2015 NFL Combine WR True Heights

For the second year in a row, we’ll use the NFL Combine measurables to view wide receiver heights in a different light. If you’re not familiar with the process, we create a “true height” be adding a receiver’s actual height, arm length, and vertical.

Though it obviously has its flaws, rarely does a receiver fully extend in such a manner, it’s a way to recognize a player’s regular height isn’t the only factor. It’s not often a skill position has to run 40 yards in a straight line, either.

We’ll post the sortable results below, showing the final true height in feet and inches, followed by some analysis after.

This will eventually be done with defensive backs as well.

– The average height was 140.35 inches, 11.70 feet. That is up from last year’s figure of 139.92 inches. Standard deviation is 5.10 inches compared to 4.42 inches.

– That’s in part due to Chris Conley’s outrageous figure, the highest over the last two years. As you’d expect, a 45 inch vertical gave him a big advantage. His 152.63 inches paced the group this year and beat last year’s top man, Mike Evans, by nearly four inches.

The 4.25 inch difference is staggering and by far the greatest between any two positions from the last two seasons. Three players in 2015 above 148 inches compared to one, Evans, in 2014. But there were ten receivers in 2014 above 12 feet, compared to seven this time around.

Still not enough to be considered an outlier, he would’ve had to be above 155.65, but the closest one at either end of the spectrum over the two years. Not too bad for the 15^th “tallest” receiver at Indy.

– From a strictly true height standpoint, this class could be considered more top-heavy but a little less well-rounded.

– Darren Waller did not pull a Brandon Coleman, last year’s tallest receiver who finished 9^th in my rankings. His strong vertical and excellent length placed the 6’6/1 receiver in second.

– However, the second-tallest player by conventional wisdom came in at a less than stellar 13^th place. Dorial Green-Beckham’s poor vertical of 33.5 inches held him back.

– The first player under the six foot came in at 11^th place. Yes, Ty Montgomery is barely under that benchmark but his 40.5 inch vertical was one of the Combine’s best figures that nearly vaulted him into the top ten.

– Unlike last year, there was less integration between the six footers and below. Only four receivers came in below the five-somethings, sans Montgomery. Much more of a mix in 2014. Admittedly, that is a little disappointing.

The lowest six-footer was Central Michigan’s Titus Davis, a prospect some Steelers’ fans hope can be the next Antonio Brown. Had some of the shortest arms at his position, just over 29.5 inches, and a paltry 32.5 inch vertical.

– Auburn’s Sammie Coates did well in the study, ranking fifth despite being 17^th in conventional height.

– Of the “Big Three” at receiver, Kevin White, Amari Cooper, and DeVante Parker, White and Parker finished in the top ten. Cooper came in a relatively disappointing tie for 25^th place due to shorter arms and far worse vertical.

– And this year’s shortest receiver? Duke’s Jamison Crowder, at just over 5’8, who came in 30^th out of 38 participants with a true height of 135.75 inches.

– San Diego State’s Ezell Ruffin has the worst figure of the last two years at 130.25 inches. But if it’s any consolation, 2014’s last place finisher in true heights was Jarvis Landry, who had an excellent season with the Miami Dolphins.