Who Are the Shortest Wide Receivers in the NFL? (2023-24)
I’ve been a Sports Performance Coach for twenty years and I’ve always found it impactful to show the Wide Receivers I coached the sizes of NFL players at their position. This has proven over the years to be motivational for players needing to add size and sometimes served as a harsh reality check.
I did the same research this season that I do every year. I poured through the 53-man active rosters for the 2023 NFL season, immediately following the final preseason cuts, a total of nearly 1700 players and broke them down by position.
By popular demand, I have put together this guide focusing on the NFL’s shortest Wide Receivers. Get ready to learn some random, yet interesting, football facts that you can show off to your friends.
The Shortest NFL Wide Receivers
For NFL wide receivers, whose average height hovers around 6’0½”, a distinctive group stands out due to their shorter stature. These wide receivers, all measuring 5’8″ or less, offer a unique skill set on the field.
Their agility, rapid acceleration, and lower center of gravity provide them with enhanced maneuverability and stability. This allows them to make quick, elusive moves and change directions swiftly, presenting challenges to defenders who are used to guarding taller opponents.
Closely following this group is another set of wide receivers who stand at 5’9″. These players, while slightly taller, still leverage some of the advantages of a lower center of gravity.
I will be showcasing both these groups in the two tables below.
Deonte Harty
- Height: 5’6″
- Weight: 170 lbs
- Team: Buffalo Bills
- College: Assumption College
- Draft: Undrafted in 2019
- Years in NFL: 5 years
KaVontae Turpin
- Height: 5’7″
- Weight: 153 lbs
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- College: TCU
- Draft: Undrafted in 2019
- Years in NFL: 2 years
Greg Dortch
- Height: 5’7″
- Weight: 175 lbs
- Team: Arizona Cardinals
- College: Wake Forest
- Draft: Undrafted in 2019
- Years in NFL: 4 years
Rondale Moore
- Height: 5’7″
- Weight: 181 lbs
- Team: Arizona Cardinals
- College: Purdue
- Draft: 2nd round, 2021 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 3 years
Deven Thompkins
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 155 lbs
- Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- College: Utah State
- Draft: Undrafted in 2022
- Years in NFL: 2 years
Derius Davis
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 165 lbs
- Team: Los Angeles Chargers
- College: TCU
- Draft: 4th round, 2023 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: Rookie
Kalif Raymond
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 182 lbs
- Team: Detroit Lions
- College: Holy Cross
- Draft: Undrafted in 2016
- Years in NFL: 8 years
Brandon Powell
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 181 lbs
- Team: Minnesota Vikings
- College: Florida
- Draft: Undrafted in 2018
- Years in NFL: 6 years
Wan’Dale Robinson
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 185 lbs
- Team: New York Giants
- College: Kentucky
- Draft: 2nd round, 2022 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 2 years
DeAndre Carter
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 190 lbs
- Team: Las Vegas Raiders
- College: Sacramento State
- Draft: Undrafted in 2015
- Years in NFL: 9 years
Demario Douglas
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 192 lbs
- Team: New England Patriots
- College: Liberty University
- Draft: 6th round, 2023 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: Rookie
Olamide Zaccheaus
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 193 lbs
- Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- College: Virginia
- Draft: Undrafted in 2019
- Years in NFL: 5 years
5’9″ Wide Receivers
Here is that next tier of receivers, all listed at 5’9″.
| Name | Team |
|---|---|
| Calvin Austin III | Steelers |
| Tutu Atwell | Rams |
| Josh Downs | Colts |
| Scott Miller | Falcons |
| Marquise Brown | Cardinals |
| Zay Flowers | Ravens |
| Marquise Goodwin | Browns |
| Richie James | Chiefs |
| Tre Tucker | Raiders |
| Braxton Berrios | Dolphins |
| Xavier Gipson | Jets |
| Ray-Ray McCloud | 49ers |
Final Thoughts
This article shines a light on the remarkable achievements of some of the shortest wide receivers in the NFL. These athletes, including the likes of Deonte Harty from the Bills and Greg Dortch of the Cardinals, have defied the traditional norms of height in a sport where taller players often dominate.
Their success is a powerful testament to the fact that prowess on the football field is not solely determined by physical stature. Instead, it’s their exceptional skills, agility, speed, and sheer determination that allow them to excel and stand out.
For fans and aspiring athletes alike, these players exemplify that success in football is about heart, skill, and hard work, regardless of one’s height.
