Whether Landry gets named Offensive Rookie of the Year or not, (and probably not due to Fins receiver circumstances), to me is less important than knowing that more than 24 GMs, whether they admit it or not, will likely be shaking their heads bemoaning not having the smarts to draft him either in the first round or at least before he went at the end of the second.
I really am surprised at how many seem to think there is little chance of Landry surpassing the likes of Gibson and Matthews on this team?
Gibson has played for several years in this league and never surpassed 53 receptions, never reached 700 yards receiving...and 5 touchdowns was his peak. Not exactly eyepopping , secure in your position type numbers.
cooks has evidently won the return job in new orleans and he's the lead slot with a top 5 qb in his prime...he's gonna do damage...not sure he could have been drafted for a better fit...i don't think he's as polished a route runner as landry but he's more explosive no doubt about it...sick quick acceleration
if landry had that speed and acceleration he'd be unstoppable with his skill set and ball skills...
Often in NFL history...the skills Landry excells in are more important to NFL greatness than track speed.
See Jerry Rice, Anquan Boldin and Mark Clayton to name just a few.
Gibson spent some years playing with the Rams, with Sam Badford as his QB.
He was probably our best receiver last season before he got hurt at about the halfway point. So yeah, I don't think Landry is just going to waltz in and take his job.
Strengths: Known to have great work ethic . . . Competes for the ball in the traffic very well. Does a good job adjusting to the ball in the air and making a play on poor passes. Catches the ball consistently at its highest point. Maintains good concentration when the ball is coming from over his shoulder and he knows a defender is bearing down on him. While Gibson is not the best blocker around, he gives a good effort. Strong enough to hold up a block for more than just a brief period of time.
Weaknesses: Only average hands. Had some struggles early during the 2008 season with dropped passes. Takes a while to get up to speed. Has a hard time breaking away in the open field. Could do a better job finding a hole in a zone and sitting in it. Below-average quickness and agility for a receiver. Not very slippery after the catch, Gibson won’t make many defenders miss on tackles. Has never gotten many yards after the catch. Benefited from playing Washington State’s spread, particularly his first three years with Alex Brink as his quarterback. Doesn’t have great agility or quick-twitch muscles. While Gibson has been mostly healthy his entire college career, he’s had some injuries linger on him.
They project him as a 5th round pick
Not sure what your basing that on....at the the time of his injury he was out produced by both Wallace and Hartline.
This guy had a grand total of about 600 yards and 3 tds his senior year.
Nothing in his college or pro career indicates anything beyond average.
Here is a good evaluation Of him before the 2009 draft....where he went in the 6th round
cooks is quite skilled in his own right...he's a football player too...i don't know if he's as tough as landry in a like pound for pound sense and as a downfield blocker type and effort type but he's not that far off
it's not just straight line speed...this isn't ted ginn gather speed and beeline for the sideline after the catch type stuff to avoid contact
Not sure what your basing that on....at the the time of his injury he was out produced by both Wallace and Hartline.