The problem is we are relying on potential. The issue with that strategy is non-existent if that potential is realized. But previous sample size says that it probably doesn’t work out. At least well enough that it covers all holes.
Here are the positives and negatives of each receiver:
Terry:
Mr. Reliable. Has made due with far less around him and has been the rock of this franchise through all of the BS. Can play every position.
Not getting younger, been banged up, large contract going into next year (and this team doesn’t like paying those)
Williams:
Versatile, polished route running rookie who has produced at a fairly high level at a P4 program. Is a slot but can play Z.
He’s a rookie, will have some growing pains, if he plays Z I don’t believe he’s in his BEST position but he will be fine.
Burks:
Size, potential, bursts of brilliance. Has all the talent you can ask for.
Has not at all lived up to his pre draft hype. It’s a pattern at this point that he needs to break.
Lane:
Speed, return ability, vertical threat.
Young, needs to develop, hasn’t shown ability to be a huge difference maker.
McCaffrey:
Pedigree, can be a steady receiver if he gets in a rhythm. Has the size to play X/Z and ability to be a slot.
Doesn’t really have a natural position at the moment. Production well under what you want from him.
Jefferson:
Journeyman veteran presence that is consistent and knows the game and understands his role.
Hasn’t shown that he is a reliable 2/3 guy and is more of a back end of the group slot guy, which we have an abundance of.
Dyami:
Rapport with Jayden, good deep ball receiver, doesn’t shrink in big moments.
Despite how much we love him for what he helped us do in ‘24 in the playoffs, he hasn’t really ever had much regular season success.
Chig:
Good athlete, YAC threat, played in a bad situation.
Despite the hype, and YAC ability, his production is in line with Ertz. Which, to be honest, isn’t a bad thing. I just worry that we as fans are looking for him to be a major difference maker - and he may be - but he hasn’t done that yet. I think he’s going to be really good for us, and an upgrade. But he still needs to do it
Sinnott:
Who knows
Who knows
Bates:
Blocker
Blocker
Aside from Terry, we don’t have anyone besides Chig who has averaged 500+ over a 17 game average. And he’s barely there.
Looking at statistics, career yards per 17 games:
Terry: 1106
Chig: 504
Jefferson: 403
Burks: 403
Lane: 255
McCaffrey: 243
Brown: 223
Bates: 144
Sinnott: 73
We all count Jefferson out, but career wise he’s the tied for third with Burks best per 17 game receiver on the roster.
And if all of these guys MEET their per 17 average that is 3,354 yards. And keep in mind not all of these guys are going to be on the roster.
So, accounting for some of those yards to not be met and others to be added from better years, other players, etc… figure about 3k yards.
That means we need at minimum 1k receiving from our backs for Jayden to get to 4k.
And, to get back to 2024 levels of success, figure we need to account for half of JD’s roughly 900 rush yards from elsewhere (rushing, receiving, etc) we just don’t have enough on paper.
Some of these guys are going to have to BIG time over produce their 17 game average.
Thats playing with a LOT of hope.
Btw, Diggs per 17 is 1215. Aiyuk is 1061. Jauan Jennings is 585.
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