Fantasy Index

Factoid

Second-round wideouts

Most break out by Year 2, if ever

Three wide receivers were selected in the second round of last year's draft: Devin Smith, Dorial Green-Beckham and Devin Funchess. What should be expected of them in Year 2, and how might their careers turn out?

Over the past decade, there have been 39 other wide receivers selected in the second round of the draft. In Year 2 of their careers, 13 of them came out with at least 500 receiving yards; so, a third. Just eight of them (about a fifth) had what you'd call significant fantasy seasons (more than 800 receiving yards).

Of the 26 who didn't manage at least 500 yards in their second seasons, the vast majority of them quickly disappeared from the NFL and fantasy landscape. But all is not lost: two of them (Jordy Nelson and Golden Tate) put up very modest numbers in their first two seasons, but have gone on to have productive careers. Eddie Royal has carved out a decent role for himself, and it's too early to write off Marqise Lee and (maybe?) Brian Quick.

In general, though, if Smith, Green-Beckham and Funchess don't do much this season, the odds are heavily against them going on to have good careers.

Second-round picks since 2006, sorted by Year 2 receiving yards, are presented below.

SECOND-ROUND WIDEOUTS, 2006-2015
YearPkPlayerTeamNoYdsTD
201245Alshon JefferyChi.8914217
201461Allen RobinsonJac.80140014
201463Jarvis LandryMia.11011575
200849DeSean JacksonPhil.62115612
201442Jordan MatthewsPhil.859978
201164Randall CobbG.B.809548
200652Greg JenningsG.B.5392012
201158Torrey SmithBalt.498558
201341Robert WoodsBuff.656995
201159Greg LittleClev.536474
201263Rueben RandleNYG416116
200833Donnie AverySt.L.475895
200751Steve SmithNYG575741
201334Justin HunterTenn.284983
201453Davante AdamsG.B.504831
200950Mohamed Massaquoi Clev.364832
201039Arrelious BennT.B.304413
201144Titus YoungDet.333834
201060Golden TateSea.353823
200851Malcolm KellyWash.253470
200842Eddie RoyalDen.373452
201243Stephen HillNYJ243421
201036Dexter McClusterK.C.463281
200834Devin ThomasWash.253253
200836Jordy NelsonG.B.223202
200936Brian Robiskie Clev.293103
201233Brian QuickSt.L.183022
200644Sinorice MossNYG212250
201439Marqise LeeJac.151911
200744Sidney RiceMinn.151414
200745Dwayne JarrettCar.101190
201254Ryan BroylesDet.8850
201456Cody LatimerDen.6591
201445Paul RichardsonSea.1400
201359Aaron DobsonN.E.3380
200841James HardyBuff.190
200853Limas SweedPitt.150
200846Jerome SimpsonCin.000
200636Chad JacksonN.E.000
201537Devin SmithNYJ???
201540Dorial Green-BeckhamTenn.???
201541Devin FunchessCar.???

--Andy Richardson

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