The upcoming NFL Draft is set to take place April 30 through May 2 in Chicago, Illinois.
What follows is a breakdown of the Top Ten college wide receivers in the draft. There are always last minute trades with teams shifting and moving up and down the board depending on their needs.
If history proves anything it is that mistakes are common place and players are often overrated and under valued.
There has been a basic shift in the importance of wide receivers over the last decade. Run first – pass last, has been replaced by a greater emphasis on the vertical passing game.
Every team is looking for the big, physical wide out that can dominate the defence and break games open in one play.
#1. Kevin White (6’3” 215 lbs) West Virginia
I love this guy’s size and ability to out muscle defensive backs for position and possession of the football. Think Larry Fitzgerald with younger wheels.
White is going to draw double coverage from his first snap. Last season for the Mountaineers, White had 109 receptions for 1,447 yards and 10 TDs. If he stays healthy he could be the next big guy in the NFL. Just a monster.
#2. Amari Cooper (6’1” 211 lbs) Alabama
Another outstanding wide receiver from a winning program that can get the ball in traffic and stretch the defence. Nice route runner that has additional speed to create space and get open.
For the season, Cooper had 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns, all school records for the Crimson Tide.
Outstanding athlete with balance and a quiet toughness.
#3. Devante Parker (6’3” 209 lbs) Louisville
Great concentration in the air that allows him to come up with highlight-reel catches and he can tiptoe down the sidelines, or make that first down catch while falling out of bounds.
Parker has excellent body awareness. Last season for Louisville, Parker was somewhat underused but nevertheless, he recorded 43 receptions for 855 yards and 5 TDs.
Athletic skill and concentration to excel as back of the shoulder receiver that frustrates NFL defensive backs.
#4. Dorial Green-Beckham (6’5” 227 lbs) Missouri
Big, physical wide out that is the NFL’s new mould of receivers. He is flat out strong and will get the ball in traffic with smaller DB’s draped all over him.
Despite his size he is very smooth and he reminds me more of Vincent Jackson, when Jackson was with the Chargers and not playing for the Bucs. Playing for the Tigers last season, Green-Beckham pulled down 59 passes for 893 yards and 12 TDs.
#5. Rashad Green (5’11” 182 lbs) Florida State
Other people are higher on this guy than I am. He can play all three wide out positions because he reads defences well and can find the soft spot. Despite his lack of height he has the ability to go up and get the ball. Green is another smooth runner that adjusts well to balls in the air and make the catch.
Last season for Florida State, Green hauled down 99 passes for 1,365 yards and seven TDs.
#6. Devin Funchess (6’4” 232 lbs) Michigan
Yet another huge physically gifted wide receiver that actually looks more like a tight end than a wideout. His hands have been a question mark but with his size and athleticism he has the physical tools to be a dominant receiver in the NFL.
Last year for the Wolverines, Funchess recorded 62 receptions, 733 yards and four TDs.
#7. Devin Smith (6′ 196 lbs) Ohio State
This guy just might have the best ability to make acrobatic catches in air than anyone in the draft. He isn’t big, or physical but rather Smith has uncanny body awareness with the ability of tracking down passes and making catches. Smith recorded 33 receptions last year for 931 yards and 12 TDs.
#8. Nelson Agholor (6′ 198 lbs) USC
Nice addition to any team and just might make his name as a kick returner. That said, Agholor is a solid route runner that can find the seem and make big time catches.
Last year for the Trojans, Nelson had 104 receptions for 1,313 yards and 12 TDs. He has excellent vision and nice hands.
#9. Tyler Lockett (5’10” 182 lbs) Kansas State
Lockett is a speed burner with toughness and heart in a power packed smaller body. He gets the most out of his physical skills through practice, practice and more practice and runs crisp, clean routes. I would like to see him as a punt returner and as a slot receiver that finds open space and first downs. One year ago for the Wildcats, Lockett had 108 receptions, 1,515 yards and 11 TDs.
#10. Breshad Perriman (6’2” 212 pounds) Central Florida
Son of former Lions receiver Brett Perriman, Breshad grew up around the game and he runs crisp routes while stretching the field for the long ball. He has nice size and athletic ability to go with knowledge of coverages and how to get open.
He had 50 receptions last season, rumbled for over 1004 yards and scored nine TDs.
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