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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

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RICK SCUTERI/AP (STRONG)

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JEFF GROSS/GETTY IMAGES (LIPPETT)

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