J.J. Nelson to Arizona Cardinals: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

With few needs left deep into the 2015 NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals spent the No. 159 overall pick on a specialist. University of Alabama-Birmingham speedster J.J. Nelson immediately fills the vacant returner role that Ted Ginn Jr. filled in 2014.

Nelson is one of the most interesting prospects in the draft. At 5’10” and 154 pounds, he is the lightest player to ever be measured at the NFL combine. With his size, it is unsurprising that he is lightning-fast.

He posted a jaw-dropping 40-yard dash time of 4.28. That should be expected with his weight, but it helps illustrate how well he can play as a return man. He can flat-out fly and make coverages pay for the slightest mistake.

Nelson has an impressive resume as he enters the NFL. He was a first-team All-American for his return talent in 2014. He finished his career with 19.6 yards per reception. His four kickoff returns for a touchdown also led the NCAA.

As a receiver, he is going to struggle to do anything but run deep. His weight is a major concern for his durability. If he’s on the field, he will be running a deep route 100 percent of the time.

In three years of returning kicks, Nelson was incredible. He had 1,932 yards, five touchdowns and a 25.4-yard average. Compared to Ginn's 2014 numbers, Nelson averaged 6.4 yards more per return.

2014 was Nelson’s only full-time year returning punts, and he did well. He had 26 returns for 277 yards for a 10.7-yard average. Again, his speed is simply too hard to contain if there is the slightest mistake by the defense.

NFL.com draft expert Lance Zierlein called Nelson a “long shot” to be drafted, as he is only a slot deep threat and return man. His big concerns included Nelson’s weight and his lack of horizontal suddenness as an athlete. His straight-line speed and vision are major positives.

This late in a weak overall draft, it is hard to look down too much on the selection of Nelson. He fits a clear need for the Cardinals, even if he is a specialist. His explosiveness and game-changing ability should justify this selection at some point on special teams in 2015.

All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com.

Ian Wharton is an NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. 

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