Cum Laude

8. Breshad Perriman: Baltimore Ravens

Grade: C+

The Ravens hired passing game guru Marc Trestman to lead the offense. During his two-year tenure in Chicago, Trestman’s club averaged 4,036 yards passing and 31 aerial strikes. With veteran quarterback Joe Flacco pulling the trigger, Baltimore will likely increase their passing numbers in 2015. At 6’2” and 212 pounds, Perriman has exceptional speed and is an explosive playmaker, which fits the Trestman receiver profile. Flacco’s rocket arm targets receivers on deep post patterns and the rookie will challenge secondaries down the field. Perriman is a solid wide receiver three on fantasy rosters this year.

2015 Projections: 878 yards receiving and six TDs

9. Nelson Agholor: Philadelphia Eagles

Grade: C+

Coach Chip Kelly revamped the entire offense during the off-season and drafted a game breaker in the first round. Agholor is a dynamic athlete who is a smooth, fluid and precise route runner. In Kelly’s offense, the second receivers have been productive pass catchers during the past two campaigns: Riley Cooper caught 47 passes for 835 yards and eight touchdowns in 2013, and Jordan Matthews grabbed 67 passes for 872 and eight touchdowns in 2014. The former USC star possesses a very good NFL skill set and should be able to rise to the challenge as a freshman. With Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez behind center, fantasy diehards should have some reservations in regard to the potential of the Philadelphia aerial assault this season. 

2015 Projections: 827 yards receiving and five TDs

10. DeVante Parker: Miami Dolphins

Grade: C+

The former Louisville game breaker joins one of the up-and-coming passing attacks in the NFL under the guidance of offensive coordinator Bill Lazor and QB Ryan Tannehill. Parker is an elite athlete with stupendous size, first-rate quickness and game-breaking skills. He will not be asked to carry the burden of the receiver corps with teammates Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings. The Dolphins attempted 595 passes last season and will likely not change their offensive philosophy in 2015. Parker should see red zone targets as a rookie.

2015 Projections: 725 yards receiving and five TDs

11. David Johnson: Arizona Cardinals

Grade: C+

Diehard draftniks have been very interested in the FCS product from Northern Iowa. He is a terrific route runner with soft hands and good body control. Despite good size, the freshman lacks grit and toughness between the tackles. Coach Bruce Arians knows how to take advantage of a player’s skill set and will employ Johnson in the passing game. With RB Andre Ellington on the roster, Johnson most likely begins the season in a running back timeshare. The freshman has more value in ppr leagues as opposed to standard scoring ones.

2015 Projections: 480 yards rushing, 620 yards receiving and six TDs

12. Tyler Lockett: Seattle Seahawks

Grade: C+

The Seattle WR depth chart—Dog Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Kevin Lockett and Ricardo Lockette—foreshadows opportunities for the Kansas State youngster. Lockett’s draft stock varied among scouts, but astute fantasy diehards will snatch the former Wildcat star at a discounted price. A quick-twitch athlete, Lockett is a tough and competitive performer, who ideally lines up in the slot at the next level. He explodes in and out of cuts and is sizzling and elusive in the open field. A perfect player for the Seahawks offense that will likely throw more often in 2015.

2015 Projections: 744 yards receiving and four TDs

Honorable Mention

13. Duke Johnson: Cleveland Browns

14. Jay Ajayi: Miami Dolphins

15. Tevin Coleman: Atlanta Falcons

16. Dorial Green-Beckham: Tennessee Titans

17. David Cobb: Tennessee Titans

18. Jaelan Strong: Houston Texans

19. Maxx Williams: Baltimore Ravens

20. Marcus Mariota: Tennessee Titans

Dynasty Prospects

21. Devin Smith: New York Jets

22. Kenny Bell: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Super Sleeper)

23. Josh Robinson: Indianapolis Colts (Super Sleeper)

24. Javorius Allen: Baltimore Ravens

25. Devin Funchess: Carolina Panthers

26. Phillip Dorsett: Indianapolis Colts 

27. Sammie Coates: Pittsburgh Steelers

28. Tre McBride: Tennessee Titans

29. Clive Walford: Oakland Raiders (Super Sleeper)

30. Jeremy Langford: Chicago Bears

With his Masters in history and professional experience as an educator, John Laub is uniquely qualified to research, analyze and discover new insights and trends in college and professional fantasy football. Laub has played fantasy football for a quarter century and provided FootballDiehards.com with weekly player rankings for over a decade. He won $10,000 in 1993, defeating nearly 15,000 owners, and published Audibles: Winning is Everything in the 1990s. He truly is The Gridiron Scholar. 

Twitter: @GridironSchol91 or e-mail: Audibles@aol.com