The Paradox that is Dontayvion Wicks

[Patler]

A succinct summary of the contradictions in the game of Dontayvion Wicks:

According to Pro Football Focus, Wicks finished second among all receivers in separation rate, beating coverage on an astounding 75 percent of his routes. That number suggests elite-level route running. Yet Wicks’ hands betrayed him all too often. He posted an 18 percent drop rate. That was the worst among all qualified receivers in 2024. That’s not just bad—it’s job-jeopardizing.

Best and worst at the two functions of a WR, getting open and catching the ball.

[MadScientist]

A succinct summary of the contradictions in the game of Dontayvion Wicks:



Best and worst at the two functions of a WR, getting open and catching the ball.

The first stat explains why he kept getting opportunities. The second why he didn't get a whole lot more.

[smuggler]

Wicks is probably the most talented receiver on the roster, all-around. Watson is a better deep target and Golden might change that, but still... a shame he wouldn't fucking catch the ball last year.

[Fritz]

Wicks is probably the most talented receiver on the roster, all-around. Watson is a better deep target and Golden might change that, but still... a shame he wouldn't fucking catch the ball last year.

True. But now the question is whether he can learn to be a better pass-catcher.

[Joemailman]

Wicks is at the point entering his 3rd year where he could possibly go the EQ St. Brown route or the Davante Adams route.

[bobblehead]

I am drafting Wicks late in every fantasy draft I can. Of all the "separation leaders" each year I can only think of one that failed to break out. That was the kid from Pittsburg who never improved on his atrocious hands. Dionte Johnson I think was his name.

Guys like Wicks don't fail very often. Devante had drop issues, Jones had drop issues, James Lofton had drop issues. Young guys press and try to hard, it happens. I'm going to bet Wicks improves enough for a really good season. We have a crowded room right now, but if you have to guess who Love is going to throw the ball to wouldn't you guess its the guy who is consistently the most open? Unless he doesn't improve his hands at all this offseason I expect a good year.

[Patler]

I am drafting Wicks late in every fantasy draft I can. Of all the "separation leaders" each year I can only think of one that failed to break out. That was the kid from Pittsburg who never improved on his atrocious hands. Dionte Johnson I think was his name.

Guys like Wicks don't fail very often. Devante had drop issues, Jones had drop issues, James Lofton had drop issues. Young guys press and try to hard, it happens. I'm going to bet Wicks improves enough for a really good season. We have a crowded room right now, but if you have to guess who Love is going to throw the ball to wouldn't you guess its the guy who is consistently the most open? Unless he doesn't improve his hands at all this offseason I expect a good year.

Have to agree. It is a skill that can be improved. Hopefully, he is wearing out a Jugs machine this summer.

[bobblehead]

I expect some depraved rat to post a picture of a Juggs Machine. Probably Cap't or Fritz.

[MadtownPacker]

All the fuss over Wicks and he’s never done a damn thing to deserve such high expectations. Had the same stats as One flew over the cuckoo‘s nest Doubs did last season. After all the hype they got, any receiver from the past two seasons should consider himself vulnerable.

[Fritz]

I expect some depraved rat to post a picture of a Juggs Machine. Probably Cap't or Fritz.

How right you are.

[bobblehead]

All the fuss over Wicks and he’s never done a damn thing to deserve such high expectations. Had the same stats as One flew over the cuckoo‘s nest Doubs did last season. After all the hype they got, any receiver from the past two seasons should consider himself vulnerable.

I'm still with you as a Doubs fan, but 2 things. He isn't near as good as Wicks when it comes to breaking off routes which is where the separation comes. He is really good overall with few weaknesses and I'd be higher on him if not for 1 issue that is 2 issues. His head. Concussions scare the shit out of me as they end careers early. And teams get wary quick of guys who have depression issues and can't be relied on. If your center disappears the night before the Superb Owl it effects the entire team.

But suppose Doubs avoids concussions and does his Michael Thomas impression (always my comp for him). I'm not writing him off by any means.

[CaptainKickass]

I expect some depraved rat to post a picture of a Juggs Machine. Probably Cap't or Fritz.

Who the hell are you to judge if anyone is depraved? Huh?

Also, and I shouldn't have to mention - completely separate from Bobble's judgy commentary - if some enterprising person (perhaps even a burger flipper type?) repackaged and rebranded the 1st product in this video as "The Juggs Machine" combined with some clever marketing, why I think that'd be a great contribution to the market segment.

I could see a vendor or vendors wandering through the gameday Lambeau parking lots like a t-shirt vendor except it's breast cancer awareness month and these things are selling hand-to-boobs like Waffle House hash browns scattered, smothered and covered after bar hopping.

Also, curiosity will likely carry you through the "Vampire Boob Job"

[Fritz]

Who the hell are you to judge if anyone is depraved? Huh?

Also, and I shouldn't have to mention - completely separate from Bobble's judgy commentary - if some enterprising person (perhaps even a burger flipper type?) repackaged and rebranded the 1st product in this video as "The Juggs Machine" combined with some clever marketing, why I think that'd be a great contribution to the market segment.

I could see a vendor or vendors wandering through the gameday Lambeau parking lots like a t-shirt vendor except it's breast cancer awareness month and these things are selling hand-to-boobs like Waffle House hash browns scattered, smothered and covered after bar hopping.

Also, curiosity will likely carry you through the "Vampire Boob Job"

Cap'n, it looks like the heavy burden of keeping the Rats entertained while simultaneously keeping these threads on track (uh, Juggs has been mentioned here, a few times) falls upon us.

Leadership in these trying times means rising to the occasion. But they don't call you Captain Kickass for nothin'.

[bobblehead]

Who the hell are you to judge if anyone is depraved? Huh?

Well, I'm kind of an expert on the subject which is why I thought of it in the first place.

[Fritz]

Wicks - I hope he's sleeping holding a football, catching from a Juggs machine every day, focusing on every ball that comes his way - catch it first, watch it all the way to your hands. If he can learn to catch better he'd be on the Davante Adams Road.