Some fancy numbers on Ryan Switzer

[Mojouw]

I realize that Switzer is the #4 WR on the roster, but I still just don't get why the team thinks so highly of him. I guess he is okay at returns, certainly don't ever realistically think he is going to break one for a TD. And he sure is one tough SOB. But he doesn't seem to actually be a functioning NFL WR. So a punt/kick returner that is not a threat to score TDs and a sub-par WR? Huh? Maybe some of you all have some insight on why this guy is so valued by the team and fans?

Here is the thing on cutting Rogers, Switzer is basically a RB in terms of how he is used as a WR.

https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/stats/r...intended-yards

If you look at the TAY column (Average Targeted Air Yards - The average passing air yards per target for the receiver, by measuring the yards downfield at the time of all passing attempts that the receiver is the target. This stat indicates how far down the field they are being targeted on average.), he had the lowest in the league. That means he ran the shortest routes in the entire NFL last year. By almost 2 full yards. He was also 11th in separation at the time of the catch at 3.5 yards.

What does it all mean? It means that Switzer runs short as heck routes and catches the ball wide open. And there are a bunch of other wesbites that argue his YAC is sub-par. With some making the claim that he gets less yards after the catch than an average WR would/should in the same situations.

For some context other classic small shifty "slot guys" such as Cole Beasely was @ 7.4 yards and 3 yards of separation. Thielen was at 9.6 and 3. Golden Tate was at 6.3 and 3.

The only year that the nextgenstats site has for Eli Rogers is 2016. He is targeted 11.4 yards down the field, with only 3 yards of separation, and similarly sub-par YAC #'s. So Eli can get open deeper but also is not that great after the catch.

Maybe Diontae Johnson better just get good at NFL football ASAP? Because I don't think Switzer will be very good in an increased role and Rogers ain't coming back...

[86WARD]

Switzer is what he is. A return specialist that can provide some veteran receiver experience. He will make the key catch to move the chains, but he’s not a Pro-Bowler. Everyone wants him to be Wes Welker or Julian Edelman...just because he’s a white receiver. He’s not those guys. However, he’s solid. You know what your getting. Not the case with Rogers...Rogers has only played 30 games over three seasons so dependability is also an issue there.

He’s also a huge positive locker room guy and that’s what this team needs right now so to sacrifice Rogers upside to keep a similar WR in Switzer? I think that’s the move you make.

[Mojouw]

Here is the thing, he isn't really good at anything. He is exceedingly average on punt returns. I'm not going to even worry about kick returns, because that is basically useless. Switzer was 13/19 ranked guys in punt returns last year with an 8.4 average (#19 was 5.7 yards). So he is 3 strides better than the worst guy that caught enough punts to qualify. 3rd in the league in fair catches. So Switzer best skill is just settling under a punt and putting his arm up in the air.

https://www.footballdb.com/stats/sta...t=25&sort=prfc

I'm not even all that sad about waving goodbye to Eli Rogers. It is just that if you are going to keep a small WR on the roster because he is good at returns, than I would have kept Spencer 8 times out of 10. I get that he is going to muff a few and potentially lead to a damaging turnover. But he is also almost certain to rip off more than a few big returns.

It just seems that while Switzer's floor is pretty high because he has reliable hands; his ceiling is so low because he does not (can not?) get open down the field and he really isn't a threat to do all that much in the return game besides not fumble.

Folks seem to want Gentry. Grimble, and Dobbs off the roster because they don't contribute. Why all the love for this guy? He seems like a great human being, but he is barely an NFL football player so far in his career.

[polamalubeast]

The last thing that I want of a returner is fumble the ball ... It was a problem for Eli Rogers and even Spencer.

[Mojouw]

The last time that I want of a returner is fumble the ball ... It was a problem for Eli Rogers and even Spencer.

Fair enough and a critical point. But I just have a hard time buying there is no one out there in the pool of potential NFL players that can not reliably catch a punt AND bring something to the table at another position.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

Like 86Ward said he is a chain mover with those quick slants.

[pczach]

Fair enough and a critical point. But I just have a hard time buying there is no one out there in the pool of potential NFL players that can not reliably catch a punt AND bring something to the table at another position.

I like Switzer...I really do. But Rogers is the better pure receiver when healthy. The problem is that he has been banged up a fair amount of the time.

I think that Switzer's availability, his ability to return kicks, and his overall team presence is probably what tipped the scales for the team.

I'm guessing that was what they were thinking.

[GoSlash27]

Mojo,
I think you've already hit on the high points. He's tough, he's got good hands, he's a positive influence in the locker room, he can do punt returns, he doesn't fumble. In addition, he's very loyal to this organization for giving him a chance and he's fearless.
All of these attributes taken together are why he's on the team. Slot receiver and punt returner are the two most dangerous jobs a WR can do. He gladly does them both, reliably if not spectacularly. He doesn't get big YAC or anything, but he moves the chains.

