Potential Atlanta Falcons Prospects: Wide Receiver Ryan Broyles
by Dave Choate on Feb 19, 2012 8:00 AM EST
in Falcons Talk
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PrintThere was a time when Ryan Broyles was one of the top receiver prospects in America. A catastrophic injury tends to ruin those projections.
Broyles is a mighty mite with quality speed, good hands and some pretty excellent route running ability, which combined to make him an easy second day choice for many teams. At 5'10", it's not like he's that small, and by and large he's just a terrific prospect. A coat of polish and he's at the very least a capable slot receiver.
Unfortunately, a torn ACL cost him his senior season from November 5 on, and it inevitably damaged his stock. Broyles, who is somehow running a 4.7 40 just four months after the ACL tear, now is widely projected to go somewhere between rounds three and five.
There are more pressing needs for the Atlanta Falcons, but Broyles is an intriguing prospect. If the Falcons could pick him up in the middle rounds—and this is assuming that Harry Douglas walks, of course—then he'd be a superb slot receiver of the future. The Falcons would just have to bring him along slowly to ensure he doesn't re-injure his ACL.
So why get him? As I mentioned, Broyles is an excellent prospect, a guy who can help your offense in a lot of different ways. If the Falcons could possibly get their hands on him in the late fourth or fifth rounds—possibly by re-shuffling some draft picks—it would be a worthy gamble. Having Roddy White, Julio Jones, Broyles and Tony Gonzalez/a young tight end going forward would give Ryan an embarrassment of weapons, not to mention some of the promising young guys further down on the depth chart.
It's not a necessary pick by any stretch of the imagination, but I could see Broyles fitting in well in Atlanta if he tumbles down the boards. Can you?
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VERY realistic
I feel this would be a very good pick, I recall Broyles being near the top of the WR talks and people get too caught up in the risk associated with a previously injured player. How many of us swore Willis McGahee career was over after his injury at the University of Miami? dont worry, i know the answer already, ALL OF US… The guy tore his ACL, PCL and MCL on one play… (not to mention how disgusting an injury it was ala Joe Theismann)…here we are a decade later knowing he cal still kill you at any moment. …… sorry for the tangent… but back to Broyles… I would love to see him in the Red and Black… but he would have to fall mighty hard considering the other more pressing issues we have…. (OT, CB, DE… ) so would i like to see Broyles? of course. do i think it will happen? NO.
Be good and be good to yourself -MASE-
Good Call on the McGahee Reference
Unfortunately I suspect the Falcons’ first hand injury experiences with Baker, Douglas, Jerry, and M. Johnson will outweigh the upside potential with Broyles. .
by LifeLongBirdFan on Feb 19, 2012 9:22 AM EST up reply actions
Imo..unrealistic
It will take him another year before he is running and cutting like he did pre injury
by Magellan55 on Feb 19, 2012 12:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Probably Not
"…projected to go somewhere between rounds three and five."
3rd Round – No way! Comrade has a bad and growing history of high draft picks being rendered ineffective by injuries (e.g. Baker/Back; Douglas/Knee; Jerry/Knee; M. Johnson/Concussion & Foot). Given that track record, I see no possibility of risking a 3rd round pick on a player who ALREADY has a major injury.
4th Round – We have no pick. Too many pressing needs to trade down. Too many draft picks invested in Julio to trade up for another WR.
5th Round – Probably not. In reality there are way too many variables to make a meaningful projection here. Is Broyles even still on the board? Who else is still on the board? What is the status of negotiations with Douglas? What bigger needs have/have not been addressed through free agency and earlier picks? It would seem to almost require divine intervention for all of these answers to come together on favor of taking Broyles.
by LifeLongBirdFan on Feb 19, 2012 9:17 AM EST reply actions
Um... selective memory?
I could be wrong, I think the only name you listed that actually had an injury history was Baker (with his back, that made him drop). Not totally sure about Douglas and Jerry (injuries freshman year, sophomore year, but minor, didn’t seem like much or any junior and senior years), but I think both were pretty healthy throughout college. I’m almost positive Johnson did not have an injury history. Aside from what I remember, this is from his bio from the team’s website “By the conclusion of his senior season, started in 41 consecutive games while setting the school career-record by appearing in 54 contests.”
There are criticisms to be made, but let’s keep them valid, and not over generalize.
Another slot reciever with a knee injury. No thanks were still waiting on HD and the great white hope KM to show up
"I'm about rings now"
~Arthur Blank
by CollegePark4Life on Feb 19, 2012 10:02 AM EST reply actions
Do you really think that is the fault of HD and Meier?
I am amazed at the misplaced blame that people on this board direct at players. Does no one actually watch the games? There were almost NO passes thrown to a WR deeper than HD on the roster. How is the Meiers fault? HD showed last season he had recovered from his knee injury. It is now the responsibility of Ryan and the OC to work him into the offense. That did not happen.
While those points are true, I still don’t think drafting another recovering player is beneficial right now. HD did take a little while to actually look like himself again, regardless of his involvement in the offense. There are plenty of other receivers in the draft that could make an impact. I like Broyles, but unless he falls to Round 6 or 7 I’d probably stray away right now.
Dig Deeper
“Do you really think that is the fault of HD and Meier?”
Nope. But neither do I think Ryan or the OC were the root cause. I believe that honor goes to the OL. I did watch the games and I saw OC, QB and WRs all being severely limited by non-existent pass protection. The only reason the sack totals went down as the season progressed was that any play that took more than a couple of seconds to develop was removed from the playbook.
Bottom line, adding another receiver is irrelevant until the OL is addressed.
by LifeLongBirdFan on Feb 19, 2012 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
OC
The OC also did nothing to slow down the pass rush. Very few screens and draws to warrant rhe D line from pinning back their ears and going hard. It also didnt help that the OC was so predictable with his play calling that the D knew when a pass was coming and knew to blitz and rush hard up field. And the fact that Ryan has NO mobility to extend the play past his first read before checking down to TG. And yes, the OL didnt fo a good job either.
by Magellan55 on Feb 19, 2012 12:33 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
On The Money!
This is pretty much exactly the way i feel about out 2011 campaign.
Do people ever mention Ryan really can’t move?
Here is an idea for a Topic. QB’S that move worse than Ryan (it will be a short list)
You can call it
’The Matt Ryan Test" 2.0
So write that into something catchy Dave. I dying to know.
You are right about the OL
but that was not the topic of the discussion. Another reason to consider drafting a WR is whether or not HD is resigned. A 5th round draft pick will probably cost less than HD’s new salary.
With only 2 or 3 exceptions
Harry Douglas caught as many passes as any #3 WR in the NFL.I don’t know where the perception originated that HD is so under utilized.The numbers don’t bear it out.
There are a few misconceptions with your comparison
of HD to other #3 WR’s. First, my comment was specifically about neither Weems not Meier being involved in the offense. As far as the number of catches goes, that should NOT be the sole gauge of WR performance. HD was ranked 63rd in DVOA and 57th in DVOA. What that means is that his effectiveness was pretty poor. That comes from situational use and to some extent his performance. Again, it should not be based on the number of catches.
Agreed
The difference on the teams that DO spread the ball around (Packers, Saints) is that those teams do NOT have a 100 catch Roddy. HD’s 39/498 line is comparable to Donald Driver OR Jones – except those guys each got 7-8 TD’s compared to HD’s 1.
It was not so much an underutilization of HD, it was more that after Roddy, JJ, and Gonzo get their touches, HD was the only other choice, and then not too often. Of course, since HD is mostly a downfield sideline threat, Matty never had time to let that route develop.
I'd be okay with the pick
IF Broyles goes in the 5th round as predicted
IF ATL address critical needs in the earlier rounds, like TE/DE/DT/LB/OL
IF HD does not resign
With the positions that need to be addressed I don’t see ATL drafting a TE, RB and WR this year. What do they sacrifice by drafting Broyles?
by mwalex on Feb 19, 2012 10:24 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
TE a need?
