Green Bay Packers 2015 NFL Draft: Breaking down the wide receiver prospects

Southern California Trojans receiver Nelson Agholor (15) is defended by Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Austin Williams (24). Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Tier Two

7. Nelson Agholor, USC (6-0, 198)
8. Devin Funchess, Michigan (6-4, 234)
9. Devin Smith, Ohio State (6-0, 196)
10. Phillip Dorsett, Miami (5-10, 185)
11. Rashad Greene, Florida State (5-11, 182)
12. Tyler Lockett, Kansas State (5-10, 182)
13. Sammie Coates, Auburn (6-1, 212)
14. Justin Hardy, East Carolina (5-10, 192)
15. Jamison Crowder, Duke (5-8, 185)

The Skinny: Agholor is the top slot receiver in this draft, and he’s a guy who can make things happen with the ball in his hands.

He’ll be a Randall Cobb-like player in the NFL–a guy teams can line up all over the field, including in the backfield. Some teams may even like him enough to take him near the end of the first round.

Despite having the most consistent hands of this class, Agholor remains a very underrated wide receiver prospect.

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (4) catches a touchdown pass. Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The rise of the slot receiver in the modern NFL will reflect how popular these players are on day two of the draft. There are plenty of small, shifty wideouts that teams can take in the second or third round and really feature in their offense.

After Agholor, Dorsett may be the next in line. He’s one of the more dynamic receivers in this draft and looks like T.Y. Hilton’s clone. He’ll make guys miss in the open field, and he has 4.33 speed to burn by defenders.

Lockett is another shifty player in the slot with big-time ability as a returner as well. He’d be a nice third-round pick.

Greene and Hardy are undersized wideouts with strong hands and polished route running ability. They lack the explosiveness of Dorsett and Lockett as slot receivers, but they may better pass catchers. They’ll make a living in the NFL working the underneath routes and finding holes in the defense.

Outside of the slot guys, this second group of receivers has a few good boundary players in Smith, Coates, and Funchess.

Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Devin Funchess (87) makes a catch for a touchdown over Appalachian State Mountaineers defensive back Doug Middleton (21) and defensive back Jordan Ford (12). Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Funchess is a former tight end who brings some tenacity to the field as a receiver. He’ll box out defenders, win jump balls, and make tough catches in traffic. He’s still raw as a route runner, however, and at times he’ll drop easy passes.

Despite these flaws, with some time, Funchess could be a big-time player in the NFL.

Both Smith and Coates are burners.

Smith looks like a younger DeSean Jackson, and although he’s known for the plays he makes downfield, he’s a more complete route runner than people give him credit for.

I’m not as big on Coates as others. He’s a speedy receiver who flashes big-play ability, but he can also disappear for long stretches at a time.

Next: Tier Three