Chiefs Draft Science 2016 part 2 – Wide Receivers
By Ryan Tracy
For the Rogue Analytics athletic matrices, we will look at the concept of range. These matrices are designed to evaluate the measurable ability to perform the functional requirements of the position they play on the field. With the demands of working against man and press-man coverage growing in the NFL and AFC West, we specifically need to look at explosive range to evaluate who can win a route after defeating a jam at the line.
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Making plays 3 ways
Body dominance is the use of receivers’ bodies to shield the ball and dominate the catch point. Physical stature and leaping ability are the required advantages here. Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin are young players that highlight this type of pass catcher. Because this type of receiver fights through contact and does not gain much separation, results can be a roller coaster. A quarterback not being comfortable throwing to a “covered” body receiver sound familiar, right?
Runaway speed getting hard to find on NFL fields. The average Explosive Range matrix grade for the 2015 defensive back draft class is less than 0.200 behind the wide receiver class average. That gap has fallen steeply over the last five seasons. Although the defensive backs have to transition from backpedal to forward acceleration, the competition is tighter than ever. Here are the top 10 wideouts with ERm.
Which way is he going?
Call is “shifty” or “quick-twitch” or whatever best describes it. SAQ is king. The elite SAQm (Short Area Quickness matrix) receivers such as Odell Beckham and Julian Edelman are in high demand. The ability to change direction so quickly that the defense cannot maintain coverage is gold for modern pass-happy offenses. These two players possess off-the-charts SAQm and their on-field success highlights it.
Particularly in the West Coast offense, where options include a myriad of routes and quick passes, the advantage that quick-shifting receivers bring to the offense is crucial. The emphasis on high-low concepts, screens, slants and crossing attacks make the change of direction a quality they cannot have enough off. Here are the top 10 SAQm wideouts and their accompanying range grades.
Next: Applying this to Chiefs' WRs