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2015 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper’s top wide receiver prospects

By Patrick Schmidt

Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) runs after a catch against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first quarter of the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) runs after a catch against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first quarter of the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mel Kiper has unveiled his top draft prospects at quarterback, running back, defensive end, defensive tackle and cornerback already this week and today the NFL Draft expert from ESPN unveiled his top wide receivers for next year’s draft.

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In a continuing trend for 2015 NFL Draft rankings another Florida State player is ranked high on Kiper’s list as Rashad Greene is the top senior on his board. He has led the Seminoles in receiving each of his three seasons in Tallahassee and with Jameis Winston back under center should make it four years in a row. He doesn’t have the size of his former teammate and 2014 first rounder Kelvin Benjamin at 6-feet and 180-pounds, but Greene has strong hands, can manipulate the defense to find open areas and is a crisp route runner.

Ty Montgomery from Stanford checks in as the No. 2 senior and after averaging more than 30 yards per kickoff return last season adds value on special teams. At 6-, 215-pounds, Montgomery has ideal size and is a big-ply threat with his ability to pick up yards after the catch. Depending on his time in the 40, he could be a first round candidate.

DeVante Parker was Teddy Bridgewater‘s favorite target last year at Louisville and the 6-3 receiver could hear his name called in the first 50 picks next year if he can have a productive season with a new quarterback under center.

Antwan Goodley comes in at No. 4 and Bryce Petty‘s top target at Baylor is a speed demon and should have another highly-productive season in the Bears offense. Rounding out Kiper’s top five senior receivers is Devante Davis from UNLV who has nice size at 6-3, 210-pounds and could be a real sleeper at the position this season.

The first receiver to hear his name called in the 2015 draft could be Kiper’s top junior, Alabama’s Amari Cooper who looks to rebound after a sophomore slump in which he battled nagging injuries after he had an exceptional freshman season two years ago. Cooper can do it all as a receiver. He can beat you in the short-intermediate passing game and take the top off the defense and beat you for an 80plus yard touchdown like he did in the Sugar Bowl last year.

Jaelen Strong comes in at No. 2 and Taylor Kelly‘s go-to guy at Arizona State should put up monster numbers again in the Sun Devils offense as he takes advantage of his 6-4 frame.

Nelson Agholor checks in as Kiper’s third junior receiver and the USC Trojan could be drafted higher than his former teammate Marqise Lee who was taken at the top of the second round last year. He led USC in receiving last year and is one of the more explosive wideouts in the country.

Stefon Diggs from Maryland brings exceptional change-of-direction skills and elusiveness to the field and reminds Kiper of former No. 4 overall pick and Heisman finalist, Peter Warrick, when he gets in the open field.

Rounding out Kiper’s top five is the player who could be the drafts biggest wildcard in former Missouri receiver Dorial Green-Beckham who was dismissed from the team this spring for repeated off-field incidents. He would have been a preseason first-team All-SEC performer and potential All-American this season.

At 6-6, 225-pounds there is not a player in the nation at his position with his measurables. He has first round ability but depending on how he prepares for the draft and matures off the field will dictate whether he’s taken in the top 32 or slips in the draft. Green-Beckham is unlikely to play football anywhere this year after previous reports suggested he could play for Eastern Illinois, but instead will work on being a better person and train for the draft.

Quinshad Davis from North Carolina and Deontay Greenberry from Houston come in at 5B and 5C on Kiper’s list.

Who do you think will be the first receiver taken in next year’s draft? Who is the biggest snub and the player who should have cracked this list?

Sound off in the comments section below with your thoughts.

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