Everybody is understandably enamored with "big" wide receivers, but one of the more intriguing prospects among the smaller receivers this year is Kansas State's Tyler Lockett, as NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah will attest.
Lockett measured 5-foot-9 7/8 and 182 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine. He turned in a clocking of 4.40 seconds in the 40 and had a vertical jump of 35.5 inches. Lockett finished his career with 249 receptions for 3,710 yards and 29 TDs; all three are school records. Lockett also was an effective return man at K-State, with six return touchdowns (four on kickoffs, two on punts). He was a two-time Big 12 special teams player of the year and also a two-time all-league wide receiver.
But despite his production and versatility, his lack of size and the depth of this year's wide receiver class will push him down some draft boards and he could end up being available in the third round. Regardless, he seems likely to be gone by the end of the second day (Rounds 2-3), and he will be an enticing prospect for receiver-needy teams who will be picking in the second half of the second round.
Jeremiah also wrote in a tweet that he likes two wide receivers who played in the FCS ranks, Tre McBride (Williams & Mary) and Dezmin Lewis (Central Arkansas).
McBride (6-0 1/4, 210) had a strong week at the East-West Shrine Game, and had a faster-than-expected 4.41 clocking in the 40 at the combine. He moves easily in and out of cuts, is a savvy route runner and has good hands. He also has ability as a return man. Lewis has excellent size (6-3 3/4, 214) -- he was the tallest receiver at the Senior Bowl -- but lacks elite speed and is relatively raw as a receiver. Still, his size gives him an impressive upside, though it could take a while for him to fulfill his potential. He had 197 career catches for Central Arkansas, and 24 went for touchdowns.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
