Speedy, small Phillip Dorsett a promising receiver

MOBILE, Ala. - The NFC scout didn't hesitate.

On a field crowded with NFL prospects, it was easy to pinpoint his top wide receiver. Some may knock Miami's Phillip Dorsett for his diminutive frame, but his explosiveness and speed are too difficult to ignore."If you look past his size, he's a football player,'' the scout said of the 5-9, 183-pound Dorsett at the South team's practice Wednesday. "He's going to go somewhere and he's going to kill it.''

To no surprise, the Jets -- a team with plenty of needs, including receiver -- interviewed Dorsett here. But they're just one of several teams interested in the speedster. Dorsett couldn't remember all of the teams he met with this week, but he did mention the Eagles, Dolphins, Browns and Ravens. "It's a lot of teams,'' he said. "Almost all of them, honestly.''

According to NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah, Dorsett likely will be the fastest player in the 2015 draft class. Dorsett said he ran a 4.21 40-yard dash during his last year at Miami. But he's also well aware his small stature will scare some teams off.

Dorsett said he's comfortable returning kickoffs and punts. "I'm just trying to show everybody what I can do. I'm not just a one-trick pony.''

Another small receiver who's gained a lot of attention here is Kansas State's Tyler Lockett. The fellow South member is only 5-9½ and 181 pounds. But although he may not possess the blazing speed of Dorsett, Lockett's quickness was on full display Wednesday when he smoked converted cornerback Nick Marshall of Auburn and Northwestern State's Imoan Claiborne for back-to-back downfield touchdowns.

Lockett knows his size is a disadvantage, but he's confident his versatility as a receiver and special-teamer will increase his stock. "As small as I am, I'm tough,'' he said. "I'll take a hit. I'll do whatever it takes.''

Lockett's father, Kevin, set several Kansas State receiving records -- many of which were broken by his brother Aaron or by Tyler -- and was a second-round pick of the Chiefs in 1997. Kevin Lockett ended his career with the Jets in 2003.

"My dad and uncle went to the league, so I already know what to expect,'' Tyler Lockett said. "My dad told me, even coming here: 'It's still football. You're doing exactly what you did in games. So just don't make it bigger than it really is.'''


(newsday.com)