2015 NFL Draft Profile: DeVante Parker, WR Louisville

No player is mocked to the Minnesota Vikings more often than Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker. Maybe it is because of his history with the team’s quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, but there is more to it than that. Fans in Minnesota have been waiting for the team to get that #1 wide receiver that the team has been missing since Randy Moss left for Oakland back in 2005.

Parker has a great combination of size and speed. What he has the potential to do with that has experts polarized. While some outlets see him as the next A.J. Green, others aren’t as keen on him, equating him to a player like Hakeem Nicks.

He shows amazing body control, but it couldn’t hurt him to bulk up for the NFL, where he’s likely to have defenders try to push him around. Despite that, he’s got the potential to be one of the top wide receivers in the draft class.

Combine Measurables:

Nov 29, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) runs onto the field during senior day activities before the first quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Papa John

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 209 pounds

Arm Length: 33.25″

Hand Size: 9.25″

40 Yard Dash: 4.45 seconds

Bench Press: 17 reps

Vertical Jump: 36.5″

Broad Jump: 125″

Draft Projection

DeVante Parker is currently the #16 overall prospect according to CBS Sports and their #3 wide receiver. He is almost assured to be a first round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Fit For The Vikings

As a former teammate of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater at Louisville, it would be a homecoming of sorts if the Vikings did select DeVante Parker with their first round selection.

My Take

While many fans and experts see wide receiver as one of the team’s biggest needs, I’m not so sure they’re right. With Greg Jennings, Charles Johnson, Jarius Wright, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Adam Thielen, competition for a spot on the roster would be pretty tight. That’s not to say that the team couldn’t use a #1 receiver, but the jury is still out on whether or not DeVante Parker is worthy of that title.

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