2016 NFL Draft: Deep-Threat Receivers NFL Offenses Should Covet

To paraphrase baseball greats Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine: "NFL teams dig the long ball."

The NFL is all about highlight-reel plays, and nothing lights fanbases quite like a long bomb that ends up in the end zone.

And while teams are also busy chasing down the rocket arms to make up one part of the explosive equation, they're also on the lookout for receivers who can get behind opposing defenses and make them pay with their speed.

Every year, personnel departments scour the incoming college talent, looking for the next Odell Beckham, Jr. or Antonio Brown. Those types of players may be rare, but here are a few prospects from the 2016 NFL draft class who could fit the bill.

Corey Coleman, Baylor

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Corey Coleman's numbers over the first three quarters of the season were reminiscent of a seasoned gamer playing EA Sports' NCAA Football on Varsity difficulty.

Despite not catching a touchdown over the last five games of the season, Coleman still managed to lead the nation with 20 scoring grabs, posting multi-touchdown performances in seven straight games. In four of those games, he caught three or more touchdowns, topping 100 yards receiving in all but one.

He may not have the size of a prototypical No. 1 NFL receiver—5'11", 190 pounds—but Coleman's skill set has many of the same traits that have made the Pittsburgh Steelers' Antonio Brown one of the best pass-catchers in the league.

What he lacks in size, he makes up for with a lethal combination of speed, quickness, hands and route-running ability.

A unanimous All-American selection this year after averaging 18.4 yards per catch, Coleman should be a first-round lock as one of the most explosive receivers in the entire draft.

Mike Thomas, Southern Mississippi

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Ohio State's Michael Thomas will get more attention in this year's draft class, and with good reason. But there's another receiver by the same name who could end up being quite a steal.

Southern Mississippi's Mike Thomas took the top off opposing defenses regularly this season, hauling in 71 passes for 1,391 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Golden Eagles. Thomas averaged 19.6 yards per catch, the highest mark of any FBS receiver with at least 65 receptions on the season.

Thomas has everything NFL teams want in a dangerous deep threat: speed, body control, strong hands and solid technique.

When he puts all these traits together, he's capable of pulling off some highlight-reel catches, such as this red-zone score against Louisiana Tech.

He may not be in the first-round conversation with the other Mike Thomas, but he'll make an NFL team very happy when they snatch him up anytime on Day 2.

Will Fuller, Notre Dame

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The Fighting Irish faced plenty of adversity this season, but one of the few constants was the playmaking ability of Will Fuller, the team's most explosive and productive weapon in the passing game.

Fuller tied for fifth in the FBS with 14 touchdown receptions, averaging over 20 yards per catch and topping 100 yards receiving in half of his games this season. He was even more successful as a scoring threat in 2014, when he hauled in 15 scores as a sophomore. His 30 career touchdown receptions are the second-most in Notre Dame history.

Fuller's speed will never be a question for NFL scouts, but his lack of consistency when it comes to hanging onto the ball is his most frustrating quality on film.

At 6'0", 184 pounds, Fuller has decent size, but he could struggle to beat bigger NFL corners off the line without a little added bulk.

If he's able to improve his focus and consistency as a pass-catcher and add some muscle, Fuller could be a playmaker at the next level for years to come.

Josh Doctson, TCU

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Even though an arm injury cost him the final three games of his senior campaign, Josh Doctson lit up the stat sheet for the Horned Frogs in 2015, catching 79 passes for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Over his career at TCU, Doctson has hauled in 34 touchdown catches, with 25 of them coming over the past two seasons.

He may not have the top-end speed of some other prospects in this class, but what he lacks in wheels he makes up for in just about every other area of his game.

His body control and ability to track and play the ball in the air are arguably the best of any receiver in this draft, making him a dominant target down the field and in the red zone.

Doctson also has a valuable "feel for the game," which is outlined here by Matt Waldman, author of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio.

At 6'3" and 195 pounds, Doctson could use a little more bulk if he wants to win with physicality in the NFL as often as he did in college, but the rest of the package is there to make him a successful playmaker early in his career.

Leonte Carroo, Rutgers

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Despite missing half of his senior season, Leonte Carroo led the Big Ten in touchdown catches with 10, making the most of his limited opportunities and proving to be a big-play machine for the Scarlet Knights in 2015.

Carroo averaged a ridiculous 20.7 yards per reception this season, hauling in 39 passes for 809 yards and averaging a touchdown every four receptions. He played his best against top competition, scorching conference-champion Michigan State for 134 yards and three scores.

At 6'1", 215 pounds, Carroo is built more like a running back, but he puts his thicker frame to good use, absorbing big hits without dropping the ball. He's explosive enough to force opposing corners to respect him deep, which allows him to take advantage with short receptions where he can make things happen in the open field.

He served a short suspension earlier in the season due to an allegation of assault, but the charge was ultimately dropped. If he can avoid any more off-field incidents and prove he can stay healthy, Carroo could be a dangerous weapon at the next level.