Following a wide receiver class that could go down as the best receiver class in history is a tough task for this year's positional group. However, the 2015 class has plenty to offer from top-to-bottom. While you’ve likely heard of the top-three wideouts in Amari Cooper, Kevin White, and DeVante Parker it really starts to get interesting after that. With plenty of talent to go around, here are a few under the radar sleepers to keep an eye on during day-two and three of next week's draft.
Tyler Lockett, Kansas State
Your friends will laugh at you when you tell them Lockett will be a force to be reckoned with in the NFL, as his puny 5-foot-10 stature would suggest he isn't cut out for the big leagues. That’s not news to Lockett though, as he's heard the haters loud and clear his whole football life. He has done nothing but prove them wrong every step of the way. I, along with numerous scouts and coaches, left the Senior Bowl baffled by Lockett. He was nearly uncoverable during the week long event. His sudden footwork in his cuts and dynamic routes make him truly special as a slot receiver, but he is much more than that.
Lockett has the ability to win on the outside with his ability to beat press coverage and from there, he has blazing speed (4.40) to get over the top of the secondary. Many people are convinced Lockett doesn't really know just how small he is, as he wins jump balls and contested catches more than his measurables say he should. Go watch a Kansas State game from last season and you’ll see Lockett make a big time play at a crucial point in the fourth-quarter when his team needed him the most.
Third Round Projection: Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions
Justin Hardy, ECU
Hardy is getting the measurables-matter treatment and is being tossed down draft boards because of his 5-foot-10 length and sub-par speed. Don’t let that fool you though, as Hardy was one of the best receivers in all of college football, posting huge numbers on a weekly basis and catching double digit passes almost every week. No, Hardy doesn’t have the long lanky frame or the stopwatch speed, but he is deceptively quick in-and-out of his routes and runs with a purpose and a tough football mentality.
Hardy possess great instincts and understands how to get open working back to the ball with force. Hardy also catches everything in sight as his numbers would suggest, proving if you can just get the ball in his vicinity, he will do the rest.
Fourth Round Projection: Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears
Darren Waller, Georgia Tech
The monster 6-foot-6 Waller is a beast of a man on the outside who can go up and attack the ball. Waller comes from a triple-option offense at Georgia Tech and has a long way to go before he will play full time as he learns the nuances of a full route tree, but coaches will gladly take the big man's talents and maximize what he does best. Most importantly, Waller fits the bill as a big target for any quarterback that can go up and get it. Having someone who can consistently strike fear in the back end of defenses deep down the field is something that is always heavily valued in the NFL and Waller could develop into that guy.
Fifth Round Projection: Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs
Vince Mayle, Washington State
Mayle doesn’t carry the size that Waller does but is still a tall (6-foot-3) and long athlete who understands how to win down the field. Mayle was deep into his basketball career when he switched sports and gave football a shot only to find out he has the raw talent to keep up with the big boys. Mayle is sneaky fast and is a smooth glider who gets down the field quickly. From there he uses his basketball background to put himself in the best position to win going up and over his defender. A guy who can win the tough one-on-one contested jump balls and be a consistent deep threat is something that will entice teams to take a flier on Mayle on day three.
Sixth Round Projection: Washington Redskins, New England Patriots
Deontay Greenberry, Houston
Want the steal of the draft? Greenberry could be it. The California native destroyed his high school competition so much he was named Mr. Football in the state but shocked the world when he passed up on scholarships to schools like Notre Dame, USC, Florida State and UCLA and chose the University of Houston. He started from day one as a true freshman and put up solid numbers along the way until bad quarterback play held him out of the stardom and the bright lights of the national stage.
Greenberry is tall, long and fast and can go up and attack the ball at its highest point. Not just a deep threat, Greenberry can do it all from short-to-intermediate routes and has shown a good display of courage going over the middle. Greenberry is the guy who will wow you with a spectacular one-handed catch a game, and make it look effortless. Coming from a smaller school that doesn't get a lot of love on a larger scale, blended with the his declined statistics later in his college career, and people have slept on him during the pre-draft process.
Seventh Round Projection: Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks