Devin Hester's NFL-record six touchdown returns last season assured that scouts are spending considerably more time watching film of punt and kick returns than in previous years. Hester's performances landed Ted Ginn Jr. in the top 10 with Miami last April, and there are several more exciting prospects for the 2008 draft.
Like Hester, many of the players listed below are talented enough to play multiple positions at the next level. However, their stocks are considerably boosted by their ability to make an impact with their return skills.
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| Troy's Leodis McKelvin has seven career returns for touchdowns. (Provided to CBSSports.com) |
An in-depth look at my current top 10 special teams prospects for the 2008 draft:
1. Leodis McKelvin, Troy, 5-11, 184, 4.44 (40-yard dash)
McKelvin has developed into an intriguing cornerback prospect, flashing the ability to shut down his side of the field. Scouts are just as intrigued by his ability to take over football games with his vision, agility and open-field speed as a returner. A Sun Belt Conference honoree after both his sophomore and junior seasons, McKelvin is an accomplished kick and punt-return specialist. He has seven career returns for touchdowns, and is the only defensive player ranking in the top 10 in all-purpose yards in the Sun Belt, thanks to 256 punt return and 360 kick-return yards.
2. Chris Johnson, East Carolina, 5-11, 200. 4.27
Johnson might be the most versatile big-play threat in the country not named DeSean Jackson. Blessed with mercurial speed, Johnson has been used by East Carolina as a running back, receiver and return specialist, and has led the team in all-purpose yardage each of the past three seasons, averaging 1,345 yards a season. He's at it again this season, leading Conference USA in all-purpose yards with an average of 210.1 per game.
3. Eddie Royal, Virginia Tech, 5-10, 184, 4.39
Like McKelvin and Johnson, Royal can fly. While he has struggled with consistency as a receiver for the Hokies, his ability to change the game as a return specialist has made him one of the most feared returners in the country throughout his career. Royal already has two touchdowns returns this season. He is 10th in the ACC in all-purpose yards with an average of 105.8 per game.
4. Darrell Blackman, North Carolina State, 5-10, 205, 4.54
While he may lack the track speed of others on this list, Blackman has a rare combination of burst, elusiveness and vision that has earned him first team ACC honors as a return specialist -- over Royal. Blackman has returned a pair of punts and kicks for scores in his career to go along with his four receiving touchdowns. Helped by an average of 13.8 yards per punt return and 24.6 per kick return this season, Blackman is atop the ACC with 157.3 all-purpose yards per game.
5. Darius Reynaud, West Virginia, 5-10, 205, 4.47
Like Blackman, Reynaud has the frame to handle the physical rigors of the NFL. He has developed into West Virginia's go-to receiver, but he can handle any position that puts the ball in his hands. Reynaud hasn't been featured as a returner as much as the others on this list, but he has averaged 26.9 yards on 38 career kickoff returns with one touchdown.
6. Dorien Bryant, Purdue, 5-10, 176, 4.48
A highly regarded wide receiver, Bryant's draft status is boosted by his spectacular speed and elusiveness. Experienced as a kick and punt returner, Bryant has been especially productive returning kicks, averaging 23.8 yards per return on 72 career attempts. He's currently second in the Big Ten with an average of 169.4 all-purpose yards per game.
7. Mikey Henderson, Georgia, 5-10, 152, 4.36
A former cornerback, Henderson was moved to receiver for his senior season because of his big-play ability with the ball in his hands. At only 152 pounds, Henderson lacks the size scouts prefer in a return specialist, but like Dante Hall he uses his small frame to squeeze through holes. A first team SEC pick last year as a return specialist, Henderson averaged 14.7 yards per punt return and scored two touchdowns. He's averaging 13.5 this season.
8. Art Carmody, Louisville, 5-9, 168, 5.12
The Lou Groza winner last year after he successfully converted 21 of 25 kicks and all 60 extra points, Carmody's numbers have dipped along with the team's offense. He has made seven of 10 field-goal attempts and all 37 extra points. Scouts question Carmody's pure leg strength, but he has made 81.8 percent (54 of 66) of his career field-goal attempts.
9. Brandon Coutu, Georgia, 6-0, 188, 5.12
Though he hasn't been as consistent as Carmody, teams looking for a kicker with a stronger leg will have to consider Coutu. He has made 78.9 percent (45 of 57) of his career attempts, and has made kicks from as far as 58 yards and is a weapon on kickoffs.
10. Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech, 6-1, 202, 4.92
One of the few punters who warrant legitimate draft consideration. One of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award, Brooks averaged 45.5 yards per attempt last season, his first at the D-I level after transferring in from Georgia Military College. Durant is second in the ACC with a 45.0-yard average this season on 5.29 attempts per game.
Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, published by The Sports Xchange.
