Looking at our WR room now it feels like speed is probably the worst trait of the group overall, because both Kupp & Robinson are receivers who get open with their routes and anticipation. Basically our WR1 and WR2 are what I'd call elite possession types. So ideally that third wideout vs your average typical in-season opponent would be someone with great speed threat. Someone who creates fear, who can distract and help break down the typical 1-2 coverage plan teams are used to running.
Van has underrated speed so he was the guy they wanted filling that role. But his game overall is more possession I think, just my take on him. He's a third possession wideout in the top three who can also beat you deep but whose strength is his route technique. And my biggest criticism of him is the same as my criticism was for Woody, which is that when Kupp is removed his effectiveness dips. Well that and his tendency to not fight for balls in the air. Which means that as he faces better coverage options he has a tendency to disappear. This all goes back to Odell opening McVay's eyes, and Robinson being expected to deliver the same just as a safer investment option in the offseason.
After Van on the depth chart you have one true speed threat wideout in Tutu. Who, btw, I think will factor in very big during the regular season this year. But come the playoffs his value won't be as great and guys who have more toughness and contested catch ability will factor in more at that point. Odell, if they bring him back, would of course be another speed threat as he is an all around stud of a wideout, but you have to worry about whether he's got his quicks back right away.
Then we have our contested catch types which is where I'd put Skow, who can lead block in the run game for you and who historically has good hands. Also now we can add McClutch to that equation and I am eager to see if he can separate if/when he gets his initial looks because McVay will put him out there at some point.
Now all that aside I realize Robinson is also a contested catch type, and honestly Kupp is too, so if I had to rank out the capabilities of this WR group I would say they are elite in terms of their size (Kupp and Robinson are like mini-TEs and Skow/McClutch offer good size on the depth chart), contested catch ability (which is a surprise to see it this good only a year after adding that type of QB), possession (there are multiple dependable options who will be where they need to be to move the chains). Where they are average is speed and stretching the field.
This post btw is quite longer than I intended. Whoops.
