Billick actually did a good job keeping those teams on same page for most part. I mean in all seriousness the defense shoulda carried the team. That is where all the money and most of high picks were invested. Outside of Jamal Lewis only time an offensive player was picked or compensated with a big contract is when the their back was to the wall. Which usually resulted in a reach.
Management would take best wr available as opposed to putting resources into obtaining somebody legit. We shoulda traded up for plaxico in 2000. As opposed to wasting a first rounder on whatever trash(Travis Taylor) is available. Shoulda traded up for plaxico or went bpa or traded down. Same song different dance with Perriman. No speed at WR and took best wr left on board as opposed trading up for Amari Cooper and taking a wr in the loaded 2014 class. No, management waited until there wasn't really a choice and WR was a major need with no speed at the position once Torrey signed elsewhere.
During that Draft Process Travis Taylor was rated highly, he ended up not panning out but he joins a long list of 1st Round WRs that either were busts or didn't live up to their draft status:
If you take a look at the WR classes for several years it will give you snapshot of all the failures or guys that might have had one or two years of success.
In 2000 Warrick, Burress, Taylor, S.Morris, & RJ Soward all were first rounders only Burress had a decent career nothing spectacular hell L.Coles had similar numbers from the same draft.
2001- D.Terrell, R.Gardner, K.Robinson, S.Moss, F.Mitchell, & R.Wayne all 1st rounders Wayne HOF career, Moss a solid career other 4 garbage.
That trend continues for many more drafts.
I mean for them to move from 10th ( where Travis Taylor was picked ) to 7th the pick before Steelers nabbed Burress, the team would have to trade the 10th and 3rd rounder or 10th + 4th+5th rounders ( from looking at Draft Trade Chart ).
Unless you wanted them to pick Burress at number 5 and bypass Jamal Lewis, not much else they could have did. And again it's not like Plaxico Burress was Andre Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald caliber.
For what it's worth Taylor and Burress had identical rookie years but then Burress continued his progression while Taylor didn't.
Looking back at the WRs in those drafts, I remember being so mad the Bengals got Peter Warrick because I thought he was going to be star.
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Only three in recent memory I can think of are Jalen Ramsey at the end of the season, Desmond Trufant, and Tyrann Mathieu, who has fallen off hard.
Kyle Fuller had a solid rookie year but he's been pretty much been injured since then so he's honorable mention for quick start.
Ronald Darby played extremely well in Buffalo his first 2 years. He doesn't get a bunch of ints but good coverage and tackling.
Xavier Rhodes also has been very good at the start of his career.
Marcus Peters is a lot like J.Jenkins he makes a lot of ints, but sometimes his gambles lead to TDs but both paid early dividends at corner lol.
Tavon Young played similar to young Webb last year, undersized, good tackling thrown in to start a few a games outside. Wasn't perfect but was damn dependable I'd say.
