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2015 NFL Rookie Predictions: Kevin White may be next Beckham

2015 NFL Rookie Predictions: Kevin White may be next Beckham

Poked, prodded, pricked -- pro prospects have been thoroughly examined by franchises leading up to this month's NFL Draft. However, fantasy owners are just now dissecting their Year 1 potential. Over the next several weeks, we'll attempt to channel our inner Mayock determining whether Rookie X will be fantasy flame or lame material this fall. Friday's profile: West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White.

College Highlights: Exploded onto the national scene during his senior season. White stormed out of the gates last fall, tallying seven consecutive 100-yard games, a West Virginia first. He also established a new single-game catch mark grabbing 16 passes against Texas in November. In his swan song with the Mountaineers he totaled 109 receptions for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns. That massive output is why he was a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, the top honor for a collegiate wide receiver.

Pluses: White is a triple whammy. He has the size (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), speed (4.35 40-yard) and mean streak needed to be a highly productive receiver at the next level. Very competitive and physical target who aggressively goes after the ball. "Mountain" strong – he set the pace among WRs with 23 bench presses at the Combine – he can break press coverage with relative ease and is hard to drag down after the catch. His quick-twitch cuts and plants allow him to gain separation from defenders. Can really climb the ladder.

Minuses: Answered the bell when asked to run more complex routes in 2014, but his overall route tree continues to be a work in progress. Isn't especially elusive in the open-field, relying more on power than wiggle to break tackles. Due to a limited track record at a high collegiate level, many tab him a one-year wonder, a product of an explosive spread offense.

Pro Comp(s): DeAndre Hopkins, Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald

Team Fits: Oakland, Chicago, St. Louis, Minnesota, Cleveland

Projected ADP/Auction Value ($200 cap): 60-70 (WR30)/$11-$16

Fearless Forecast: By no means is White a finished product. He must absorb his NFL employer's playbook quickly and make rapid advancements in the route-running department if he wants to make an instant impact. However, because of his exceptional performance at the combine and on-field contributions with the Mountaineers last fall, he has the necessary tools to develop into a fantasy live wire. If Amari Cooper winds up in Oakland, as most Draftniks project, White could blow into the Windy City with gale force. In a deep WR class, he very well could be the cream of the crop. Don't be surprised if he exceeds 70 catches, 1100 yards and six touchdowns this season.

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