Rating the NFL draft prospects: Specialists
The Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn assesses the top specialists in the draft this week. Included is each player's height, weight, 40-yard dash time and projected round.
KICK RETURNERS
1. ODELL BECKHAM, WR, Louisiana State (5-11, 196, 4.40) – Returned punts all three years (62), averaging 9.0 and scoring twice. Main kickoff returner in 2013 after backing up in 2011-'12. Career mark of 24.9 on 42 runbacks. "He's got a ton of experience," one coach said. "Strong, fast, athletic, productive. When he gets a seam he goes full speed. He covers ground as he makes moves. Good hands."
2. JUSTIN GILBERT, CB, Oklahoma State (6-0, 200, 4.36) – Returned kickoffs all four years, averaging 26.3 and scoring six TDs (one short of FBS record) in 102 attempts. "He can create yards on his own," one coach said. "He can make you miss. He's got really good ability to anticipate blocks. This guy's reckless. Love this guy." All eight punt returns (6.9) came in 2010. "He muffed too many (kickoffs)," the coach said. "That's what he has to overcome. He can judge the ball."
3. DE'ANTHONY THOMAS, RB, Oregon (5-8½, 174, 4.39) – Brought back 73 kickoffs for 25.8 average and four TDs, and 16 punts for school-record 17.1 mark and one TD. "He's a kickoff returner who has to develop as a punt returner," one coach said. "I mean, he's got to do it. He's a long ways away. As far as making plays, this guy has scored five times in three years. Similar career numbers as (Trindon) Holliday. He's got to be reliable catching punts and making good decisions." Started at RB in 2013. In three seasons, he rushed for 1,890 yards (7.8) and 26 TDs, and caught 113 passes for 1,296 (11.5) and 15 TDs. Epitomizes big-play threat: scored 13 TDs of 30 yards or more. "Thing about him, where do you play him on offense?" one coach said. "Or do you draft him at some point to be the returner? He tracks and catches the ball very well. Good feet, great first step, good quickness, runs hard for his (size), has a lot of confidence in his hands." Third-year junior from Los Angeles. Scored 14 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test.
4. DRI ARCHER, RB-WR, Kent State (5-7½, 175, 4.23) – "Now I know it's Kent State but it don't matter," one coach said. "Speed is speed. He's as fast as anybody I've ever seen coming out." Started 21 of 47 games, sitting out '11 because of academic woes (Wonderlic of 19). Returned 51 kickoffs for a 28.2 average and four TDs, including a Mid-American Conference record of 36.9 in 2012. Has just six punt returns (1.3). "He's really exciting but really little," another coach said. "He's a running back-type guy, but I don't know where you put him. Had a ton of production." Rushed for 2,342 (7.2) and 24 TDs, and caught 99 passes for 1,194 (12.1) and 12 TDs. "For his size his ball security was good," another coach said. "For a little guy he gets behind his pads. He's got everything you want as a punt returner. Now he's got to do it." From Laurel, Fla.
5. BRANDIN COOKS, WR, Oregon State (5-9½, 187, 4.33) – Put on a show at the combine, dominating shuttle runs and blazing a 4.33 40. Returned all eight of his kickoffs (22.4) in 2011 and all 12 of his punts (6.0) in '13. "It's a reach," said one coach. "He doesn't even know what he's doing back there. He just starts a-runnin', starts free-lancin'. This guy's a game-changer. There's no reason why he can't be one of those guys. He'll be doing it (returning)." Nicknamed "Sonic Boom." Said another coach: "Incredible speed, outstanding quickness. Makes people miss all the time. Dances a bit too much. He's got a huge up side."
6. JALEN SAUNDERS, WR, Oklahoma (5-9, 169, 4.44) – Returned 20 of his 31 punts in 2013, when he had TDs of 91 and 64 yards. Averaged 15.0 and scored three TDs in career on punts but never returned a kickoff. "Basically a one-year guy," one coach said. "He could be your top punt returner and I see him working his way into kickoffs. The size for kickoffs is always a concern even though his ball security was good." Started 30 of 48 games as a WR, catching 203 passes for 3,085 yards (15.2) and 26 TDs. Played 2010-'11 at Fresno State before transferring. Wonderlic of 16. "Really good suddenness and short-area elusiveness," the coach said. "He can make plays on his own but not going to do a lot of creatin' yards after contact," From Elk Grove, Calif.
7. GEORGE ATKINSON, RB, Notre Dame (6-1½, 218, 4.45) – Ran back kickoffs for TD against Michigan State (89 yards) and Southern California (96) as a freshman in 2011, becoming first Notre Dame player since Allen Rossum in '97 to have two scores on KOs in a season. Returned school-record 88 in three seasons, averaging 24.3, but never returned a punt. "He's better than Golden Tate," one coach said. "He's north-south, one cut and hit it. He needs to build speed. You've got to get a piece of this guy because this guy will run through contact." Father, George, was a successful CB-S-returner for Oakland and Denver from 1968-'79. Wonderlic of 12. Never carried more than 93 times in a season and had just 10 receptions. "Little bit in the doghouse there at times," said another coach. "Got a little bit of a bad rap. He has a chance to be a very good kickoff returner. Don't know if he can catch punts." From Stockton, Calif.
8. TRAVIS CARRIE, CB, Ohio (5-11½, 205, 4.47) – Three-year starting cornerback with nine interceptions. Returned 56 punts for 11.8 average but brought back just one kickoff. "Day 1 he competes as your starting punt returner," one coach said. "He can develop into a kickoff returner. Nice size. Runs well. Ball security was OK. He fits the profile both ways." Has undergone open heart, hip and shoulder operations. Not only medical risk but also has off-field problems. From Antioch, Calif.
9. JOHN BROWN, WR, Pittsburg (Kan.) State (5-10, 175, 4.36) – From Homestead, Fla. Played as a freshman at Mars Hill (N.C.) in '08. Sat out '09 because of academics (Wonderlic of 15), redshirted at a junior college in '10 and surfaced for the Division II Gorillas in '11. Returned 93 punts for 12.7 average and three TDs and 81 kickoffs for 26.2 and three scores. Also caught 212 passes for 4,006 (18.9) and 41 TDs. "He's a smaller, real fast guy," said one coach. "I got him more as a punt returner than a kickoff returner. He's lost at least three fumbles on hits. That's a knock in my mind."
10. JERICK McKINNON, Georgia Southern (5-9, 208, 4.38) – Quarterback-turned-running back in a triple-option offense, finished with 3,899 yards rushing (6.3) and 42 TDs. Only return experience was four kickoffs (18.5). Led all backs at the combine with 32 reps on the bench press. "Obviously, he's a projection," one scout said. "Really good athlete, but I thought he'd have a lot more quickness. His Senior Bowl wasn't very impressive. Real raw. He's got the skill set to do it. Mentally, is he a guy that would work hard at it?" Wonderlic of 24. From Marietta, Ga.
OTHERS: Marqise Lee, WR, Southern California; Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson; Tre Mason, RB, Auburn; Lamarcus Joyner, CB-S, Florida; Corey "Philly" Brown, WR, Ohio State; Brendan Bigelow, RB, California; Josh Huff, WR, Oregon; Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina.
Read more from Journal Sentinel:
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/specialists-in-nfl-draft-bring-strong-skills-have-room-to-grow-b99255497z1-258382861.html#ixzz31WdQo1ay
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