Last chapter, we covered Alt1's route from High School to the "NFL", via a stint at LSU. His rookie pro season came with high expectations, after somehow going first overall in the draft, and the Lafayette native delivered. Sort of.
Injury cut his season short, but he managed to put up #1 receiver numbers while playing second fiddle to Jarvis Landry for Miami. A whopping 97-yard touchdown reception was the highlight of his rookie year, while it was established that Alt1 has immense yards after catch potential.
Moving forward, Alt1 had a similarly productive sophomore year, ending the season with a similar amount of receiving yards (1,087 from 61 catches) but his role had shifted a little. Rather than being the clear #2 to his former college teammate, Alt1 and Landry were targeted almost evenly -- though Landry did miss three games due to injury. Noticeably absent from Alt1 were the long gains that had punctuated his arrival in the league the previous year, too. Concerns swirled about the long-term health of Alt1's knee following the injury that knocked him out of Miami's last game of the season in 2017...
2019 would disabuse those concerns entirely. Alt1 set a personal best with 1,271 yards, despite hauling in fewer catches (50 for the season). Most importantly, the jet-heeled wideout Miami had drafted returned, with Alt1 picking up 40 yards or more on almost one in four catches. Almost half of his receptions resulted in a gain of twenty yards or more. Despite these numbers, Alt1 still didn't get a call to the Pro Bowl, however.
After what appeared to be a breakout season, problems came back in 2020. Twice, Miami's speedster had to miss games due to severe migraines, leading to concerns over his longevity in the NFL. With the high-profile discussions on chronic traumatic encephalopathy ongoing, there was an understandable feeling of nervousness around Alt1. He would set people at ease with twelve touchdowns and a third season with over 1,000 yards. The long yardage plays continued, too, with roughly one in five receptions resulting in forty or more yards. Performances that led Miami to a division title and a playoff berth. Sadly, Alt1 struggled on the big stage, and Miami would lose in the Divisional Championship round.
Misfortune struck again in 2021, when a brutal hit laid Miami's star receiver out in an important divisional clash with New England. A win would have put Miami two games clear in the divisional title race at the halfway point of the season. It was not to be. The hit laid Alt1 out with a broken collarbone for a month, and without him, Miami slipped out of the playoff race. With the playoffs out of the question, Miami implemented a gradual recovery program for Delacour. His eventual return was underwhelming at first, clearly showing some apprehension toward contested balls, but by the end of the season, speed demon Delacour was back. An offensive player of the game award in the final week of the season reminded everyone that he was still a force. He ended the season having missed five games, and picking up just 789 yards. His first sub-1k season.
The next year, 2022, had to be a big year for Alt1 with his contract expiring soon and concerns still lingering over his long-term health -- and his durability in general. Especially given the low returns in 2021. After half of the season, the signs pointed to no extension. Local news crews began remarking on Delacour's body language, and as if in direct response, Alt1 set a franchise record, amassing 264 kickoff return yards (including a kickoff return touchdown; the third of his professional career). The fans made their feelings known too, mobbing their hero after the game for autographs. Sadly, two weeks later, Alt1 was ruled out with a fractured hip, and all the concerns over his durability and longevity resurfaced.
Another couple of good performances as the season wound down couldn't sway the front office, however, and Delacour was not offered a contract extension. Some would label him a draft bust at this point, citing back-to-back sub-1k seasons, and a questionable injury history. As the 2023 draft rolled around it was clear that for the first time, Alt1 would be testing free agency...
(712 words)
GRADED
Injury cut his season short, but he managed to put up #1 receiver numbers while playing second fiddle to Jarvis Landry for Miami. A whopping 97-yard touchdown reception was the highlight of his rookie year, while it was established that Alt1 has immense yards after catch potential.
Moving forward, Alt1 had a similarly productive sophomore year, ending the season with a similar amount of receiving yards (1,087 from 61 catches) but his role had shifted a little. Rather than being the clear #2 to his former college teammate, Alt1 and Landry were targeted almost evenly -- though Landry did miss three games due to injury. Noticeably absent from Alt1 were the long gains that had punctuated his arrival in the league the previous year, too. Concerns swirled about the long-term health of Alt1's knee following the injury that knocked him out of Miami's last game of the season in 2017...
2019 would disabuse those concerns entirely. Alt1 set a personal best with 1,271 yards, despite hauling in fewer catches (50 for the season). Most importantly, the jet-heeled wideout Miami had drafted returned, with Alt1 picking up 40 yards or more on almost one in four catches. Almost half of his receptions resulted in a gain of twenty yards or more. Despite these numbers, Alt1 still didn't get a call to the Pro Bowl, however.
After what appeared to be a breakout season, problems came back in 2020. Twice, Miami's speedster had to miss games due to severe migraines, leading to concerns over his longevity in the NFL. With the high-profile discussions on chronic traumatic encephalopathy ongoing, there was an understandable feeling of nervousness around Alt1. He would set people at ease with twelve touchdowns and a third season with over 1,000 yards. The long yardage plays continued, too, with roughly one in five receptions resulting in forty or more yards. Performances that led Miami to a division title and a playoff berth. Sadly, Alt1 struggled on the big stage, and Miami would lose in the Divisional Championship round.
Misfortune struck again in 2021, when a brutal hit laid Miami's star receiver out in an important divisional clash with New England. A win would have put Miami two games clear in the divisional title race at the halfway point of the season. It was not to be. The hit laid Alt1 out with a broken collarbone for a month, and without him, Miami slipped out of the playoff race. With the playoffs out of the question, Miami implemented a gradual recovery program for Delacour. His eventual return was underwhelming at first, clearly showing some apprehension toward contested balls, but by the end of the season, speed demon Delacour was back. An offensive player of the game award in the final week of the season reminded everyone that he was still a force. He ended the season having missed five games, and picking up just 789 yards. His first sub-1k season.
The next year, 2022, had to be a big year for Alt1 with his contract expiring soon and concerns still lingering over his long-term health -- and his durability in general. Especially given the low returns in 2021. After half of the season, the signs pointed to no extension. Local news crews began remarking on Delacour's body language, and as if in direct response, Alt1 set a franchise record, amassing 264 kickoff return yards (including a kickoff return touchdown; the third of his professional career). The fans made their feelings known too, mobbing their hero after the game for autographs. Sadly, two weeks later, Alt1 was ruled out with a fractured hip, and all the concerns over his durability and longevity resurfaced.
Another couple of good performances as the season wound down couldn't sway the front office, however, and Delacour was not offered a contract extension. Some would label him a draft bust at this point, citing back-to-back sub-1k seasons, and a questionable injury history. As the 2023 draft rolled around it was clear that for the first time, Alt1 would be testing free agency...
(712 words)
GRADED
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