At this time I wished to proceed the collection, taking a look at NFL WR receiving stats. The Pittsburgh Steelers added WR Ben Skowronek to the observe squad, drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, the place he spent the final three seasons.
The stats on this examine are from the 2022 season when Skowronek performed most. We’ll concentrate on him and embody qualifying Steelers for comparability. The aim is to see how Skowronek stacked up in opposition to his NFL friends, and what that might imply for 2024.
Let’s dive in, beginning with on the right track catch share (complete receptions/variety of catchable targets) which highlights the standard of targets and connectivity, together with drop share (drops/catchable targets) to see who made essentially the most of their anticipated catch conditions:
Right here, Skowronek lands above the imply in each information factors. A 90.0 on the right track catch price ranks forty fifth out of the 85 qualifying WRs (barely above-average), whereas a 2.2 drop price was comfortably above the imply and tied for nineteenth. This factors to dependable arms on his targets compared to his friends in 2022.
Subsequent let’s take a look at yards per route run (YPRR=complete receiving yards/variety of routes run excluding RPO handoffs) and yards per goal (YPT=receiving yards per cross try through which the receiver is focused, together with incompletions) to get an thought of how the gamers had been utilized:
Fairly a distinct story right here. Skowronek had simply 1.0 yards per route run, tying for 82nd. That fourth-least amongst qualifier and sheds necessary context to his above common catch charges within the earlier view. 6.2 yards per goal landed a bit higher however nonetheless a low 79th rating.
Let’s additional study their utilization with common depth of goal (ADOT=common distance downfield that the focused throws traveled, excluding spikes and throwaways) and common depth of completion (ADOC) to zero in on alternatives extra within the receiver’s management:
A 7.5 common depth of goal ranked 72nd, and 5.7 common depth of catch tied for 74th, every properly below-average. A minimum of in 2022, when Skowronek obtained essentially the most enjoying time up to now, was a brief space but dependable goal.
Persevering with with extra necessary elements, listed below are first down percentages (share of receptions the place the receiver achieved a primary down) together with damaged/missed tackles per reception (BMT), a enjoyable and telling information level. The aim right here is to see who supplied shifting the chains performs and which gamers additionally confirmed the power to make guys miss:
Contemplating the earlier data, faring properly on this view can be preferable for Skowronek. As an alternative, his 5.1 damaged/missed tackles per reception tied for 68th, and a very poor 41.0 first down price that ranked 83rd. The latter was third-worst that season, which means he wasn’t a series mover and lacked creation after the catch that many others supplied (together with Pittsburgh WRs).
I additionally wished to offer a complete worth view utilizing factors earned per route (The full of a participant’s EPA accountability on routes run utilizing the entire factors system that distributes credit score amongst all gamers on the sector for a given play. Totals are scaled as much as map to the typical factors scored or allowed on a crew stage, with the participant’s snap rely figuring out how a lot to regulate.
For receivers, this contains accounting for offensive line play, off-target passes, dropped passes, and damaged tackles. Values are modulated utilizing a quality-of-competition multiplier based mostly on every opponent’s earlier yr of efficiency) and EPA per goal (the entire change within the offense’s anticipated factors that got here on passes thrown to the participant):
Beneath the imply in each information factors as soon as once more, which is sensible after every part we’ve realized. His 0.005 factors earned per route ranked 79th, and a -0.03 EPA per goal landed a bit higher at 73rd. Aside from dependable arms, Skowronek was properly below-average in all different points of the examine.
He does present versatility that included broad, slot, inline TE, together with FB/RB alignments in 2022, which OC Arthur Smith values. If Skowronek earns enjoying time in Pittsburgh, and issues transpire equally, we get a way of the kind of contributions that might be in retailer for the observe squad addition.
Not a needle mover, therefore his providers being accessible, however a pleasant versatile participant that helps with the depth and choices on the place for Pittsburgh’s offense. Plus, particular groups matter, and Skowronek has chops there that may probably be a welcomed improve to a unit that was lackluster this preseason.
To shut, here’s a desk of all of the ranks:
