DeVante Parker

Despite losing his quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Parker passed on the NFL after the 2013 season and returned to Louisville for his senior year, although it didn't go quite as expected, missing the first seven games after foot surgery. However, when he did return, he was dominant in the final six games, averaging seven catches and almost 150 receiving yards per game. Parker will have some easy drops and needs to iron out some wrinkles in his game, but he is long-striding athlete with better catch-and-go creativity and toughness than expected, using his wingspan and natural length to play above the rim. His size/athletic dimensions are first round quality with a large catching radius to be a playmaker at every level of the field - not quite on the same level as A.J. Green as a NFL prospect, but a notch below. Parker was a Louisville fan growing up and committed to his hometown team as a junior in high school. He started six games as a true freshman in 2011 and led the team in receiving scores (6) and yards per catch average (16.2). Parker was again a part-time wideout as a sophomore (three starts), but led the Cardinals with 744 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He set career-highs as a junior in 2013 with a team-best 55 catches for 885 yards and tied a school-record with 12 touchdown grabs, earning First Team All-AAC honors. Parker missed the first seven games of his senior season due to a foot injury, but still managed 43 catches for 855 yards and five scores in just four starts, earning Second Team All-ACC honors.

leaner-than-ideal frame and needs to add muscle and bulk. good speed for the position, but can be caught from behind. usually reliable hands and focus, but will allow the ball into his body at times and tends to have concentration lapses. better with the ball away from his body where he can extend and attack.

Room to improve his footwork off the line to beat press and get into his routes. Needs to improve his coverage reads to better manipulate defenders instead of using the same moves each play. Will get himself in trouble extending his arms away from his body to push off - won't get away with that in the NFL. Willing blocker, but has room to improve in this area.

quick-starter with the initial movements off the line of scrimmage to gain free release and stack corners, using field leverage to give him room to work down the sideline. disguises routes well with a strong plant foot, selling his patterns with crisp footwork. shows some shake in the open field with quick cuts to deceive after the catch and the vision to collect yac.

Tracks the football and extends well to attack with a large wingspan and natural body control - usually reliable ballskills. Above average vertical with the leaping ability to hang in the air. Deceiving body strength and not a push-over, running tough and not allowing coverage defenders to slow him down in his routes. Tougher than he looks and not an easy ballcarrier to finish off. Confident competitor and won't shrink in crunch time. Frequent visitor to the end zone with a touchdown every 4.7 catches for the Cardinals.

durability concerns due to his lean frame and college injuries, including a left foot injury (aug. 2014) that required surgery and sidelined him for the first seven games of his senior season, also missed one game as a junior due to a right shoulder injury (oct. 2013).

--Dane Brugler

consistently productive in college and leaves louisville ranked top-five in several categories, including career receiving yards (2,775) and career receiving touchdowns (33).

WEAKNESSES

strengths

Excellent height/length body type with the frame to get stronger. Long-striding speed with natural lower body explosion to get vertical in a hurry. Shows multiple gears in his routes to set up defenders.

compares to

A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals - Although he's not quite on the same level as Green, Parker is just a notch below with a similar athletic skill-set with the height and length to tower over defenders.

Played for Mike Jackson at Ballard High School

Rated as the No. 26 wide receiver by Scout.com

Two-time all-state performer

Caught 68 passes for 1,793 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior

Fifth in state history at time of graduation with 3,274 yards receiving.

Son of Raneca Parker and former Louisville running back Anthony Shelman

Born 1/20/93

Education major.