1988 NFL Draft Revisited

Two years ago every analyst out there chose the Raiders to draft Calvin Johnson because of his height/weight/speed ratios. This year it’s Darius Heyward-Bey.

At the time of the 1988 NFL Draft, I was in the sixth grade and there wasn’t much talk in my circle about the NFL Draft.

I want to ask those older fans about what their opinions were pre-‘88 NFL Draft about the six WR’s who were drafted in the first round and what they thought then?

Were they disappointed at the time the Raiders took Brown and not Sharpe or Irvin? Did they want the three WR’s that ended up busts: Anthony Miller, Aaron Cox, and Wendell Davis?

The following players were drafted:

No. 6 WR Tim Brown

No. 7 WR Sterling Sharpe

No. 11 WR Michael Irvin

No. 15 WR Anthony Miller

No. 20 WR Aaron Cox

No. 27 WR Wendell Davis (last pick)

I remember that Sterling was more of a possession WR and Brown, before the knee injury, was more of a speedster with awesome hands.

I don’t remember anything about Irvin at Miami—other than the fact that he was an All-American—or the last three receivers: Miller, Cox, and Davis who were unfortunately busts.  

This is the last time Al has drafted a WR in the top 10, therefore it would interesting to see what the analysts were thinking at that time, and if there is anything to glean off those months prior to the draft and look at Crabtree, Maclin, Nicks, & Heyward-Bey this year.

Personally I don’t believe Al will use the measurables to determine who his WR will be. I believe he’ll take the best available player if Crabtree is available.

I believe his numbers are inflated because of the system he played in, however I believe his hands and the catch he made against Texas solidified his place as the No. 1 WR in this draft.

What’s your opinion?