Jaelen Strong Declares for 2015 NFL Draft: Latest Details and Reaction

Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong has opted to leave Phoenix early to take his talents to the pros in declaring for the 2015 NFL draft on Monday.  

The Sun Devils announced the news, via Bryan Fischer of NFL.com:

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report weighed in on Strong's draft stock:

Strong will be joining another deep crop of receivers on the heels of a prior class that featured the likes of Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans and Odell Beckham Jr., among others. The Sun Devils star should be among the most sought-after prospects at his position.

At 6'3" and 215 pounds, Strong has the size to deliver at the NFL level right away as a weapon on the outside. His tremendous ball skills resulted in one of the best highlight-reel catches of the college football season in a big win over Notre Dame:

Rising to the occasion to such a degree in a high-profile game suggests Strong is ready for the professional spotlight. Posting back-to-back seasons of 70-plus receptions, 1,000 yards and at least seven touchdowns in the difficult Pac-12 conference shows that Strong has the chops to make the NFL leap, too.

There is reason to believe that Strong will be a first-round pick, so it's hardly a surprise he chose to forgo his final year at Arizona State. Senior Sun Devils quarterback Taylor Kelly will no longer be in the fold in 2015, which had to have an impact on Strong's decision when he weighed all the factors.

With the number of underclassmen declaring for the draft likely to emulate last year's record number, there is a good chance high-quality but not elite prospects like Strong could fall to better teams. Depending on the situation he lands in, Strong could find himself as a big rookie contributor for a playoff contender.