Lots of hindsight and laments about taking Isabella at #62 and letting Metcalf go at #64 in the 2018 draft. I looked up the stats for all the WR who went off the board before Metcalf. Only AJ Brown taken by Cincy at #51 comes close to matching Metcalf’s numbers.
Isabella took some time getting on to the field and it looks as if he has a way to go before becoming an accomplished pro WR. His numbers show how the Cards have been using him—a deep threat to stretch the field. He only has 20 Rec so far in his career but those catches are for 343 yards. We need to have him and KM get in synch since his speed offers that over-the-top separation. There have been some recent plays with Isabella open (Cowboy game) and KM did not connect—who is at fault there (maybe both)? Isabella’s value may not be in his # catches per game but instead how much of the field is opened up for the other receivers and RB as he occupies DB(s) while stretching the field. Getting more catches/yards for Hopkins, Fitz, TE, Rbs needs to be taken into account to assess Isabella’ value. After all, even the Mad Bomber Arians only had 6 deep plays per game in the game plan.
If this is the plan for a player like Isabella we need give it time to develop before calling his a bust or the pick a bad one. Of course, he may be losing his role should Kirk and KM continue to click and Isabella continues to not make the easy catch. KM will lose his trust and look for one of the other receivers---or pull the ball down and run. Isabella will have to pass muster with KM even over the coaching staff.
As to DK Metcalf—what can you say. Live and learn. Look at teams that passed him over–he fell to the bottom of the second with 63 other players taken before him. (Of course, Cards are happy with that first pick) Look at the stats for some of the WR taken before him—now there are some GM who are slapping themselves upside their head even harder than SK.
Marquis Brown (#25) - Baltimore
Career to date: 73 Rec /963 Yards
https://www.footballdb.com/players/marquise-brown-brownma18
N’Keal Harry (#32) Pats
Career to Date: 31 Rec / 277 yards
https://www.footballdb.com/players/nkeal-harry-harrynk01
Deebo Samuel (# 36) Whiners
Career to Date: 73 Rec /987 Yards
https://www.footballdb.com/players/deebo-samuel-samuede01
A. J. Brown (#51) Bengals
Career to Date: 79 Rec /1407 Yards
https://www.footballdb.com/players/aj-brown-brownaj01
Mecole Hartman (#56) Chiefs
Career to Date: 48 Rec / 885 Yards
https://www.footballdb.com/players/mecole-hardman-hardmme01
J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (#57) Eagles
Career to Date: 12 Rec / 214 Yards
https://www.footballdb.com/players/jj-arcegawhiteside-arcegjj01
Parris Campbell (#59) Colts
Career to Date: 24 Rec / 198 Yards
https://www.footballdb.com/players/parris-campbell-campbpa01
Andy Isabella (#62) Cards
Career to Date: 20 Rec / 343 Yards
https://www.footballdb.com/players/andy-isabella-isabean01
D. K. Metcalf (# 64) SeaTurkeys
Career to Date: 94 Rec / 1580 Yards
https://www.footballdb.com/players/dk-metcalf-metcadk01