Catching on
(AP Photo/Tom Hood, File)
It isn’t as easy as it seems to find a great wide receiver in the NFL draft. Take a look at the first WRs taken in the selection process since the Super Bowl era, and you realize a lot of the first off the board fizzled big time.
(Stats via: Profootballreference.com.)
1967: Gene Washington
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Taken eighth overall out of a powerhouse Michigan State program by the Minnesota Vikings, Gene Washington played six seasons with the Purple before finishing with Denver. He had 182 catches, 26 for touchdowns.
1968: Haven Moses
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The ninth overall pick by the Buffalo Bills out of San Diego State, Haven Moses had a long career. He was in the league from 1968-81 and made 448 catches for more than 8,000 yards.
1969: Ron Sellers
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The Boston Patriots made Ron Sellers the sixth overall pick out of Florida State. Sellers played three seasons with the Patriots, one with Dallas and a bit with Miami in 1973. He had 112 catches, 18 for TDs.
1970: Ken Burrough
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A 10th overall selection out of Texas Southern, Ken Burrough played one year with New Orleans before moving on to the Houston Oilers. He made 408 catches in 11 seasons with the Oilers. Burrough passed away at the end of February, 2022.
1971: J.D. Hill
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Arizona State’s J.D. Hill was a fourth overall choice by the Buffalo Bills. He spent five seasons in Western New York and two with the Detroit Lions.
1972: Ahmad Rashad
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From Oregon, Ahmad Rashad went fourth overall to the St. Louis Cardinals. He spent two years with the Cardinals and one with Buffalo before finding a home with Minnesota. He had 400 catches in seven seasons as a Viking.
1973: Isaac Curtis
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Another San Diego State wideout who caught the eye of pro scouts, Isaac Curtis was selected 15th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played his entire…