[polamalubeast]

Ryan Switzer had 36 catch on 44 targets...Of course, not a lot of big play (7 yards per catch only) but it's almost an automatic completion when Ben target Switzer (81%)

Let's hope he's going to have more yards per catch this year, but Eli Rogers has not done much since his 2016 season ....

https://www.pro-football-reference.c...R/RogeEl00.htm

[FrancoLambert]

Always felt the Steelers (and Ben) liked Switzer more than Eli.
I thought Holton might push Switzer off the team because of his big play potential, but out of the three, Switzer’s the best and most reliable punt return man.

[Hawkman]

Fair enough and a critical point. But I just have a hard time buying there is no one out there in the pool of potential NFL players that can not reliably catch a punt AND bring something to the table at another position.

AB

- - - Updated - - -

Mojo,
I think you've already hit on the high points. He's tough, he's got good hands, he's a positive influence in the locker room, he can do punt returns, he doesn't fumble. In addition, he's very loyal to this organization for giving him a chance and he's fearless.
All of these attributes taken together are why he's on the team. Slot receiver and punt returner are the two most dangerous jobs a WR can do. He gladly does them both, reliably if not spectacularly. He doesn't get big YAC or anything, but he moves the chains.

....and Ben likes him.

[86WARD]

Here is the thing, he isn't really good at anything. He is exceedingly average on punt returns. I'm not going to even worry about kick returns, because that is basically useless. Switzer was 13/19 ranked guys in punt returns last year with an 8.4 average (#19 was 5.7 yards). So he is 3 strides better than the worst guy that caught enough punts to qualify. 3rd in the league in fair catches. So Switzer best skill is just settling under a punt and putting his arm up in the air.

https://www.footballdb.com/stats/sta...t=25&sort=prfc

I'm not even all that sad about waving goodbye to Eli Rogers. It is just that if you are going to keep a small WR on the roster because he is good at returns, than I would have kept Spencer 8 times out of 10. I get that he is going to muff a few and potentially lead to a damaging turnover. But he is also almost certain to rip off more than a few big returns.

It just seems that while Switzer's floor is pretty high because he has reliable hands; his ceiling is so low because he does not (can not?) get open down the field and he really isn't a threat to do all that much in the return game besides not fumble.

Folks seem to want Gentry. Grimble, and Dobbs off the roster because they don't contribute. Why all the love for this guy? He seems like a great human being, but he is barely an NFL football player so far in his career.

Rogers wasn’t really great as a receiver, poor as a return guy. He had a ton of potential...like AB type flash but never developed and wasn’t dependable. Spencer seemed to maybe be a good return guy, seemed to be pretty below average as a receiver. So you keep the veteran guy who is average at both and you add a roster spot for one of the LBs.

[polamalubeast]

It will be only the 3rd season in the NFL for Ryan Switzer,so he can be better...He will never be a star in this league, but he can be useful for severals little thing and also be a good presence in the locker room.

[cubanstogie]

He’s like a utility infielder in baseball who can play any position and pinch run due to good base running. I think Ben bromance with him helps his cause. A possession type receiver who’s reliable, I have no problem with him taking roster spot but don’t have any big expectations for a 4th receiver anyways. I also wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t make full season on team.

[Six Rings]

Ryan Switzer had 36 catch on 44 targets...Of course, not a lot of big play (7 yards per catch only) but it's almost an automatic completion when Ben target Switzer (81%)

Let's hope he's going to have more yards per catch this year, but Eli Rogers has not done much since his 2016 season ....

https://www.pro-football-reference.c...R/RogeEl00.htm

That is his role, get 5-8 yards and convert on a high %. Our nickel and dime player who's always open like 7-11.

[teegre]

Rogers was one of the “leaks” from last season’s locker room fiasco. He would have had to have been really, really ridiculously good to have been kept.

Plus, I read a PFF stat last year (it’s PFF, so take it for what it is) that Switzer converted the highest percentage of receptions on third-down targets of any receiver in the NFL. (Or, some crazy stat like that.)

SUMMATION:
Switzer may not have the raw numbers of Rogers, but does indeed Switzer possess a few skills worth keeping. And, Switzer is 100% a “team-first” guy.

[lt194camaroz]

Hopefully Dionte Johnson gets healthy soon and pushes switzer down the depth chart and makes him only relevant ad a returner and a short yardage receiver that specializes in coming in and converting to get first downs. I know hes not a down field threat but he does well in short yardage bc of his quickness. He's quick and shifty but I think his overall top speed is slower making him less effective.

[EzraTank]

I think there are linebackers in this league that could literally blow him over if they tried hard enough.