SI 300 Rankings: WR
The 2014 wideout crop was top class. This group could be better WITH 2014 STATS
4 KEVIN WHITE
West Virginia (6'3", 215 lbs.)
109 rec / 1,447 yards / 10 TDs
PROS
Wins speed battles downfield against elite DBs. Prototype X-iso WR who tilts coverage his way.
CONS
Doesn't show track speed off snap. Not always willing to dive into traffic.
NFL COMP
Larry Fitzgerald
7 AMARI COOPER
Alabama (6'1", 211 lbs.)
124 rec / 1,727 yards / 16 TDs
PROS
Knows how to create space. Bursts out of routes. Unafraid of traffic. Capable with entire route tree.
CONS
Probably will never be a great run blocker; could be a little more physical.
NFL COMP
Jordy Nelson
9 DEVANTE PARKER
Louisville (6'3", 209 lbs.)
43 rec / 855 yards / 5 TDs
PROS
Explosive in the air. Shows a feel for the sideline, making him a reliable back-shoulder or end zone target.
CONS
Not always able to hold his route when faced with body contact.
NFL COMP
Alshon Jeffery
22 DORIAL GREEN-BECKHAM
Missouri (6'5", 227 lbs.)
59 rec / 883 yards / 12 TDs
PROS
Comes off the snap with smooth acceleration. Physical enough to make catches with CBs hanging all over him.
CONS
Off-field issues require serious cross-checking.
NFL COMP
Plaxico Burress
33 DEVIN FUNCHESS
Michigan (6'4", 232 lbs.)
62 rec /733 yards / 4 TDs
PROS
Freakishly defined upper body, wide lower base—looks more like a TE. If you're going to play press against him, you'd better mean it.
CONS
Less smooth in short spaces. Inconsistent hands.
NFL COMP
Kelvin Benjamin
38 RASHAD GREENE
Florida State (5'11", 182 lbs.)
99 rec / 1,365 yards / 7 TDs
PROS
Lines up credibly at X, Y and Z positions. Can set the bar in vertical battles. Smooth gliding stride; tracks and adjusts to the ball well.
CONS
Weak blocker. Doesn't fit the profile of a No. 1 WR.
NFL COMP
Doug Baldwin
41 JAELEN STRONG
ARIZONA STATE (6'2", 217 LBS.)
82 rec / 1,165 yards / 10 TDs
PROS
Expanded catch radius with inconsistent ASU QBs. Good upper-body strength.
CONS
Tends to lope.
NFL COMP
Muhsin Muhammad
43 DEVIN SMITH
Ohio State (6'0", 196 lbs.)
33 rec / 931 yards / 12 TDs
PROS
Simply incredible when the ball is in the air, tracking it as well as any college WR you'll see. Draws penalties.
CONS
Less of a sure thing on short, intermediate routes. Will have to get better at reading defenses.
NFL COMP
Torrey Smith
47 NELSON AGHOLOR
USC (6'0", 198 lbs.)
104 rec / 1,313 yards / 12 TDs
PROS
Sees field well; return game may be what gets him on the field quickest in NFL.
CONS
In a nutshell, strength. Gets banged around outside.
NFL COMP
Jarvis Landry
55 TYLER LOCKETT
Kansas State (5'10", 182 lbs.)
106 rec / 1,515 yards / 11 TDs
PROS
Outstanding routes; knows how to stick his foot in the ground, make a decisive cut. Dynamite return man.
CONS
Will be limited to the slot due to his size.
NFL COMP
Kenny Stills
59 PHILLIP DORSETT
Miami (5'10", 185 lbs.)
36 rec / 871 yards / 10 TDs
PROS
His 4.33 40 mark at the combine proved he can fly. So, too, did his 24.2 yards per catch last season.
CONS
Questions about durability (right knee).
NFL COMP
Ted Ginn Jr.
62 BRESHAD PERRIMAN
Central Florida (6'2", 212 lbs.)
50 rec / 1,044 yards / 9 TDs
PROS
Brett's son is an outstanding deep threat, adept at using size and cutting ability to get under coverage on slants and drags.
CONS
Will need to round out his route knowledge.
NFL COMP
Sidney Rice
66 SAMMIE COATES
Auburn (6'1", 212 lbs.)
34 rec / 741 yards / 4 TDs
PROS
Great straight-line burst; ability to jostle CB and establish position downfield. Tracks ball well at top speed.
CONS
Work in progress, drops far too many passes.
NFL COMP
Torrey Smith
101 JUSTIN HARDY
East Carolina (5'10", 192 lbs.)
121 rec / 1,494 yards / 10 TDs
PROS
All-time FBS receptions leader is one of draft's best route runners. Can win jump balls against bigger DBs.
CONS
Lacks athleticism of a pro-caliber receiver.
NFL COMP
Stedman Bailey
108 TRE MCBRIDE
William & Mary (6'0", 210 lbs.)