I’m a little conflicted about it myself. We know TG’s got one more year and Palmer is likely a career TE2, who’s solid in a pinch. Mwalex (and others), how would you feel about ATL scooping up Martellus Bennett in FA? He floundered in DAL under Wade and Garrett, but he’s always had talent, and at worst is a huge blocker at the end of the OLine. I’d consider him for a 3 year contract w/ performance incentives and hope the coaching staff and TG can get him to blossom.
Orson Charles w/2nd Round Pick?
Younger. More upside potential.
by LifeLongBirdFan on Feb 19, 2012 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
In my opinion
TE isn’t a big enough need to spend the highest pick on, and Bennett is only 25. Second, I don’t think he’ll even be there since he’s either the best or second-best TE in the draft depending on who you listen to. Third, Richt has made a living off 20-yard seam passes to his TEs, and those passes have gotten several of his TEs drafted in the NFL, and yet none of them have ever been more than mediocre. I don’t see how Charles bucks that trend. Fourth, there may not be that much of a salary difference between Charles and Bennett.
This is the perfect year
to draft a TE considering how deep the TE class is. Having a young guy study under Gonzo before he retires would be invaluable. TD will remedy the OL and DL through FA so if a stud TE is available in the 2nd round, we should pull the trigger.
Depth doesn't equal starting talent
I don’t think there is a stud TE in this draft. Kyle Rudolph was a better all-around talent than any of the TEs in the draft this year and he went 2nd round last year. Plenty of TEs have done pretty well w/out studying under TG, so that’s not a big concern for me.
I have kicked around Bennet
but to be honest he stinks. Each and every year Bennett was going to have a break out season and it never happened. On paper he has the skills but it never converted to on the field play. Romo also loves to throw to the TE so that is not an issue.
If we go FA for a TE I’d almost rather go after Jermichael Finley BUT he has injury issues.
For me, the best bet is to draft Greene in the 3rd round.
Exactly.
That’s the only scenario I see.
by widderslainte on Feb 19, 2012 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
If we keep HD
Than I dont see us looking at a WR at all. We have needs elsewhere like TE, OL, DL and we have to settle the Grimes/Lofton deal (sign them both is my opinion).
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
HD was a decent prospect out of college if I remember
Broyles was going to be a potential late first rounder before his injury. He has all the tools to be a successful player in the NFL if he is healthy so give the man some respect. Also, I don’t think HD will be back because another team will pay him more to leave. In all honesty, I’m a Jags/Falcons fan, but I can easily see the Jags paying him way more money to get him away from the Falcons because he would honestly be better than almost everyone we have. It all depends on Mularkey, but I think it would be hard to keep him. Also the Falcons should use the money on him to get an area of need more anyways. Hopefully an OL of sorts. Plus, you could sign both of Lofton and Grimes if he doesn’t resign.
He plays like he is 6'4"
I am surprised to find out he is only 5’10… if we can get 2/3 (LT, G, or DE) sured up in Free Agency i am for picking him in the 3rd or 4th round… i want to lean towards C Glenn in the second round if possible, if not a TE or Safety…
by AlexanderTheFalcoholic on Feb 19, 2012 12:54 PM EST reply actions
I doubt it.
We signed Edwards, we lost Dahl? Any other losses of note?
by widderslainte on Feb 19, 2012 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
Tight end
Glenn isnt exactly a stud and we have young lineman to develop, not to mention whomever TD decides to go after via free agency.
"NLDS or bust" - Bobby Cox
We don't have to continue to settle Atlanta. We're better than that.
