Last season’s rookie wide receiver class was extremely deep and it produced five receivers who ranked within the top 30 in fantasy points. 2015 looks to be another promising year for some potential rookie wide receivers to break out depending on what team they land in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Amari Cooper, Alabama
Cooper is coming off of a bombshell 2014 season that saw him produce 1,727 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns from 124 receptions. The Oakland Raiders made an exceptional draft pick by using their No. 4 to snag this year's top wide receiver draft prospect
Cooper will make a fabulous fantasy addition to the Raiders who are in dire need of an upgrade at the position. There’s WR2 potential written all over Cooper.It will be exciting to see the magic created between Cooper and second-season quarterback Derek Carr moving forth.
Kevin White, West Virginia
White who was chosen seventh overall by the Chicago Bears posted 109 catches for 1,447 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2014. The speedy receiver landed in the perfect spot alonside Chicago Bears’ Alshon Jeffery to fill the void left by Brandon Marshall whom the team traded away a couple of months back. They have pick No. 7.
With quarterback Jay Cutler under center, the Bears will continue to throw the ball plenty, which should have White making a handy WR3 moving into the 2015 fantasy season.
DeVante Parker, Louisville
If the Cleveland Browns stay put with pick No. 12, they might just select Parker another fast wideout who posted an awesome 4.40 at the NFL Combine. If the Browns don’t land Parker, he makes a great prospect for the St. Louis Rams or Vikings who currently own picks 10 and 11.
Should any of these wide receiver-needy teams acquire Parker, his fantasy stock would be worth monitoring over the offseason. Parker tallied 156 catches, 2775 yards and 33 touchdowns over his four seasons in Louisville and could be drafted as a WR2 or flex depending on his new home.
Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
Strong posted an impressive total of 2,287 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns over his two seasons at Arizona State. If Strong goes in the first round, he could end up with a team like the Kansas City Chiefs or Cincinnati Bengals (picks 18 and 21), where he would be a serviceable WR2/flex in fantasy football.
Playing alongside either Jeremy Maclin or A.J. Green kind of has some appeal here. Even if Strong plays elsewhere, he is a potential fantasy target due to his size and big play-making abilities.
Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri
Some teams may pass on Beckham due to a few off-field behavioral issues that caused him to be dismissed early from Missouri’s program. However, Green-Beckham makes a potentially great fantasy wide receiver to add in 2015 depending on what team eventually selects him. At a massive 6’-6” and 225 pounds, DGB will be quite intimidating for most cornerbacks to shut down in the red zone.
Possible teams in need who might take a shot at DGB, who posted 884 yards and 12 touchdowns from 59 catches from 2013, are Baltimore Ravens or the San Francisco 49ers at picks 15 and 26. The massive wideout could possibly post WR2 fantasy numbers as the season plays out.