West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White will not lack for suitors in the upcoming NFL Draft. In fact, several teams near the top of the draft will likely be competing for his services. Either he or Alabama's Amari Cooper will be the first receiver taken off the board.
"West Virginia star wide receiver Kevin White has visited the Tennessee Titans and has visits with the New York Jets, New York Giants, St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears, according to sources," Aaron Wilson of National FootballPost.com wrote.
If the Raiders pass on White at No. 4, the Jets and Bears (who pick back to back) will become the favorites to land him. In his Mock Draft 4.0, ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. projected White to land with Chicago at No. 7. However, in his recent "Grade A" draft, he had White going to New York at No. 6.
"White has the deep speed and size the Bears need in the passing game as they fill the void left by the departure of Brandon Marshall, and White feels like a pretty good get at this point," Kiper wrote in the Mock Draft 4.0. "I do think he's in play at both No. 3 and No. 4. I can see the Bears looking at a pass-rusher here, but it might be a bit too rich for Vic Beasley and Randy Gregory, and Shane Ray will go through an adjustment period here. White gives the Bears a much-needed threat in the passing game regardless of who plays QB, and the value is good here."
"[I]n adding White, I'm getting a weapon I can pair with Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Jace Amaro in the passing game," Kiper wrote in the Grade A mock draft. "On paper, I now have a balanced and dangerous receiving corps."
The Jets have the higher pick and therefore the better chance at landing White. But they also have a litany of other needs that need to be addressed. New York could look at a pass-rusher or an offensive lineman with the sixth pick, leaving White available for the Bears.
