soon as they installed the Peyton illegal contact rules). Several receivers were over drafted this year and that’ll continue to happen every year as players demand less practice and less hitting in practice. Tackling at both the collegiate and pro left gets worse and teams find better ways every year to get good athletes in space.
