The Top 10 Lightest Wide Receivers in NFL History and Today

The NFL has always been a league where size matters, but wide receivers have never needed to be the biggest players on the field to make an impact. While taller, heavier receivers can use their size to win contested catches, lighter wideouts often rely on speed, acceleration, route-running, and agility to create separation from defenders.

Some of the NFL’s most memorable receivers have played well below the typical weight for their position. From undersized veterans who competed in previous eras to today’s quick slot receivers and top anytime TD NFL picks, these players demonstrate that there is more than one way to succeed at the highest level of football.

🏈 The Lightest Receivers in NFL History

1. Tony Jones — 5’7″, 142 lbs

Listed at just 142 pounds, Tony Jones is one of the lightest NFL receivers documented in historical records. He played for the Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons from 1990 to 1993, finishing his career with 63 receptions, 798 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. His measurements make him a striking example of a receiver who competed in the NFL despite weighing far less than many players at his position.

2. Clarence Verdin — 5’8″, 160 lbs

Clarence Verdin turned his compact 5-foot-8, 160-pound frame into a nine-season NFL career, playing for Washington, Indianapolis, and Atlanta. He finished with 82 receptions for 1,329 yards and seven receiving touchdowns, averaging an impressive 16.2 yards per catch. Verdin was also a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl champion, giving his career a stronger résumé than his size might suggest.

3. Bruce Davis — 5’8″, 160 lbs

Bruce Davis was a second-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 1984 NFL Draft despite weighing just 160 pounds at 5-foot-8. He appeared in 15 games across his NFL career, recording seven receptions for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Although his professional career was brief, Davis is a documented example of a smaller receiver earning an opportunity at the highest level.

4. Stephen Baker — 5’8″, 160 lbs

Known as “The Touchdown Maker,” Stephen Baker played six seasons with the New York Giants after being drafted in the third round in 1987. He recorded 141 receptions for 2,587 yards and 21 touchdowns, averaging 18.3 yards per catch, and helped the Giants win Super Bowl XXV. Baker’s production and championship success make him one of the most accomplished players among these historically lightweight receivers.

5. Michael Smith — 5’8″, 160 lbs

Michael Smith was listed at 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds during his brief NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1992. He appeared in two games and recorded one reception for 28 yards, according to Pro-Football-Reference. While his professional statistics are limited, his listed measurements put him among the smaller wide receivers recorded in NFL history.

6. J.J. Nelson — 5’10”, 160 lbs

J.J. Nelson brought elite speed to the Arizona Cardinals after being selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Across his NFL career, he recorded 61 receptions for 1,019 yards and eight receiving touchdowns, while also contributing as a return option. At 160 pounds, Nelson showed how a lighter receiver could threaten defenses with explosive downfield plays rather than relying on size to win contested catches.

7. Calvin Austin III — 5’9″, 162 lbs

Calvin Austin III entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2022 and established himself as a speedy receiving option. Through the 2025 season, he had accumulated 84 receptions for 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns, including a 548-yard campaign in 2024. Listed at 162 pounds, Austin is one of the lightest NFL receivers in this comparison, although his current roster status should be checked against the latest official listing.

8. Sam Graddy — 5’10”, 165 lbs

Sam Graddy brought an elite track-and-field background to professional football after winning an Olympic silver medal in the 100-meter relay at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Listed at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, he finished his NFL career with 18 receptions for 477 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 26.5 yards per catch. That high yards-per-reception figure reflects the downfield threat his speed offered, even though his receiving totals remained modest.

9. Tutu Atwell — 5’9″, 165 lbs

Tutu Atwell was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft despite weighing only 165 pounds. He has developed into a deep-threat option, recording 107 receptions for 1,562 yards and five touchdowns through the available 2026 statistics, and he was part of the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning team. Atwell remains one of the clearest modern examples of a smaller receiver using speed and route separation to make an impact.

10. Todd Pinkston — 6’3″, 174 lbs

Todd Pinkston’s inclusion shows that being lightweight does not necessarily mean being short: he stood 6-foot-2 but weighed a listed 174 pounds. A second-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2000, he finished his NFL career with 184 receptions for 2,816 yards and 14 touchdowns across 78 games. Pinkston was a downfield target during Philadelphia’s early-2000s playoff runs, making him a notable example of a tall, slender receiver.

🏈 The Lightest Receivers in the NFL Today

Today’s NFL still features receivers who weigh substantially less than many players at their position. Speed, separation, route-running, and the ability to make plays after the catch are especially important for the lightest NFL receivers.

1. Calvin Austin III — New York Giants, 5’9″, 162 lbs

Calvin Austin III was a fourth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 and produced 1,100 receiving yards and eight touchdowns through the 2025 season. His best statistical season came in 2024, when he caught 36 passes for 548 yards and four touchdowns, including a 72-yard reception. At a listed 162 pounds, Austin is the lightest NFL receiver today. However, he is out for the 2026 season while recovering from a torn ACL.

2. Tutu Atwell — Los Angeles Rams, 5’9″, 165 lbs

Tutu Atwell was a second-round pick in 2021 and has become a vertical threat for the Los Angeles Rams, averaging 14.7 yards per reception through the 2025 season. His 2024 campaign was a career best for receptions, with 42 catches for 562 yards, while his longest recorded catch in the NFL reached 88 yards. Atwell’s speed and ability to stretch coverage make him one of the most recognizable lightweight receivers in today’s NFL.

3. Derius Davis — Los Angeles Chargers, 5’8″, 165 lbs

Derius Davis is one of the shortest wide receivers in the league at 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds, and he has contributed as both a receiver and return specialist for the Chargers. Through the 2025 season, he had 30 career receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns, with much of his value coming from special teams and designed touches. His compact frame and quickness make him a useful option when Los Angeles wants to create space in the open field.

4. Xavier Worthy — Kansas City Chiefs, 5’11”, 165 lbs

Xavier Worthy entered the NFL as Kansas City’s first-round pick in 2024 after setting a record for the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, clocking 4.21 seconds. He made an immediate impact with 638 receiving yards and six touchdown catches as a rookie, and added three rushing touchdowns that season. Listed at 165 pounds, Worthy pairs exceptional straight-line speed with a role that can threaten defenses on deep routes and manufactured touches.

5. Tez Johnson — Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 5’10”, 165 lbs

Tez Johnson was drafted by Tampa Bay in 2025 and made a promising start to his NFL career with 28 receptions for 322 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie. Through five games in 2026, he had added five catches for 138 yards, averaging 27.6 yards per reception, while also contributing as a punt returner. At 165 pounds, Johnson is one of the lightest NFL receivers currently listed, and his early production suggests Tampa Bay can use his speed to create explosive plays.

6. DeVonta Smith — Philadelphia Eagles, 6’0″, 170 lbs

DeVonta Smith is taller than many players on this list, but his listed weight of 170 pounds is relatively light for a 6-foot receiver. The 2020 Heisman Trophy winner has developed into a consistent NFL target, recording 398 receptions for 5,189 yards and 32 touchdowns through the 2025 season. Smith’s precise route-running, reliable hands, and ability to separate from coverage have helped him thrive without relying on a heavier build.

7. Marquise Brown — Philadelphia Eagles, 5’9″, 170 lbs

Marquise “Hollywood” Brown built his NFL reputation on speed after being selected in the first round by Baltimore in 2019. He has recorded 371 receptions for 4,322 yards and 33 touchdowns through the 2025 season, including a 1,008-yard campaign with the Ravens in 2021. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, Brown remains a prime example of a smaller receiver who can challenge defenses vertically and turn short completions into significant gains.

8. Josh Downs — Indianapolis Colts, 5’9″, 171 lbs

Josh Downs was selected by Indianapolis in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft and quickly became a productive option in the short and intermediate passing game. Through five games in 2026, he had 20 receptions for 249 yards, following seasons of 771, 803, and 566 receiving yards in his first three years. Downs’ 5-foot-9, 171-pound frame suits his role as a quick, agile target who can find openings between defenders.

9. Britain Covey — Philadelphia Eagles, 5’8″, 173 lbs

Britain Covey is listed at 5-foot-8 and 173 pounds and has contributed to Philadelphia primarily through his return-game skills. Through the 2025 season, he had 13 career receptions for 96 yards, while his value on special teams has included opportunities to return both punts and kickoffs. Covey’s low center of gravity and ability to change direction are useful traits for a player tasked with navigating traffic and finding space on returns.

10. Deion Burks — Indianapolis Colts, 5’9″, 180 lbs

Deion Burks was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft and entered the league listed at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds. In his first five games, he recorded one reception for six yards and added two rushing attempts for 14 yards, so his professional résumé is still developing. Burks rounds out this lightweight receiver group as a rookie whose speed and versatility will be important as he works to earn a larger offensive role.

What Makes Smaller NFL Wide Receivers Successful?

Being lighter than the average NFL wide receiver does not automatically make a player more effective or less effective. Teams evaluate receivers on a combination of traits, including:

• Speed and acceleration: Smaller receivers may use quickness to gain separation or threaten defenses deep.
• Route-running: Sharp changes of direction can create openings without requiring a receiver to overpower a defender.
• Hands and concentration: Reliable catching is important regardless of a player’s size.
• Balance and agility: The ability to change direction and avoid tackles can help a receiver gain extra yards after the catch.
• Role versatility: Some lighter receivers also contribute as punt or kick returners, giving their teams additional options.

A receiver’s listed weight is only one part of the picture. Height, reach, strength, route-running, football intelligence, and the offensive system all affect how a player performs.

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❓ NFL Lightest Receivers FAQs

Who is the lightest wide receiver in NFL history?

Tony Jones is one of the lightest documented NFL wide receivers, listed at 142 pounds and 5-foot-7. He played for the Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons during his NFL career from 1990 to 1993.

Who are the lightest NFL receivers playing today?

Calvin Austin III, Tutu Atwell, Derius Davis, and Xavier Worthy are among the lighter wide receivers featured in our current-player list. Their published weights range from 162 to 165 pounds.

How much do the lightest NFL receivers weigh?

The lightest NFL receivers can weigh around 160 pounds or less, considerably below many wideouts in the league. Tony Jones is listed at 142 pounds in historical records, while current players such as Calvin Austin III are listed at 162 pounds. These figures reflect published player measurements rather than independent weigh-ins.

Does being a lightweight wide receiver help in the NFL?

A lighter build can complement the speed, acceleration, and agility needed to separate from defensive backs. Smaller receivers may also excel at quick routes, running after the catch, and returning punts. However, weight alone does not determine success, as strength, technique, hands, and football intelligence all influence performance.

Who is the lightest active NFL wide receiver in 2026?

Calvin Austin III is listed at 162 pounds in the current-player comparison, making him the lightest player in that group. Tutu Atwell, Derius Davis, Xavier Worthy, and Tez Johnson are listed at 165 pounds.