Ricardo Lockette

Blessed with the speed to win multiple Georgia state high school championships as a sprinter and win the 2009 NCAA Division II 200-meter dash for FVSU, Lockette's nomadic collegiate career has minimized his production on the football field -- but not the interest of NFL scouts. His career started at Wallace State, then he transferred to Fort Valley for the 2008 season, where he caught 19 passes for 277 touchdowns and three touchdowns, also returning eight kickoffs for 222 yards and a score. He left for Bethel College in Tennessee to get more NFL exposure, then returned to FVSU while sitting out the 2009-2010 football and track seasons after being suspended for testing for a high testosterone level at the NCAA track meet. Returning to competition in 2010, he only managed 23 catches for 262 yards and one touchdown, while returning 10 kickoffs for 214 yards. Despite the issues that have stunted his growth as a player over the past five years, Lockette intrigues teams enough that he earned a spot at the Scouting Combine and showed some promise at the NFLPA All-Star Game. His rare speed, smooth movement and potential as a receiving threat (with NFL coaching) and returner could entice some team to use a mid-to-late-round pick to secure his services.

strengths

Translates his exceptional speed onto the field whether from the slot or on the outside. Presses corners in a hurry on deep routes, will separate on comebacks when footwork is correct. Excellent hand-eye coordination to grab errant passes in any direction. Smooth on vertical routes, should specialize in skinny posts. Quick feet to show inside then fly to the outside route. Some elusiveness after the catch, but really shines when passes hit him on the run. Gives effort to shadow or engage defenders on run plays, will fight with corners at the line of scrimmage as a blocker.

weaknesses

Raw route-runner, takes extra steps and does not drop his hips on comeback routes. Very inconsistent hands; allows balls into his body and loses concentration when feeling a hit. Weak hands will not allow him to win jump balls despite his great vertical. Turns shoulders going through traffic as a returner, leaving ball open to defenders. Must work on sustaining blocks outside. Scouts will have questions about his transfers and positive testosterone test.