Class of 2015 College WRs Deserves More Respect, Will Make Big Impact in NFL

The 2014 wide receiver draft class was billed by publications like USA Today, Sporting News and Scout.com as perhaps the best class ever. It featured five first-round selections, and the production from rookies thus far has matched the hype. 

Go down the list of names—Sammy Watkins, Odell Beckham Jr., Kelvin Benjamin, Mike Evans—and the talent is once-in-a-generation worthy. 

But what do you say about the group that comes after the best draft class? That's the perception battle the wide receiver class of 2015 is fighting. Amari Cooper (Alabama), DeVante Parker (Louisville), Kevin White (West Virginia) and Devin Funchess (Michigan) are just some of the names looking to show they're every bit as good as members of the '14 class. 

"It's not as deep as last year's class," said Bleacher Report draft guru Matt Miller. "Last year was unreal. Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans were rare talents.

"But it's that second tier—White, Strong, Funchess—that is as good as last year's."

How does this year's group stack up against the '14 class? The list is incomplete as more underclassmen could declare for the NFL draft. USC's Nelson Agholor, for example, hasn't officially declared for the draft but is considering his options, according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. 

Furthermore, combine/pro-day results can shuffle the order of things. However, here's how the upcoming '15 class looks on the surface.

Key Names

Name	School	Size	B/R Position Rank	CBS Position Rank
Amari Cooper*	Alabama	6'1", 210 pounds	1	1
DeVante Parker	Louisville	6'3", 211 pounds	2	2
Kevin White	West Virginia	6'3", 210 pounds	3	3
Devin Funchess	Michigan	6'5", 230 pounds	4	6
Nelson Agholor*	USC	6'1", 190 pounds	5	11
Jaelen Strong	Arizona State	6'3", 215 pounds	6	4
Rashad Greene	Florida State	6'0", 180 pounds	7	10
Antwan Goodley	Baylor	5'10", 225 pounds	8	19
Sammie Coates	Auburn	6'2", 201 pounds	9	7
Josh Harper	Fresno State	6'1", 185 pounds	10	9

(*Underclassmen who have not officially declared for the draft.)

The first thing to know about this group is, at the top, it's full of big-bodied players. Then again, big guys are almost always going to get the first look. An exception, for example, would be a speedy receiver who offers another dimension, a la Tavon Austin. 

"Amari Cooper is not the biggest guy, but he is prototypical," Miller said. "Then you look at Parker, White and Strong—these are huge receivers, Demaryius Thomas types." 

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The other thing to know is that the top of the class is largely raw in talent. Whether it's Strong or White coming in from the JUCO ranks, or Funchess transitioning from a tight end to a wide receiver, this group has a lot of learning to do. What franchises are banking on is that these players meet their upside. 

"Sammie Coates is a fantastic athlete, but he's raw," Miller continued. "Strong is still learning how to be a route-runner. Funchess is a hybrid guy. 

"Even Parker, a finished product, was hurt this year and had to pick things up again."  

Under-the-Radar Names

Name	School	Size
Tyler Lockett	Kansas State	5'11", 175 pounds
Tony Lippett	Michigan State	6'3", 190 pounds
Justin Hardy	East Carolina	6'0", 188 pounds
Ty Montgomery	Stanford	6'2", 215 pounds

Like any other position, sometimes the mid-to-late-round wide receiver picks come through in ways no one thought possible. They may not have the best measurables but are extremely productive. 

No one seems to embody that type better than Kansas State's Tyler Lockett. The senior leaves as K-State's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, passing his father, Kevin Lockett, along the way. 

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Lockett isn't the biggest receiver, but he is a polished route-runner and simply knows how to get open. How he'll translate to the NFL remains to be seen, but Miller thinks Lockett will find a spot somewhere. 

"You know guys like Tyler Lockett and Rashad Greene could be third-round picks, but you know they'll be super productive," Miller said. 

Who Will Shine?

Predicting which players will transition successfully to the NFL is, at its core, a guessing game. High-risk picks can come through, and sure things can fizzle quickly. 

However, early indications are that the '15 wide receiver draft class could have some touted prospects. 

Seven receivers made Miller's latest top 64. In other words, seven receivers are considered among the best 64 players available at this time. Again, that is likely to change over time, and "best available" doesn't always equal being selected. 

For reference, though, the 2014 draft saw 12 receivers go in the first 64 picks. 

Name	Team	Pick	Rookie Stats
Sammy Watkins	Buffalo	4	62 catches, 925 yards, 6 TDs
Mike Evans	Tampa Bay	7	63 catches, 997 yards, 11 TDs
Odell Beckham	New York	12	79 catches, 1,120 yards, 11 TDs
Brandin Cooks	New Orleans	20	53 catches, 550 yards, 3 TDs
Kelvin Benjamin	Carolina	28	72 catches, 999 yards, 9 TDs

But what matters most is not when receivers get selected, but where. That, Miller said, is the best indicator of production. 

"There's no guarantee [Giants receiver] Odell Beckham Jr. would be playing as well as he is without Eli Manning. There's no way to know how [Eagles receiver] Jordan Matthews would work in San Francisco," Miller said. "You have to wait and see."

The '15 wide receiver class likely won't carry the same buzz as the one before it. It may not be as great at the top or as deep, but don't mistake that for a total lack of star power. The wide receivers from this year have the raw talent to be future No. 2 and No. 1 guys in the NFL. 

Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.