Wide Receiver Big Board: Cooper vs White for #1?

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Here is an assessment of the top 15 wide receivers coming out in the 2015 NFL Draft. This board rates each players value by talent, individual stats, and injury/off-field history. While this year’s wide receiver class is not as deep as last year’s, the talent level at the top is arguably better than what we saw last season (Cooper/White vs Watkins/Evans). Major injuries, such as an ACL injury, and off the field issues can dramatically affect a value to an NFL team. Dorial-Green Beckham is the best example of how much off the field issues can affect a player in this years draft.

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Next Five Prospects

Chris Conley, Georgia
Josh Harper, Fresno St
Tony Lippet, Michigan St
Jamison Crowder, Duke
Stefon Diggs, Maryland

Amari Cooper vs Kevin White

Nov 1, 2014; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Kevin White (11) runs with ball after a catch during the first quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Milan Puskar Stadium. TCU Horned Frogs defeated West Virginia Mountaineers 31-30. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

As I noted in my first big board, I think Amari Cooper is a more polished, NFL ready receiver than Kevin White. Cooper showed consistency throughout his entire college career, while White burst onto the scene at West Virginia last season. Cooper was still productive while he fought off injuries early in his career. Can White do the same with the amount of explosiveness he plays with?

Do I think both of them will succeed in the NFL? Yes. But like I said before, if I’m building my franchise through this draft, I’m taking the model of consistency and championship pedigree that Amari Cooper plays with.

Dorial Green-Beckham

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham catches a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve all heard the story about this kid. He’s a great talent, drawing comparisons to Calvin Johnson. But the off the field moments he’s been a part of have turned him from a top five pick, to possibly a second or third. The talent is there, but has he learned his lesson and removed the negative people from his life? That is why teams have security departments that look into everything these kids have ever done and monitor them. Whoever takes this guy will either have a Josh Gordon situation, or one more akin to Calvin Johnson. But that’s why they pay professional scouts the big bucks.

Ty Montgomery

Montgomery is one of my favorite players in the draft. He’s probably the most versatile offensive weapon playing wide receiver, both return spots and even running back at certain points. He’s six-foot and has huge hands, so size is not a huge issue with him. Scouts say he could be a Pro Bowl return guy. So why is he down on most people’s boards? He needs to sharpen his route running for one. He also has 16 dropped balls and three fumbles over his last three seasons. A team lacking a return game and looking for depth in their receiving corps (Baltimore or Oakland) cantake him to fill multiple needs.

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