DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

Height, Weight, 40 Time: 6.3, 209, 4.4

2014 Stats: 43 catches 855 yards, 5 touchdowns

DeVante Parker Highlights:

https://youtu.be/zLa4Rip6Vrg

DeVante Parker Analysis:

STRENGTHS

Consistently plays with outstanding body control. Soft hands and elite concentration are his calling cards. Credited with just three drops since 2012. Comfortable with a man on his hip. Maintains focus on downfield throws despite hand fighting and bumps. Daunting catch radius. Produces explosive plays without top-end speed. Works his way back to the ball and gets open during scrambles. Consistently high-points his catches and is a snatch-and-secure receiver. Recognizes when to adjust depth of routes over the middle. Has an innate feel for the position. Proved he could come back from injury and regain his form. Maximizes his catch window through body control, extended hands and positioning.

WEAKNESSES

Linear and lacking ideal play strength. Has to prove he can beat a more physical brand of press coverage. Very average suddenness out of breaks. Routes are inconsistent and sometimes lack sharpness. Noticeably slower after returning from a broken bone in his foot in 2014. Lacks top-end speed. Quick-twitch corners could be his kryptonite. He was not put on this earth to run block.

NFL COMPARISON

Hakeem Nicks

BOTTOM LINE

Parker won't win the NFL Scouting Combine, but he will win when the ball is in the air. With his height and an exceptional wingspan (80 inches), he consistently catches everything in his vicinity. Parker isn't going to overpower cornerbacks and he will have more contested catches than most explosive wideouts. Parker has consistently posted eye-popping yards-per-catch numbers during his time at Louisville. Parker needs time to get into his routes and his talents would be on full display in a West Coast passing attack.