With each of his many strides into the end zone last season, Bears rookie Devin Hester opened the door a little wider for special-teamers in this year’s NFL draft.
“Thanks for reminding me,” said St. Louis Rams coach Scott Linehan, whose team was torched by Hester for two touchdown returns in a 42-27 loss. “Everybody’s going to be looking for that this year. I’m sure game-changers like that are going to rise up the charts a little bit more, regardless of how much production they have had on offense or defense.”
More Top Picks Hp Envy 4520
A year ago, the Bears went into the draft not sure if Hester would play cornerback or receiver for them. He had played those positions and also running back at the University of Miami but had not stood out at any of them.
“There wasn’t anybody (at the 2006 NFL scouting combine) who didn’t know he had the ability to be an impact returner,” Linehan said. “But he didn’t have a particular position, and maybe unfairly that was the knock against him. But he did one thing (last season) better than anybody, which we certainly saw in person.”
The Bears selected Hester in the second round with the 57th overall pick. He rewarded them with an NFL-record six returns for touchdowns (three punts, two kickoffs, one missed field goal) during the regular season and a seventh one on the opening kickoff in Super Bowl XLI. He also tied an NFL record for the longest touchdown when he returned a missed field goal 108 yards against the New York Giants.
“He brought back the importance of a kick,” Texas running back Selvin Young said at this year’s scouting combine. “A lot of teams were starting to settle for what they can get. Now [teams] want to take it to the house. I have a few of those on my record. A punt return and a kick return in the same game (in 2003). Hopefully, I get to the next level and bring some of that back.”
The 5-foot-10-inch, 207-pound Young projects as a potential fullback. If he’s drafted, it most likely will be because of his return ability. Thanks, of course, to the Hester Effect.
“There are a lot of good returners in this draft,” said Rick Spielman, Vikings vice president of player personnel. “The one thing we did, and the scouts did very well, was they had to [evaluate] all the special teams on all of these players in the draft. … We did a very thorough job on guys because those rookies, to me, it’s very important [that they can play] special teams.”
Two of those hoping to cash in on the Hester Effect are projected first-rounders Ted Ginn Jr. and Aaron Ross. Ginn, a wide receiver from Ohio State, had a Big Ten career record six punt returns for touchdowns, two kickoff returns for touchdowns, led the NCAA in punt return average as a freshman (25.6) and kickoff return average as a sophomore (29.6).
“I’m a fan of [Hester],” Ginn said. “And if he can do it, I believe I can do it. I’m not trying to be cocky, but we do have the same abilities and same type speed.”
Ross, a cornerback from Texas, had an 11.3-yard career punt return average and three touchdowns. Like Ginn, he has value as a potential immediate starter. Asked if he has even more value because of the Hester Effect, Ross smiled.
“I hope so,” he said. “He’s a great punt returner. His rookie campaign was amazing, and I feel like that’s something I really want to do on the next level. Once you get your confidence in catching the ball and trusting your blockers and your coaching scheme, then you should be all right. The rest just comes from natural ability.”
Other prospects with NFL-caliber speed proven return ability, at least in college, include Michigan receiver Steve Breaston; Kansas State receiver Yamon Figurs; Miami of Ohio receiver Ryne Robinson, and Jacoby Jones, a receiver from Lane, an NCAA Division II school.
%% THE FIRST ROUND 1. OAKLAND RAIDERS 2. DETROIT LIONS 3. CLEVELAND BROWNS 4. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 5. ARIZONA CARDINALS 6. WASHINGTON REDSKINS 7. MINNESOTA VIKINGS 8. ATLANTA FALCONS 9. MIAMI DOLPHINS 10. HOUSTON TEXANS 11. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 12. BUFFALO BILLS 13. ST. LOUIS RAMS 14. CAROLINA PANTHERS 15. PITTSBURGH STEELERS 16. GREEN BAY PACKERS 17. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 18. CINCINNATI BENGALS 19. TENNESSEE TITANS 20. NEWYORK GIANTS 21. DENVER BRONCOS 22. DALLAS COWBOYS 23. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 24. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 25. NEWYORK JETS 26. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 27. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 28. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 29. BALTIMORE RAVENS 30. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 31. BEARS 32. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS %%