2025 Wide Receivers

[Harry]

This group was weaker than it should have been allowed to be. If the Cards missed the Jones’ suspension, someone should be disciplined. If they signed him anyway that’s even worse. He was a total waste. Pascal was a special teams player masquerading as a WR. Weaver was intriguing if he can stay healthy. He’s fine as a developmental project and the price is right. Wilson was improved but certainly didn’t have a breakout year. I see him as a 4th WR, good insurance and fine if you want to use 4 WRs. I like Dortch but his special teams role can be filled by Dallas and maybe his 3rd down role as well. Cards may keep Dortch, but I pass, though I am an admirer.

That means out of 6 spots; 2, 3 and 5 are open. I’m sure some will object to my labeling Harrison to a one. I am confident Harrison will continue to develop. Also it seems unlikely the Cards can sign or draft a number one. I think want an experienced speed receiver and a third down possession receiver, like Jennings for the 2 & 3 slots. If I can get one I’d take another fast, developmental late draft choice for 5. If none is available, a good possession receiver prospect would be the best choice. That might be a free agent. I’ll cover my preferred options when I address the draft and free agency.

Part of the problem with such a major change is the way Murray struggles to adapt to new targets. This time it’s adapt or move on. However, his predilection may result in Wilson being the third receiver. Murray will have a strong line and a better set of receivers. If he can’t win with that combo, he can’t win. Time to move on now as that would not destroy the financial picture.

 

[Dback Jon]

So you’re saying that you think Wilson is a number four receiver?

 

[Goodyear Card]

I am not willing to give up Harrison, Wilson and Dortch. I am not sure why all of receivers disappeared in many games. There has to be a reason. It is hard to believe they all forgot how to play football this year. Plus, we have much bigger needs to fill in the off season.

 

[kerouac9]

I think Wilson can be a below-average #2 in today's NFL and an above-average #3. I think you'd like someone shifty who can start but you want to move into the slot in 3WR sets.

Wilson is a quality boundary receiver; he just doesn't seem to bring any special traits to the table or have a special chemistry with his quarterback.

 

[slanidrac16]

So the question still lingers. Are these wr’s overrated or are the suppressed by qb/ offense or Petzing.

It’s hard for me to believe a guy like Love, Darnold or Daniels wouldn’t have gotten more out of Harrison.
Or would a guy like Ben Johnson came up with a plan to got more out of this entire wr room.

Call MHJ a one or two. It doesn’t matter. We need another top wr. Wilson is a 3 and Dortch is a 4th or 5th pesky type receiver but no way in hell is he a #3.

 

[Harry]

Certainly Murray is a factor. So is play design, coaching and Oline performance. Plug Harrison into the Vikes and he gets 1000 yards. That just tells me the Cards have much to fix.

 

[imaCafan]

I think we need a new WR coach and QB coach. KM has regressed and our WR’s aren’t progressing.

 

[Stout]

This group was weaker than it should have been allowed to be. If the Cards missed the Jones’ suspension, someone should be disciplined. If they signed him anyway that’s even worse. He was a total waste. Pascal was a special teams player masquerading as a WR. Weaver was intriguing if he can stay healthy. He’s fine as a developmental project and the price is right. Wilson was improved but certainly didn’t have a breakout year. I see him as a 4th WR, good insurance and fine if you want to use 4 WRs. I like Dortch but his special teams role can be filled by Dallas and maybe his 3rd down role as well. Cards may keep Dortch, but I pass, though I am an admirer.

That means out of 6 spots; 2, 3 and 5 are open. I’m sure some will object to my labeling Harrison to a one. I am confident Harrison will continue to develop. Also it seems unlikely the Cards can sign or draft a number one. I think want an experienced speed receiver and a third down possession receiver, like Jennings for the 2 & 3 slots. If I can get one I’d take another fast, developmental late draft choice for 5. If none is available, a good possession receiver prospect would be the best choice. That might be a free agent. I’ll cover my preferred options when I address the draft and free agency.

Part of the problem with such a major change is the way Murray struggles to adapt to new targets. This time it’s adapt or move on. However, his predilection may result in Wilson being the third receiver. Murray will have a strong line and a better set of receivers. If he can’t win with that combo, he can’t win. Time to move on now as that would not destroy the financial picture.

Great post, Harry, succinctly summing up the troubles in the WR room.

 

[phillycard]

Ladd McConkey getting 1000 while MHJ did not is enough for the entire offensive brain trust to be ashamed of themselves.

 

[Stout]

Ladd McConkey getting 1000 while MHJ did not is enough for the entire offensive brain trust to be ashamed of themselves.

Absolutely. BTW, Happy Birthday!

 

[phillycard]

Absolutely. BTW, Happy Birthday!

Thanks Stout!!!

 

[slanidrac16]

Ladd McConkey getting 1000 while MHJ did not is enough for the entire offensive brain trust to be ashamed of themselves.

But the question we all want answered is why and what needs to change?

 

[FB94]

Right now MHJ is a #2 WR and fully expect him to make a sizable leap next year. That being said Wilson is a #3 to me, Dortch is a gadget #4. Jones, Pascal whatever. A true slot / speed YAC guy is a must to help improve this offense.

 

[slanidrac16]

Right now MHJ is a #2 WR and fully expect him to make a sizable leap next year. That being said Wilson is a #3 to me, Dortch is a gadget #4. Jones, Pascal whatever. A true slot / speed YAC guy is a must to help improve this offense.

A speed guy doesn’t help if you’re throwing 6 yard out patterns.
Remember Hollywood and Rondale? They were speed guys and were deemed to be too small.

 

[Harry]

A speed guy doesn’t help if you’re throwing 6 yard out patterns.
Remember Hollywood and Rondale? They were speed guys and were deemed to be too small.

Brown averaged overv10 yards per catch in his Cards’ career

 

[FB94]

Hence the need for a real change with our passing game philosophy. While Petzing is a run first guy, and the run game has been good for the most part, in order for this offense to make the jump it needs especially second half of the year we need to be more dynamic throwing it downfield. I’m tired of the dink and dunk crap. It’s ok to let it loose 3-4 times a game

 

[slanidrac16]

Brown averaged overv10 yards per catch in his Cards’ career

I get it but most were screaming we need bigger receivers. Didnt seem to help.
Zac Jones and Pascal were a waste of money.

 

[slanidrac16]

Hence the need for a real change with our passing game philosophy. While Petzing is a run first guy, and the run game has been good for the most part in order for this offense to make the jump it needs especially second half of the year we need to be more dynamic throwing it more downfield. I’m tired of the dink and dunk crap. It’s ok to let it loose 3-4 times a game

Again, why are we dink and dunk? I believe a big reason is our qb can’t find the open wr in the middle of the field from the pocket.

 

[kerouac9]

Brown averaged overv10 yards per catch in his Cards’ career

That's great but he averaged over 12 YPC in Baltimore. Brown averaged almost 11 YPC as a Cardinal, but never saw the targets he did with Baltimore that brough him here (over 140 in his 1,000 yard season; only got 100 in his two seasons here, partly due to injury though.

 

[FB94]

Not saying we go full blown bombs away but no excuse for taking a shot once in awhile, let alone creativity to do get more vertical routes open.

 

[football karma]

i think bringing in a quality starting vet WR in the offseason is a priority

I am not buying the "Kyler can't quickly jell with new targets" -- Hop did just fine his first year. AJ Green did just fine.

im banging the drum on when Jax inevitably releases Christian Kirk -- you bring him back and let him work the slot

 

[Stout]

i think bringing in a quality starting vet WR in the offseason is a priority

I am not buying the "Kyler can quickly jell with new targets" -- Hop did just fine his first year. AJ Green did just fine.

im banging the drum on when Jax inevitably releases Christian Kirk -- you bring him back and let him work the slot

It reminds me that many were clamoring on here that we needed TWO WRs last offseaon. We thought Zay Jones could be the other guy, but that suspension crushed those hopes. That's on Monti.

 

[unseenaz]

Can’t call and of these receivers a bust until we see better play from the QB in the pocket. This is likely a marv touchdown here, but even he misses that he misses Wilson coming back which still would have been a big gain. When a play breaks down he’s yeeting it up to McBride or dumping it to the RB behind the LOS.

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[GatorAZ]

Michael Wilson should’ve been getting more targets but our passing game doesn’t make sense.,

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Can’t call and of these receivers a bust until we see better play from the QB in the pocket. This is likely a marv touchdown here, but even he misses that he misses Wilson coming back which still would have been a big gain. When a play breaks down he’s yeeting it up to McBride or dumping it to the RB behind the LOS.

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That has happened much more than people know. Most of the passing game problems largely start with Murray.