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Factoid

Sixth-round wide receivers

Quincy Enunwa the 2nd-best recent one

A couple of days ago I took a look at recent sixth-round running backs, like possible Ryan Mathews handcuff Kenjon Barner. More than a third of those guys have become relatively significant NFL players, either starters (Latavius Murray, Alfred Morris) or solid No. 2s (Spencer Ware, James Starks).

Making those percentages seem even more impressive, here are the wide receivers drafted in the sixth round in that same time frame (2010-2016). There's Antonio Brown, who somehow the entire league missed on for five rounds. There's likely Jets No. 3 Quincy Enunwa. And?

Basically everyone else is either already out of the league or a deep reserve/special teams player. Apologies if I've listed someone as out of the league who is in fact a No. 6 on some roster, but I think it's fairly accurate.

It's not too late for one or two of these guys to still emerge; Geremy Davis, for example, is a possible No. 3 for Giants this year. But for the most part, if you're drafted in the sixth round, you have a much better chance of one day contributing as a running back than as a wide receiver.

Doesn't bode well for this year's crop, in case you're holding Mike Thomas in a dynasty league somewhere. Maybe Jakeem Grant, who flashed in a Miami exhibition, will beat the odds.

SIXTH-ROUND WIDE RECEIVERS, 2010-2016
YearPickPlayerStatus
2010177Carlton Mitchell, Clev.Out of league
2010191Dezmon Briscoe, Cin.Out of league
2010195Antonio Brown, Pitt.Starter
2010198David Gettis, Car.Out of league
2010206Kyle Williams, S.F.Out of league
2011167Ryan Whalen, Cin.Out of league
2011176Dwayne Harris, Dall.Deep reserve
2011178Aldrick Robinson, Wash.Deep reserve
2011182Ronald Johnson, S.F.Out of league
2012183B.J. Cunningham, Mia.Out of league
2012194Marvin McNutt, Phil.Out of league
2012198Tommy Streeter, Balt.Out of league
2012206LaVon Brazill, Ind.Out of league
2013171Corey Fuller, Det.Deep reserve
2013174Ryan Swope, Ariz.Out of league
2013186Justin Brown, Pitt.Out of league
2013195Alan Bonner, Hou.Out of league
2013197Cobi Hamilton, Cin.Out of league
2014185Robert Herron, T.B.Deep reserve
2014189T.J. Jones, Det.Deep reserve
2014190Matt Hazel, Mia.Out of league
2014196Walt Powell, Ariz.Out of league
2014209Quincy Enunwa, NYJNo. 3
2015184Kaelin Clay, T.B.Out of league
2015186Geremy Davis, NYGDeep reserve
2015187Evan Spencer, Wash.Deep reserve
2015201Bud Sasser, St.L.Out of league
2015204Darren Waller, Balt.Deep reserve
2016180Moritz Böhringer, Minn.?
2016186Jakeem Grant, Mia.?
2016192Kolby Listenbee, Buff.?
2016199Cody Core, Cin.?
2016206Mike Thomas, L.A.?
2016213Aaron Burbridge, S.F.?

--Andy Richardson

6 Reader Comments:

James Costello

Portland, ME
2016-08-26T15:25:38Z
Now I'm only a postal worker, but if I'm playing moneyball this stat tells me I need to draft some other position in the 6th round. You'd think every NFL team should be aware of this

ANDY RICHARDSON

Port Chester, NY
2016-08-26T16:32:55Z
I will grant it's not the most stunning information. I thought it was interesting how many more 6th-round running backs amounted to something in the league than 6th-round wide receivers, that's about it. Teams do a good job of not letting good wide receivers slip this late, Antonio Brown excepted.

Andrew Paterson

Ferndale, WA
2016-08-26T18:13:10Z
I tend to believe it's easier to scout WR's, as opposed to RB's, based on measurables, speed, route running, and simply how well they catch thrown balls with their hands. With RB's, it may be harder to get a handle on the back's vision and pass-blocking effectiveness. Unfortunately, a lot of uber-talented college players don't have a good work ethic, develop poor practice habits, and/or get too caught up in the NFL lifestyle.

Joseph Varnon

Houston, TX
2016-08-26T21:06:41Z
Shaughnessy's Law

Louis Tranquilli

Clinton, NJ
2016-08-27T14:04:52Z
Can't understand why gms don't just select offensive linemen and defensive linemen with the last few picks of every draft. They both get help from the talent around them, skill players are alone making their flaws far easier to spot and show. Which is why they are late round picks...

ANDY RICHARDSON

Port Chester, NY
2016-08-27T21:46:52Z
I suppose a lot of these players are selected not with the hope they'll contribute as wide receivers, but rather on special teams as returners or gunners
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