Who can we draft that can also return punts?

[dchyde]

Okay, so I'm scouring the draft sites looking at potential safeties we could pick up and I come across Darnell Bing, who, as it turns out, also returns kicks pretty well. It got me thinking: what players could we pick up -- Marcedes Lewis, for example, or the cornerback we'll probably get to eventually replace Tory, or a strong safety -- that in addition to being good at the position they're drafted for, is also good at returning punts? I think we can all agree that Keiwan Ratliff, as much as we love him -- the juking and jiving thing for four yards a return -- just ain't cutting it. So I'm asking any and all draft experts out there -- which college player could fill a need on this team AND return punts?

I'll do some digging around myself and if I can find a good prospect I'll add it to this thread. But please, feel free to throw out some names. After all, what else is there to talk about?

That is all.

DR

[Stripes]

I'd actually have nothing against keeping Keiwan at punt returner next year. As I've said in previous threads, I love how he takes care of the football. There's nothing like a punt return to make me pray to the Lord that there be no fumbles.

If not Keiwan, I'd still stay on the current roster and say give Tab Perry a shot. He seems to show the vision and speed he would need when he is returning kickoffs.

[HairOnFire]

How about keeping Ratliff in the role but doing whatever is required to get him to return to his rookie form? You know, catch the ball and then run straight forward until somebody attempts to tackle you.

For starters, make him do sideline pushups everytime he catches the ball and then runs towards the sidelines...only to reverse right back to where he started.

[mgilgris]

Tab is a great kick returner, but i think punt returning requires more east/west running than north/south which is def tabs specialty. Wouldnt you guys say that punt returning requires more mobility or elusiveness than tab has. I thought Ratliff did a good job returning the punts considering the hang time for punters has greatly increased this year.

[Whodey420]

Devin Hester.....University of Miami.....Has played WR and CB....more recently Corner....

is still kind of raw at CB but could learn from our Corners for a year plus he is a great

punt returner.....would be a major upgrade over Ratliff at Punt Returner and could develop

into a good CB.

[turningpoint]

Reggie bush, were trading Rudi and Perry to the Texans.

[kentjett]

Save a roster spot for Broussard and have him return punts, he's really explosive and elusive.

[NJ29]

Save a roster spot for Broussard and have him return punts, he's really explosive and elusive.

Bingo.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I say we draft that kid out of UCLA. He was a great kick returner in college and his first year in the NFL. Why don't we draft him in the 6th round last year. That would probably be a great move at kick and punt returner.

[kentjett]

Tab is not fit to return punts, he's suited for kickoffs. Rudi was a good kickoff returner but do you think he would make a good punt returner, hell no. You have to be quick and fast,Tab's fast but not quick. He cannot cut on a dime like good punt returners.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Tab is not fit to return punts, he's suited for kickoffs. Rudi was a good kickoff returner but do you think he would make a good punt returner, hell no. You have to be quick and fast,Tab's fast but not quick. He cannot cut on a dime like good punt returners.

And you have evidence of this where? Tab has shown quickness in his kick returns too.

[bengalindian]

Darnell Bing.

[DontPushMe]

I say we draft that kid out of UCLA. He was a great kick returner in college and his first year in the NFL. Why don't we draft him in the 6th round last year. That would probably be a great move at kick and punt returner.

Theres no way we will have two roster spots taken up next season just for kick returners. If we cant find someone that is useful somewhere other then PR, it will probly be Ratliff again next year.

Tab is not fit to return punts, he's suited for kickoffs. Rudi was a good kickoff returner but do you think he would make a good punt returner, hell no. You have to be quick and fast,Tab's fast but not quick. He cannot cut on a dime like good punt returners.

And you have evidence of this where? Tab has shown quickness in his kick returns too.

Come on, if Tab was any good at returning punts he would have done it this year. Ratliff was somewhere between below average and bad this year as far as gaining yards. Clearly theres something in practice keeping Tab from returning punts.

And I dont like the idea of a starter returning punts, too risky. Thats why O'Neil isnt back there. Same for Housh, though I think part of his problem is hes had quite a few fumbles on punt returns.

[Kazkal]

Would we wanna risk our 1st rnd safty returning punts where more then likely they'll be starting...try find CB or S (for depth) in 6th/7th rnd to return punts ie fastest guy on the board

PS,I'd be fine with Broussard returning punts but problem is do we give him a active spot when thats all he'll do? thatd be 5 WR's per game Chad,TJ,walter,perryBroussard...How effective would he be on coverage? speed to run people down but not size to lose people/not get ran over

[DontPushMe]

Would we wanna risk our 1st rnd safty returning punts where more then likely they'll be starting...try find CB or S (for depth) in 6th/7th rnd to return punts ie fastest guy on the board

PS,I'd be fine with Broussard returning punts but problem is do we give him a active spot when thats all he'll do? thatd be 5 WR's per game Chad,TJ,walter,perryBroussard...How effective would he be on coverage? speed to run people down but not size to lose people/not get ran over

Theres no way Henry is going to be deactivated next year at all. Hes far too good.