Drafft Two Tight Ends
Coby Fleener – Round 2
Ladarius Green – Round 3
Interesting thought
I wouldn’t mind that. I loved what Baltimore did when they picked up both Dickson and Pitta for the TE spot a couple of years ago. I know the board liked both those guys, and they’ve both turned out to be pretty good TEs. Adding two at the same time adds a lot of dynamics, and I’d be down for it. Frankly, we will need two, regardless of trying to follow the Patriots example of Gronk + Hernandez.
just posted this two days ago, at mockingthedraft.com needless to say, I like Dave's selection of Broyles to profile.
Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma WR 5-10 1/2, 188, 4.5 (Sooners junior Pro Day results)
Back in January 2011, most expected Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles to declare for the 2011 NFL draft.
Broyles redshirted as a freshman in 2007, when he was reportedly suspended indefinitely for stealing gas. Players can enter the NFL draft three years after their high school class graduates. Therefore, juniors or third-year sophomores can apply for entry into the draft, and Broyles’ first opportunity came after the 2009 season, when he had 89 receptions for 1,120 yards and 15 TDs.
He had an even better season in 2010, with a nation-high 131 receptions for 1,622 yards and 14 TDs.
Broyles said many other factors went into his decision to stay at OU. He’s from Norman, so he’s already at home with friends and family. In addition, his parents had encouraged him to finish his degree. Ryan was the first in his family to go to college.
Still, when you stay in school, there always is the risk of injury. Former Sooners QB Sam Bradford and tight end Jermaine Gresham suffered season-ending injuries in 2009 after bypassing the NFL Draft, but were fortunate enough to still be selected as first round draft choices.
Entering his senior season, Broyles was thought to be a potential first round pick, although there were doubts about his ability to be an “outside” receiver due to a lack of size and speed.
Mocking Dan’s Bold statement: Broyles will be the best pure slot wide receiver in the 2012 NFL Draft. Prospect notes
On October 15, 2011, Broyles broke the NCAA record for career receptions “Ryan Broyles breaks receptions record”
Three weeks later, tragedy struck when his senior-year ended in a game against Texas A&M. Broyles tore the ACL in his left knee on November 5, 2011, ending his college career, and preventing him from being able to participate in either the Senior Bowl, or the NFL Combine. This was Broyles second significant injury, as he suffered a broken collarbone during 2008 spring practice.
Broyles will not resume running full speed until May after tearing his left ACL in early November. Source: Joe Schad on Twitter
This is what Tony Pauline of CNNSI and www.draftinsider.net had to say after the injury:
The torn knee ligament suffered by Sooner receiver Ryan Broyles, which ended his college career, will undoubtedly hurt his draft stock. The OU senior, who bypassed last April’s draft in order to return to Norman, was slotted into the early part of the second round based on his play this season. Scouts questioned Broyle’s top-end speed but love his precise route-running skills and ability to quickly get into breaks, then separate from defenders. It may be a while before Broyles is able to run sharp routes, and the general consensus on Sunday was the injury will likely push him into the third round.
Broyles is likely to find a team in the 3rd or 4th round, and the team that drafts him may get a steal; as not only is Broyles a great receiver but also a stand up guy, having spent the past offseason aiding in the Haiti relief effort. Despite a disappointing return season to OU, in which he was searching for a National Championship, Broyles finished his career with 347 receptions, 4499 yards, and 45 touchdowns.
Although I never agreed with the first round predictions of many, Broyles currently ranks as only the 20th best WR prospect by Wes Bunting (National Football Post) and 23rd by CBSSports’ NFLDraftScout.com, Broyles seems like an excellent investment for a team looking for Wes Welker type of production from the slot WR, and a productive return specialist.
Highlights of Broyles 2010 season http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0ys5ixyr4k
ESPN Game Day feature http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIYl850egXY
Broyles beating future 2013 first round draft pick Xavier Rhodes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0yevwrxSBI
Ryan Broyles vs Nebraska (Amakamura and Dennard) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXtIGAZ7R-Q
9 catches for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns vs Colorado 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcQBfgu-pB0&feature=fvst
Broyles is a STUD
would love to have him instead of HD. He a much better WR IMO and he adds value as a returner.
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