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NFL: What to expect from rookie wide receivers

By Lyle Graversen

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Sammy Watkins (Clemson) poses for a photo after being selected as the number four overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Buffalo Bills at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Sammy Watkins (Clemson) poses for a photo after being selected as the number four overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Buffalo Bills at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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September 23, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (85) is unable to make the catch in the end zone after being hit by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Keenan Lewis (23) and free safety Ryan Mundy (29) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. Heyward-Bey was injured on the play. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
September 23, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (85) is unable to make the catch in the end zone after being hit by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Keenan Lewis (23) and free safety Ryan Mundy (29) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. Heyward-Bey was injured on the play. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

2009 NFL Draft

No. 7 – Darius Heyward-Bey – Oakland Raiders – 9 rec, 124 yards, 1 TD

No. 10 – Michael Crabtree – San Francisco 49ers – 48 rec, 625 yards, 2 TDs

No. 19 – Jeremy Maclin – Philadelphia Eagles – 56 rec, 773 yards, 4 TDs

No. 22 – Percy Harvin – Minnesota Vikings – 60 rec, 790 yards, 6 TDs

No. 29 – Hakeem Nicks – New York Giants – 47 rec, 790 yards, 6 TDs

No. 30 – Kenny Britt – Tennessee Titans – 42 rec, 701 yards, 3 TDs

Looking over these numbers, the only really disappointing rookie season belonged to the first wideout taken, Heyward-Bey. The rest of this group all put up decent (but not spectacular) numbers. Harvin lead the way in receptions with 60 and was tied for the lead in yards (790) and TDs (6) as well.

I feel that Crabtree, Maclin, and Harvin have had good enough careers for the teams that drafted them to feel validated. Nicks is borderline, but the Giants were willing to let him walk this offseason via free agency. Heyward-Bey and Britt are definitely considered busts at this point.

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