sharon_orn
Member
Big wide receivers like 2015 prospects (6-foot-5, 237 pounds) and (6-4, 232) are becoming more and more prevalent on NFL rosters, but that doesn't mean there is no longer room for the little guy. , , and , all measuring shorter than six feet and weighing le s than 190 pounds, finished last year No. 1, No. 5 and No. 6 in the NFL in receiving yards. So who's next? Here are five receivers no bigger than 6-foot, 190 pounds in this year's draft that have the best chance to make an impact at the next level. 1. , Miami Dorsett is the only wide receiver that fits our size criteria and ranks on NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah's in Lonzo Ball Jersey the draft (No. 48). That ranking places his value squarely in the middle of the second round. Dorsett (5-10, 185) blazed a 4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL , the third-fastest overall time, and had an unofficial clocking of . He was virtually impo sible to cover at the in Mobile, Ala., and averaged 24.5 yards per catch with the Hurricanes last season. NFL fit: . If Miami doesn't addre s the wide receiver position in the first round, the second round (No. 47 overall) could be the ideal time. Dorsett could be available, and would be an explosive target for quarterback . 2. , Kansas State At 5-10, 182 pounds, Lockett is definitely on the small side, but he has plenty of experience playing against pre s coverage because opposing defenses tried to take advantage of his size at the line of scrimmage during his Kansas State career. That could be good and bad -- he has more experience than most releasing against pre s, but it also foretells where he could struggle in the NFL. The scouting word on Lockett is that he consistently gets open, and . He caught 106 pa ses for 1,515 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior and is known to be a high-character guy as well. NFL fit: . In and , the have a couple veteran receivers they can play outside. Lockett could be a nice complement in the slot position, where he might have an easier time releasing downfield. 3. , Duke Crowder (5-9, 174) wasn't as productive last season as he was in 2013, and his combine performance wasn't as strong as most expected. But he showed well at the and at Duke's pro day. He's an outstanding return specialist and could be a dangerous pro in the right system and role. He has the quickne s to get open on short routes, which could make him ideal for a slot role. NFL Media analyst Charles Davis . NFL fit: . Crowder could be a nice slot fit in an offense that already has a star outside in . Cincinnati's punt-return average of 7.2 yards ranked 25th in the NFL last season. Crowder could give the team an immediate special-teams boost, and wide receivers coach James Urban was among those on hand to see Crowder work out at his pro day. 4. , West Virginia The "other guy" at West Virginia, Alford played in the shadow of star receiver Kevin White, a potential top-10 pick. Like others on this list, Alford (5-9, 177) to his profile as a draft prospect. He caught 65 pa ses for 945 yards and 11 touchdowns, which is very strong production considering White was option No. 1 in the Mountaineers' pa sing game. Alford also averaged better than 28 yards on kickoff returns. NFL fit: . The acquisition of was a nice pickup, but the still need to create plenty of competition at receiver and should invest multiple picks in the position. Alford could bring a spark to training camp, and probably at a minimal draft expense. 5. , UAB Nelson could easily be an undrafted free agent, so the truth is, the draft isn't going to be spilling over with smallish receivers. The smallest of the small, Nelson is just 5-10 and 156 pounds. That's even lighter than receiver/return specialist (5-5, 166), who has had to make his NFL living strictly on special teams. That might have to be Nelson's path, as well, but like Holliday, his speed is special. Nelson's 4.28 40-yard dash was the swiftest time of the entire NFL . He caught 35 pa ses for 655 yards at UAB last season, but averaged 38.4 on kickoff returns. NFL fit: . The best fit for Nelson is easy enough: Just go straight to the bottom of the NFL's kickoff-return rankings, where the lagged with a 19.0 average. Nelson could compete to replace , who was released by Arizona this offseason, as a return specialist. *Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter * Wenyen Gabriel Jersey