The class of WR’s in 2014 was amazing, we seen them have top level production as rookies. This year’s class isn’t as good as a whole, but is very top heavy. I have 22 WR’s with at least a 4th round grade this year, here is how I have them ranked heading into the draft. The top three on my list: Cooper, Parker and White, are all elite level, can’t miss prospects in my opinion. Not too many weaknesses with these guys.
1. WR Amari Cooper 6’1 211 lbs Jr. Alabama (#2 on the Big Board) Grade: 1st Round
Career Stats: 40 games 228 rec 3,463 yards 15.2 avg 31 TD
40 Time: 4.42 3 Cone: 6.71 Short Shuttle: 3.98 Vertical: 33 inches Broad Jump: 10’0
Strengths: Three year starter who is the complete package as a WR. The safest prospect in the entire draft in my opinion. Very gifted athletically, but is a technician. Can run the entire route tree, creates separation with his speed and precise cuts. Cooper can win outside or inside, very tough, willing to make contested catches in traffic. Can beat you deep, convert key third downs, or take the short pass the distance. He’s very good with the football in his hands after the catch. Even at 6’1, he’s pretty good and going up and high pointing footballs.
Weaknesses: Occasionally will have concentration lapses and will have a case of the drops.
2. WR DeVante Parker 6’3 209 lbs Sr. Louisville ( #4 on the Big Board) Grade: 1st Round
Career Stats: 42 games 156 rec 2,775 yards 17.8 avg 33 TD
40 Time: 4.45 Bench: 17 reps Vertical: 36.5 Broad Jump: 10’5
Strengths: Elite height, weight, speed combination. Played in a pro style passing offense in his career, runs the entire route tree, understands coverage. Recognizes zone vs man, knows when to sit and make himself available. Has lined up outside and in the slot, winning in both spots. Parker is a big play WR, who has to speed to eat up the cushion vs off coverage, run by corners and take the top off of the defense. Natural hands catcher, goes up and snatches the football out of the air when contested on the regular.
Weaknesses: Parker is so gifted physically that he gets sloppy with his routes at times, he must become a consistent route runner at the next level. Missed half of the 2014 season with a broken foot.
3. WR Kevin White 6’3 215 lbs Sr. West Virginia (#5 on the Big Board) Grade: 1st Round
Career Stats: 24 games 144 rec 1,954 yards 15 TD
40 Time: 4.35 Bench: 23 reps Vertical: 36.5 inches 3 Cone: 6.92 Short Shuttle: 4.14 Broad Jump: 9’10
Strengths: Big, fast, and very strong. The complete package, who has an huge upside as a pro. White really uses his size to his advantage when getting off of the line of scrimmage, getting good releases, getting on top of the CB, then using his speed to blow by them. Runs the post, stop, curl, slant and go route efficiently. Has not only won outside, but has reps on film winning in the slot as well, where he uses his big body and strong hands to make tough contested catches. Red zone threat because of his height, strong hands and jumping ability. Can take the short pass the distance.
Weaknesses: Has to learn the entire route tree, along with the pro style offense.
4. WR Devin Funchess 6’4 232 lbs Jr. Michigan (#24 on the Big Board) Grade: 1st Round
Career Stats: 37 games 126 rec 1,715 yards 15 TD
40 Time: 4.47 Bench: 17 Vertical: 38.5 Short Shuttle: 4.48 3 Cone: 6.98 Broad Jump: 10’2
Strengths: Was listed as a TE his first two years, before being listed as a WR in 2014, but he’s played all over the field during his three year career. On tape you see him line up inside, along with outside and win. He’s too big for slot CB’s, has proven to be able to get open as a target on the outside, and he’s too big and fast for safeties. He shows the ability to get down the field and make acrobatic plays. Gets in and out of breaks well for a big guy. Able to go up and make plays through contact with guys hanging on him.
Weaknesses: Funchess will have concentration lapses and drop routine passes. Funchess is still raw for the WR position, has to sharpen up his route running, and prove that he can get open vs NFL CB’s.
5. WR Dorial Green-Beckham 6’5 237 lbs rSo Oklahoma (#27 on the Big Board) Grade: 1st Round
Career Stats: 25 games 87 rec 1,278 yards 14.7 avg 17 TD
40 time: 4.49 Bench: 13 reps Vertical: 33.5 inches Broad Jump: 10’0 3 Cone: 6.89 Short Shuttle: 4.45
Strengths: Physical freak, can run by you, jump over you and snatch the football, and run you over with it in his hands. Natural hands catcher, displays the ability to make contested catches in traffic. Fluid athlete who threatens the defense vertically and especially in the red zone with his height, big body, and ability to go up and get the football. Huge upside with this kid.
