Because that was his role as given by Payton and Carmichael. Coleman actually played three seasons and was cut. Let's see what Smith does in his third season, okay?

How many seasons does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll pop?

Ahhh one,

Ahhh two,

Ahhh thrrrrree,

<crunch>

<lightbulb>

Ahhh thrrrrree!

That IS his role, however. That is far more on Payton and Carmichael than it is on Smith himself. You are far too hung up on draft position. It matters not whether he was drafted in the 1st or undrafted. He is playing the role he is given. With Thomas out his role will undoubtedly change to some degree, as will the role of % most others.

And I have a feeling you are projecting "struggling significantly to get separation" as a reason for few targets. That's why I think it would be a good idea to verify that is indeed a fact by checking out the all 22's. I think you would be surprised how often he is indeed open.

Then why spend a third round pick when you can get that production from an undrafted rookie free agent?

And when you continually blow your Day 1, Day 2 picks on specialized downfield blockers, you limit your success on the field before you even take the field...

Further, look at draft history, most, nearly all All-Pro, HOF talent is gone in the first two days, so it doesn't follow that it doesn't matter where a player is picked; gaffing there eliminates the talent pool from your roster...

All-Pros and HOFers on Day 3 and as UDFA are the outlier, not the norm...

It was a bad pick then, there were better players that met stronger needs for this team, and once again, Payton's weakness is shown as a Draft Manager...

Payton's a great offensive coordinator, but when it comes to personnel decisions, the team really needs a stronger GM who can override Payton on draft day and make the smarter moves...

Belichick wisely listens to counsel; Sean could learn to exercise some humility and understand spreading out the decision making and trusting guys like Ireland to get him the players for success...

Some simply won't admit that 3quan was a poor 3rd day draft selection and I'm not sure what to make of this Davenport kid. When he's injured, he's injured and gone for weeks at a time.

This year will be different though … ** welp **, right ?

K, I can separate the results from the actual move/trade/pick. With Davenport, I liked the move then, still like the aggressiveness to this day. It may not turn out well, when all has been said and done, but I did/do like the aggressive nature that got him here..., and I see why the team was high on him.

Bottom line though is two firsts is expensive, very expensive, and he will be judged to that price. Fair or not. Anybody who says: “he isn’t even worth one first, much less two” is somebody who I understand where they are coming from. I truly do hope he gets on the field soon, very soon, stays there through the playoffs and shuts all of us who are worried over him up. That’s up to him, ball (literally) is in his court.

Some simply won't admit that 3quan was a poor 3rd day draft selection and I'm not sure what to make of this Davenport kid. When he's injured, he's injured and gone for weeks at a time.

This year will be different though … ** welp **, right ?

Not to be a jerk, but he was a 3rd round, 2nd Day Pick - the ones you really have to make count...

K, I can separate the results from the actual move/trade/pick. With Davenport, I liked the move then, still like the aggressiveness to this day. It may not turn out well, when all has been said and done, but I did/do like the aggressive nature that got him here..., and I see why the team was high on him.

Bottom line though is two firsts is expensive, very expensive, and he will be judged to that price. Fair or not. Anybody who says: “he isn’t even worth one first, much less two” is somebody who I understand where they are coming from. I truly do hope he gets on the field soon, very soon, stays there through the playoffs and shuts all of us who are worried over him up. That’s up to him, ball (literally) is in his court.

TS pick isn’t as worrisome to me as the Davenport trade. Specifically targeting an individual, and moving forward with acquiring him using more than one first round picks just isn’t the same as sitting at 91 and picking the WR you like, or best player available on your board. The latter is a “meh, let’s see” pick and the former is a “this guy we gotta have” pick.