Donald Gray

[Todd4State]

Being a standout kick returner would increase his stock, but probably not a must. He's already drawn comparisons to 5'9" Steve Smith who's still playing in the NFL at 37, then guys like Kendall Wright for the Titans (5'10", average speed) show good route running and hands alone can overcome size disadvantage even in the present day.

I like Gray but I don't think he is in their realm as a player. He struggled against corners that were bigger than him this year and that Egg Bowl clip to me shows how he is best utilized- on screens and in space.



In SEC games minus Arkansas which I took out because he was matched up with a cornerback who was similar in size Gray had 16 receptions for an average of 17 YPC and 2 TD's.

[mcain31]

Gray was an All-American Returner at Co-Lin

[RiverCityDawg]

I like Gray but I don't think he is in their realm as a player. He struggled against corners that were bigger than him this year and that Egg Bowl clip to me shows how he is best utilized- on screens and in space.



In SEC games minus Arkansas which I took out because he was matched up with a cornerback who was similar in size Gray had 16 receptions for an average of 17 YPC and 2 TD's.

Did you just look at the stats or did you do in depth film study on him and his match ups? Because stats don't always tell the story on matchups out on the edge. For example, against LSU he beat his man deep for easy touchdowns twice but Fitz didn't see him. Against ole miss our game plan was run heavy. Against Alabama Fitz was under duress so much that it's hard to evaluate any matchups on offense outside of our OL getting mashed.

Maybe you're right, but I don't think our offense was consistent enough in the other areas to evaluate whether Gray struggled against bigger corners unless your telling me you knew the routes/reads and specifically watched him and his matchups.

[smootness]

Gray's at his best on the outside.

[lamont]

Gray is not a top 15 SEC WR. He will be solid next year- but nothing like Ross and Bear have been.

We are lacking at WR for 2017. Maybe 11th or 12th best group in the SEC for 2017

[smootness]

Gray is not a top 15 SEC WR. He will be solid next year- but nothing like Ross and Bear have been.

We are lacking at WR for 2017. Maybe 11th or 12th best group in the SEC for 2017

I completely disagree. Name 15 better for next year.

[Political Hack]

Gray will be one of the most prolific deep threats in America next season. He's a 9-route guy. Send him deep every time we get one on one on the outside.

[Really Clark?]

Gray is not a top 15 SEC WR. He will be solid next year- but nothing like Ross and Bear have been.

We are lacking at WR for 2017. Maybe 11th or 12th best group in the SEC for 2017

He was 10th in yards, 12th in yards per game, 13th in TD and 5th in avg yards per catch this year.

[Todd4State]

Did you just look at the stats or did you do in depth film study on him and his match ups? Because stats don't always tell the story on matchups out on the edge. For example, against LSU he beat his man deep for easy touchdowns twice but Fitz didn't see him. Against ole miss our game plan was run heavy. Against Alabama Fitz was under duress so much that it's hard to evaluate any matchups on offense outside of our OL getting mashed.

Maybe you're right, but I don't think our offense was consistent enough in the other areas to evaluate whether Gray struggled against bigger corners unless your telling me you knew the routes/reads and specifically watched him and his matchups.

Stats and also watching our games. I wouldn't consider that in depth. LOL. But your comment about Fitz not seeing him against LSU is exactly my point. I can definitively tell you that based on the stats and going to the games that most of Gray's damage came against our non power five opponents except for Arkansas. Because I was at the Arkansas game I can tell you that the corner matched up against Gray was also a small corner.

[Political Hack]

He was 10th in yards, 12th in yards per game, 13th in TD and 5th in avg yards per catch this year.

He'll finish higher than that in yards per catch next season. Our power run game with Fitz and AW is going to open up that outside match up big time.

Outside of Bama and LSU, there's not many CB's in the sec that'll consistently stick with Gray.

[Todd4State]

Gray will be one of the most prolific deep threats in America next season. He's a 9-route guy. Send him deep every time we get one on one on the outside.

Yes but then it's a matter of seeing him.

[Commercecomet24]

He'll finish higher than that in yards per catch next season. Our power run game with Fitz and AW is going to open up that outside match up big time.

Outside of Bama and LSU, there's not many CB's in the sec that'll consistently stick with Gray.

This all day!

[thf24]

Yes but then it's a matter of seeing him.

Are you saying he's hard to see because of his height? It's not like he's barely over 5'. Unless there's a corner out there who's 6'2" and can stick to him like a literal shadow (there's not), a few inches aren't going to make a difference in visibility down the field.

[BB30]

Gray had several games where he flat out beat his man and we just overshot him. Happened early in the BYU game as well. He will be a solid player for us next year and has a very very good work ethic. He has been a great role model for our young receivers. I think and hope he has a great season next year because he has been all DAWG and busts his butt everyday. And as for Derunnya his speed killed him but he was also still unbelievably raw. As stated earlier in the thread The guy never learned to use his hands and go up and high point a ball. I really think had he shown the ability to do that more he still would have got a shot. I seriously cannot remember ever seeing him use his hands especially down near the endzone. He was a solid receiver for us and probably helped just as much on the edge blocking in the run game as he did as a receiver.

For guys in the know, question, at 6'4" 225 could he not have put on some weight and try to play TE? Engram is only 6'3" 235. Now obviously, Engram is much more polished as a receiver but I would argue that he was not much of a better blocker than Wilson.

[smootness]

Stats and also watching our games. I wouldn't consider that in depth. LOL. But your comment about Fitz not seeing him against LSU is exactly my point. I can definitively tell you that based on the stats and going to the games that most of Gray's damage came against our non power five opponents except for Arkansas. Because I was at the Arkansas game I can tell you that the corner matched up against Gray was also a small corner.

He was easily our most productive WR against Bama and was also productive against LSU.

[RiverCityDawg]

Stats and also watching our games. I wouldn't consider that in depth. LOL. But your comment about Fitz not seeing him against LSU is exactly my point. I can definitively tell you that based on the stats and going to the games that most of Gray's damage came against our non power five opponents except for Arkansas. Because I was at the Arkansas game I can tell you that the corner matched up against Gray was also a small corner.

No, my point is your stats do not prove your point that Gray struggled against bigger corners. The QB missing a read, not throwing the ball or being under duress have nothing to do with Gray. He did a lot of damage on short passes and screens because those are generally easier passes for a developing QB and require less time for the OL to block.

[Ari Gold]

He'll finish higher than that in yards per catch next season. Our power run game with Fitz and AW is going to open up that outside match up big time.

Outside of Bama and LSU, there's not many CB's in the sec that'll consistently stick with Gray.

Ageee..

[lamont]

He was 10th in yards, 12th in yards per game, 13th in TD and 5th in avg yards per catch this year.

Gray won't have the luxury of benefiting from playing with one of the SEC's top WR's next season

[msstate7]

He was easily our most productive WR against Bama and was also productive against LSU.

Vs lsu, fitz overthrew gray twice on certain TDs. Vs bama, gray dropped a huge gain. He still had good games vs both, but could've had huge games. The important thing is he was able to get open vs bama and lsu, so he has enough talent

[msstate7]

Gray won't have the luxury of benefiting from playing with one of the SEC's top WR's next season

He'll have the benefit of defenses having to gameplan to stop fitz and aeris on the ground.