What to Expect from Top Rookie NFL Wide Receivers in 2015
The 2015 NFL draft class of wide receivers isn't likely to produce the high level of production that came from the previous class. But with nine receivers coming off the board in the first two rounds, plenty of rookies should see the field this year.
The following slideshow highlights those nine receivers and examines what their roles will be as rookies.
Many of these receivers enter the summer in position battles. So where an immediate role isn't obvious, we'll break down the competition and the best- and worst-case scenario for each player.
The nine receivers are listed in order of their draft selection.
Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders
1 of 9
Projected role: immediate starter
Any number of rookies from the 2015 draft class could have stepped into an immediate role in Oakland.
The Raiders were desperate to give Derek Carr a weapon, and Amari Cooper should immediately become his go-to guy.
Carr suffered through his rookie year with James Jones and Andre Holmes, who received 199 combined targets in 2014.
Cooper's role in Oakland is yet to be determined, as he is an accomplished receiver from both the outside and slot. His versatility gives offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave plenty of options in arranging his weapons.
Regardless of where he lines up on the field and with Michael Crabtree as his closest competition, Cooper is the safe bet to be the Raiders' leading receiver so long as he remains healthy throughout his rookie year.
Kevin White, Chicago Bears
2 of 9
Projected role: immediate starter
The Brandon Marshall trade opened up a massive hole in the Bears receiving corps, and Chicago brought in Kevin White to immediately plug it.
According to Pro Football Focus, Chicago's quarterbacks targeted Marshall on 101 of the Bears' 609 pass attempts in 2014, so a significant chunk of the offense needs to be replaced.
White perfectly fits the Bears offense due to his ability to get down the field and win the battle for 50/50 balls.
Due to his 6'3", 215-pound size, White should be particularly effective in the red zone. While he'll compete with Alshon Jeffery for targets, the rookie should still see plenty of opportunities.
Marshall had 17 red-zone targets a season ago, according to Rotowire, so we should expect a similar workload for White.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins
3 of 9
Projected role: competing for starting job
The Dolphins receiving corps is unrecognizable from a season ago.
Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson are out, and DeVante Parker, Greg Jennings and Kenny Stills are in.
The lone significant holdover is Jarvis Landry, who is a prototypical possession slot receiver and excelled in that role a season ago. He will likely maintain that position, while the others compete for playing time on the outside.
Given his size (6'3", 209 lbs) and speed (4.45 40-yard dash), Parker fits the mold of an outside receiver. He has the ability to stretch the field with his speed and also has the skills to battle for jump balls and come down with the contested reception.
"DeVante Parker is beating Brent Grimes consistently. Last ball Grines called for PI and Parker still made the catch on incut.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) May 26, 2015"
It's too early to form a concrete expectation of Parker's role, but it's reasonable for Dolphins fans to hope he becomes Ryan Tannehill's go-to target by season's end.
However, Stills and Jennings both bring some viable skills to the table, and the veterans will push Parker for playing time.
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Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles
4 of 9
Projected role: somehow involved in Chip Kelly's master plan
It's not worth guessing what Kelly has in mind for Nelson Agholor until it unfolds on the field. But a plan is most definitely in place.
Agholor is at his best on quick-strike passes that allow him to create after the catch, which makes him an ideal fit for Kelly's passing attack.
While the rookie probably fits best in the slot, Jordan Matthews took the overwhelming majority of snaps from the slot in 2014, so it's difficult to predict Agholor's role.
Perhaps Kelly wants to use Matthews on the outside more, or maybe he sees Agholor as a better fit on the outside.
Or maybe he simply wants Agholor for depth.
Kelly's 2014 first-round pick Marcus Smith rarely saw the field as a rookie, but he was viewed as the best available player on the board. It's possible Kelly simply drafted Agholor based on his talent without seeing an immediate role for him.
In fact, when asked about making an immediate impact by local media, Agholor responded, per Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News, "That's not the conversation."
Breshad Perriman, Baltimore Ravens
5 of 9
Projected role: competing for starting job
Breshad Perriman isn't the ideal rookie starter for a contending team, but the Ravens don't have many other options.
He will compete with Marlon Brown to be the starter opposite Steve Smith Sr., replacing Torrey Smith, who signed with the 49ers this offseason.
