Position Series: Wide Receiver
I looked at the top WRs from 2004 and I compared my data from NAFL. I?m seeing a shift that is changing how I evaluate talent compared to how I did in NAFL.
Overall Impression:
The continued trend from HB is that the Smash Mouth Football League is more physical than NAFL and that shift is happening with WRs. I am seeing a shift to slower, higher awareness and a shift to a stronger WR.
The Details
Height: 6?2? (-1? from NAFL Avg.)
Height is critical to a successful WR. Of the top receivers 6? is the shortest on the list. With Clarence Moore being the tallest at 6.6?
Weight: 207lbs (-1? from NAFL Avg.)
The weight of the top receivers did drop, but 200+ is an ideal weight to look for.
Speed (SPD): Avg: 92 (-4 from NAFL Avg.)
The average speed did drop considerably. Comparing to the HB?s which dropped 2 points in average, WRs saw a 4-point difference. I think this trend of slower receivers is going to put more emphasis on who can jump, catch and fight for the ball.
Acceleration (ACC): Avg. 92 (-3 from NAFL Avg.)
Acceleration is equally important to the WR. A 3 point drop is a difference. Outside the anomaly of Clarence Moore I don?t want a WR with less than 89 ACC.
Agility (AGI): Avg: 90 (-4 from NAFL Avg.)
The trend of slower, less agile players continue. WRs are showing an average of 90. Ranging from 87 to 96. My impression is that even the top 5 WRs have sub 90 agility.
Jump (JMP) Avg: 89 (no change from NAFL Avg.)
Jumping is an important part of the position. I see no difference from NAFL to SFL. Jump still remains avg. 89. Again, leaving Moore out, WRs ranged from 87 to 96. Randy Moss being to top of the league right now.
Catch (CTH) Avg: 88 (+1 from NAFL Avg.)
Contrary to the stats in NAFL, SFL?s WRs are showing better ability to catch the ball. A +1 to the average, but a much wider range. I see SFL WR?s range from 76 to 99.
Awareness (AWR) Avg. 79 (+8 from NAFL Avg.)
Awareness saw the largest leap of all the stats compared to NAFL. I think we are seeing players from the original madden rosters AWR dominate these averages. As the league matures, we can see this drop, similar to the trend in NAFL. Until then we see a range from 41 to 99. Removing the highest and lowest, you?re looking at around 75 AWR.
Carry (CAR) Avg: 60 (+2 from NAFL Avg.)
The carry stat improved from NAFL. Could be evidence of original roster, or it should be a shift in how the game is played and the need for physical WRs can play into the increase of CAR.
Strength (STR) Avg. 61 (+7 from NAFL Avg.)
Finally strength also saw a considerable increase. Like carry and catch could be the trend of a more physical Smash Mouth League. This stat ranged from 46 to 72.
In summary, the average elite WR looks like:
Height: 6?2?
Weight: 207lbs
SPD: 92
ACC: 92
AGI: 90
JMP: 89
CTH: 88
AWR: 70
CAR: 60
STR: 61
There is a lot to take into consideration for a WR. I would love to hear your opinion on what stats make a WR elite. What stats do you pay most attention to? All opinions are welcome.
|