Broussard is only worth a 53 man roster spot in the minds of some fans. In reality hes a practice squad guy. Hes just not good enough to play on sundays. Why hes loved so much on these forums is beyond me.

[Stripes]

Broussard is only worth a 53 man roster spot in the minds of some fans. In reality hes a practice squad guy. Hes just not good enough to play on sundays. Why hes loved so much on these forums is beyond me.

I'd agree... Just a speed demon.

We have those on the roster already, like Tab as I said before. At least keep a player like him that could eventually make an impact as a receiver, where I'd expect Broussard to struggle.

[dchyde]

Kazkal,

Your point about not risking a first-rounder returning punts is well taken. Maybe someone in the later rounds then.

This guy sounds pretty speedy:

Justin Wyatt CB 5’10 185 USC

By: Robert Davis

Justin Wyatt is one of the best athletes and one of the fastest players in the Trojan program. That natural ability has caused him to bounce back and forth between positions at USC. As a freshman, Wyatt was a little used corner. As a sophomore, seeking to utilize his natural playmaking talent, Pete Carroll shifted Wyatt to wide receiver. Midway through the season, Wyatt returned to corner. Once he finally settled in at corner, Wyatt became a vital part of USC’s secondary. During his junior campaign, he finished the year with 40 tackles, 4.5 for loss, with an interception.

Wyatt is an excellent athlete, and has phenomenal speed. He has the natural talent to turn and run with any wide receiver in the country. He is not just a cover corner though. Wyatt will stick his nose into the action and make plays in the running game. With the presence of Reggie Bush, Wyatt has not gotten a chance to showcase his return ability, but he could provide some depth as a punt and kick returner at the next level. The Trojan staff moved him to offense to try and take advantage of his gifts, but he was needed more at corner.

Despite being able to keep up step for step with receivers, Wyatt doesn’t make many plays on the ball. He must show a better sense for finding the ball and making a play on it. He has the talent to be a real playmaker, but doesn’t live up to it. His size will also present problems at the next level. He’s not big or strong enough to match up with more physical receivers, and he may be relegated to nickel duty.

Justin Wyatt has the natural gifts to be a riser come draft day. Teams crave speed, and are always looking for corners that can cover. Wyatt has that speed, and has the cover ability. He has given up some big plays this year, but he should still rate as a late Day One talent come draft day because of his upside.

And I don't know why I didn't mention this guy earlier. He goes to my alma mater Boston College and he's pretty damn versatile. His team mate Kiwianuka is out of our range, but maybe this guy will still be around:

Will Blackmon CB/WR 6’1 200 Boston College

By: Robert Davis

Will Blackmon is one of the elite athletes in college football. He made his name as a return man and corner during his first three years at BC, but is now making an impact as a wide receiver for the Eagles. In his three years as a standout corner, Blackmon picked off seven passes and tallied 139 tackles. As a return man in 2004, he became one of the best special teamers in the country. He finished the year with a 27.2 kick off return average, which included a 96-yard touchdown return. On punts, he averaged 11.3 per return, along with a 71-yard return for a touchdown. Blackmon projects to the NFL as either a corner or a wide receiver. Blackmon can play whatever position he wants, but his impact as a corner might put him in higher demand. As a corner, he has everything you want in a shutdown corner. He’s big, strong, athletic, and fast. He can get in your face and play physical, or turn and run with anyone in the country. With his success on special teams, the Eagles staff gave him a look at wide receiver, and he performed so well that that’s where he plays this year. He has the ability to take it to the house any time he touches the ball, so he’ll be in demand as a receiver as well.

The problem with being so versatile is that it limits your ability to focus on one position. If he plays corner at the next level, he will basically have a full year off of playing the spot. He’ll need time to shake off the rust, in addition to the normal transition to the NFL. As a wide receiver, he has only one year of experience and will need a lot of work to fine tune his routes and become more consistent on the field. No matter how you look at it, he looks like a project at the next level.

Blackmon’s natural gifts will make him a highly sought after player in April. Whether it is at wide receiver or corner remains to be seen, but I believe his impact can be greater on the defensive side of the ball. He will have to pick one position and stick to it after the season to put in the work to impress NFL teams. He has the potential to be a first day pick at any position he chooses.

[walshfan]

the cornerback or safety they draft should be able to not only play his position but return punts as well... Why waste a pick just on getting a guy to ruturn punts?

Blackmon is interesting I agree..

Darnel Bing is a blue chip safety.. Ronnie Lott type that returned punts for USC...

[Kazkal]

Like I said walsh not a guy that just returns punts otherwise we have Broussard but someone to add depth / play more special teams then just return punts.