The Hog Sty’s 2019 Redskins Draft Preview: Wide Receivers

Washington’s need for a dynamic receiver has been in existence since the void former Redskin’ Desean Jackson left following the 2016 season. Big play wideout Paul Richardson first season in Washington was underwhelming for a couple of reasons, stemming from injuries to poor quarterback play before his injured reserve stint. Richardson was meant to fill the void the Redskins and head coach Jay Gruden had offensively, but now this off-season, they head into free agency and draft with the need for more firepower at the position. Here, we examine wide receiver prospects for the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft.

D.K. Metcalf (21 years old) – Ole Miss, 6’3, 225 lbs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data courtesy CFB at Sports-Reference.com.

Metcalf is a large body receiver who, size wise, fits the mold of Alshon Jeffrey. Metcalf is not just a large body receiver as well, he plays to his size, causing headaches for opposing defensive backs having to cover him throughout a game. His physical nature makes him a tough receiver to press at the line of scrimmage and what makes a receiver good is their ability to get into their route a multitude of ways. What gives Metcalf the potential to become a big play receiver int he NFL is his ability to track and high-point the football, adjust well to errant throws, and ability to run after the catch.

What is hindering Metcalf currently can be improved upon over time with the right coaching; overall speed, route running, and hands. Drops have been a consistent knock against Metcalf for many scouts and analyst who watch him play consistently. The drops are something that will scare most teams away from considering him with a high-round draft pick; however, what he is currently lacking are not fatal flaws and can be corrected or improved as he grows as an NFL pro athlete. Metcalf also suffered a season-ending neck injury in his final season as he was on his way to a career-high season before missing his final five games. Injuries will also scare away teams as well, however, if a player is not consistently injured as a collegiate athlete it should not hurt him that much.

The Redskins could use his play-making ability; however, with his projected draft status (first two rounds), it would be hard to invest into a receiver that early who is not already fully developed. The chance one would take that high drafting Metcalf is that organization believing he will immediately contribute to their team as a dynamic receiver. I feel that will take some time before he becomes that player.

Marquise Brown (21 years old) – Oklahoma, 5’10, 168 lbs

 

 

 

 

 

Data courtesy CFB at Sports-Reference.com.

Well, there is only one Tyreek Hill in the NFL, and it will never be another that dynamic. However, Marquise Brown is an explosive receiver that will undoubtedly be a team’s “Tyreek Hill.” Hill is nearly 20 pounds heavier than Brown, so of course he can take more hits than Brown from a size perspective; however, the ways to use Brown is what makes teams perceive Brown as an ultimate weapon.

It should also be noted that Marquise Brown is also the cousin of current NFL star receiver Antonio Brown, and the traits Marquise displays at Oklahoma even further substantiates their relationship. Marquise Brown’s explosiveness and quickness give him the ability to beat defenders in bump-and-run or press coverage consistently. It is tough to get a hand on Brown, and in addition to having good releases, he is a smart route-runner. Brown’s patience is unique in the sense that he knows he can get to any pass with the speed he attains. Brown’s vision as a ball-carrier is excellent; he is not just a burner athlete, he can make plays consistently after the catch.

Brown, like Metcalf, struggles to catch the football at times. Drops have plagued the Oklahoma wideout throughout his time as a Sooner, and his size has made it challenging to make contested catches. Also, at 168 pounds, he is seen as very fragile. To survive in the NFL, Brown may need to pack on 10-15 pounds over time, but right now he is very capable of being a teams swiss-army knife.

The Redskins can use every single bit of his versatility on offense. According to Warren Sharp, creator of Sharp Football Stats, the Redskins seven percent success rate ranked 31st out of 32 in the explosive pass rate for the wide receiver position. With 14 explosive plays on the entire season, Arizona (10) being the only team worse than Washington, Marquise Brown is an intriguing wide receiver prospect for Washington. Brown is a player capable of scoring from anywhere on the field, and if Washington values his abilities, they may find a way to spend a high draft pick on him.

Andy Isabella (23 years old) – UMass, 5’8, 186 lbs

 

 

 

 

Data courtesy CFB at Sports-Reference.com.

Andy Isabella’s performance in the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl put a lot of pro scouts and fans on notice. It was impressive; seven catches for 74 yards and one touchdown; the UMass senior was under the radar simply due to the school he played at but took advantage of the opportunity he was given to play against top competition across the collegiate nation. His production was one of the best in the country in 2018, and with the way, offenses are valuing the slot position in the NFL, his value will continue to rise as the NFL draft approaches.

Isabella acceleration, agility, and quickness allow him to win consistently against defenders. In the slot, it is critical to have all three traits as a wide receiver, and it also helps to have the creativity that Isabella possesses as a route runner.  His hands are not an issue like Metcalf and Brown; Isabella is a sure target in the middle of the field, capable of producing to the level of Wes Welker on a team in dire need of a viable slot option.

Isabella lacks physicality, although he is your average slot receiver size in the NFL, he has the agile and finesse background rather than a strong receiver who can consistently beat press coverage as a pro. As a prospect who likely be counted upon to thrive in the slot due to size, he is limited in his catch radius; however, due to his skills at the slot position, he is a quarterback-friendly wideout.

As it pertains to the Redskins, Andy Isabella is a potential candidate to fill in the void Jamison Crowder will leave if he signs onto another team in free agency. Crowder will not have a problem finding a new home on the market that will pay handsomely for his slot and special team services. Isabella would be left to compete with second-year wideout Trey Quinn, who had an injury-riddled 2018 season. Isabella will be a reliable target for a competent Redskins quarterback in 2019 if selected by Washington in April.

Jaylen Smith (21 years old): Louisville, 6’4, 223 lbs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data courtesy CFB at Sports-Reference.com.

The senior wide receiver from Louisville had his best statistical season as a junior, which was Lamar Jackson’s final season at Louisville too. Jaylen’s big body stature is always a plus for any team in the NFL; however, the issue for some prospects can use their size as a pro effectively. For Redskin’ fans, look back at the 2018 pre-season and undrafted free agent Cam Sims. The undrafted free agent out of Alabama was nothing short of a highlight reel 6’3 receiver for the Redskins, forcing his way onto a roster in one of the most competitively stacked position groups heading into the regular season. Washington was willing to work with a receiver that raw, yet had all the tools to be a great receiver before his season-ending injury.

For Jaylen Smith, his work is cut out for him as he will face similar challenges as Sims regarding making an active NFL roster. Though he passes the physicality test, he has struggled in the nuances of the position in which he plays. Smith sometimes struggles in press coverage and contested catching situations, mainly due to not trusting his hands using his body more times than not.

For the Redskins, Smith would be a candidate for a late-round draft selection and a developmental project. Smith’s frame is a commodity in the NFL, and with the proper tutelage, he can be a weapon for a quarterback capable of giving him the opportunities downfield. I would not expect him to be more than a third or fourth option for a team. However, his impact on four to five games a year will be a significant boost for an offense.