Why Amari Cooper Should Be Picked Ahead of Kevin White at the NFL Draft

When the first wide receiver's name is called at this year's NFL draft, the player walking to the podium should be Alabama's Amari Cooper. That's not to say it will be; after all, the draft is an inexact science. There's also West Virginia's Kevin White, who's a serious threat to be the first pass-catcher taken.

While no player, regardless of how good he is, represents a sure thing, Cooper seems like a safe bet. This year's recipient of the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's most outstanding wide receiver, is a polished route runner who makes defenses pay with his fluid ability to change direction. Here he is catching passes at Alabama's pro day.

What stands out is how strong Cooper's legs are. He does a terrific job of maintaining a low base so that when it's time to change direction, he simply plants his leg in the ground and seamlessly creates space for himself. There's also no wasted motion with Cooper. Everything has a purpose. These tools will allow him to make an immediate impact in the NFL.

According to Cooper's NFL.com draft profile, he ran the 20-yard shuttle in 3.98 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.71 seconds, making him one of the top performers in both categories. These numbers indicate the quickness and body control Cooper has, which, combined with his elite abilities as a route-runner, will allow him to line up anywhere across the line of scrimmage. He could even be used coming out of the backfield, something he rarely, if ever, did at Alabama.

If Cooper is not the first wide receiver selected at the NFL draft, there are several candidates who stand out above the rest, ranging from Dorial Green-Beckham to DeVante Parker to White. However, for a variety of reasons, none more paramount than talent, the latter has separated himself from the pack.

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This is reflected in the fact that most draft experts have Cooper and White as the top two wide receivers to come off the board. Not one of CBS Sports.com's Pete Prisco, Will Brinson, Rob Rang and Dane Brugler had Parker or Green-Beckham going ahead of either player.

What separates Cooper from White? Aside from polish, there is production. In addition to his performances at the combine, his prospect page highlights some of his accomplishments during his three seasons at Alabama. As a junior, he led the nation in receptions with 124, and his 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns were both the second-most in the country.

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As stated on his prospect page, these numbers made Cooper a Heisman Trophy finalist, a unanimous first-team All American and the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. What makes these accolades even more impressive is the fact they came against elite competition in the Southeastern Conference. As evidenced by NFL.com's Charles Davis' mock draft, the conference could boast as many as 10 first-round picks at this year's draft.

White, a junior college transfer, skyrocketed up draft charts after a breakout season at West Virginia, taking advantage of suspect defenses in the Big 12. He finished the year with 109 catches, 1,447 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, per ESPN.com. According to his NFL.com draft profile, he opened his senior campaign with seven consecutive 100-yard receiving games and hauled in 16 catches against Texas.

White's advantages are his size, speed and strength. According to NFL.com, the 6'3" wide receiver ran a 4.35 40-yard dash, which tied for the fourth-fastest time at the combine. His 23 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press put him in a three-way tie with Sammie Coates and Geremy Davis for first place among wide receivers. These traits give him the potential to be a premier vertical threat.

Make no mistake; White has big-time potential. However, Cooper is more polished, versatile and battle-tested. Whether it's the Jaguars at number three, the Raiders at number four or a team that trades up, the highly decorated receiver from Alabama should be the first player drafted at his position.