2015 NFL Draft: Predicting Where Top Offensive Playmakers Will Land
Every NFL draft class is as unique as the personalities that are in the talent pool. 2015 is no different, as the class lacks the deep offerings that 2014 provided. But the 2015 NFL draft does have a vast amount of offensive playmakers available.
Where the top 10 playmakers land could change the landscape of the NFL in the near future. Unlike last year, there are two running backs worthy of first-round picks in this group.
Using CBSSports.com's big board, we’ve accumulated the 10 highest-ranking playmakers between running back, wide receiver and tight end. Using current roster situations, schemes and draft order, we’re going to predict where these playmakers land.
Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
1 of 10
Alabama’s explosive receiver Amari Cooper brings more polish and readiness to the NFL than West Virginia's Kevin White.
Cooper is the top receiver in the draft, according to CBSSports.com. Over three seasons, he amassed 228 receptions, 3,463 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Cooper doesn’t have the elite size that White brings to an offense, but he is extremely efficient and sharp with his cuts. He wins with precision, great burst and reliable hands. For an NFL comparison, think of Detroit Lions receiver Golden Tate, and Cooper might be even better.
Offenses that need a reliable target who can attack every level of the defense should want Cooper. He’d be an excellent fit with the Oakland Raiders or New York Giants in the first round.
Projected Landing Spot: Oakland Raiders, No. 4 Overall; or New York Giants, No. 9 Overall
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
2 of 10
CBSSports.com has Kevin White as its second wide receiver in the 2015 draft class. He has the size and speed combination that teams crave, and he was dominant in his senior campaign. Putting him in a vertical offense that routinely attacks downfield could cause major havoc for opponents.
At 6’3” and 215 pounds, White ran an incredible 4.35 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. More impressively, White plays that big and fast. His 15 touchdowns and 144 receptions in just two seasons at West Virginia is notable considering he was at a community college prior to 2013.
It’s difficult to predict exactly where White will land, but he fits in almost every situation. He has elite-level potential, and his skill set should be highly valued.
Projected Landing Spot: Tennessee Titans, No. 2 Overall; or St. Louis Rams, No. 10 Overall
Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
3 of 10
The range for Georgia running back Todd Gurley varies greatly. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay projected Gurley sixth overall to the New York Jets in his latest mock, but he also mentioned how it’s unlikely. Even if that is true, Gurley should be off the board by the late teens.
Gurley is a great talent at running back. He reminds me of former St. Louis Rams back Steven Jackson. That’s high praise, considering Jackson could be a Hall of Fame player.
Injuries could make Gurley drop into the mid-teens. His torn ACL is expected to fully recover, but he struggled to stay healthy through various nicks and bruises. If he can stay on the field, there’s little doubt he can be a highly productive player.
Projected Landing Spot: Miami Dolphins, No. 14 Overall
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DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
4 of 10
Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker returned to school for his senior season in 2014, and the gamble paid off. Parker injured his foot before the season, but he returned with a dominant vengeance. He nearly surpassed his 2013 production in five less games in 2014.
Parker has a great blend of size and quickness. He isn’t a tremendous vertical receiver, but he is excellent at locating the ball and creating after the catch. He needs some work with the nuances of the position, but the talent is there.
Reuniting Parker with Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater would be the best fit for the team and player. The Vikings need long-term help at receiver, and Parker could be the best value on the board.
Projected Landing Spot: Minnesota Vikings, No. 11 Overall
Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
5 of 10
The second-ranked running back on CBSSports.com's board is Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon. Gordon was incredibly productive throughout his career, including an otherworldly performance in 2014. His 2,587 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns just in 2014 would have been great four-year numbers for many players.
Projecting Gordon is not an easy task. His talent is worthy of a first-round pick, but teams have shied away from investing heavily at the position. A win-now team like the Dallas Cowboys or Baltimore Ravens makes a lot of sense at the end of Round 1.
Projected Landing Spot: Dallas Cowboys, No. 27 Overall
Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
6 of 10
The breakout star from Central Florida has been a hot topic this draft season. UCF receiver Breshad Perriman, son of former Detroit Lions receiver Brett Perriman, has the lineage, size and speed of a star receiver. But he’s a risky prospect.
Perriman had a lot of competition at UCF from his fellow receivers. His quarterback play also sharply dipped after Blake Bortles entered the NFL draft in 2014. Still, Perriman’s drop rate of 13.8 percent is a major red flag for his future success.
He has the deep-ball tracking ability that will drop jaws. If he can shore up his hands and finish plays better, Perriman will earn his first-round hype.
Projected Landing Spot: Cleveland Browns, No. 12 Overall
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
7 of 10
The biggest wild card in the draft could very well be Oklahoma receiver Dorial Green-Beckham. His off-field history is well-documented and downright scary if everything is true. His one-year escape to Oklahoma after being dismissed from Missouri went without issue, though, so maybe he’s turning his life around.
Hopefully that is the case moving forward. Green-Beckham is a dynamic on-field talent. He’s capable of dominating games in the same way top-tier NFL receivers do.
One team that could certainly use Green-Beckham’s skill set is the Kansas City Chiefs. With running back Jamaal Charles, tight end Travis Kelce and receiver Jeremy Maclin, adding Green-Beckham would really take the offense to the next level.
Projected Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs, No. 18 Overall
Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
8 of 10
Arizona State receiver Jaelen Strong is one of the more fit-dependent talents in the draft. Despite his outstanding 40 time, Strong rarely created separation at the collegiate level, meaning he’s not likely to all of a sudden do so in the NFL. But if his quarterback has elite ball placement and anticipation, he can star.
Strong is excellent at the catch point. He has great hands that allow him to make circus catches on the sideline. There shouldn’t be any questions about his ability to finish plays with possession.
Some quarterbacks won’t trust Strong, though. The lack of space created often signifies that it’s time to go to the next read. For a team like the New England Patriots, Strong would excel as a power slot receiver.
Projected Landing Spot: New England Patriots, No. 32 Overall
Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
9 of 10
The top tight end in the draft is Minnesota’s Maxx Williams, according to CBSSports.com. Williams has excellent hands and body control, allowing him to make jaw-dropping catches in tight spaces. He’s an instant starter for teams needing a receiving tight end.
After trading All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham, the New Orleans Saints need to add a high-quality pass-catcher to replace him. Like Graham, Williams isn’t a particularly good blocker, but his receiving skills more than make up for it.
Projected Landing Spot: New Orleans Saints, No. 44 Overall
Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
10 of 10
Following a line of highly touted receivers from USC, Nelson Agholor may be the best of the recent bunch. His explosiveness as a receiver and return man gives him Day 1 impact ability.
Agholor is somewhat light at 6’0” and 198 pounds, but he is lightning quick with his feet. He’s tough to hit because he changes directions so easily. Once he sees the hole, watch out, as his mid-4.4 40 speed will show in a flash.
The Carolina Panthers would be a great fit for Agholor. Paired with 2014 first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin, the Panthers would have a tremendous young pair of receivers for quarterback Cam Newton.
Projected Landing Spot: Carolina Panthers, No. 25 Overall
All stats are from Sports-Reference.com.
Ian Wharton is an NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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