Weaknesses: Was dismissed from Missouri after failing multiple drug tests, and allegedly pushing a female down a flight of stairs, after breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s place. Will teams pass on him because they feel as though he can’t be trusted off of the field. DGB also has to develop as a route runner, must learn the entire route tree.
6. WR Nelson Agholor 6’0 198 lbs Jr. USC (#31 on the Big Board) Grade: 2nd Round
Career Stats: 40 games 178 rec 2,572 yards 14.4 avg 20 TD 37 PR 570 yards 14.6 avg 4 TD 24 KR 443 yards
40 Time: 4.42 Bench Press: 12 reps
Strengths: Nelson is arguably the best route runner in the entire draft, coming from the pro style offense at USC. Flashes the ability to stretch the defense with his speed, but is also a very effective underneath WR, outside and in the slot. He’s a good possession WR, that excels on third downs making the tough short to intermediate catches in the middle of the field. He adds instant value as a returner with 4 punt returns for TD’s in his career. Gets open because of his sharp route running.
Weaknesses: Agholor has difficulty making contested catched down the field on the deep passes. He also has to continue to get stronger in his upper body and work on getting off on the line of scrimmage vs big press cornerbacks.
7. WR Jaelen Strong 6’2 217 lbs rJr. Arizona St. (#32 on the Big Board) Grade: 2nd Round
Career Stats: 26 games 157 rec 2,287 yards 14.6 avg 17 TD
40 Time: 4.44 Vertical: 42 inches Broad Jump: 10’3
Strengths: Tall. long, big body, that he uses to his advantage to make plays. Projects as a possession receiver, who wins with his size, leaping ability and strength, which will make him a great red zone target. Makes contested catches on the regular. Runs the stop fade very well. Natural hands catcher.
Weaknesses: Ran 4.44 at the combine, but doesn’t play that fast on tape. Doesn’t create a lot of separation out of breaks when running his routes. Has to get surgery to repair a break in his wrist.
8. WR Devin Smith 6’0 196 lbs Sr. Ohio St. (#39 on the Big Board) Grade: 2nd round
Career Stats: 54 games 121 rec 2,503 yards 20.7 avg 30 TD
40 Time: 4.42 Bench Press: 10 reps Vertical: 39 inches 3 Cone: 6.83 Short Shuttle: 4.15 Broad Jump: 10’2
Strengths: Arguably the best deep threat in the draft. Tracks, and catches the football down the field better then any other player in this draft. Has flashed some route running short and intermediate route running ability during Senior Bowl week. Brings instant value as a kick and punt coverage unit guy. Has great body control, can twist, contort, and jump up to high point the deep ball.
Weaknesses: Has to prove that he’s more then just a one trick pony. That he can run the entire route tree, along with catching the football consistently when contested on the slants, curls, quick outs and digs.
9. WR Breshad Perriman 6’2 212 lbs rJr. UCF (#47 on the Big Board) Grade: 2nd Round
Career Stats: 39 games 115 rec 2,243 yards 19.5 avg 16 TD
40 Time: 4.27 Vertical: 36.5 Bench Press: 18 Broad Jump: 10’7
Strengths: Blessed with elite physical traits as a WR prospect. He’s big, strong, fast, and very explosive. Comes from great genes, his father Brett played for the University of Miami(1984-87) and spent 10 years in the NFL, with back to back 1,000 yard seasons for the Lions(1995-96). Perriman is a legit deep threat who threatens to take the top off of a defense on a consistent basis. He is acrobatic, athletic, displays the ability to go up and make the spectacular catch on a consistent basis. Flashes the natural ability to pluck the football out if the air with his hands. Raw, but has a lot of potential.
Weaknesses: Perriman needs to sharpen up his route running, he rounds off a lot of routes, and doesn’t get in and out of his breaks well consistently. He also dropped 14% of passes thrown his way, which is a huge amount. Perriman is a boom or bust prospect in my opinion, he’s either going to develop into a very good WR, or he’s going to be Stephen Hill….Darrius Heyward-Bey.
10. WR Rashad Greene 5’11 182 lbs Sr. Florida St. (#51 on the Big Board) Grade: 2nd Round
Career Stats: 51 games 270 rec 3,830 yards 14.2 avg 29 TD 38 PR 468 yards 12.3 avg 2 TD
40 Time: 4.53 Vertical: 36.5 inches Broad Jump: 10’2 3 Cone: 6.88 Short Shuttle: 4.12
Strengths: Greene is a very sharp route runner with speed to stretch the defense, but he’s also a tough possession guy who is willing to make plays in the middle of the field. Very good slot WR, where he wins with great feet and quickness. Very reliable hands. One of the best punt returners in the draft as well.
Weaknesses: Has had issues getting off of the line of scrimmage vs big, physical CB’s. He has to get stronger in his upper body, and become more crafty in order to get clean releases on a consistent basis.
11. WR Phillip Dorsett 5’9 185 lbs Sr. Miami(FL) (#56 on the Big Board) Grade: 3rd Round
Career Stats: 37 games 108 rec 1,860 yards 17.2 avg 15 TD
40 Time: 4.27 Vertical: 38 inches Broad Jump: 10’9 3 Cone: 6.85 Short Shuttle: 4.03
Strengths: Dorsett has blazing, legit track speed on the football field. Teams refused to press him for the fear of he running right by their entire defense. He averaged 24.2 yards per catch and had 10 TD in just 36 receptions in 2014, after missing the entire 2013 with a torn ACL. A threat to take a short pass the distance.
Weaknesses: Dorsett has to prove that he’s more the just a deep threat. Mastering the entire route tree and showing he can make contested catches in traffic, in short to intermediate areas is a must. He hasn’t faced a lot of reps vs press coverage in college, will have to learn to get clean releases at the next level.
12. WR/KR/PR Ty Montgomery 6’0 222 lbs Sr. Stanford (#60 on the Big Board) Grade: 3rd Round
Career Stats: 49 games 172 rec 2,125 yards 12.4 avg 15 TD 39 carries 334 yards 8.6 avg 4 TD 91 KR 2,453 yards 3 TD 12 PR 238 yards 19.8 avg 2 TD
40 Time: 4.50 Vertical: 40.5 inches 3 Cone: 6.97 Broad Jump: 10’1 Short Shuttle: 4.21
Strengths: Montgomery is a well put together athlete who is among the best playmakers in the draft. He’s very dangerous with the football in his hands. He excels in the slot, finding the soft spots vs zone or beating man coverage, uses his big body to make touch catches in traffic. He’s also flashed the ability to beat deep as well, he plays a lot faster then his 40 time would suggest. He also has served as the wildcat QB, and is among the best return guys in the draft. He has 5 return TD’s and could be a Pro Bowler on special teams in year one.
Weaknesses: Montgomery must get better as a route runner, with his speed and quickness he could be a threat inside and outside if he got better. He also has occasional concentration lapses, which lead to drops. Sometimes allows the ball to get into his body instead of using his hands.
13. WR Sammie Coates 6’1 212 lbs rJr. Auburn (#67 on the Big Board) Grade: 3rd Round
Career Stats: 38 games 82 rec 1,757 yards 21.4 avg 13 TD
40 Time: 4.43 Bench Press: 23 reps Vertical: 41 inches Broad Jump: 10’11 3 Cone: 6.98 Short Shuttle: 4.06
Strengths: Big, strong, runs fast, jumps very high. Physically imposing WR that threatens the defense with his speed. Really tracks the football well on the deep passes, goes up and gets to football. Was one of Auburn’s best Kick and Punt cover guys.
Weaknesses: Right now he’s a one trick pony, he needs to develop the ability to run the entire route tree. He also has inconsistent hands, double catches or drops a decent amount of balls.
14. WR/DB Tony Lippett 6’3 192 lbs rSr. Michigan St. (#80 on the Big Board) Grade: 3rd Round
Career Stats: 54 games 149 rec 2,247 yards 15.1 avg 15 TD
40 Time: 4.57 Bench Press: 10 reps Vertical: 36 Inches Broad Jump: 9’6 3 Cone: 6.92 Short Shuttle: 4.13
Strengths: Polished route runner, tall, long frame with a huge catch radius. Played in a pro style system in college, experienced playing outside and in the slot. Goes up and high points the football very well. Finds the soft spot in zone coverage. Played CB some during his freshmen year, then as a senior he played CB for a majority of his season. Some teams actually like him as a CB more then WR. His versatility gives him added value.
Weaknesses: Not a burner, doesn’t threaten the defense with his speed. Very thin, he needs to add strength to his frame in order to deal with the physical CB’s and to consistently make catches through contact.
15. WR Jamison Crowder 5’8 185 lbs Sr. Duke (#82 on the Big Board) Grade: 3rd Round
Career Stats: 52 games 283 rec 3,641 yards 12.9 avg 23 TD 65 PR 869 yards 13.4 4 TD 44 KR 930 21.1 avg
40 Time: 4.46 Bench Press: 10 reps Vertical: 37 Inches Broad Jump: 10’3 3 Cone: 6.98 Short Shuttle: 4.25
Strengths: Crowder is among the best route runners in the draft. He is at his best in the slot, where his quickness and agility is on display. Makes tough catches in traffic, which is very impressive for a small guy. Even flashes the ability to climb the ladder and high point footballs. Gets open vs man and zone coverage. Return specialist as well, he has 4 punt return TD’s.
Weaknesses: Has some issues getting clean releases vs the bigger, longer, stronger CB’s on the outside. May be just restricted to playing inside because of his size.
The rest of the WR’s with draft worthy grades:
16. WR Tyler Lockett 5’10 182 lbs Sr. Kansas St. (#88 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
17. WR Tre McBride 6’0 210 lbs Sr. William & Mary (#90 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
18. WR Justin Hardy 5’10 192 lbs Sr. East Carolina (#102 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
19. WR Antwan Goodley 5’10 209 lbs rSr. Baylor (#104 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
20. WR Chris Conley 6’2 213 lbs Sr. Georgia (#110 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
21. WR Josh Harper 6’1 191 lbs rSr. Fresno St. (#126 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
22. WR DeVante Davis 6’3 220 lbs Sr. UNLV (#130 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
23. WR Kenny Bell 6’1 197 lbs rSr. Nebraska (#141 on the Big Board) Grade: 5th Round
24. WR DeAndre Smelter 6’2 226 lbs Sr. Georgia Tech (#149 on the Big Board) Grade: 5th Round
25. WR Rannell Hall 6’0 198 lbs Sr. UCF (#150 on the Big Board) Grade: 5th Round
26. WR Dezmin Lewis 6’4 214 lbs Sr. Central Arkansas (#155 on the Big Board) Grade: 5th Round
27. WR Stefon Diggs 6’0 195 lbs Jr. Maryland (#167 on the Big Board) Grade: 5th Round
28. WR Vince Mayle 6’2 224 lbs rSr. Washington St. (#184 on the Big Board) Grade: 6th Round
29. WR Chris Harper 5’11 170 lbs Jr. Cal-Berkley (#186 on the Big Board) Grade: 6th Round
30. WR Ezell Ruffin 6’0 218 lbs Sr. San Diego St. (#208 on the Big Board) Grade: 6th Round
31. WR Austin Hill 6’3 210 rSr. Arizona (#214 on the Big Board) Grade: 6th Round
32. WR Kasen Williams 6’3 221 lbs Sr. Washington (#222 on the Big Board) Grade: 6th Round
33. WR/KR Donatella Luckett 6’0 210 lbs Sr. Harding (#228 on the Big Board) Grade: 7th Round
34. WR Jordan Taylor 6’5 210 lbs Sr. Rice (#232 on the Big Board) Grade: 7th Round
35. WR Isaac Blakeney 6’4 225 lbs Sr. Duke (#255 on the Big Board) Grade: 7th Round
36. WR Dres Anderson 6’1 187 lbs Sr. Utah (#256 on the Big Board) Grade: 7th Round
Muslim Football Scout 
I couldn’t disagree more on Funchess, he’s not even in my top 15 WR’s. Would be a good TE prospect but just do not see him as a WR in the NFL. He also ran a 4.70 40 at the combine the 4.47 was at his pro day.
I just can’t see him going in the first round of the NFL Draft.
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Ok he ran a 4.47 40…. has the speed, athleticism, size, hands and traits to be an Alshon Jeffery-Kelvin Benjamin type of player… plenty of guys ran bad at the combine, run better, perform better at pro days. You don’t have him in your top 15, that’s cool…I got my eyes, you have yours. He wins inside and outside by the way
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