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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Pick | Player | Status |
2010 | 177 | Carlton Mitchell, Clev. | Out of league |
2010 | 191 | Dezmon Briscoe, Cin. | Out of league |
2010 | 195 | Antonio Brown, Pitt. | Starter |
2010 | 198 | David Gettis, Car. | Out of league |
2010 | 206 | Kyle Williams, S.F. | Out of league |
2011 | 167 | Ryan Whalen, Cin. | Out of league |
2011 | 176 | Dwayne Harris, Dall. | Deep reserve |
2011 | 178 | Aldrick Robinson, Wash. | Deep reserve |
2011 | 182 | Ronald Johnson, S.F. | Out of league |
2012 | 183 | B.J. Cunningham, Mia. | Out of league |
2012 | 194 | Marvin McNutt, Phil. | Out of league |
2012 | 198 | Tommy Streeter, Balt. | Out of league |
2012 | 206 | LaVon Brazill, Ind. | Out of league |
2013 | 171 | Corey Fuller, Det. | Deep reserve |
2013 | 174 | Ryan Swope, Ariz. | Out of league |
2013 | 186 | Justin Brown, Pitt. | Out of league |
2013 | 195 | Alan Bonner, Hou. | Out of league |
2013 | 197 | Cobi Hamilton, Cin. | Out of league |
2014 | 185 | Robert Herron, T.B. | Deep reserve |
2014 | 189 | T.J. Jones, Det. | Deep reserve |
2014 | 190 | Matt Hazel, Mia. | Out of league |
2014 | 196 | Walt Powell, Ariz. | Out of league |
2014 | 209 | Quincy Enunwa, NYJ | No. 3 |
2015 | 184 | Kaelin Clay, T.B. | Out of league |
2015 | 186 | Geremy Davis, NYG | Deep reserve |
2015 | 187 | Evan Spencer, Wash. | Deep reserve |
2015 | 201 | Bud Sasser, St.L. | Out of league |
2015 | 204 | Darren Waller, Balt. | Deep reserve |
2016 | 180 | Moritz Böhringer, Minn. | ? |
2016 | 186 | Jakeem Grant, Mia. | ? |
2016 | 192 | Kolby Listenbee, Buff. | ? |
2016 | 199 | Cody Core, Cin. | ? |
2016 | 206 | Mike Thomas, L.A. | ? |
2016 | 213 | Aaron Burbridge, S.F. | ? |
--Andy Richardson