In his brief career in Baltimore, Brown has primarily seen time as a possession receiver. In 2014, he caught 24 passes at an average of just over six yards down the field, according to Pro Football Focus. Torrey Smith, on the other hand, hauled in passes at an average depth of 12.2 yards down the field, including eight receptions beyond 20 yards.
Perriman's skill set more closely resembles Smith's, and he should be a viable downfield weapon for Joe Flacco.
Perriman has had some issues with drops, and there will definitely be growing pains, but he's a good bet to see a significant number of targets during his rookie year.
Phillip Dorsett, Indianapolis Colts
6 of 9
Projected role: competing for job as second or third option
T.Y. Hilton has the job as Andrew Luck's go-to receiver locked up, but Phillip Dorsett is in the mix to become the second or third option among the receivers.
Veteran Andre Johnson likely has a leg up on the competition for one of the starting spots, but Dorsett and second-year receiver Donte Moncrief will be competing as well.
Dorsett is a viable weapon in both the slot and on the outside, which is likely why the Colts targeted him in the first round.
Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton requires a lot from his receivers, as Dorsett addressed during rookie camp, via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com: "I've been (lining up) all over the place. Basically, playing receiver here, you can't just learn one position. You've got to learn them all."
While Dorsett is capable of playing in multiple spots he may start out in a small role and gradually earn more playing time as the season progresses and he learns the Colts' complex system.
Devin Smith, New York Jets
7 of 9
Projected role: third or fourth option, primarily as deep threat
Devin Smith adds some much-needed depth to the Jets receiving corps, but nothing is guaranteed for him as a rookie.
Eric Decker and the recently acquired Brandon Marshall are locked in as the starters on the outside, with Jeremy Kerley likely maintaining his role in the slot.
That leaves Smith as the fourth receiver or coming onto the field to relieve Marshall or Decker.
While the Jets already have a capable deep threat in Marshall (over the past two season in Chicago he was targeted 51 times on pass attempts over 20 yards, according to Pro Football Focus), Smith figures to see the majority of his action in situations where the Jets want to stretch the field—or give the appearance that they may stretch the field.
"On Devin Smith, Jets 2nd-round pick: 54 pct of his targets last season were 20+ yards downfield, per @PFF. #NYJpick
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) May 2, 2015"
If you're thinking the speedy rookie could have a role on special teams, think again.
Speaking to Darryl Slater of NJ.com, special teams coach Bob April shot down the idea of Smith returning kicks: "Any time you've got a rookie that hasn't done it, and you're saying, 'Let's give it a try,' it's usually not a good combination. And your tries can end up losing you games."
Smith's speed will be a weapon at receiver, as defenses will have to account for his ability to break free over the top.
Dorial Green-Beckham, Tennessee Titans
8 of 9
Projected role: sit and learn
Expectations for Dorial Green-Beckham's rookie year should be set low. Any immediate production the Titans get out of him should be considered a bonus.
He was ineligible at Oklahoma and had to sit out the entire 2014 season, so he will need to get back into football shape while also learning an NFL system.
With veterans Kendall Wright, Harry Douglas and Hakeem Nicks ahead of him on the depth chart, and the Titans hoping to give Justin Hunter one last chance to develop, opportunities will be at a minimum for Green-Beckham during his rookie year.
When he is on the field, though, expect him to be used as a deep threat.
In 2014, Hunter led the Titans with 23 targets beyond 20 yards, according to Pro Football Focus, but had almost as many drops (four) as receptions (five).
Devin Funchess, Carolina Panthers
9 of 9
Projected role: immediate starter
Ready or not, Devin Funchess will be expected to make an immediate impact in Carolina.
Only Kelvin Benjamin and Jerricho Cotchery have a reasonable shot at earning a spot ahead of Funchess on the depth chart, which means he should, at worst, be the third option among the receivers.
While Funchess, who was primarily a tight end at Michigan until the 2014 season, isn't quite ready for a starring role in the NFL, he's probably ahead of where Benjamin was at this time last year.
"Devin Funchess had a nice day. Ran some superb routes. WRs coach Ricky Proehl liked what he saw. Really excited to see him work with Cam.
— Max Henson (@PanthersMax) May 9, 2015"
Funchess will likely be used as an oversized (6'4", 232 lbs) slot receiver, in much the same way the Saints use Marques Colston. However, he has the size and leaping ability to shift to the outside and be a more traditional outside possession receiver when needed, especially in the red zone.
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.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
