NFL draft positional rankings: Wide receivers a banner group once more

In 2014, we were blessed with one of the most gifted rookie receiver classes in recent league history — a draft class that could rival the incredible group from 1996 that will feature multiple Hall of Famers when it’s all said and done.

Yes, it’s an incredibly tough act to follow.

But the 2015 lot appears up to the challenge. No, it doesn’t appear to be the same transcendent level of talent, but there are starting-caliber receivers who could last well into the second — and perhaps into the third — day of the draft.

Much like quarterback and running back, some have made wide receiver something of a two-horse race at the top, with Alabama’s Amari Cooper and West Virginia’s Kevin White (in some order) the two elite prospects available. We favor White slightly for his length and explosion, perhaps just a tick more dynamic than Cooper, but it’s beholder’s choice here. Both are beautiful NFL prospects who project to long, fruitful careers.

But by no means is there a clear division to the next tier of talent. Don’t snooze on the talents of USC’s Nelson Agholor (our choice for most undervalued wideout this season), Louisville’s Devante Parker and ex-Missouri wideout Dorial Green-Beckham as being potential eventual No. 1 receivers in the league. If not for serious character concerns, DGB might be a slam-dunk top-10 selection.

Later in the draft, teams also can find an array of vertical receivers, slot machines who can work the underneath and solid, chain-moving possession types as well. It’s a deep, talented lot, and even if it doesn’t stack up to the incredible collection from a year ago, that’s no knock at all.

TOP 10

SLEEPER
Tony Lippett, Michigan State

Look past some marginal test numbers and you see a very productive football player who can compete and contribute in a number of ways. Lippett was the Spartans’ big-play receiving weapon in 2013 and 2014, taking a huge step last season in his route running (especially at the top of the stem) and his ability to separate despite lacking elite speed. He also took extensive snaps at cornerback last season (and as a freshman, when it was his primary position) and could be a rare double contributor. Lippett also projects to be a three- or four-unit special-teams player, making him a very valuable piece. Although he might never be more than a very good third receiver in the NFL, Lippett should have a home in the league — a la Jason Avant — for a decade or more.

OVERRATED

Devin Funchess, Michigan

We can’t figure out what to make of the extremely talented but very inconsistent Funchess, who has all the physical tools to dominate but seldom does. Some of that surely can be blamed on the Wolverines’ bad QB play the past two seasons and for a toe injury that nagged the 6-4, 232-pound receiver/detached tight end all last season. But there are too many drops and not enough refinement in his game right now to feel safe about him as a prospect. He has boom-or-bust prospect written all over him.

SMALL-SCHOOL WONDER
Tre McBride, William & Mary

He’s an interesting study. Turn on the Villanova tape and, wow — it’s all on display. The 6-0, 210-pound, smooth-running flanker bursts out of his stance and breaks and has big-play ability in the air. The game is not too big for him, and McBride could have a chip on his shoulder, but he also could use some coaching to iron out the finer points of playing wideout in the league. But his special-teams value and explosive talent should get him drafted in the third or fourth rounds.

COULD RISE IN DRAFT
Perriman

Any receiver standing 6-2 and 212 pounds who runs a sub-4.3 40-yard dash at his pro day is going to get a second — and perhaps a third — look from scouts. And that was what was required after one of the most maddening 1,000-yard seasons from Perriman, who would catch a 50-yard post on one play and turn around and drop a 4-yard out route the next. The son of former Detroit Lions receiver Brett Perriman has more raw skill than his father but is unpolished and needs far more play-to-play consistency. But that rare, blazing speed and his penchant for making highlight plays is expected to vault him into Round 1 after it appeared he was, at times, third on the pecking order at UCF behind Rannell “Speedy” Hall and J.J. Worton at receiver.

LATE-ROUND STEAL
Dezmin Lewis, Arkansas State

Our eyes were opened to Lewis at the Senior Bowl, when he effortlessly glided through routes and plucked the ball out of the air with ease. Pushing 6-4 with 32-inch arms, Lewis wins battles with his long catching radius and with some real subtlety to his route running — especially for a smaller-school prospect — that belies the fact he was completely ignored in the recruiting process coming out of high school. A late bloomer who could, like the Baltimore Ravens’ Marlon Brown, really open some eyes once he gets to the league.

PLAYER WHO WILL GO UNDRAFTED BUT SHOULDN’T
Deon Long, Maryland

After an itinerant college career (five colleges in six years), Long just needs a place to call home. He stood out in 2014 after breaking his leg the prior season and gave the Terps a nice complement to Stefon Diggs, despite so-so QB play. Long has good, not great, speed and can work better in traffic than you’d expect a 6-0, 192-pound receiver to. He has special-teams traits and could make a nice fourth receiver if he learns what it takes to be a pro.

IDEAL FIT
Agholor to the Oakland Raiders

The Raiders could make this irrelevant and take either Cooper or White with the fourth pick, and we’d have absolutely no problem with that choice. But if they go a different direction and still could land a talent such as Agholor at the top of Round 2, it would be a huge stroke of luck. GM Reggie McKenzie wanted to make Randall Cobb his No. 1 receiver, and Agholor has the same type of makeup, able to play in the slot or as an “X” wideout and be a huge asset for QB Derek Carr.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm