Kansas shootout: Kwamie Lassiter v. Pooka Williams

[*SHRacerX*]

(08-10-2022, 10:34 AM)fredtoast Wrote: Same day that I read another story hyping former Jayhawk Kwamie Lassiter for a roster spot the Bengals released a depth chart that shows him buried behind the third stringers at WR.  But he is listed as #2 punt return and #3 kick return.  Brandon Wilson is still on PUP and not listed on the depth charts.

Last year another former Jayhawk, Pooka Williams, was getting a lot of hype as a player who might earn a roster spot as a WR/return man.  He is listed ahead of Lassiter at kick return (#2) but behind him at punt return (#3).  But the most important thing to note at this time is that Williams is listed ahead of Lassiter at WR.

Lassiter (5'11", 185) is bigger than Williams (5'10", 170) and has the advantage of playing WR in college while Williams was a RB.  Even RBs that are used a lot as receivers don't usually have the same skills as WRs.  RBs rarely get open by route running.  Instead they usually catch a lot of screens, swing passes, wheel routes, and check-down dump-offs.  Route running is an underrated skill that WRs spend thousands of hours practicing.  

Even though Lassiter played WR at Kansas his numbers were not very impressive.  His 4-year career totals are 1550 yards, 10.5 avg., and 7 tds.  His best season was 59 receptions for 653 yards and 3 tds.  He did not return kick-offs in college and was not very good at punt returns (30 ret, 6.7 avg, 0 td, no return over 25 yards).

Williams did not return punts in college, but he was decent at kick-off returns (18 returns, 24.6 avg, 1 td).

Lassiter ran a slow 40 for a small WR (4.52).  I read that Williams ran a 4.38 at his pro day (neither player went to the combine), but draftscout.com just lists him as 4.46.  Lassiter had a better short shuttle time, but Williams was faster in the 3-cone drill.  Their vertical and broad jumps are also pretty close.  So I don't see a big athletic advantage for either of them.

Honestly I don't think all the numbers I have posted here make much difference.  They appear to be so close in talent and skill that it will all come down to what the coaches see on the practice field and in pre-season games.

I don't think either of them has a very strong chance to make the final roster.  Neither one of them seems to be elite as a return or WR.

Any of you have a favorite?

My favorite would be Lassiter, only because he has been a WR and it is a new position for Williams.  You would think that would lead to fewer mistakes, but I am not at practice and Williams could have impressed his year on the PS.

For me, I want one of them to make it because it could mean that both Evans and Taylor are not being asked to do KR and/or PR duties and I would rather keep them as their original position, especially Evans, as I think he showed enough his rookie season to warrant a lot more looks this season.  

I wouldn't beat Lassiter up too much for his college production.  He had El Stinko at QB and general on offense around him.