[FRCDFED]

Originally Posted by kccrow

This board has a love affair with speed. For whatever reason that is, I have no idea. That is about the only thing that separates Cooks from about 25 receivers that are equally talented, is that he runs sub 4.4.

Now, don't get me wrong. I have Cooks rated my #2 WR so it isn't like I don't like him.

Height is not the reason I love Matthews. Here is what I think about Matthews.

1. Most precise router runner I've seen on tape, runs the whole tree and takes advantage of mismatches.
2. I'm not sure how to term this, but the best hands catcher and one of the best high pointers in the draft.
3. Superb quickness out of breaks, that with #1 allow him to consistently create separation.
4. Solid long speed, with long stride ability to keep defenders behind him.
5. Great sideline awareness
6. Great ability to shield defenders and adjust to poorly thrown balls.
7. Great size and height, to create mismatches against smaller defenders and go toe-to-toe with bigger defenders.
8. Durable, and appears he will remain durable.
9. Top flight production in the SEC his entire career.
10. Good length and hand size, producing a huge catch radius coupled with great vision to take advantage of it.
11. Great strength for a wideout and solid blocking ability
12. Has shown the ability to make the toughest catches, and make catches in traffic.
13. The magic number... His mentor and cousin is the best the league has ever had play the position, and it shows in his work ethic and precision.
14. Great run after catch, YAC receiver.
15. Is productive in the red zone, a testament to his height and vertical yes.

I might could continue, but I'm sure you get the point by now. This guy has everything I look for in an elite caliber WR. I think its a mistake to overlook this kid. In that list I made, you will not find some of those traits in Brandin Cooks as much as I like the kid. Yes, size does matter, but its not the only thing.

I've been secretly on the Matthews bandwagon for a while. If I were going to take a chance on someone it would be him. Aside from all the intangibles you mentioned, he has the pedigree. There have been others that come from NFL families that did not have successful NFL careers but for some reason the work ethic of Jerry Rice as a role model is something I'm willing to bet has been instilled in this guy. He is following in his uncles footsteps so I would think he would have something to prove. All speculation of course but I would role the dice on this guy. I wouldn't want to be known as the NFL executive that passed on the "second" Jerry Rice!