53 Man Roster

[Whatever]

(05-02-2017, 04:58 PM)Au165 Wrote: I apologize, the NFL.com draft profile page was showing a 4.52 40 which is normally their combine, but that is what they are listing from his pro day. So apparently the NFL.com scout had him at a 4.52 not a 4.44.

So back to the question, why was his production so much worse than Core and Wright? Why was it they were used in those meaningless games, yet Erickson wasn't?

No problem.

There could be a number of reasons why Core outperformed him against Baltimore.  Core could have just had a really good game or matched up well against whoever he was lined up with.  Part of the game plan could have been to try to Core the ball to see what they had for next year.  As the primary returner in his rookie year, it's likely that Erickson isn't getting reps with the first team offense.  You also have to consider that given his body type and skill set compared to the rest of our WR's last year, Erickson probably saw a lot of scout team duty simulating guys like Steve Smith, Antonio Brown, etc.  Or, Core may just be a better WR.

However, what I'm looking at is that Erickson was an excellent returner last year and had 57 returns, or "touches", as a returner, not counting fair catches, touchbacks, or receptions.  By comparison, Tyler Boyd had 58 on offense.  LaFell had 64.  As the #4-5 WR's, Core and Wright combined for 32, with 15 for Wright and 17 for Core.  I don't want to downgrade a position that gets 57 touches a year to improve a spot that may get 20 touches, max.  That's being generous, btw, as Core would likely be the 6th WR and get fewer opportunities than last year, especially with Ross added to the top 4.  

I'm not opposed to cutting Erickson if someone that they are willing to risk as the primary returner proves to be better.  However, he had a great year last year, and that will be a tall order.  

From a roster management standpoint, there's not a lot of point to trying to keep Core.  Ross is here for 4 years, plus the 5th year option. Malone will have a 4 year deal.  AJ, Boyd, Erickson, and Core have 3 years left on their deals.  LaFell has 2 years.  AJ is a franchise cornerstone.  Ross would have to be a complete disaster to get cut.  Same with Boyd.  Malone is a lot like Core, but better.  LaFell provides a veteran presence.  I can't see a scenario where Core climbs above #5 on the depth chart before his contract expires.  We'd basically just be developing him for his next team if we kept him, because he will never be in a position to get significant touches.  Depth and competition are great, but I just don't see how you cut a top shelf KR to keep a guy that's never going to progress up the depth chart.  I would understand it more if we had a lot of WR's who are getting old or who's contracts are expiring at the end of the year, but that's not the case for us.