Our WR options

[MTK]

With Coles and Gardner both on the way out the face of our WR corps will be dramatically different next season. Let's take a look at some of our options.

The draft:
If we sit tight at #9 I would think taking a WR is a must. Mike Williams and Braylon Edwards are the top two prospects, with Troy Williamson and Mark Clayton close behind. Obviously Williams and Edwards are the top targets here. Edwards stock has been on the rise and he looks like a probable top 5 pick now. Williams could slide to 9, Williamson should definitely be available.

Free Agency:
Not a whole lot here, Plaxico Burress and Jerry Porter are the top targets, and of course Muhammad with his expected release due to cap reasons. Problem is none of these guys are going to come cheap, with Muhammad likely being the most expensive, Burress 2nd and Porter 3rd. All of these guys have their concerns, Muhammad is getting old, Burress has knocks against him for his focus and work ethic and Porter for route running and inconsistency. The bright side is there is bound to be some cap casualties like the rumored expected release of Derrick Mason. Let it be known now that if Mason becomes available, I think the Skins should push hard to sign him. I was a fan of going after him before the Coles announcement and even more now.

Fill the job from inside:
Some people on the board are Taylor Jacobs fans, some aren't. The bottom line is we haven't seen enough of him to formulate a solid opinion either way. We've always heard promising things about him during camps, supposedly he has solid hands, good quickness and speed. He's got the natural abilities you look for in a WR, but we've yet to see it translate to the field. Perhaps this is just the chance he needs. This is a sink or swim chance for him.

Thrash:
As we saw from his time in Philly, he's definitely not a starting quality WR. His role was going to be expanded even before the Coles announcement, but I can't see him filling more than a #3 role with the team. If we head in to the season with Thrash as a starting WR (#1 or #2), we're in trouble.

McCants:
All of a sudden McCants is in a very interesting position. He seemed to be on his way out after spending most of '04 in the doghouse, now will the staff give him another look?? He has a nice rapport with Ramsey, it will be interesting to see what unfolds with McCants this offseason.