Flanker ~ Stefon Diggs ~ MaryLand Terrapins 6000/195
Split Ends are usually the bigger, taller WideOuts who line up in the X Position, on the Line of Scrimmage.
SlotBacks are usually the quicker, smaller WideOuts who line up at the Y Position, off the Line.
FlankerBacks are usually the faster WideOuts who line up at the Z Position, off the Line.
The Split End prototype would be about 6030/225 or so.
The Flanker prototype would be about 6000/200 or so.
The SlotBack prototype would be about 5010/195 or so.
However a given Coach chooses to deploy the Soldiers at his disposal is of course entirely up to him, and most WideOuts will see Snaps at multiple Positions and in multiple Alignments, but I believe that it is valuable to categorize WideOuts in terms of classic Skill Sets, to better define the differences in the kind of Impact they might wield at the next level.
This is how I break things down when I'm evaluating Split Ends, Flankers, and SlotBacks:
Separation: Getting Open. This encompasses Combat Skills & Fluidity to beat Press, Acceleration out'f the Blocks, Fluidity and Ricochet in navigating Traffic, Route Running Precision, the capacity to deceive Defenders, and Field Vision for Timing Seems and Open Zones. All other Aspects of a WideOut's Job Description are dwarfed by this one.
Catch Point Capacity: In Transit or Contested: Hands, WingSpan, Vertical Agility, Combat Skills, and Timing.
Navigation: How well he Navigates the Field after the Catch: Power, Agility, Acceleration, Long Speed, and Field Vision.
Broken down into SubCategories, it'd go something like this:
Separation
* Combat Skills
* Fluidity
* Acceleration
* Ricochet
* Routing
* Deception
* Field Vision
Catch Point Capacity
* Timing
* Combat Skills
* Vertical Agility
* Hands
* WingSpan
Navigation
* Power
* Fluidity
* Ricochet
* Acceleration
* Long Speed
* Field Vision
Catch Point Capacity: Competitive. Mediocre Combat Skills. Impressive Agility & Contortion. Inconsistent Hands.
Navigation: Excellent. His Field Vision is far more impressive after the Catch, and while his mediocre Fluidity is a Liability, his Acceleration, his Ricochet out'f'is Breaks, and his Long Speed are an explosive combination.
He was a 5 Star Recruit out'f High School, which is frankly not a mark in'is Favor from my perspective, and there are indeed plenty of whispers that his Drive & Dedication weren't what they ought to've been.
His Picture is further clouded by the Injury he suffered in 2013, which I believe sapped his Explosiveness on 2014 Tape.
In fact he missed Games in each of 3 Seasons to Injury, which may be bad luck or may reflect inadequate Conditioning.
On the Credit side of the Ledger, his Work Ethic has reportedly improved, though I cannot claim to've noticed any appreciable Improvement in his Routes. I don't have the most discerning eye, though.
One thing is crystal clear to me: Once the Ball is in'is hands, all the lights come on and he is explosive.
All told, though, I just don't get the Warm Fuzzies, watching him on Tape. I impart no Value to his Return Game Talent, but I will say that his Open Field Prowess speaks to incipient Field Vision that could conceivably speak to the kind of Future universally expected of'm 3 Years ago. And I always emphasize that not only do I not know the kid personally, and do therefore not presume to judge his Character, but we all evolve in different ways and at different Times & Paces.
I am going to back it off a Click because of that Injury History, though.
Grateful Thanks, as always, for the crucial Work done by the folks at Draft BreakDown!!
4th/5th Round Market Value | Yankee Grade 5th/6th Round |
This is not is even remotely a Complaint, mind you, but rather a Warning: Caveat Emptor!!