Art Monk was a rookie of the year candidate. He started from Day 1 with no issues and his 58 catches as a rookie set a record for the franchise and were the most since Charley Taylor was an active player.
So, no there is no comparison.
In the 1970's and early 1980's, before the passing rules were changed twice, a receiver who had 50 plus catches was often a
#1 receiver and a guy in the 60's or 70's was an all-pro.
You didn't have guys with 110 catches and 1,500 yards receiving in 1980.
Let's look at Docston. He has a problem staying on the field. That is an issue.
Then there are the hands. He dropped what would have been the winning TD pass in the end zone against the Chiefs and those questionable hands continued to plague the offense all the way through the last game of the season.
You never really knew if Docston was going to catch the ball regardless of how well thrown the pass was.
He more or less became an Alvin Harper, a guy you send deep to draw off coverage and throw a jump ball to.
Meanwhile, the team had to count on Chris Thompson, Vernon Davis and Jamison Crowder to convert first downs and make the key grab at critical times.
In addition to his questionable hands, Cooley confirmed what my eyes were seeing - Docston didn't run consistent routes.
As a staple of the WCO, we couldn't throw the slants and crosses to Doctson because he so far has failed to learn how to leverage the defensive back so that the DB doesn't get the inside position on him to have a chance to break up the pass or make the interception.
So, and this is not my opinion alone, this guys is very raw and quite a ways from being a wideout a quarterback can count on to help be the 'engine' of the offense.
And the team IMO will confirm that by bringing in a veteran wide receiver in the offseason whether Cousins stays or not.