CALIHAWK1":18eg27df said:
I like Adams and I think he made Carr look better than vise versa.
This is a point I'd support.
Also, I would raise the point, that while looking at these WRs, we have to remind ourselves that what we see on tape is governed by the offensive schemes of their college teams. A lot of criticisms are levied against some prospects because they get an inordinate number of bubble screens and short passes and are then considered limited in value as a result.
Receivers generally don't have much ability to dictate the style/scheme of the offense. Is their production inflated by these offenses? Sure. But they have to execute within their scheme. Several good prospects in this draft are hamstrung by the offenses they operated under. Cooks. Matthews. Adams. Robinson. Probably others as well. These guys just didn't have a lot of opportunities to show their appropriate skills for other kinds of schemes.
That doesn't mean that they can't do well in other schemes. You have to look at other attributes quite often with these players. Adams is athletic and shows good burst. Looks like he extends well for the ball.
Matthews has a hitch in his release that robs him of burst off the line. Honestly, I think that's one of those aspects that can be fixed. He shows good balance in his stance and rolls over his lead foot well. He can improve in his release and I don't think it'll take long to do so. He is extremely tough and attacks the ball over the middle. Extends for the ball even when he knows he's going to get a big hit. No alligator arms on him. Good speed and flexibility. Works the middle of the field well and his footwork along the sideline is superb.
I've seen a lot of hyperbole about his separation skills. Even here some have claimed he can't buy separation. Now I don't agree with that kind of assessment -- but if I were to concede that, then with his ability to be consistently productive as a #1 receiver commanding the focus of coverage, he must be the best WR to catch contested balls to come out in the last 8+ years. If he's not open as much as is claimed, then he must simply be the best ball fighter I've come across since Holmgren was roaming our sideline.
Cooks has outstanding speed and you see that on tape. He has good physicality for his size. He's quick in his cuts and really if I envision him learning how to run crisp routes and couple that with his burst from his cuts -- he is a guy who can create separation at the next level. I do think he needs to work on catching with his hands better. But that's not uncommon for college WRs.
This draft has a lot of receivers who have a lot of really good gifts, with some fairly minor lingering development issues. Adams is one of those players. Most of these guys should be able to smooth a lot of rough edges before the first game of the season.