A Look at Wide Receivers in the 2002 Draft

In thinking about whether or not the Seahawks were wise to trade a draft pick for a wide receiver, it is interesting to look at the receivers taken in the 2002 NFL Draft. If a team hits on a receiver in the draft and he performs at a high level, then they usually get stuck with a bad contract situation.

2002 NFL Draft WRs
13th Donte' Stallworth
19th Ashley Lelie
20th Javon Walker
33rd Jabar Gaffney
36th Josh Reed
46th Tim Carter
47th Andre' Davis
48th Reche Caldwell
62nd Antwaan Randle El
63rd Antonio Bryant
65th Deion Branch

After 3 seasons only 2 of the first 11 receivers are still on the teams that drafted them. Josh Reed has underacheived in Buffalo and Tim Carter had to fight for the #3 job this year in New York. 5 of them had at least mild contract or playing time controversies. Walker and Branch are the only two that played especially well and both basically forced trades. Why even draft a wide receiver these days? (maybe we should be asking Matt Millen)