2007 NFL Draft's WR Position Analysis
Demar Richardson
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A WR's success depends on a lot of things going the right way that are not in the player's control. Is there an established QB on the roster? Is the coaching staff adequate on the offensive side of the ball? Does the offensive coordinator put his players in the best position to make plays? Are there 
other offensive threats on the team that can take pressure off the rookie WR? More times than not the situation a player steps into will heavily contribute to his failure or success.
The 2006 NFL Draft class was not rich at the WR position. It was evident that players that went to good offensive situations produced more than players who went to teams that were in disarray on the offensive side of the ball. The first WR taken in the 2006 NFL Draft was Pittsburgh Steelers WR Santonio Holmes. Holmes was fortunate enough to go to a team with a Super Bowl wining QB in Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers also have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Pittsburgh had Hines Ward a very capable WR on one side and an above average RB in "Fast" Willie Parker. Although Santonio was a first round pick he didn't have the pressure on him to be the player that made the Steelers thrive on offense. As a result, Holmes finished the 2006 NFL season with 49 catches for 824 yards.
In the 2005 NFL Draft the Minnesota Vikings selected WR Troy Williamson with the seventh pick in the NFL Draft. Troy had lots of pressure on him because he was replacing Randy Moss at WR for the Vikings. Williamson only had Daunte Culpepper for 7 games and the 2005 season was Culpepper's worst in the NFL. After 7 games Daunte had six touchdowns and twelve interceptions. The running back situation was a mess for the Vikings Mewelde Moore was their leading rusher with 662 yards. The leading WR on the team was TE Jermaine Wiggins with 69 catches. The only receiving threat was Travis Taylor who only finished with 50 catches. With the lack of talent surrounding him it was not a shock that Williamson only finished with 24 catches.
The 2006 NFL Draft class was not rich at the WR position. It was evident that players that went to good offensive situations produced more than players who went to teams that were in disarray on the offensive side of the ball. The first WR taken in the 2006 NFL Draft was Pittsburgh Steelers WR Santonio Holmes. Holmes was fortunate enough to go to a team with a Super Bowl wining QB in Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers also have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Pittsburgh had Hines Ward a very capable WR on one side and an above average RB in "Fast" Willie Parker. Although Santonio was a first round pick he didn't have the pressure on him to be the player that made the Steelers thrive on offense. As a result, Holmes finished the 2006 NFL season with 49 catches for 824 yards.
In the 2005 NFL Draft the Minnesota Vikings selected WR Troy Williamson with the seventh pick in the NFL Draft. Troy had lots of pressure on him because he was replacing Randy Moss at WR for the Vikings. Williamson only had Daunte Culpepper for 7 games and the 2005 season was Culpepper's worst in the NFL. After 7 games Daunte had six touchdowns and twelve interceptions. The running back situation was a mess for the Vikings Mewelde Moore was their leading rusher with 662 yards. The leading WR on the team was TE Jermaine Wiggins with 69 catches. The only receiving threat was Travis Taylor who only finished with 50 catches. With the lack of talent surrounding him it was not a shock that Williamson only finished with 24 catches.