64 rec / 809 yards / 4 TDs
PROS
Has a truly special ability to adjust to the ball in the air. Not afraid to work over the middle and take big blows.
CONS
His 4.4 speed rarely shows on tape; won't run away from NFL defenders.
NFL COMP
Pierre Garçon
119 JAMISON CROWDER
Duke (5'8", 185 lbs.)
85 rec / 1,044 yards / 6 TDs
PROS
Very good at getting free from press coverage at the line with head and foot fakes. Natural pick player.
CONS
May need the space of the slot to play at NFL level.
NFL COMP
Harry Douglas
123 JOSH HARPER
Fresno State (6'1", 191 lbs.)
90 rec / 1,097 yards / 7 TDs
PROS
Need to move the chains? Here's your guy. Plays as if he has glue on his hands, in traffic or on the run.
CONS
Aside from his hands, nothing jumps off the tape. Will rarely threaten deep.
NFL COMP
Jason Avant
127 TONY LIPPETT
MICHIGAN STATE (6'2", 192 LBS.)
65 rec / 1,198 yards / 11 TDs
PROS
Physical, not afraid of contact. Good route runner. His length would be coveted at DB if he's open to switching to his part-time college position.
CONS
May struggle to get open against pro defenders.
NFL COMP
Michael Jenkins
132 DRES ANDERSON
Utah (6'1", 187 lbs.)
22 rec / 355 yards / 4 TDs
PROS
Flipper's kid has a knack for pulling away from DBs in space—and not just with speed. Adjusts routes to zone defenses well.
CONS
Needs to bulk up for NFL. Bad drops on occasion.
NFL COMP
Chris Givens
134 ANTWAN GOODLEY
Baylor (5'10", 209 lbs.)
60 rec / 830 yards / 6 TDs
PROS
Explosive, with quick-twitch movements. Has toughness to work in traffic from slot, on vertical routes.
CONS
Lacks height, thick upper body. Poor blocker.
NFL COMP
Steve Smith
143 VINCE MAYLE
Wash. State (6'2", 224 lbs.)
106 rec / 1,483 yards / 9 TDs
PROS
Huge target, which makes him useful on slants, smoke screens. Doesn't shy from contact over middle.
CONS
For his size, far too weak against press coverage.
NFL COMP
Sidney Rice
165 CHRIS CONLEY
GEORGIA (6'2", 213 LBS.)
36 rec / 657 yards / 8 TDs
PROS
Dazzled at the combine. Can make acrobatic catches with his A-plus body control.
CONS
Not a lot of make-you-miss moves in space.
NFL COMP
Ricardo Lockette
167 DEZMIN LEWIS
Central Ark. (6'4", 214 lbs.)
64 rec / 945 yards / 9 TDs
PROS
Great at catching with hands extended, bringing the ball into his body. Tracks well.
CONS
Rarely gets behind DBs without play-design help.
NFL COMP
James Jones
175 TITUS DAVIS
Central Mich. (6'1", 196 lbs.)
60 rec / 980 yards / 13 TDs
PROS
Made a name for himself with route-running, soft hands. Maintains awareness for quick sideline catches.
CONS
Top-end speed (4.51 40) is an issue. Took advantage of mediocre MAC defenses.
NFL COMP
Rishard Matthews
179 TY MONTGOMERY
Stanford (6'0", 221 lbs.)
61 rec / 604 yards / 3 TDs
PROS
Ideal size for an NFL WR: long arms and broad frame. Can play anywhere on the field.
CONS
Allows ball to get into his pads way too often.
NFL COMP
Jacoby Jones
180 KENNY BELL
Nebraska (6'1", 197 lbs.)
47 rec / 788 yards / 6 TDs
PROS
Fights for balls in tight spaces. Not a big WR but had impressive open-field blocks.
CONS
Needs polish as route runner. Must add weight.
NFL COMP
Kenny Stills
187 DAVARIS DANIELS
Notre Dame (6'1", 201 lbs.)
*49 rec / 745 yards / 7 TDs
PROS
Long frame; good hands. Grew up around NFL. (Dad is retired DE Phillip Daniels.)
CONS
His 4.62 40 at combine was 19th out of 20 WRs.
NFL COMP
Greg Salas
189 RANNELL HALL
Central Florida (6'0", 198 lbs.)
49 rec / 500 yards / 0 TDs
PROS
Swiss Army knife spent time as college WR, RB, KR. Solid agility; good football IQ.
CONS
Doesn't have top-tier size. Plagued by drops in '14.
NFL COMP
Robert Woods
193 DARREN WALLER
Georgia Tech (6'6", 238 lbs.)
26 rec / 442 yards / 6 TDs
PROS
Presents matchup problem with his height, athleticism (4.46 40; 37" vertical) and body control.
CONS
He's a project. Yellow Jackets' O didn't require him to know many routes.
NFL COMP
Martavis Bryant
200 DEVANTE DAVIS
UNLV (6'3", 220 lbs.)
