Other Positions:  Quarterbacks  |  Running Backs  |  Wide Receivers

For many years, the NFL scouts would search for the tallest players they could find and then most of the best receivers would be shorter. But no denying that height is a factor lately with the top six wideouts all 6’2″ or taller. Speed typically is a function of size too since the smaller players would run faster. Freaks like Calvin Johnson are exceptions but the more complicated offenses these days do not ask wideouts to just run fly patterns. It is more about precise route running and shorter throws. While Oakland and anywhere Norv Turner goes may not get the memo, speed is less a factor in recent seasons. Being where the quarterbacks expects you to be is far more telling for success.

Height – No denying that tall players do better as receivers now. Wes Welker has always been an exception and the few knock ‘offs of him never succeed as much (may have to do with playing with Tom Brady). All of the most successful receivers who have been playing for less than five years are all 6’2″ or taller. This does not bode so well for Tavon Austin.

Weight – While height and weight are obviously related, there is a variance bigger than expected. Brandon Marshall may be 6’4″ but weighs in at 230 pounds like Andre Johnson. And yet A.J. Green is far slimmer at 207 pounds. Around 220 pounds is a good mark but a sign that height matters a lot.

Age – There is a large variation in ages and the 29 years old with six seasons of experience has held true pretty much every year. Exactly that in 2008 and 2003. That reflects that it does take most some time to reach the peak of their career and notable that no wideout with less than three years were in the top ten. A second year player shows up on a rare occasion but another factor to consider heavily is who the quarterback is that throws them the ball.

Rookies: Tavon Austin can only hope to be another Wes Welker though he is even smaller. Glancing through the list, it is surprising how many of the receivers are under-sized in height and weight but then again most won’t make it anyway. Smaller return men are always in vogue and that is where speed is a big factor. For the most part, the biggest wideouts were the ones taken in the early rounds before the seventh round suddenly became “just grab a tall guy for camp”. The first two rounds are always the ones with the players far more likely to stick and starting in the third round, it becomes rare that receivers ever turn up as elite. Nothing too surprising here with the bigger early guys but Austin is just a very different player in terms of size. With luck he can become the productiveexception on the other end of the spectrum from Calvin Johnson. Austin has no parallel since such a little guy has not been the first wideout in decades.

Other Positions:  Quarterbacks  |  Running Backs  |  Wide Receivers

 Print