Draft Watch 2015: DeVante Parker

Espn draft expert Mel Kiper, thinks Parker is talented enough to potentially challenge Alabama’s Amari Cooper as the first wide receiver taken in this year’s draft.

What makes Parker one of the elite pass-catchers in this talented class of receivers?

A great release off the line of scrimmage. Parker possesses very good movement skills and quick feet for a guy with his length. A great combination of size, explosiveness and athleticism keeps even the best cover corners on their heels. Just ask Florida State’s PJ Williams. Williams is one of the best press cover corners in the country and Parker was able to shake loose a few times and make some big plays against the talented Florida State secondary. 8 catches for 214 yards against a great football team is a pretty good days work.

Great hands and long arms. Parker’s greatest asset is his uncanny ability to pluck the ball out of the air from outside the framework of his body. Parker is dangerous when the ball is up in the air, and he can rise above defenders to make the tough catch. He is also not afraid to work the middle of the field and stretch out those long arms in traffic.

 

 

His ability to make people miss. At 6’3 and 211 pounds, he has the size of a true No. 1 wideout, but it’s his ability to play like a smaller receiver that makes him special. Sure, he is a long lanky glider, but he also shows great balance and enough wiggle and quickness to create yards after the catch. Parker can make the quick cut, break arm tackles and turn short gains into long ones.

The Vikings need a young savvy route runner like Parker that can get open quickly and give Bridgewater a good window to target. Parker not only is very good at making the tough catch on the quick slants, but he can also effectively work the deep sideline routes. Parker is a pass-catcher that can do the dirty work as a possession move-the-chains receiver, while at the same time, be that beat you over the top big play threat as well.

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