34 rec / 599 yards / 4 TDs
PROS
Quick; he's a good downfield receiver. Solid footwork at sideline and near back of end zone.
CONS
Lacks speed. Doesn't have the best hands.
NFL COMP
Riley Cooper
210 STEFON DIGGS
Maryland (6'0", 195 lbs.)
62 rec /792 yards / 5 TDs
PROS
Physical enough to go up in traffic and come down with the ball. Shows ability to make plays in the slot; could be effective kick returner.
CONS
Overly emotional; takes self out of games at times.
NFL COMP
Brandon LaFell
235 AUSTIN HILL
Arizona (6'3", 212 lbs.)
49 rec / 635 yards / 4 TDs
PROS
Physical player who can get his big hands on the ball. Dedicated to the weight room.
CONS
Still trying to regain speed after torn left ACL.
NFL COMP
Davante Adams
244 J.J. NELSON
UAB (5'10", 156 lbs.)
35 rec / 655 yards /4 TDs
PROS
Fastest man at combine (4.28 40) shows great balance along sideline. Good vision for the holes in a D.
CONS
Slight frame makes broken tackles a rarity.
NFL COMP
De'Anthony Thomas
254 KEITH MUMPHERY
Michigan State (6'0", 215 lbs.)
26 rec / 495 yards / 3 TDs
PROS
Good body control; makes difficult catches off balance. Strong, physical runner. Team leader and role model at MSU.
CONS
Doesn't consistently create separation.
NFL COMP
LaVon Brazill
255 DEON LONG
Maryland (6'0", 192 lbs.)
51 rec / 575 yards / 2 TDs
PROS
Impressed at East-West Shrine Game despite meager size by attacking passes in air.
CONS
Unlikely to fly past many DBs (4.51 40). Transferred thrice—and he'll soon be 24.
NFL COMP
Kenbrell Thompkins
262 CHRIS HARPER
California (5'11", 175 lbs.)
52 rec / 634 yards / 6 TDs
PROS
Can make DBs miss in space and rack up YAC. Quick feet allow him to break off routes, create separation.
CONS
Physical CBs can push him off his routes.
NFL COMP
Andre Roberts
263 GEORGE FARMER
USC (6'1", 220 lbs.)
25 rec / 314 yards / 4 TDs
PROS
Early entrant has athleticism to be an NFL WR, even if he barely flashed it (30 career catches) at USC.
CONS
Outside of Notre Dame game (2 TDs), there's little to suggest he's pro-ready.
NFL COMP
Frankie Hammond
268 DEANDRE SMELTER
GEORGIA TECH (6'2", 226 LBS.)
35 rec / 715 yards / 7 TDs
PROS
Fast and physical; capable of fighting off DBs for a pass or leaping to grab it at its high point.
CONS
Tore left ACL in college finale. NFL teams must evaluate his recovery.
NFL COMP
Marques Colston
276 DA'RON BROWN
Northern Illinois (6'0", 205 lbs.)
68 rec / 1,065 yards / 6 TDs
PROS
Will make a name for himself with his outstanding ability to make catches and his lack of drops.
CONS
Lacks separation and clear athleticism.
NFL COMP
Jarvis Landry
278 DONATELLA LUCKETT
Harding (6'0", 211 lbs.)
23 rec / 602 yards / 5 TDs
PROS
Plays big and physical even though he's not very tall. Adjusts well to ball mid-air. Wields a vicious stiff-arm.
CONS
Ran limited route tree—mostly smoke/fly routes.
NFL COMP
Andre Roberts
285 CAM WORTHY
East Carolina (6'2", 211 lbs.)
55 rec / 1,016 yards / 4 TDs
PROS
Excels at using his frame to close out DBs and win jump balls and fade patterns toward the sideline. Physical runner after the catch.
CONS
Murky details of his two-game suspension will give teams pause.
NFL COMP
Anquan Boldin
293 DEONTAY GREENBERRY
Houston (6'3", 200 lbs.)
72 rec / 841 yards / 6 TDs
PROS
Great body control; makes contested grabs. Has the athleticism to catch a slant and take it for six.
CONS
Will have to learn how to run NFL routes.
NFL COMP
Marquess Wilson
300 CHRISTION JONES
Alabama (5'11", 185 lbs.)
19 rec / 264 yards / 1 TD
PROS
Willing tackler on special teams, enthusiastic blocker looking for highlight-reel hits.
CONS
Struggled with fumbles.
NFL COMP
Dwayne Harris
* 2013 STATS; SUSPENDED IN '14
2014 FBS receptions leader
AMARI COOPER 124
Top 40 time at combine
J.J. NELSON 4.28
PHOTO
KEN INNESS/ZUMAPRESS.COM
PHOTO
RICK SCUTERI/AP (STRONG)
PHOTO
JEFF GROSS/GETTY IMAGES (LIPPETT)
PHOTO
JOHN BAZEMOR/AP
PHOTO
SCOTT CUNNINGHAM/GETTY IMAGES
