There is a piece of me that believes that part of the thinking that went in to the pick of Tyler Lockett was what happened to us in the Super Bowl. As painful of a memory as that is to dredge up, think it about for a second -- who was it who really toasted us in that game? Yes Gronkowski had his moments, but the guy who really gave us grief in the SB ... was Julian Edelman. The LOB just couldn't shut that guy down. He was jitter bug quick, elusive, and had that real ankle breaking change of direction that our guys flat out couldn't stop. Edelman is a shorter receiver as well (5'10"), just like Lockett.
I'm wondering, just wondering, if in looking at the coach's tape of the Super Bowl the coaches said to themselves, "You know what, this is a critical element of our offense (that since the departure of Tate) that we're missing." Lockett, like Edelman, is a smaller receiver and has that same amazing ankle breaking change of direction quickness he does.
And for those out there who are knocking the Hawks for going after a smaller receiver, keep in mind -- Steve Largent was only 5'11" and weighed in at around 185 pounds as well. He wasn't fast (he only ran about a 4.7), but what made him great and an absolute pain in the butt for opposing CB's to cover was the fast that he could cut on a dime. Besides having phenomenal hands, great route running ability, and body control, he had ankle breaking change of direction ability. That's what drove corners nuts and Lockett's certainly got that as well.
Just a thought as I'm processing through the moves this team made this weekend. I'm intrigued to finally see the final product on the field this Fall.