In the 1970s Oklahoma’s offense wasn’t too interested in throwing the ball. Billy Brooks, who was a dynamic downfield threat, only caught five passes in 1975, his final collegiate season, and finished his career with 24 receptions for 600 yards and six touchdowns. It was insane production for the limited volume, so the Bengals took a chance with the 11th pick.
As a rookie, Brooks wasn’t much more involved than he was in college, but he lacked the chunk plays that defined his career at OU. Brooks caught 16 passes for 191 yards with a long of 25.
1977 was his best season in the NFL. He finished his second year with 39 grabs for 772 yards and a long or 94. The next year, he nearly replicated that production with 506 yards on 30 receptions, but after taking a step back, his career went downhill quickly.
After 1978, Brooks caught 11 more passes in his career and retired after playing just five seasons. Brooks was a big-play threat that could never develop into a down-to-down receiver in the NFL.