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Factoid

Wide receivers in top 10 picks

Fewer than 1-in-3 have posted noteworthy rookie numbers

Corey Davis, Mike Williams and John Ross were all selected in the top 10 picks in last weekend's draft. All three have a shot to be immediate starters; certainly among their new teams' top-3 wideouts, if training camp goes well. Will they be fantasy starters right away?

Over the last 30 years, there have been 38 other wideouts selected in the top 10 picks of the NFL Draft. In their rookie seasons, only 11 (29 percent) have put up 800 receiving yards. Only six (16 percent) have caught 8 TDs.

TOP-10 WIDEOUTS, ROOKIE SEASONS (1988-PRESENT)
YearPkPlayerNoYdsTD
19967Terry Glenn, N.E.9011326
20154Amari Cooper, Oak.7210706
20114A.J. Green, Cin.6510577
20147Mike Evans, T.B.68105112
19958Joey Galloway, Sea.6710399
20144Sammy Watkins, Buff.659826
20033Andre Johnson, Hou.669764
20116Julio Jones, Atl.549598
20125Justin Blackmon, Jac.648655
19961Keyshawn Johnson, NYJ638448
20047Roy Williams, Det.548178
19887Sterling Sharpe, G.B.557911
19996Torry Holt, St.L.527886
20043Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz.587808
20072Calvin Johnson, Det.487565
19886Tim Brown, L.A.437257
200910Michael Crabtree, S.F.486252
20004Peter Warrick, Cin.515927
20019Koren Robinson, Sea.395361
19954Michael Westbrook, Wash.345222
199510J.J. Stokes, S.F.385174
20053Braylon Edwards, Clev.325123
19998David Boston, Ariz.404732
20079Ted Ginn Jr., Mia.344203
20138Tavon Austin, St.L.404186
20018David Terrell, Chi.344154
20057Troy Williamson, Minn.243722
200510Mike Williams, Det.293501
200010Travis Taylor, Balt.282763
20008Plaxico Burress, Pitt.222730
20049Reggie Williams, Jac.272681
20032Charles Rogers, Det.222433
19937Curtis Conway, Chi.192312
199110Herman Moore, Det.111350
20097Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oak.91241
19977Ike Hilliard, NYG2420
19924Desmond Howard, Wash.3201
20157Kevin White, Chi.000
20175Corey Davis, Tenn.???
20177Mike Williams, S.D.???
20179John Ross, Cin.???

I notice that the very best rookie performers on this list -- the ones over 700 yards as rookies -- by and large went on to be excellent pros. Few of the ones who have done nothing in their first seasons have then gone on to have good careers, which is a bad sign for Kevin White.

--Andy Richardson

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