Hawkins Bolsters Receiving Corps

Lee is more than happy to get a starting opportunity with his new team

It's a move that nearly solidifies that the "TBD Gravy Train" will be spending this year's first overall pick on a franchise running back. But wheelin' and dealin' GM Ronnie Hawkins better make the most of it, because next year's first round selection is in the hands of Commissioner Warwick. Hawkins sent his 2016 first rounder to Warwick in exchange for receivers Marqise Lee and Reuben Randle, as well as the first pick of the third round in 2015, and the cherry on top, a second round selection in 2016. A big haul for a team looking to change their fortunes, and more ammo for a team flush with fantasy stars.

The 2014 season ended with Hawkins in a bind at the pass-catcher position. Only two of his wide receivers caught more than 70 passes (Decker 74, James Jones, 73) and six touchdowns (Jones and Greg Jennings, 6 each. There are also questions about future production in players like Pierre Garcon, who saw his production slashed due to DeSean Jackson's arrival in DC.The running backs are the glaring hole on this roster, but the once reliable receivers of Garcon and Decker no longer have the production that comes with catching passes from Peyton.  

Hawkins' overhaul of the wide receiver position began with the acquisition of Stedman Bailey, merely a throw-away player that was a part of a deal for picks. With Nick Foles now in St. Louis Bailey may show some flashes of his college days at West Virginia where he was a deep threat, but until we see anything he offers little value. Aside from trading away the team's namesake, Hawkins' biggest splash was to get Roddy White in exchange for a pair of third round picks. The team's starting roster of Decker, Garcon, and White looks decent on paper but the squad lacked young depth. Until Hawkins and Warwick shook hands (in theory) on the most recent trade of the offseason.

Warwick found himself with plenty of talent on his roster, but when you have superstars in your starting lineup, the talent isn't always allowed to shine. That made both Marqise Lee and Reuben Randle expendable. Was it possible overkill to lock up a first round selection? Maybe, but Warwick didn't need the 3rd rounder this year as he owns 5 of the first 16 picks and getting a future first that could be in the top 4 picks next year could prove to be an invaluable steal.   

Will Randle's Stock Rise or Fall in the Big Apple?

In judging the winner of the trade, my gut says Warwick because he didn't really lose anything and gained the most valuable draft pick variety, but I have to call it a draw. Hawkins gained players talented enough to contribute and young enough to build around, if they develop. Of those, Marqise Lee has the most potential to thrive on Hawkins' team. Last season it seemed like every Jaguar receiver flashed signs of potential, but were bogged down by injury. I like what I see in Lee, but I honestly think Allen Robinson is the wideout that shows the most potential to be a WR1. But Lee's upside is definitely worth the it for a team desperate for a future star.

Reuben Randle is an enigma. He got plenty of shots last season with Victor Cruz out and the Giants brass handling Odell Beckham Jr. with kid gloves, but he simply didn't covert the targets and catches into reliable production. It's fair to assume the targets will be few and far between again in 2015 as Randle will slide into the 3-spot on the wide receiver depth chart. What could help Randle is that Ben McAdoo's system has a track record of giving three wideouts decent fantasy production. It worked in Green Bay with Jennings, Jordy, and James Jones all getting their time in the spotlight. Cruz's return could be slow giving him a chance to start opposite OBJ (or ODB in certain circles) but weekly fantasy production is going to be hard to predict. There's also the emergence of Larry Donnell at tight end... but that's a different story.

Where Hawkins really helped himself is getting another pick in the talent-rich draft of 2015 and a second round selection next year. Losing out on the first round (which could again be a top selection) hurts but having ammo to either move up or make two second round selections will help the team continue to rebuild. Was the trade earth-shattering? No. But it will probably have an impact on how Hawkins' team fares in 2015.  

In roster trimming moves, Hawkins served pink slips to Wide Receiver Jared Abberderris and Tight End Troy Niklas. Abbrederris' fate was sealed when the Pack re-signed Randall Cobb and Niklas has the gold-domer pedigree but wasn't able to beat out the replacement level players that posed as Cardinal Tight Ends.