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It’s often said that NFL players make the most growth between their first and second years in the league.

So much of that first year is spent figuring things out. Figuring out where the meeting rooms are located. Figuring out how to speak the language in the playbook. Figuring out how to manage money and live on your own and be an adult.

So much time is spent figuring things out instead of absorbing them and thriving — at least not to maximum capacity.

It shouldn’t be a surprise when players make significant leaps in their development between their first and second years. All the basics are installed by that point. Familiarity has been gained. It isn’t until this point that things slow down and players can thrive.

This is what we saw happen with New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kenny Stills during his second season. Perhaps some of the growth toward becoming a complete receiver last season was the result of being asked to do more as a sophomore, but the numbers and film show he was also in a better position to accomplish those tasks.


Read more: The maturation of Kenny Stills: Route breakdown shows receiver made significant growth in 2014 | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

lee909

Stills was a great pick.
I really like him,hope he takes another step forward next year

saintsfan1976

I've been here for a year too.

Anyone want to see my route tree? I drew it on whiteboard over here by the bench.




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dizzle88

On draft day a lot of analysts were saying that grabbing stills in the 5th round was an absolute steal, looks like they were right.

The best thing about him is he has proven he's not just a deep threat, he catches passes all over the field and you can see there's a real trust between him and Brees.

hagan714

run all the great routes you want. if drew does not have a pocket it is a waste of time

billyt81

Good route runner, consistent hands. Needs to be more aggressive going across the middle and sometimes struggles separating from bump and run coverage. In my opinion he also lacks creativity with the ball in his hands and almost never breaks tackles. Hit the weights and try to become Steve Smith. This is why I like Nick Toon. He appears to have the best chance of our WRs other than Cooks to catch a 5yd curl and create a big play. Colston used to do this, but not much anymore. I'm gonna stop dogging Stills though B&G. Pencil me in on his bandwagon. I think when he and Cooks are both at 100%, the Saints will have a very potent duo. Andre Johnson would still be better. Just sayin. Oh and of course-my chorus line,"Jimmy Graham should be a WR almost exclusively."

VegasSaint9

He really displayed his all around effectiveness in the Ravens game. Looked like Drew was throwing to Lance or Colston again.

SmashMouth

We do need some new beef on the OL.

Crusader

Great read. Stills was a good rookie and a better second year player. i still Think he has ways to go Before reaching his ceiling.

Rugby Saint II

He can only get better with more experience and time in a Sean Payton system with Drew Brees throwing to him. Speed kills and he's got it.