Top-5 Deep Threats in the 2015 NFL Draft

Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Devin Smith (9) reacts after a missed catch while defended by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Cyrus Jones (5) during the fourth quarter in the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

As we all know, future Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss is the greatest deep threat that ever played in the NFL. He was 6’4″, could jump out of a stadium, could track the deep ball and was so fast, he could hit the light switch and be in his bed before his room gets dark. Then Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson came into the league bigger but watered down in the other departments.

That would change what a deep threat was in the NFL for a while because personnel people watered it down even more. They looked for guys that were 6’5″, over 230 pounds and could jump a little in order to high-point a ball. A deep threat became more of a bully that out-muscled corners for the ball instead of blowing past them.

The go route gave way to the back-shoulder-fade and even that pass seamed to get shorter every year. The smaller, faster guys didn’t get love anymore as the fear became that they would get bumped around too much. But guys like Desean Jackson kept the smaller, faster deep threats relevant then Victor Cruz and Mike Wallace came along to do some damage.

Then they started actually started enforcing the rule where you can’t touch a receiver past five yards. So now, if a corner grabs you when you start to blow past him, the yellow flag is coming out. So big or small, if you have the ability to run by guys, you have a place in the NFL again.

The result is we’re starting to see deep balls go for a 70-yard touchdowns again instead of 25-yard gains. Guys like Odell Beckham Jr. and T.Y. Hilton have come into the league to bring the speed element back. There are five guys coming into the league this year that among other things, they’re fast so they have more of a complete deep ball skill-set.

I’ll rate them all based on their skill-sets but their production down the field is what’s heaviest.

Turn the page to see what I have.