No unit of an NFL club can have a quicker turnaround than the special teams with an influx of new talent.

The addition of a dangerous return specialist and quality kickers and defenders can make the difference between an also-ran and a playoff contender. The Oakland Raiders are a perfect example of that theory with the drafting of two rookie kickers, placekicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler last spring. Both have made a significant difference on Raiders special teams this season after a disastrous '99 season for those units.

Santana Moss has been an explosive returner for the Miami Hurricanes. (Allsport)

Janikowski was a surprise first-round selection who struggled early in the year, but he has been a steady producer since. Lechler has been outstanding after being selected in the fifth round last spring. He leads the NFL in net punting average and has been instrumental in the improved Raiders defense this fall with his fine directional punting that has kept opposing offenses pinned up to their goalposts.

This year's crop of return specialists is a fine one; many have made huge impacts on their college teams over the past few seasons. Miami's Santana Moss had an electrifying senior season that helped the Hurricanes return to their championship level of past decades. He is an explosive returner who combines quickness, speed and sudden speed to break any play. J.T. Thatcher provided the Sooners with impact as a punt returner this season that has them challenging for the national title. His big-play ability as a punt returner plus his ability to play center field in the secondary has moved him up to the early rounds of the NFL Draft 2001 next April.

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Return Specialists

1. Santana Moss, Miami (Fla.)
Senior, 5-10, 175
Fast senior playmaker has been the catalyst for the Miami resurgence to national prominence. His open-field running skills rate with the best in the nation, showing quick acceleration and natural running skills. He returned four punts for touchdowns this season, most in key situations.

2. J.T. Thantcher, Oklahoma
Senior, 5-11, 200
Strong senior safety/return specialist has been a key performer on the Sooners undefeated team. His big-play ability in the return game was an important phase of the game that helped change the Sooners' fortunes in several crucial contests. He took two punts back for scores in 2000.

3. David Allen, Kansas State
Senior, 5-9, 190
Compact back/return specialist suffered an ankle injury early in the season that limited his big-play ability over the season. He combines speed, quickness and strength to become a major weapon in the NFL as a role player. His injury opened the door for the emergence of junior returner Aaron Lockett, who led the nation with an amazing 22.7-yard average on punts.

4. Bobby Newcombe, Nebraska
Senior, 5-11, 195
Versatile, athletic wideout/punt returner has made a nice transition after starting his career as the Nebraska option quarterback. He is a fine athlete who combines strength, vision and running skills to be dangerous in a number of roles in a pro offense. His versatility will warrant an early call next spring.

Ohio State's Ken-Yon Rambo is a dangerous returner and receiver. (Allsport)

5. Ken-Yon Rambo, Ohio State
Senior, 6-1, 190
Big-play athlete has the package to be a factor in both the passing and return games. He has the quickness to make defenders miss, and the size and strength to break tackles and go the distance as a receiver or kickoff return specialist.

6. Steve Smith, Utah
Senior, 5-9, 180
Explosive playmaker has been one of the premier big-play weapons in the West over the past few seasons. He is dangerous as both a punt and kickoff returner with the acceleration to hit the hole and go the distance. He has the running skills to make things happen where little opportunity presents itself.

7. Freddie Milons, Alabama
Junior, 5-11, 180
Talented junior has a world of talent, but had a disappointing 2000 season due to injuries that may lead him to return for his final season. He is dangerous after he gets his hands on the ball, capable of striking from anywhere on the field.

8. Sly Johnson, Miami (Ohio)
Senior, 5-9, 175
Elusive senior wideout/return specialist has been one of the stellar performers in the MAC over his career. He is a fine open-field runner with the ability to make tacklers miss and the speed to run away from defenders. He needs to prove he can hold up in the physical NFL game.

Placekickers

1. Jamie Rheem, Kansas State
Senior, 6-2, 190
Talented senior kicker hopes to follow former Wildcat Martin Gramatica to the NFL. Rheem has performed well this season, especially in big games such as the Nebraska contest. His kickoffs in that game gave the Wildcats excellent field position most of the game.

Kicker Kris Stockton (13) has been a consistent weapon for Texas. (Allsport)

2. Kris Stockton, Texas
Senior, 5-9, 190
Compact senior kicker had an excellent final season while leading the nation in scoring with 107 points. He is very accurate with the leg strength to hit 50-yard kicks with regularity.

3. Vitaly Pisetsky, Wisconsin
Senior, 5-10, 220
Strong-legged senior had a down season compared to his junior campaign. He is a powerful kickoff man and a reliable placekicker with the ability to hit 50-yard kicks.

4. Owen Pochman, BYU
Senior, 6-0, 180
Powerful kicker has filled the dual role of placekicker and kickoff man well for the Cougars. His ability to hit the middle range FG and drive kickoffs into the endzone has helped BYU.

5. Jeff Chandler, Florida
Senior, 6-2, 210
Reliable senior kicker has performed well as both a placekicker and kickoff man for the Gators. His consistency inside 40 yards will give him a chance to win a starting kicking job early in his career.

Punters

1. Nick Harris, California
Senior, 6-3, 220
Athletic senior completed a fine career in the Pac 10 in all aspects of punting. He is an excellent directional punter with the ability to get consistently fine hang time.

2. Kevin Stemke, Wisconsin
Senior, 6-2, 190
Strong punter won the first Ray Guy award as the nation's top punter. He has punted in poor weather conditions and performed at a high level over his four years as a starter.

3. Brian Morton, Duke
Senior, 6-6, 220
Huge senior punter averaged over 45 yards per punt this season good for second in the nation. He gets excellent distance with good hang time but must work on his directional punting to be a complete kicker.

4. Ray Cheetany, UNLV
Senior, 5-9, 175
Small athlete shows a powerful leg that has earned him a high grade over the past two seasons as a punter. He will need to improve his directional punting to challenge for an NFL starting job.

5. Dan Hadenfelt, Nebraska
Senior, 5-11, 195
Steady senior punter has been two-year starter for Nebraska and has performed well, especially in big games. He has a strong leg and gets decent hangtime. He is also a quality kickoff man.

Coyle, a full-time NFL scout, has published Draft Insiders' Digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last 10 years.

He attends practices, games and individual workouts across the country as well as breaking down game films to study the nation's top players. He writes for numerous pro weeklies on the NFL Draft and free agency in addition to game matchups and player profiles.

Coyle attends NFL minicamps in May and June and numerous training camps throughout the summer. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows from coast-to-coast, and has also been a personnel consultant to several NFL teams in recent years.