DeVante Parker bolsters the 2015 WR class.

[Direckshun]

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/10/...e-amari-cooper

Return of DeVante Parker bolsters 2015 NFL Draft wide receiver class
In his first game of the season, the Louisville senior showed why he should be considered among the top wide receiver prospects in the draft.
By Dan Kadar
on Oct 22 2014, 4:09p

West Virginia's Kevin White has already emerged from moderate obscurity this college football season as a top wide receiver prospect for the 2015 NFL Draft. While he's more of a well-known name, the return of Louisville's DeVante Parker further bolsters the position.

Parker injured his foot just before the season and missed the team's first seven games. Against North Carolina State on Saturday, Parker pulled in nine catches for 132 yards. Most of Parker's yards came on simple routes like slants and a quick comeback. Card Chronicle has the highlights here. While he wasn't necessarily running complex routes, Parker showed he was unaffected by the injury and could get himself open in traffic.

It was apparent that Parker’s endurance just isn’t there yet. He was noticeably winded at times and was off the field on a few red zone plays late in the game. But as the season progresses, he should get into better game shape. It would be smart of him to take a Senior Bowl invitation, if it comes.

It was a slight surprise when Parker, now a senior, decided to skip out on this year's draft. With 12 wide receivers taken in the first two rounds this, chances are Parker would have been among them. He's a bigger wide out at 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds, and last season he showed he can go up and pull in tough catches.

With the reemergence of Parker and White breaking out, the wide receiver class looks like a good one. They should be in contention to be the top receiver drafted, along with Alabama's Amari Cooper. Sammie Coates and Duke Williams of Auburn, Jaelen Strong of Arizona State, Rashad Greene of Florida State and Nelson Agholor of Southern California are right behind them, along with a few others. Here's how I rank them currently:

1. Kevin White, 6'3, 210, WR, West Virginia
2. Amari Cooper, 6'1, 210, WR, Alabama *
3. DeVante Parker, 6'3, 211, WR, Louisville
4. Jaelen Strong, 6'3, 212, WR, Arizona State *
5. Rashad Greene, 6'0, 180, WR, Florida State
6. Duke Williams, 6'2, 216, WR, Auburn *
7. Sammie Coates, 6'2, 201, WR, Auburn *
8. Nelson Agholor, 6'1, 190, WR, Southern California *
9. Justin Hardy, 6'0, 188, WR, East Carolina
10. Ty Montgomery, 6'2, 220, WR, Stanford

Dorial Green-Beckham who is enrolled at but not playing for Oklahoma. If he enters the draft, he could vault to No. 1. The other is Michigan's Devin Funchess. He converted from tight end to wide receiver this season. Because of that, his pro position can be up for debate. If he's a wide receiver, he's also near the top.

Random draft notes

Defensive end Shaquille Riddick had an impressive game against in West Virginia's upset win against Baylor. In a game where many were probably keying on Baylor end Shawn Oakman, it was Riddick who stood out with three sacks and four tackles for loss. At 6-foot-6, the Gardner Webb transfer has length and a good initial burst at the line of scrimmage. But prior to the game against Baylor, he wasn't on the field enough to make an impact. Obviously he's not going to have three sacks every week, but this was a big positive step for Riddick. He's listed at 242, and is a lean player. It will be interesting to see if he bulks up to the 260-pound region by the time of the draft.

If anyone has doubts about Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston – on the field, at least – they need to go back and watch what he did against Notre Dame. Namely in the second half, Winston completed several difficult throws with velocity despite getting pressured. Winston works his progressions better than most college quarterbacks and is much more than simply a one-read quarterback. Unrelated, it's easy to see why some would question Winston's intelligence. Just realize, though, that his backup school after Florida State was Stanford. There's a difference between maturity and stupidity.

This is a somewhat alarming stat for Texas A&M left tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, a projected top-five pick:

Lance Zierlein @LanceZierlein
Ced Ogbuehi has now given up 7 sacks this year. Very disappointing season so far. Might be having issues playing left rather than right side
2:53 PM - 18 Oct 2014

Many have Ogbeuhi as their top offensive tackle for next year's draft. He's been rough in his first year playing on the left side, however. Iowa's Brandon Scherff, regarded as the second-best offensive tackle, had a poor game against Maryland. Those who consider him a guard in the NFL will point to this game as to why he can't keep up in pass protection. Scherff was beat several times and often needed help from a running back or tight end. Scherff's pass blocking troubles aren't a trend yet, but something to keep an eye on the next several weeks.

In Alabama's 59-0 blowout against Texas A&M, running back T.J. Yeldon looked like he did a couple seasons ago before he was hit with injuries. He was shifty and elusive rushing for 114 yards on 13 carries. Yeldon's quick feet and agility are some of his better traits. If he can stay healthy and avoid fumbles, he could vault himself back up running back rankings.

[the Talking Can]

we're looking at what, 4-5 first round WRs?

[The Franchise]

Davaris Daniels is going to be in the draft as well. Academic suspension got him kicked off ND this year and he said he's not going to transfer.

Davaris Daniels, WR, Notre Dame
Height: 6-2. Weight: 190.
Projected 40 Time: 4.59.
Projected Round (2015): 3-4.
10/4/14: Daniels remains suspended - although a final decision is expected soon.

8/27/14: Daniels is currently suspended for academic dishonesty. His family believes he will be cleared of wrongdoing and reinstated to the team.

Despite dealing with bad quarterback play in 2013, Daniels managed 49 receptions for 745 yards and seven touchdowns. He has nice size and some quickness. Daniels was suspended from Notre Dame in the spring for academic issues, but was presumed to be on course to be reinstated for football season.

Daniels had a good 2012 season. The freshman registered 31 catches for 490 yards. He missed two regular season games with a broken collarbone, but returned against Alabama for the National Championship. Daniels rose to the occasion with six receptions for 115 yards against the Crimson Tide.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

we're looking at what, 4-5 first round WRs?

That's what we're looking at now, yeah. Perfect for us. VERY top heavy.

Cooper
White
Parker
Strong
Montgomery
Devin Funchess is a WR/TE hybrid.

And that doesn't include Green-Beckham, who I still believe is a Top 10 pick if he comes out this year.

Rashad Greene and Stephen Diggs are also possible bottom-of-the-1st sneaks.

Only Parker, Montgomery, and Greene are seniors and therefore have no option to return to school. I'm guessing at least a couple of these guys return to school because of how stacked it would be if they came out.

But right now, the board is favorable.

[jonzie04]

I'd love it if we went shawn oakman in the first if he's available, i think theres a legitimate chance he will be.

And then moved up in the 2nd early enough to ensure we got either coates or diggs.

if oakman isn't there in the 1st i probably take parker, or cooper one of them will likely be there, so long as parker doesn't really run a 4.39.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by jonzie04

I'd love it if we went shawn oakman in the first if he's available, i think theres a legitimate chance he will be.

And then moved up in the 2nd early enough to ensure we got either coates or diggs.

if oakman isn't there in the 1st i probably take parker, or cooper one of them will likely be there, so long as parker doesn't really run a 4.39.

Problem with Oakman is that he gets blocked far too easily far too often. Off the charts potential and a physical beast, but gets handled easily.