Player Spotlight: Stedman Bailey

Stedman Bailey may just be the most underrated wide receiver the St. Louis Rams have, and one of the most underrated receivers in the entire NFL.

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But, ever since joining the Rams, Bailey has yet to show his full potential. Why is that? Well, with a lack of fire power at the quarterback position and a weak blocking offensive line, it’s hard to show what you can do. But, the Rams have revamped all of that. In comes quarterback Nick Foles and the offensive line while still not strong, has gotten better.

Bailey in 2015 will finally have a solid opportunity to show how good he can be. Bailey was one of the best receivers in college while playing at West Virginia University. But, how did he get to that point?

Bailey attended Miramar High School where he caught balls from New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith. Bailey caught just 14 touchdowns in his time in high school and racked up just over 1,000 yards for his career.

Bailey then enrolled at West Virginia and as a freshman, was the team’s fourth-leading receiver with 24 receptions for 317 yards and four touchdowns in 2010.

Bailey started in all 13 games for the Mountaineers during the 2011 season. He set the Mountaineer single season record for receiving yardage with 1,279 yards and tied the school record for most touchdown receptions with 12 in a single season.

As a Junior, Bailey topped his own record by posting 114 receptions for 1,622 yards and 25 touchdowns. Bailey led the nation in touchdowns, running away with it with a seven touchdown cushion. Bailey finished second in receptions and third in the nation in receiving yards. Subsequently, Smith led the nation in passing touchdowns with 42.

Bailey elected to forgo his senior season and entered the 2013 NFL draft along with Smith.

College teammate and now NFL teammate Tavon Austin caught just 12 touchdowns in 2012 for West Virginia but was drafted in the first round, eighth overall while Bailey who caught 25 and 400 more yards more through the air, was selected in the third round, with the 92nd pick overall.

As a rookie, Bailey caught just 17 passes for 226 yards and zero touchdowns.

In his second year in the NFL in 2014, Bailey’s numbers improved, but caught just 30 passes for 435 yards and one touchdown. But, Bailey would also return a punt for a touchdown on one of the trickiest plays of the year and was awarded as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

So, heading into his third year in the NFL, The 24-year-old Bailey has yet to break out. We are all waiting to see his senior season number’s from 2012.

Bailey, Like the rest of the receiving corps now have a quarterback who is more than capable of throwing the ball in their direction and that will show in 2015.

It is Bailey’s time to shine.