Alright, so I was digging into this whole “best route runners 2024 NFL draft” thing, and let me tell you, it’s a rabbit hole. First off, I gotta say, I’m no expert, but I love getting my hands dirty with data, and this was a fun little project.
So, where did I start? I began by gathering all kinds of data on college wide receivers. I was looking for guys who are good at those short, quick routes. You know, the ones where they gotta be super sharp and precise.
Finding Some Info Online
I went on the internet, and started searching for information. Of course, some of it was just a bunch of people’s opinions, but I did find some gold. I saw that some NFL analyst named Daniel Jeremiah was talking about this guy from Georgia, Ladd McConkey, and how he’s like a magician with his routes. That got me curious, so I decided to put McConkey on my list to check out.
Collecting Information
I was looking at a lot of stuff, but what did i focus on? Well, stats like completion percentage, yards after catch, stuff like that. It’s all about how well these guys do when they’re running those short routes.
I made a big list of players. Just names, schools, and some basic stats. Then, I started watching their games. Hours and hours of footage. I was looking at how they moved, how they got open, how they dealt with defenders. It was a lot, but I was learning so much.
Making My Analysis
After watching all those games, I started to see some patterns. Certain guys just seemed to have a knack for getting open on those short routes. They were quick, they were precise, and they were always finding ways to get the ball.
- Ladd McConkey: Just like that NFL guy said, this dude is smooth. He’s got a great feel for the game, and he knows how to use his body to get open.
- Another Guy (Name escapes me right now): This dude was a beast after the catch. Super strong, and he just wouldn’t go down.
- Third Guy: More of a speedster, but he could stop on a dime and change direction like nobody’s business.
The draft has finished. I’m not sure if these players will become good or not, only time will tell.
This whole thing was a blast. I learned a ton about route running and about how to analyze players. It just goes to show, you don’t have to be an expert to dive into something new and learn a bunch. Just gotta be curious and willing to put in the work.
